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HISTOEY OF LIMEEICK. 



LIMERICK; 

ITS 

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES, 

ECCLESIASTICAL, CIVIL, AND MILITARY, 

FROM THE EARLIEST AGES, 



WITH COPIOUS HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND GENEA- 
LOGICAL NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ; MAPS, PLATES, AND APPENDICES, 
AND AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX, ETC. 



(fcomptletr from tfje Ancient Annate, tfje most authentic ffl%>. 
antr Printed EccorUs, decent Eesearrfjeg, etc*, etc* 



"Oipig re kfjir) Kai yvutfir) iced icrropirj 
Tctvra Xeyovffd lori. — Herodotus, Euterpe, ch. 99. 
" I have related what I have seen, what I have thought, and what I have learned by 
inquiry". — Carey's Translation. 



MAURICE LENIHAN, ESQ. 



DUBLIN : 
HODGES, SMITH, AND CO., 104 GRAFTON STREET, 

BOOKSELLERS AND PUBLISHERS TO THE UNIVERSITY. 

1866. 



J. F. FOWLER, PRINTER, 
3 CROW STREET, DAME STREET, 

DUBLIN. 







DEDICATION. 



TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 

EDWIN EICHARD WINDHAM WYNDHAM QUIN, 

THIRD EARL OF DUNRAVEN AND MOUNT-EARL, 

LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITY, 

AND OF THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK, 

ETC , ETC , ETC. 

My Lord, 

The associations of a History of a locality in which your Lord- 
ship must necessarily take a deep interest, from the manifold ties, both 
ancient and modern, which so intimately connect you with many of the 
transactions recorded in the following pages, and your Lordship's well- 
known attainments as a scholar and antiquarian, would, independently 
of your large possessions and eminent position in the county, remind me of 
your Lordship as the most appropriate personage to whom such a book 
should be dedicated. 

I therefore take the liberty of requesting your acceptance of a work 
of no inconsiderable toil, in which I have endeavoured, faithfully and 
impartially, to record events, the perusal of which, it is to be hoped, may 
both interest and instruct. 

I have the honour to be, my Lord, 

Your Lordship's most obedient servant, 

MAURICE LENIHAN. 

Limerick, February 20, 1866. 



PBEEACE. 



I have already stated, in the prospectus of this book, that historical truth, 
local and general interest, fulness of details, and the publication of new and 
authentic matter, derived from original sources, wee the main objects which 
I proposed to myself in undertaking the laborious and difficult task of 
writing a History of Ancient and Modern Limerick. Originally appearing 
at intervals in the ephemeral shape of a contribution to the newspaper of 
which I am the proprietor, the plan of the work, as at first contemplated, 
included only the history of the last sieges ; but the resources developed 
in the course of the studies which I found indispensable for a competent 
discharge of the duties that I had undertaken, accumulated so much 
interesting matter, and attracted so much attention and encouragement from 
some of our most eminent scholars and patriots, that I was induced to 
think of giving these occasional contributions to local history a fuller and, 
I hope, a more permanent form. My own enthusiastic love of the subject, 
no doubt, as well as these friendly criticisms, made me underrate the labour 
and care, to say nothing of the other high qualifications and responsibilities 
involved in such an undertaking; and, in fact, as my materials increased 
by the addition of family muniments, pedigrees, and official documents, I 
found that the publication of my notes and memoranda alone would 
extend to three or four volumes. Of course, so weighty a work was 
beyond my private means, upon which exclusively I have had to rely for 
the publication of my book, and which have been the more heavily taxed 
because I resolved to publish it at so extremely low a price, compared with 
other works of the kind. I had, therefore, to choose a medium between 
a historical epitome, and a publication which would have been more fitly 
called Historical Collections for a History of Limerick, than by its present 
title. 

In such circumstances, fine writing, ambitious narrative, studied graces 
of style, and philosophical reflections, have often to be sacrificed to the 
stern requirements of facts and figures. In a work too which alternates be- 
tween sublimity and commonplace, sustained elevation, or even equality 
of style, is not to be always expected. All that could reasonably be looked 
for was truth, lucidity and interest of narrative, and accuracy of in- 
formation, and whether I have realized these objects or not, public opinion 
will find no difficulty in deciding. My chapter on the county history, 
topography, and antiquities, alone contains condensed information which 
might easily be expanded into a goodly volume, for which, in fact, I still 
have copious materials in MS. I hope, however, my endeavours to render 
the book a readable as well as an instructive one, will not be entirely 
fruitless. As another contribution, collected from the best sources, to our 
local histories, which are so very few when compared with those of other 
countries, the work possesses an additional interest. 



Vlll PREFACE. 

Should it attain the success I hope for, I shall be induced to try the history 
of Tipper ary, and perhaps of Clare, for which also I have ample materials. 

As for the spirit in which any reflections I have made in the course of 
the work may have been conceived, I think it unnecessary to offer any 
apology. Whatever my opinions may be on political, social, or religious 
subjects, I have not allowed them to interfere with strict impartiality as a 
historian. Had I, or could I have, written without making any reflections 
at all, I might as well have published a dry list of chronological events, 
instead of a history, and I could, in such a case, neither have felt nor 
imparted that degree of interest to the work which would insure its 
popularity or even its perusal. Such as it is, its publication in book form 
has originated in a suggestion of my venerable friend the Most Rev. Dr. 
Leahy, the learned and gifted Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. 

That scarcely any diversity of opinion exists as to whether another 
History of Limerick was required at the present day, is, I believe, a settled 
point. A century has well nigh passed away since John Ferrar compiled 
his small history and directory ; and more than eighty years have elapsed 
since the second and larger edition appeared. Ferrar drew all his 
materials from the Rev. James White's MSS., omitting much that did 
not suit the times and his patrons and from Dr. Smith's MSS. in the 
Royal Irish Academy. Of the grand and salient features of the history he 
gave but little ; he suppressed many annals ; whilst the sieges and battles of 
Limerick, the heroism of its defenders, their triumphs and their sufferings, 
are passed over in a very short space: he left untouched many of ti?e 
prmcipal incidents, even in the sources from which he professed to draw, 
and other more important fountains of knowledge were to him sealed 
altogether. The immense mass of matter which has been brought to light 
in reference to Ireland since he wrote, through the labours of our archae- 
ologists and historians, through the Royal Irish Academy, the Gaelic 
Society, the Archaeological and Celtic Societies, etc., through £±q extra- 
ordinary labours of my late lamented friend Professor Eugene O'Curry, the 
late Dr. O'Donovan, the late Dr. Petrie, Dr. Todd, etc., attests his deficiency 
in resources which are now abundant. Of the larger history of Fitzgerald 
and MacGregor, although possessing a certain amount of merit, which I am 
far from undervaluing, it will not, I trust, be deemed rash or invidious to 
say, that it is quite as much a history of Ireland as of Limerick ; that its 
copious details, even if desirable in a local history, are often put forward 
upon the authority of some persons who were either imperfectly acquainted 
with the subject, or partially disqualified from offering their statements and 
opinions by personal and political prejudices and prepossessions ; and that a 
very considerable quantity of the matter which fills the two bulky volumes, 
can have little interest to readers who sit down with the wish to be in- 
formed of the facts of the particular history which the title page pro- 
fesses to give. Thanks to the labours of recent archaeologists, to the wide 
spread of education, and to the more intimate intercourse between men of 
all opinions which exists in these days of frequent and rapid locomotion, 
many of the prejudices against nationality, so common even in the days 
of the last historians of Limerick, have already passed or are rapidly 
passing away, and have been succeeded by a spirit of honest inquiry, can- 
did admission, and a love of historical truth, which have been greatly 
fostered by the eminent men and by the publications to which we have 



PREFACE. IX 

already referred. I do not write by way of depreciating those who have 
trod the anxious path of local historical research before the present work 
was projected and undertaken; but I desire to show that a History of 
Limerick was an absolute desideratum which ought to be supplied. I 
have been engaged for some years, not only in collecting and preparing 
materials for this work, from rare and valuable published authorities, but 
I have supplied myself with manuscript materials of unquestionable autho- 
rity — chiefly amongst them the MSS. of Dr. Thomas Arthur, a native of 
Limerick, the friend of Sir James Ware, the physician of nearly all the 
eminent Irishmen of his time, and a relative of the illustrious Archbishop 
Creagh; to which MSS. there appears to have been little or no access 
before those invaluable materials for the history of Limerick came into 
my possession, though constituting some of the most ancient written 
records of many of the most important of local events — some of the most 
curious and interesting of which have never hitherto seen the light, but 
all of which I have given. The White Manuscripts, from which Ferrar 
professed to draw, but much of which, I repeat, he left untouched, I have in 
my possession at present; and I have also had access to the interesting 
chartulary and annals of Edmond Sexten, preserved in the British Museum. 
I should add that some years ago I purchased the valuable Limerick 
MSS. of John D' Alton, Esq., M.R.I. A., from which I have derived most im- 
portant matter. Most of the other authorities I give below. As an 
instance of the fuller and more accurate details, to which I flatter myself 
this history will owe some of its advantages over former ones, I may refer 
to the period of the Sieges, a portion of the history to which Limerick is 
indebted for its chief celebrity, and visited by the lovers of national 
independence and military heroism. In treating of this and other parts 
of the work, I can safely aver I have spared no laborious exertions to 
acquaint myself both by reading, inquiring, and personal investigation, 
with all the narratives and traditions which bear upon the subject. On 
the history of its religious houses, and on the ecclesiastical history gene- 
rally of Limerick, I have also taken particularly great care, and expended 
considerable time and labour, constantly referring to original documents, 
such as the Black Book of Limerick, for the more ancient details, and to 
original sources of information for the more modern, and setting down 
nothing for which I had not sufficient authority, although I am not of 
course so vain as to think I have escaped an occasional error. 

In the list of authorities the reader will find, I hope, a sufficient 
guarantee of my industry as a student, and fidelity as a historian; 
but it would be ungrateful to omit my acknowledgment for many 
obligations conferred by kind friends who have - consulted the public 
libraries for me, and lent me their family papers and other useful 
materials, besides other literary assistance. In the history of the Catholic 
Bishops after the Reformation, I have to express my thanks for the 
valuable assistance of the learned antiquarian, Mr. Hanna of Ballykilner, 
county Down. 

The present Lord Gort has most obligingly furnished me with many 
interesting records, and valuable notes from the Carew MSS., now in the 
Lambeth Library ; and his brother, the Hon. John P. Vereker, late Lord 
Mayor of Dublin, has supplied me with much available matter from his own 
interesting collections of papers. For the deeply interesting notes on the 



PREFACE. 



Jesuit Fathers, I am indebted to the' kindness of the Rev. Father Hogan, 
S.J., a laborious and patient searcher after historical truth in this respect. 
L. Waldron, Esq., D.L., the late M.P. for the county Tipperary, has 
afforded me information as to the existence of materials in the British 
Museum, etc., whilst De Lacy Pierce, Esq., and his nephews, of the 
Adelphi Chambers, London, have most obligingly contributed various 
illustrative documents derived from the same source, and from their own 
historical collections and papers. I have got some notes, too, of much 
interest, from the Hon. Robert O'Brien, from General Sir Charles R. 
O'Donnell, and from the late lamented John Windele, Esq., Cork; while 
in translation, research, revision, and general literary assistance, I have 
enjoyed the constant, efficient, and friendly aid of Thomas Stanley 
Tracey, Esq., A.B., ex-Schol. T.C.D., who was conveniently near me. 

The reader will find in the Index the fullest references to almost every- 
thing in the book besides what is contained in the table of contents, the 
latter, in general, giving only the chief heads of the subjects in the text. 

List of principal authorities used in this work: — 



Annals of Four Masters, 

Annals of Munster, 

Annals of Ulster, 

Aphorismical Discovery, etc., MS., T.C.D. 

Archdall's Monasticon, 

Arthur MSS., 

Anderson's Ireland, 

Atkinson's View, etc., 

Billing's Fragmentum Historicum, 

Black Book of Limerick, 

Book of Friars' Preachers of Limerick in 

British Museum, 
Boate's Natural History, 
Borlase's Bebellion, 
Bourchier's Historia Ecclesiastica Francis- 

corum, 
Book of Distribution of Irish Forfeited 

Estates, 
Burgundian Library MSS. (Brussels), 
Book of Rights, 
Bruodin's Chronicles, 
Buchanan's History of Scotland, 
Cambrensis (Giraldus) Irish History in MSS. 
Camden's Britannia, 
Camden's History of Elizabeth, 
Campbell's Philosophical Survey, 
Campbell's Political Survey, 
Clynn and Dowling's Annals, 
. Campion's History of Ireland, 
Carte's Life of Ormonde, 
Castlehaven's Memoirs, 
Clarendon's History of Rebellion, 
Comerford's History of Ireland, 
Colgan's Acta Sanctorum, etc., 
Conway Correspondence MSS., 
Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, 
Crossley's Peerage of Ireland, 
Curry's Civil Wars of Ireland, 
Carve's Itinerary, 
Dalton's MSS., 

De Burgo's Hibernia Dominicana, 
De Burgo's Extracts from the Protestant 

Historians, 
Dalrymple's Memoirs, 
Dewar on Ireland, 



Dunraven's (Earl of) Memorials of Adare, 

Ferrar's History of Limerick, 

Fitzgerald and M'Gregor's Hist, of Limerick. 

Frazer's Handbook of Ireland, 

French's (Bishop of Ferns) Unkinde Deser- 
tor and Bleeding Iphegenia, 

Froissart's Chronicles, 

Gordon's Ireland and Rebellion, 

Hamilton's Calendar of State Papers, 

Hanmer's Chronicles, 

Hardiman's History of Galway, 

Harleian MSS. in Brit. Mus. 

Harris's Hibernica, 

Harris's History of Down, 

Heylin's History, 

Holingshed's Chronicles, 

Hoveden's History, 

Keating's History of Ireland, 

Kilkenny Archaeological Society's Journal, 

Keogh's Botanologia and Zoologia, 

King's State of the Irish Protestants, 

King James's Irish Army List, 

Lewis's Topographical Dictionary, 

Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History, 

Liber Hymnorum, 

Local Traditions, 

Ledwich's Antiquities, 

Leland's History of Ireland, 

Leyden's Agonia et Victoria? Martyrum 
Eranciscorum, 

London Gazette, 1G50-1-2, etc., 

Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, 

Ludlow's Memoirs, 

Lynch's Law of Elections in Ireland, 

Lynch's Feudal Dignities, 

Lynch's Cambrensis Eversus, 

Lloyd's Ancient Church Government in Eng- 
land and Ireland, 

Mason's Statistical Survey, 

Mason on Irish Parliaments, 

Marlborough's Chronicles, 

Morrin's Caiendary of the Patent and Close 
Rolls of Chancery, 

MacCurtin's Vindication, etc., 

Memoirs of an Octogenarian (J. Roche, Esq). 



PREFACE. 



XI 



M'Dermot's History of Ireland, 

Monasticon H ibernicum, 

Molyneux's Diary of the Siege, 

MS. Annals (unpublished) of County and 

City of Limerick, 
MSS collections of the Smyth Papers, etc. 
Morrison's Itinerary, 
Massingham's FJorilegium, etc., 
Macaulay's (Lord) History of England, 
Nairne's Stuart State Papers, 
O'Heyne's History of the Dominicans, 
O'Reilly's History of Ireland, 
O'Reilly's Irish Writers, 
O'Connor's Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores, 
O'Halloran's History of Ireland, 
O'Renehan's Collections, 
O'Curry's MS. Materials, 
Orrery's State Letters, 
Ouseley's MS. Corrections and Emendations 

of Ferrar, 
Petty's Survey of Ireland, Tracts, etc., 
Pacata Hibernia, 

Petrie's Round Towers, Tara, etc., 
Parker's (Captain) Memoirs, 
Parliamentary Gazeteer of Ireland, 
Philopater Irenaeus, 
Reports of Commissioners of Public Records, 

Ireland, 
Report of the Great Fishery Trials of Mal- 

comson versus O'Dea, etc. 
Rutty's Mineral Spas, etc. 
Rushworth's Historical Collections, 
Rymer's Foedera, 
Report of Corporation Commissioners, 



Rothe's Analecta Sacra, 

Reports on the Fisheries, 

Sexten's Chartulary in British Museum , 

Smith's Histories of Waterford, Cork, and 

Kerry, 
Southwell MSS., 
Spenser's View of Ireland, 
Strafford's Memoirs, 
Sir John Davies's Historical Tracts, 
Strafford's Letters, 
Stanihurst De Rebus Hibernicis, etc., 
Story's Civil Wars of Ireland, 
Stuart's History of Armagh, 
Seward's Topograph ia Hibernica, 
Smith's MSS. in the R.I.A., 
State Paper Office Records, 
State Papers of Henry VIII., 
Tours in Ireland (by several authors), 
Vallancey's Irish Collections, 
Voltaire's Siecle de Louis XIV., etc., 
Wakefield's Ireland, 
Walshe's Remonstrance and Letters, 
Ware's Antiquities, Bishops, History, etc., 
White's MSS., 
White's Apologia, 
Wynne's History of Ireland, 
Wood's Ancient Ireland, 
Wright's Ireland, etc., 
Walker's Irish Bards, 
Walker's Dress and Armour of the Ancient 

Irish, 
Warner's History of Irish Rebellion, 
Watters's Irish Birds. 
Young's Tour, 



These, and a great number of others, are the authorities, to which 
reference has been made, and from which matter has been collated bj me. 
In the Appendices I have added a considerable quantity of matter which 
was not available until the latest moment; and I contemplate, in the next 
Edition, to supply such additional facts and historical matter as may be 
developed by the State Papers, etc., in the course of publication. To 
unavoidable errors, which I have endeavoured, as far as possible to correct, 
the reader will, I hope, extend a generous forbearance. 

MAURICE LENIHAN. 



February 20th, 1866. 



LIST OF MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS. 

Map of City of Limerick in 1866, to face title page. 

Thomond Bridge, King John's Castle, etc., . ... ... ... 50 

Inscription and Figure, ... ... ... . ... ... 162 

Clare and Limerick Tokens, ... ... ... ... ... 200 

Story's Map of Siege, 1690, ... ... .. ... ... 237 

French Map of Limerick and its Fortifications in 1691, ... ... ... 258 

Heads of James II., and William III., .. .. ... ... 27 1 

Inscription on Town Fish House in 15S2, ... ... ... ... 262 

Facsimile of inscription on tomb of Galfridus Arthur, ... ... ... 578 

Fac-simile of inscription and Castle over Mungret Gate, ... ... loQ 




ERRATA. 

In the Greek verses on Garryowen some of the vowels have been misplaced* 

Page 341, note 3, for Henry O'Sullivan read James O'Sullivan. 

Page 482, note, last line, for "established" read " abolished" . 

Page 439, lines 1 and 2, for " commons" read " customs". 

Page 326, for Heney read Henry. 

Page 745, note §, for John Massy, Esq., read John Kelly, Esq. 



Index, page 761, for Arthur, father, read Archer. 
„ page ibid., read Arthur family, page 366. 
„ page 763, read Cashin's School, 322 ; Castle- 

connell described, page 727. 
„ page 764, read Colleen Bawn, 402, 551 ; Con- 

nell, Johnny, 402 ; Coote. Chidley, 321. 
„ page 764, read Clare Street, 341, 



Index, page 765, dele Dowdal family ; Duel, etc., read 

page 407. 
page 772, read Quin, John, page 676 ; Raleighs- 

town etc.. page 746. 
page 773, read Ryan, etc., page 461. 
page 774, read Swinburne, page 414 ; Tait, 

Peter, page 529. 



P. S e s m, m- r „ Dr. O'Keefe, *, Dr Lacy 

Page, 654 and 657-For Father Meroney, „* ^tenley . 



ERRATUM. 



^^W^afi&ttr^%s^ -*.£-; - ~ -* .*~ 



: 



- 1 ■•*-.& 



CONTENTS. 



I. Foundation and occupation of the city by the Danes.— Origin of the name 
of Limerick. — Earliest notices. — Introduction of Christianity iuto. — Wars 
of the Danes, etc. ... ... ... ••• 1 

II. Reign and achievements of Brian Boroimhe, etc., etc. ... ... 10 

III. Brian and his immediate successors ; and the Kings of Thomond, etc. ... 17 

IV. The Kings of Thomond, continued, etc., etc. ... ... 22 

V. Annals of Thomond.— Monasteries founded by Donald O'Brien, King of 

Limerick, etc., etc. ... ... ... ... 25 

VI. The Norman Invasion, etc. ... ... ... 35 

VII. Limerick under the English.— Charters and Grants, etc. ... 47 

VIII. Annals of Thomond. — Grants, etc. ... ,.. ... 63 

IX. Annals of Thomond. — The Desmonds and the Butlers, etc. ... 67 

X. Limerick under the Tudors, etc. ... ... ... 69 

XL End of the Kingdom of Thomond. — Rivalry between Limerick and Galway, 

etc. -.. ... ... ... ... 73 

XII. Limerick under the Tudors, continued.— Henry VIII.— Lord Leonard Gray. 

— Edmond Sexten, etc. ... ... ... ... 75 

XIII. Successes of the English. — Fruits of the Reformation, etc. ... 88 

XIV. Limerick under Queens Mary and Elizabeth.— The Wars of the Desmonds.— 

The Butlers and O'Briens. — Confiscations, etc. ... ... 94 

XV. Progress of Sir H. Sidney. — Extraordinary customs of the Irish. — The 

Deputy's visit to Lord Power, at Curraghmore. — Battle of Manister, etc. 99 

XVI. Martyrdom of Bishop Healy and Father O'Rourke. — Continued atrocities, etc. 103 
XVII. English Progress. — Persecutions continued. — Arrival of the Spaniards, etc. 107 

XVIII. Fate of the Earl of Desmond.— Grants. — Richard Creagh, etc. ... 109 

XIX. Arrival of Earl James. — O Donnell's invasion of Thomond. — Jail Deliveries. 

— Fate of the Insurgents and Spaniards, etc. ... .. 125 

XX. Rejoicings in Limerick on the Death of Queen Elizabeth. — Hopes and Dis- 
appointments. — Flight of the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, etc. ... 130 

XXI. Persecutions on account of religion. — Execution of John Burke, Baron 

of Brittas. — A new charter. — Indenture of Perambulation, etc. ... 133 

XXII. Inquisitions. — Corporate spoliation. ... ... ... 138 

XXIII. Affairs in the City. — Dr. Thomas Arthur. — Projected Catholic Universities. 

— Went worth. — Archbishop Usher, etc. ... ... 143 

XXIV. The Civil War. — The Confederation Refusal of the Corporation to receive 

the Papal Envoy.— Correspondence between the Mayor and the Envoy. — 
Occupation of the King's Castle by the Confederates. — Murrough of the 
Burnings, etc. ... ... ... ... 148 

XXV. The Apostolic Nuncio Rinuccini.— Siege of Bunratty Castle. — Estimate of 
Ormonde. — Te Deum in St. Mary's Cathedral. — Ormonde's peace de- 
nounced. — Bourke deposed. — Fanning constituted Mayor. — Atrocities of 
Murrough of the Burnings at Cashel, etc. ... ... 155 

XXVI. Cromwell sent to Ireland. — Continued negociations. — Limerick threatened. — 

Ormonde and the Bishop. — Bishop O'Moloney Progress of Ireton, etc. 165 

XXVII. Ireton's campaign. — The siege of Limerick.— Terrible sufferings of the 

citizens. — Treason of Fennell, etc. ... ... ... ]7l 

XXVIII. Confiscation. — Oppressive taxation of the citizens. — Fearful burdens. — 

Fleetwood, etc. ... ... ... ... 184 

XXIX. The High Court of Butchery — Savage executions. — Court of Adventurers. 1 87 
XXX. Departure of the Irish for foreign lands. — Cromwell's Parliament. — Whole- 
sale confiscations, etc. . . . . ... 190 

XXXI. Death of Cromwell. — Accession of Charles II. — Disappointment of Catho- 
lics.— Rewards of the Regicides and Adventurers. — Grants.— Trades- 
men's Tokens. — Grant of Fisheries to Sir George Preston.— Lord Orrery. — 
Corporal' on doings, etc. ... ... ... 196 

ZXJTl. Important Events. — Schomberg lands at Carrickfergus.— King James 
arrives in Kinsale, and proceeds to Dublin. — Landing of King William. — 
The Battle of the Boyne.— Flight of James to France. — The march of 
William to Limerick, etc. ... ... ... 21& 



XIV CONTENTS. 

XXXIII. The Siesre of 1690.— Magnificent achievement of Brigadier Sarsfield.— 

The Black Battery Heroic Devotion and Bravery of the Women 

of Limerick. — Overthrow of William, etc. ... ... 226 

XXXIV. Effect of the Defeat at Limerick on William.— Efforts to repair his 

losses Renewed Portions of the Defenders. — Another Military Ex- 
pedition sent to Ireland. — Parliamentary Proceedings. — The Campaign 
of 1691. — Limerick again besieged — The surrender. — The Treaty, etc. 251 

XXXV. Assemblage of the Irish Army on the King's Island Addresses by 

the CatnoUc Bishops and Clergy to the Soldiers — by Sarsfield, Earl of 
Lucan. Wauchop, etc. — Preparations for embarkation The em- 
barkation. — Farewell to Patrick Sarsfield, etc. ... ... 275 

XXXVI. Legal Status of the Irish Catholics under the Treaty. — How the Treaty 

was observed. — Enactment of the Penal Code. — Horrors on horrors, etc. 288 
XXXVII. The Forfeited Estates.— The Sales.— Sir William King's death.— 

Orangeism, etc., etc. ... ... ... 298 

XXXVIII. The Orange military riots in Limerick in 1710. — Statement of Dr. Smyth, 
the Protestant Bishop. — Depositions. — Statement of the Officers and 
their Petition. — Suspension of the officers and final dismissal of Major 
Chaytor, etc. .. ... ... ... 310 

XXXIX. Troubles in the corporation of Limerick — Accusations and recrimina- 
tions. — Loyalty and disloyalty. — Petitions and counter-petitions. — 
Persecutions, etc. — Position of the Catholic Clergy, etc. ... 317 

XL. Perseverance of the Catholics of Limerick in the face of persecution. — The 
first Catholic Bishop since the Sieges.— Corporate misdeeds. — Lieutenant 
General Sir Thomas Pearce. — Execution of the Rev. Timothy Ryan. — 
Extraordinary doings, etc. ... ... ... 322 

XLI. Further illustrations of the spirit of the times. — A general election. — 

Guilds of trade. — The Battle of the Mayor's Stone. — The Theatre, etc. 328 
XLII. Civic rivalry.— St. Michael's Parish.— The Great Frost Fearful Suffer- 
ings of the people. — Whitfield's visit to Limerick, and his opinion of 
the inhabitants. — The land and its changes. — Misdeeds of the corpora- 
tors again. ... ... ... ... 332 

XLIII. Efforts of the Catholics. — New chapels built. — Paintings and painters. — 
New Projects. — Grants. — Limerick ceases to be fortified. — Removal 
of the gates and walls. — Petitions to Parliament and investigation. — Cor- 
porate iniquity exposed — Noble conduct of the anti-corporate Protes- 
tants, etc., etc. ... ... ... ... 339 

XLIV. Elections under the Octennial Bill. — Progress of Limerick, etc., etc. 359 

XLV. A Retrospect. — How the penal laws operated. — Lists of conformists, etc. 372 
XL VI. The Irish Volunteers.— The Career of John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare.— 
An Election.— The Rebellion of '98. — Trial of Francis Arthur, Esq. — 
The Reign of Terror. — The Act of Union. — Progress^of events, etc. — 
"Garryowm". — improvements, etc. ... ... 382 

XL VII. State of the Catholic Cause. — A Catholic College for Limerick Diocese. — 
Agitation of the Veto. — Noble conduct of the Catholic bishop and 
clergy of Limerick, etc. — State of the county of Limerick. — Wellington. 
— Dr. Milner. — O'Connell. — Gallant Limerick men abroad. — Roche. — 
De Lacy. — Gough. — Progress of events, etc. ... ... 422 

XLVIII. Locomotion. — Mr. Bianconi. — Educational reform. — Introduction of the 
Christian Brothers into Limerick. — Thomas Spring Rice, Esq. — " Chair- 
ing" of Mr. Tuthill. — Disturbances after visit of George IV. — Terms 
offered by the insurgents, etc., etc. . . ... 441 

XLIX. Atrocious Murder of Ellen Scanlan, alias Hanly, in the county of 
Limerick. — Conviction and execution of John Scanlan, the murderer. — 
Progress of events. — The Insurrection Act. — Local acts, etc. ... 449 

L. New and Old Bridges of Limerick. — Wellesley Bridge — Athlunkaid 
Bridge. — Park Bridge. — Ball's Bridge.— Thomond Bridge.— ISew and 
Mathew Bridge. — Projected Railroads — Waterworks. — Barrington's 
Hospital. — Statistics of Travelling, etc., etc. ... ... 469 

LI. The Struggle for Emancipation. — The Clare Election. — Emancipat-on. — 
Remarkable Events. — Gunpowder explosion. — Parliamentary reform. — 
Municipal reform. — Death of Will am IV. — Proclamation of Queen 
Victoria. — A General election, etc., etc. ... ... 481 

LII. Foundation of two convents in Limerick. — The Temperance Movement. — 

Triumphant visit of Father Mathew. — Great Repeal demonstration, etc. 492 
LI 1 1. Limerick under the Reformed Corporation, etc., etc. ... ... 496 

LiV. Early Ecclesiastical History of Limerick. — Description and Annals of 
Mungret. — St. Nessan and his Contemporaries and Successors. — St. 



CONTENTS, 



XV 



Muuchin or Manchenus St. Munchin's Church.— King Donald's 

Charter, etc., etc. ... ... ... ••• 536 

LV. The Succession of Bishops.— Donald O'Brien.— St. Mary's Cathedral.— 
Donald's Establishment of the Chapter.— The Black Book of Limerick.— 
Inquisition of Meyler Fitz- Henry.— Declarations and resolutions of the 
chapter, etc. ... ... ... ••• 546 

LVI. Dealings with the Church possessions.— Taxation of Pope Nicholas.— The 
taxation attributed to Bishop O'Dea.— Parishes and patrons, etc., pre- 
served in White's MSS., etc., etc.— The Succession of Bishops, etc. ... 555 

LVII. Bishop Cornelius O'Dea. — His mitre, crozier, and seal. — His improve- 
ments.— State of affairs in his time. — Grant of Henry VI. to the 
citizens.— The Cathedral of St. Mary's.— Monuments and monumental 
inscriptions. — The bishops in succession. — The " Beformation", etc., etc. 569 
LVIII, The Catholic bishops in succession.— Nachten. — Magrath.— Richard 
Arthur. — Appointment and distribution of preachers by Rinuccini on 

the restoration of the Cathedral Bishop O'Dwyer s. — Particulars of the 

atrocities during Ireton's occupation of Limerick. — The monuments 
in St. Mary's cathedral during its occupation by the Protestants. — The 
Protestant bishops in succession. ... ... ... 587 

LIX. The Catholic bishops in succession. — Dowley. — O'Moloney. — O'Keeffe. — 
Lacy. — O'Kearney. — Nomination, etc., of the Hon. and Rev. John Butler, 
S. J.— Conway.— Young.— Tuohy.— Ryan.— Butler. ... 611 

LX. The Religious Orders.— Catholic Churches.— Institutions, etc., etc. 642 

LXI. Protestant, Anglican, and Dissenting Churches. 684 

LXIIL A list of the Provosts, Mayors, Bailiffs, and Sheriffs of the city of 

Limerick, from the year 1195, to the year 1866, etc. ... 690 

LXIV. Historical and descriptive notices of remarkable places in the county 

of Limerick. ... ... ... ... 710 

APPENDICES. 

Appendix A. Principal Charters of Limerick.— Limerick grants, and where to be 
found, not abstracted. — Charters and Grants of Pairs, etc. — Cather- 
kenlish, Limerick County, etc. — Charters to Kilmallock Boro'. — Askea- 
ton Boro'. ... ... ... ... 739 

Appendix B. Representatives in Parliament for the City of Limerick since a.d. 1559. 
Representatives in Parliament for County of Limerick since a.d. 1585. 
Representatives in Parliament for Kilmallock from a.d. 1583 to the Union. 
Representatives in Parliament for Askeaton from the year 1613 to the 
Union. ... ... ... ... 741 

Appendix C. High Sheriffs of the County Limerick since the year 1371. 743 

Appendix D. Caherivahala. — Pedamore and Friarstown. — Hospital. — Raleighstown. — 
Shanagolden. — Pallaskenry. — Greane. — Memorial Stones. — Round 
Towers — The so-called Danish Forts and Tombs of the early Irish. — 
Fossil Deer. — Crops and climate of Limerick. — The Natural History of 
Limerick.— The White Knight. ... ... ... 746 

Appendix E. Grants under the Commission of Grace. — MSS. Brit. Mus. — The Walls 
and Gates of Limerick. — The crossing of the Shannon by the Williamites. 
— The Ruined House at Singland. — The English Lines.— A Pluralist. — 

A Hero of the Siege. — Penal Laws. — Articles of Limerick The King's 

Island. .. ... ... ... 748 

Appendix F. Miscellaneous Notes. — " The Fifteen Corporations". — The Limerick 
Cemeteries.— Castle Troy. — Occupants of Houses in Limerick. — The 
Recordership of Limerick. — Limerick Athenseuni. — The Environs of 
Limerick. — " Monster Houses". — Newspapers.— Sarsfield Testimonial. — 
Clock Tower. — The First Mayor of Limerick. ... ... 750 

Appendix G. The Limerick City Regiment of Militia. — County of Limerick Regiment 

of Militia. — Volunteer Corps of the County. ... ... 753 

Appendix H. The ancient Arms of Limerick. ... ... ... 756 

Appendix I. Eminent Natives of Limerick. — Literature, etc. — Naval and Military 
Heroes.— Native Bards.— St. Mary's Cathedral (note on). — Civic Hospi- 
talities — Clare andLimerck coins and tokens (note on).— Death of Lord 
Monteagle. — Quarries of marble and ancient houses in Limerick. — 
Whitamore's castle.— Bishop John O'Molony II. (note on). ... 757 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

ANCIENT AND MODERN. 



CHAPTER I. 



FOUNDATION AND OCCUPATION OF THE CITY BY THE DANES ORIGIN OF THE 

NAME OF LIMERICK EARLIEST NOTICES INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY 

INTO WARS OF THE DANES, ETC. 

The City of Limerick, the principal part of which is built on an island on the 
South side of the Shannon, is situated in 5&° 40' north latitude, and 8° 35' 
west longitude, at the interior extremity of the estuary of the river Shannon, 
between the counties of Limerick and Clare, and 129 miles W.S. W. from 
Dublin. It is a maritime county of a city, occupying an area of 60f square 
miles, or 38,863 acres, and contained a population of 53,448 in 1851, 
and of 44,476 in 1861. It is connected by Railway with Dublin, Cork, 
Waterford, Ennis, Nenagh, Roscrea, and all the intermediate towns, and a line 
of steamers, the property of the Limerick and London Steam Shipping 
Company, plies between it and London and Glasgow, &c. At Spring tides vessels 
of 600 tons burden can moor at its quays; whilst large docks, which were 
opened in 1853 by Lord St. Germans, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, add to the 
accommodation for vessels of heavy burden; and from the advantage and beauty 
of its situation, and the extent of navigation which it commands, it must have 
been regarded from the earliest times as a port, of great importance, although 
situated so high up the river, and although its navigation is still partially 
obstructed. The site may have been selected as the first part of the Shannon 
fordable above its mouth ; considering its many advantages, it is not surprising 
that in distant ages it attracted the attention of those adventurous strangers, 
who, coming from the rugged coasts and islands of the Baltic, found here 
what they never met in their various wanderings, a good climate, a rich soil, 
and peculiar facilities for carrying on their commercial enterprises. 1 Though 
known to the annalists, as we shall presently have occasion to remark, long 
before the Danish invasion of Ireland, the building of the city is generally 
referred to the same time and cause as the foundation of Dublin and Water- 
ford, the time being after the second coming of the Scandinavians, who on 
this latter occasion chose the best parts of the island, which they fortified in 
such a way as the exigencies of the times and the circumstances of the local!- 

1 Stanihurst. 



2 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

ties required, and made them the centres and bases of their commercial and 
militant enterprises. Whilst Dublin and Waterford could boast of superior 
advantages from their closer proximity to the sea, Limerick possessed an 
admitted superiority in other respects. It commanded a noble river, crowded 
with fish, which bore the ships of the strangers in safety into the interior of 
a wealthy country, which with many other recommendations, made a strong 
impression in after times on King John of England, and caused the city of 
Limerick long to retain its pride of place as " the fairest of all the cities 
in Minister." 1 

Limerick has been the capital of North Munster (Tuath Mhumha), which, 
according to Keating, extended from Lehn Choncuhulainn (Loop Head) to 
Bealach Mor (Ballaghmore, in Upper Ossory), and from Shebh Echtghe 
(Slieve Aughty, on the frontiers of the counties of Clare and Galway) to Shebh 
Ebhlinne (now Sleibhte Eheidhlinmidh, in the county of Tipperary) . The 
southern boundary of this great territory is still preserved in that of the 
diocese of Killaloe. The kings of Limerick, according to the Book of Eights, 
gave tribute to the kings of Cashel. 2 

The notices which occur in ancient writers of the history of Limerick, 
anterior to the coming of the Danes, are neither numerous nor reliable. It 
has been supposed to be the Regia of Ptolemy, a writer who derived his 
information from the discoveries made by the Eomans between the age of 
Augustus and the Antanines, 3 but the name of Rosse-de-Nailleagh, as it is 
designated in the Annals of Multifarnham, is of higher antiquity, and that of 
Luimneagh, occurring in the Psalter of Cashel, so far back as A.M. 2870, 
and A.M. 3973, when Ireland was divided, and Luimneach fixed as the western 
extremity of the southern half. 

Hollinshed, who describes Limerick as being amongst the principal cities 
of Ireland of his own time, viz., in the middle of the sixteenth century, gives 
an explanation of the origin of the name of Limerick which more authentic 
enquiries prove to be apocryphal. Admitting the building of the city by 
Yvorus, he says that at an epoch previous to its foundation, the ground which 
it subsequently occupied was an island stored with grass, upon which in old 
times one of the Irish potentates, while waging war against another native 
king, had encamped ; and of which his numerous cavalry eat up the grass in 
the space of twenty-four hours. Erom which circumstance he says the place 
was called " Loum-ne-augh," that is to say, made bare, or eaten up by horses. 
But in a very ancient legend, w T hich is preserved in the Booh of Lecan and 
Ballymote, and which describes the origin of the name in words translated for 
us from the original by the late lamented Professor O'Curry, a dialogue takes 
place in which, in reply to the question, " Luimneach, why so catted ?" the 

1 Stanihurst. 

'*■ " The King of fair Casaill," 

He is entitled from the Chief of Luimneach of the Sea 

To a splendid cheering banquet, 

Thirty vats it is known, 

With" the necessary viands. Book or RIGHTS. 

The Restrictions of the King of wide Luimneach [are] 
To have his stewards on his noble steeds, 
To have but three in his kingly confidence, 
And [that he should] communicate his secret to the queen. 
The prerogatives of this gifted King arc. 
That none should be in his full confidence, 
That he be of beautiful form, 

And there he aspire to Teamhair. Book of Rights, p. '2Go. 

a Ware. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 3 

following answer is given : — There was an appointed meeting held here of the 
men of Munster and the men of Connaught, to which the respective kings of 
both parties brought their gladiators. These were the two sons of Smucaille, 
the son of Bacdbh, and their names were Einn and Teabhar (that is, Spear 
and Sword) . Of these champions, one put himself under the protection of 
Bonhbh Dearg (Bone the Red), the great Tuath Dedanaan Chief of Mag Pe« 
men in Tipperary ; and the other had taken the protection of Dehall, chief of 
the Hill of Crudchain (in Roscommon) . These champions having met in the 
assembly, exhibited specimens of then gladiatorial accomplishments, after 
which, they descended to the strand to compete in single combat for the 
championship of the two Provinces. The hosts, on both sides, were clad in 
gray- green " Lunulas"" (cloaks), and when the combat commenced, and the 
assembled crowds pressed down to see and enjoy it, the heat became so great, 
that they threw off then " Lunulas," in heaps on the strand ; and so intensely 
was then attention engaged by the combatants, that they did not perceive the 
flowing of the tide until it had swept them away, upon which some of the 
spectators cried out — " Is Luimenochola in t-inbhear anossa/" i.e. " cloaky or 
cloakful is the river now," hence the name Luimenach. " Prom this legend 
it would appear," says Mr. O'Curry in his letter to the author, "that 
Luimeneach-Liathanglas, (and not Lethanglass) or Luimenach of the Gray 
Green, was the proper old name of Limerick." It is thus it is written in 
Rumann's Extempore poem on the Sea, composed for the Danes of Dublin 
before A.D. 742, in which year Rumann died. 1 

An early record of the name of Limerick is contained in the Annals of the 
Four Masters, 2 where in the 15th year of King Cormac (A.D. 221) a battle, 
we are told, was fought here. A battle, at the same time was fought at a 
place which is supposed to be the Hill of Grian, over Pallasgrene, in the 
barony of Coonagh, Co. Limerick. 3 In a century afterwards, viz. in the year 
334, the Great Crunthaun, one of the most remarkable of the ancient Kings 
of Ireland, a descendant from Oliall Ollum of the line of Heber, died in 
Limerick. This king succeeded Eochaidh Moighmeodhin upon the throne, 
reigned seventeen years, carried his name into Britain in the reign of Yalen- 
tinian, where he was aided by the Picts, who were then his tributaries, — thence 
sailing to Armorica, now Bretagne, in Prance, he plundered that country, and 
returned with great booty and hostages to Ireland. 4 He is also mentioned 
by others of our early annalists and historians, and the occasion of his death 
is related as having been caused by the wickedness of his sister, who adminis- 
tered to him a dose of poison. 5 

Lovely and attractive for the charms with which even in far distant times 
it was surrounded, Limerick, soon after the arrival in Ireland of the Apostle 
St. Patrick, received the inestimable blessing of Christianity. We are told 
that in the year 434, the first district which St. Patrick visited, after his 
departure from Cashel, was the extensive flat portion of country between 
Cashel and Limerick called Muscrighe Breogain. The apostle founded several 

1 Petrie's Round Towers. 

2 Annals of the Four Masters. O'Donovan's Edition, Vol. I., p. 113. 

3 Ibid. Note. 

4 Bede and Psalter of Cashel. 

5 " Having won many battles and wonderful fame, notwithstanding his fine accomplish- 
ments, Criomthan could not secure himself from the large attempts of his sister, Mung Fionn, 
who poisoned him with a prospect to obtain the crown for her son Brian, whom she had by 
Eochaidh Moighmedhin. However, the better to oblige the king to take the fatal dose, she 
drank it herself, which also dispatched her at Innis Dongulas. The king died near Limerick." 



4 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

churches in the district, and left some of his teachers at one of them, viz. Kil- 
feacte. Thence he went to the territory called Arva-cliach, in the adjacent 
counties of Tipperary and Limerick, in part of which, Hy-Cuanach (now the 
Barony of Coonagh) he was at first instantly opposed by the dynast Oldid. 
But a miracle having been performed by the Saint, Oldicl and his family were 
converted and baptised; while at Ara-chihach, Colgan states that Patrick 
foretold many occurrences, among others the foundation of a monastery at 
Kill-ratha, and of a church at KiU-teidhill, in the county of Limerick. We 
find the Saint next in the tract of country east of Limerick, where he was hos- 
pitably entertained by a chieftain named Locan, and met with young N essan, 
whom at the same time he placed over the monastery of Mungret, which he 
had founded. The inhabitants of Thomond, hearing of the advent of St. 
Patrick, crossed the Shannon, for the purpose of seeing him, and when they 
were instructed, were baptised by him in the field of Tir Glas (Terry Glass, in 
Ormond) . He was waited on by prince Carthen, son of Blod, who is said to 
have been converted and baptised at Sanigeal, now Singland, near Limerick. 
Colgan remarks that this family was the same as that of the O'Briens of 
Thomond, and that Carthen was the chieftain of North Munster. 

St. Patrick, on his way to Connaught, passed the Shannon at Limerick ; and 
it was in the vicinity of the city, in Singland (Sois Angel) the Saint is said to 
have seen the vision of the angel. The holy well and stony bed and altar of 
St. Patrick are to this day existing in Singland. Tradition speaks of his having 
preached here. He appointed first Bishop of Limerick Saint Manchin, " a 
religious man, having a complete knowledge of the Scriptures, and placed him 
over the subjects of Amailgaid, King of Connaught, then lately converted to 
the Christian faith. The mountain of Knock Patrick, in the western barony of 
Connoloe, county of Limerick, the base of which is washed by the Shannon, 
whose course for sixty miles may be traced from its summit, is the place from 
which tradition alleges our Apostle to have blessed Connaught. 1 We thus 
catch a glimpse, through the dimness and obscurity of distant time, of the halo 
which encircled the name and character of Limerick. We thus perceive the 
close acquaintance which its inhabitants made with Christianity, when Europe 
for the greater part was shrouded in the darkness of Pagan superstition. 
Were we in search of further evidences of the early Christian devotion of the 
people of the district, it is supplied by abundant facts. In the fifth century 
St. Sinan founded the monastery of Canons Regulars of St. Augustine at the 
island of Inniscathy, on the Shannon. In the sixth century St. Ita, an illus- 
trious native of the county, whose festival is celebrated on the 14th of January, 
founded at Cluain Credhail (Kileedy), a nunnery of Canonesses Regular of St. 
Augustine. St. Eden founded Clum Claidech in the same century, and St. 
Mochelloch, Kilmallock, in the seventh century — these two last mentioned 
were for Canons Regular of St. Augustine.' 2 

1 A beautiful sonnet from the pen of the late Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart, of Currngh Chase, 
embodies the tradition in language of fire and beauty. — Lamentation of Ireland a/id other Poems. 

2 Attemande gives the order of St. Augustine the first place before all others that were in 
Ireland — first, because it is the most ancient of all the regular orders in general — deriving its 
origin from the apostles themselves, and allowing St. Augustine, afterwards Bishop of Hippo, in 
Africa, only to have formed a particular congregation, which was subsequently divided into many 
others — .secondly, it is certain that the particular rules which prevailed in this country in the 
6th, (ith, and 7th centuries, consisted of religious men who were regular canons, or something 
so like them, tiiat at the time in which those rules were obliged to be incorporated into the rule 
of St. Benedict, or into that of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, they all made choice of the 
latter, as bung much more agreeable to them than that of St. Benedict. In short, so numerous 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 5 

Doubt lias existed as to the date of the foundation by St. Manchan of the 
Cathedral of Limerick, and as to the time the Saint lived, but this arises from 
the similarity of the name with that of Mancheus, whom the Annals of Ulster 
call Abbot of Menedrochit, and say that he died in 651 or 652. The com- 
memoration of the death of Mancheus is pointed out under the name of 
Manicheus, the " Wise Irishman/'' in the books de Mirabilibus Script ura, by 
some erroneously ascribed to St. Augustine. The name too, not only is not 
unlike, but the times occur exactly, the festival of St. Manchin being celebrated 
in January. 1 St. Manchin lived two centuries at least before the period 
assigned to St. Mancheus by the martyrologies. The Annals of Innisfallen, 
A.D. 567, state there was a great battle fought here in that year. It was 
here that Saint Cumin Fodha, son of Fiachna, Bishop of Clamfearta Breainirn 
now Clonfert, died on the 12th of November, A.D. 661, and on this occasion 
Colman-na-Claisagh, the tutor of Cumin, composed these suggestive and 
touching verses which show that the Shannon then was called by the name 
of Lumineach : — 

" The Lumineach did not hear on its bosom of the race of Leatkclainn, 

Corpse in a boat so precious as he, as Cumine son of Fiachna ; 

If any one went across the sea to sojourn at the seat of Gregory, (Rome,) 

If from Ireland, he rejoices in none more than the name of Cumin Fodha, 

I sorrow after Cummine from the day his shrine was covered, 

My eye-lids have been dropping tears ; I have not laughed, but mourned 

Since the lamentation of his barque." 2 

These verses establish the fact of the constant intercourse of Ireland with 
Piome, the uninterrupted devotion of the Irish Bishops to " the mother and 
mistress of all Churches.'" 

Kecords of the barbarous and unrelenting cruelties of the Danes, of sacri- 
legious attacks made by them on those sacred edifices and holy men which 
were now becoming numerous, are found in the Annals long before Yorus 
surrounded the city with a wall, and erected the fortress which enabled his 
countrj'men to hold their position for some ages after against the combined 
strength and opposition of the native Irish. In 843 Foranan, Primate of 
Armagh, was taken prisoner at Cluan-Combarda, 3 (a place unidentified by 
the commentators) with his relics and people, and brought by the pirates to 
then ships at Limerick. The statement is corroborated by the Annals of 
Clonmacnoise, which designate Forannan Abbot of Armagh, and allege that 
the crime was perpetrated by the Danes at Cloneowardy, adding that his 
family, attendants, &c, relics and books, were led from thence to the ships 
in Limerick. 

Our annals, during those dark and dismal ages, present but little, on 
which to dwell with satisfaction. The Danes, to retain their hold of maritime 
places, were busy and aggressive. The Irish in turn revenged the injuries 
and injustices of their cruel oppressors \ but in the midst of every difficulty 
and danger, religion was speeding its bright way. The succession of bishops, 
in several of the Irish sees, had continued with regularity since the preaching of 
St Patrick. 4 Up to this period " Luimenach'" was the original name of the 

were the monasteries of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, not only in the early ages of the 
Irish Church, but at the suppression of the monastic institutions by Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, 
that the number of houses then are said to have had, far and away, exceeded the houses of the 
other orders. — De Bur go's Historical Collections, <yc. 

' Ware. 2 Annals of the Four Masters. 

8 Annals of the Four Masters. 4 Ware. 



6 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Lower Shannon, as appears from the life of St Carbrach of Lismore, 1 but in 
the year 861, it ceased to be the name of the river and was usually applied to 
the Danish fortress already referred to, and the city now became known by 
the designation which before had been exclusively given to that portion of 
the river between it and the sea, and by which it is called to this day , 2 The 
Danish occupation was ever a source of intense dissatisfaction and commo- 
tion. Perpetual war was its result ; the invaders, who were everywhere re- 
garded with horror, were no where more detested than in the neighbourhood 
of the Shannon, of which they endeavoured to monopolise to their exclusive 
possession. In 884 the Connaught men attacked and destroyed numbers 
of Danes. But the day was approaching in which the sacrilegious tyrants were 
destined to meet a decisive check — in which the Irish by their strong arms 
were to win for a season protection and tranquillity. Cashel had long before 
embraced the Christian faith, had two of its bishops — viz. Olchobar who died 
in 851, and Cenfelad, who died in 872, who were kings as well as bishops; 
and their jurisdiction extended to Einly, 3 and they were the predecessors of 
the learned and warlike Cormac, son of Cullenan, who derived from Engusa 
Nafrach the first son of the king of Cashel who was baptised by St. Patrick. 4 
The aggressions of the Danes of Limerick had everywhere become so intolerable 
that Cormac resolved to curb their insolence. To reduce the people to order, 
to quell their intestine dissensions, to show the results of those insane 
divisions which even in the time of which we treat, had rendered them 
feeble when opposed by a united enemy, was the grand aim of Cormac Mac 
Cullenan, who during the heat of conflicts and troubles ascended the 
throne of Cashel, in 901, and wore the mitre of the united sees of Cashel and 
Emly. His example and influence were all-powerful in the achievement of 
the grand object on which he had set his princely heart. 

" Such/'' says Keating, " was the state of the kingdom when Cormac 
wore the crown of Munster, that the contests and animosities between the 
petty princes were happily concluded, insomuch, that the Danes, fearing the 
effects of this reconciliation, desisted from their usual hostilities. Though 
the desire of plunder remained and nothing of their savage disposition abated, 
yet they apprehended their lives were in certain danger from the natives, who, 
by then common union and friendship, were able to drive them out of the 
kingdom; and therefore a great number of these foreigners retired to their ships 
of their own accord and bade adieu to the island/'' We here perceive what one 
able and wise ruler was enabled to effect for his country. 

1 Book of Lismore. 2 Ware. 3 Ware. 

4 Annals of the Four Masters. — In the Psalter of Cashel, written hy his own hand, Cormac 
thus proclaims the glories of his Dalcasian troops, who always fought for the Kings of Cashel : — 

" May heaven protect the most illustrious tribe 
Of Dalgais, and convey its choicest blessings 
On their posterity. This renowned clan, 
Though meek and merciful as are the saints, 
Yet are of courage not to be subdued. 
Long may they live in glory and renown, 
And raise a block of heroes to the world." 

Keating s History of Ireland, Vol. //. 

Ami O'Dugan, in his poem, says of them: — > 

>; The Dailgaisian troops, with glory fired, 
Fought for the honour of the King? of Cashel. 
And carried into other provinces 
The terror of their arms." 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 7 

But Corinac was not destined to remain long in the peaceable possession of 
his rights. Man, son of Melsechlin, king of Ireland, with a great army 
invaded Minister, A.D. 906, and destroyed it as far as Limerick ; Malachy 
or Melsechlin, who had been king of Temora, ascended the throne of Ireland, 
on the death of Hugh, A.D. 879. Cairbhall, son of Muiregan, aided Elan 
in this expedition : Cormac fled, but the year following, resentmg the injuries 
he had sustained, he entered Meath with his irresistible Dalcassians, over- 
threw Flan in battle, took pledges from him for the performance of certain 
articles of agreement, and returned in triumph to Cashel, where he was wel- 
comed by the joyous acclamations of his people, who regarded him as then* 
deliverer from the bondage of domestic as well as foreign enemies. 1 The 
spirit of Flan was unsubdued by the triumph of Cormac's arms ; another and 
a more successful attempt was made by him soon afterwards in 908 to recover 
the losses he had endured. Confederating with the Kings of Leinster and 
Connaught, he again invaded Munster with a powerful force. The opposing 
armies met on the 16th of August on the plains of Moy-Albe ; the battle 
was fierce, sanguinary, and protracted, and resulted in the death of the in- 
domitable King-Bishop Comiac, whose army, losing heart at his fall, were 
overpowered ; and on that fatal day most of the Chiefs or Leaders or Princes 
were also killed ; amongst them are noticed Fogertach of Kerry, and Kellach 
of Ossory. 2 

The death of Cormac was speedily followed by further attempts of the 
Danes to destroy whatever they could lay hands on — to spoliate whatever 
they could plunder — to wreak vengeance on the holy places in which the 
monks and religious dwelled, and to show that nothing less than wholesale 
murder and rapine could satisfy then* thirst for blood and booty. Freed from 
the authority of Cormac, they roamed wherever they pleased, curbed but 
partially by the native princes, who had again their own intestine feuds to 
engage them in arms. They now made a successful raid on Clonmacnois, to 
which they had easy access by the Shannon ; they devastated the islands on 
Lough Eibh, destroyed the shipping of Limerick, and carried away immense 
quantities of gold, silver, and all manner of riches from the monasteries and 
shrines in the islands. 3 They were so daring, in their ruthless prowess, that 
in 922 they were able to make prisoner of O'Flaherty, son of Inmameen, 
and convey him from the island of Loch Eibh to Limerick. 4 These plunder- 
ing expeditions of the Danes were favorite occupations in which they ever and 
anon indulged during these troubled years of their occupation of Limerick. 
Proceeding from Limerick, their next attempt was on Lough Orisben, and its 

1 Ware, and Annals of Four Masters. 

2 Carodacus Shancarvensis (who is quoted by Ware) also says that Cormac was at this'time 
killed by the Danes. Ware adds that he remembers having read in an ancient MS. in the 
Cottonian Library, that Cormac was killed by a herdsman at Beanree, near Leighlin, while on 
his knees at prayer, returning thanks to God for the success of his army, which had then been 
engaged. His body was conveyed to Cashel, and there buried. He was learned particularly in 
the antiquities of his country. He wrote, in the Irish language, the Psalter of Cashel, which is 
yet extant, and held in the highest estimation. Ware states that he had some collections from 
it in an ancient parchment book, called "Psalter Namaan," written 300 years at the time he 
mentions the fact ; and that, in the same book, there were many miscellanies, partly Irish and 
partly Latin, collected by JEngus Celede (Aengus the Culdee), among which there was a bare 
Catalogue, viz. the names only, of the Kings of Ireland, from Heremon to Brian Boroihme. 
Our author remarks that Cashel was heretofore the chief seat of the Kings of Munster, and one 
of the first Synods of Ireland was held there by St. Patrick, St. Albeus, and St. Declan, in the 
time of King Engusa. — Ware, Keating, Annals of Four Masters, 0' Flaherty, <yc. 

3 Annals of the Four Masters. Vol. II., p. 609. 
* Annals of Four Masters, Vol. II., p. GIL 



8 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

islands ; l we should remark, that when Cormac quelled the Danes in Mini- 
ster, Edward, King of England, conquered them in that country. But in 
Ireland, their power was growing stronger every year, until the coming of 
other events which we are quickly approaching, and in which another King 
of Cashel arose to bring them to subjection. Not content with ravaging the 
districts bordering on the Shannon, they in 928 encamped in Maiagh Eoigne, 
a celebrated plain of Ossory ; but those who remained on Loch Orisben felt 
the vengeance of the Connaught men, who, in 930, committed a great 
slaughter on the Danes. 2 We find, however, that the latter retaliated sorely. 
In the fifteenth year of Donmachadhi, the Danes of Limerick plundered 
Connaught in 932, as far as the plains of Boyle, in the County of Roscom- 
mon ; in a few years afterwards, Aralt, or Harold, grandson of Imhar, i.e. 
son of Sitric, lord of the Danes of Limerick, was killed in Connaught by 
the Caenraigi of Aidhne in 939. 3 

Erom the time of their invasion of Ireland in the year 807, to the years 
we have reached, the Danes always ravaged the country with fire and sword. 
They bore a mortal hatred to Christianity and its professors, and their chief 
glory was in the massacre of the Saints who occupied the monasteries and 
cells of the country. 4 

Through these times the page of history is red with details of these atro- 
cities. Victories followed each other on the part of the invaders, until they 
had the surrounding country under a terrorism and subjection, which the 
natives could not remove. It was not, however, without earnest and constant 
efforts and exertions on the part of the Irish princes, to suppress their atro- 
cities, that they were able to persevere. At length in 943, Callachan, King 
of Cashel, taking a lesson out of the book of his illustrious predecessor, 
Cormac, called his chiefs together, exhorted them against the Danes, and as 
no part of Ireland suffered more from their plunders, murders, &c. than 
Limerick, and the borders of the Shannon, Callachan selected the city of 
Limerick as the field of battle. 5 In the second page of the Wars of Calla- 

1 Lough Corrib, county Galway, is now the name of the place thus indicated. It appears 
from O'Flaherty's Ogygia (pp. 178-9) that A.M. 2834, this Lake was called after Orbserius, the 
son of Allodius, who had transacted great commercial affairs between Ireland and Britain. 
These are the words of the Ogygia : — 

•' Orbserius (Filius Alladii, A.M. 2884) mercator erat negotiationibus inter Hiberniam et 
Brittaniam tractandis insignis ; Mananan Mac Lir vulgo dictus : Mananan ob commercium cura 
Mannia insula, et Mac Lir i. e. mari satus ob nnndi, atque urinandi peritiam ; quod portuum 
quoque cliscrimina apprime calleret ; ac aeriae praescius vicisitudinis a tempestatibus paecaveret. 
Succubuit vero in prselio apud Moycullen in margine spaciosi lacus Orbsen, qui per Galvium 
fluvium in sinum Galvorensum exoneratur ab Ulliuno Nuadi regis Hibemise per Thadseum filium 
nepote confossus. Pugnae laco Ullinus laco Orbsenius no men indidit ; de his ita Flannus a 
Monasterio — O'Flaherty's Ogygia pp. 179—8. 

2 Annals of Clonmacnois, quoted in O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 A Sept seated in the Barony of Kiltartain, county of Galway. This fact is mentioned in 
another way, but to the same effect : — '' Harold O'Hynn, King of the Danes of Lymbrick, was 
killed in Connaught at Ratherney." — Annals of the Four Masters. 

4 Saxo Grammaticus says that Tridelth Froths, and Haco Danos, invested Ireland many years 
before this time ; and Turgesius, it is certain, not only subdued the greater part of Ulster, but 
expelled Faranan, Archbishop of Armagh, together with all the religious and students. Those 
moats and raths which are yet seen in many parts of the countn% and no where, that we are aware 
of, in such great numbers as in the Parish of Kilinealy, county of Claro, and one of which of 
great extent and beauty is on the estate of Charles Bianconi, Esq. D.L., Longfield, Co. Tipperary, 
at Ardmayle, near his residence, are said to have been raised by Turgesius and his followers, as 
fortifications, and in some instances, as sepulchres for their great men and captains. Worm i us 
states that this was the customary way of burying the chiefs among the Danes. — Wormius 
Di Davis Mommentts. Ware, p. 57. 

5 " Callachan, King of South Mnnstcr. assembling his chiefs, exhorted them to arm every- 
where against the Danes, whereupon Limerick was selected for their iirst attack, A thousand of 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 9 

ehan, in the old book of Lismore, where trie election of that Prince to succeed 
to the sovereignty of Minister about A.D. 920, is described, (writes the late 
Professor O'Curry to the author), there occurs this passage : — 

" It was then arose the seventeen tribes (of the Eugenians) gracefully and 
readily to inaugurate Ceallaehan * * 

" The best of those nobles were the tall graceful Sullivan, at the head of 
the festive race of Fingham ; and the accomplished (in arms) Reunion, at the 
head of the brave Claim Donnohaile ; and the valiant Caeleighe ; and the 
heroic champion Laindecan ; and the brilliant Daineacliaidh ; and the brave 
Ciiilen; and the lucky Ecertach ; and the sound active Ligan" It was 
immediately after this inauguration that the King took his resolution to meet 
the Danes ; Heralds were sent out requiring them to surrender Limerick, 
and give hostages for their future good behaviour : the reply of those ma- 
rauders, however, was, " that so far from waiting to be attacked, they would 
march out of the city to give open battle." They were as good as their word. 
In four divisions they accordingly marched out of the city. Each of the 
divisions had four hundred men armed with coats of mail, besides light armed 
troops, and Singland was the ground on which the memorable battle was 
fought — Singland, which we shall see as we proceed, was the place on which 
other memorable engagements were decided in long ages afterwards. O'Sul- 
livan, who acted as General, under Callaghan, harangued his men in an 
animated speech, which was answered with a clash of shields and swords by 
his soldiers. The fight commenced by a discharge of stones from the slings 
of the troops, by flights of arrows, spears and lances. The heavy armed 
troops then engaged breast to breast in a dreadful contest, while the Danes 
left nothing undone to prevent this furious onslaught of the army of the King 
of South Minister, from making an impression on their troops. Callaghan, 
at length, singled out Amlav (Auliff) the Danish commander, and by one 
stroke of his sword split helmet and skull, and laid him dead at his feet. 
O' Sullivan followed the bright example and engaged Moran, who was called 
son to the King of Denmark, and by a well aimed stroke between the helmet 
and breast-plate, cut off his head; O'KeefTe ran Magnus, the standard- 
bearer, through the body ; and after a gallant defence Louchlin was killed by 
O'Kiordan. The Danes now gave way on every side, and the Irish pursued 
them into the city, putting numbers of them to the sword in their castles 
and houses. But instead of keeping possession of the city Callachan was 
content with exacting large contributions from the Danes, part of which was 
paid down in gold and merchandise, and hostages taken as security for the 
remainder. " This success/'' says Keating, " gave new life to the prospects 
of the Irish." 1 

After this battle Callachan marched towards Cashel, and plundered the 
country, meeting five hundred Danes he put them to the sword. But this 
victory on the part of Callachan did not quell them sufficiently. Mahon, 
the son of Cennediegh, upon the assassination of Peargna, seized the throne 
of Minister, and reigned twelve years. Eesolving to give the Danes no 
peace, he with his brother Bryan, gave them battle at Sulchoid, now Sollo- 
head, in the county of Tipperary, in which bloody engagement two thousand 

his chosen followers marched upon this service, headed by Callachan, under whom were O'Dono- 
van, O'Sullivan, O'Keeffe, O'Reardan, O'Landecan, Hugh Mac Cullenan, and other chiefs." 

1 This event, or something like it, is thus mentioned by the Four Masters, under a.d. 945, 
" A battle between the birds of the sea apd the birds of the land at Luimneach." (vol. ii. d. 657). 
The birds of the sea are obviously the pirate Danes. 



10 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Danes were killed on the spot, with their principal commanders, who were 
Teitel, a person of great strength, and Governor of Waterford; Bunan, 
Governor of Cork ; Muris, Governor of Limerick ; Bernard and Toroll. The 
remains of the Danish army retreated to Limerick, where the Irish soldiers 
pursued them, and entering the city with them, made a terrible slaughter. 
x The victors pursued the flying enemy into the city of Limerick, and chased 
them through the streets, and into the houses, where they were slain without 
mercy or quarter. The plunder of the city was bestowed upon the soldiers 
by Mahon, where they found an immense booty of gold, jewels, furniture, 
and silver to an immense value. After they had rifled the houses they set 
them on fire, they burned the fortifications, demolished the walls, and per- 
fectly dismantled the city and made it incapable of defence/'' 1 This was one 
of the greatest battles in the ancient annals of Ireland. 



CHAPTEE II. 

THE REIGN AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BRIAN BOROIMHE. 

We now come to a most important and eventful period of our history, in 
which one of the greatest of Ireland's Kings and warriors makes his appear- 
ance. 

In A.D. 969, says the Annalist, "The Foreigners of Limerick were driven 
from Inis-Sibtond, (now the King's Island), by the son of Ceinneidigh ;" 2 he 
adds in a separate paragraph that in this year " two suns of equal size were 
seen at high noon/' Undoubtedly this was one of those optical illusions or 
mirages, which science now clearly explains. Some years subsequently, 
according to the Pour Masters, (Keating makes the event ten years earlier), 
O'Brien, the son of Kennedy, King of Minister, besieged Limerick, which 
continued to be inhabited by the Danes ; his troops were victorious ; he set 
fire to the city. He also engaged the Danes of Inis-Cailthe, whom he de- 
feated with the loss of eight hundred killed, and Imohair (Humpiry), and 
Dubhgeann, their principal commanders, were taken prisoners.3 In this 
latter year " an army, which was led by Domnhall, son of Dubhdabhoireann, 
to Limerick, the two sons of Brian, namely, Donchda and Padgh, met them, 
and a battle was fought, wherein the people of the south of Ireland were 
defeated, and Domhnall fell and numbers along with him." 4 The Danes, 
during a portion of this time, were reduced to the greatest extremities ; but 
at intervals they recruited their strength and retaliated severely on the Irish. 
There was no Prince in the Island who opposed their insults more than Brian 
Boroimhe. 

"The Glories of Brian the Brave," must be ever heard throughout the 
island with thrilling sensations of delight and satisfaction. This glorious 
monarch, whose wisdom and energy are famed in history, and whose career 

1 Keating. - Annals of Four Masters, Vol. U. |>. 695. '' Keating's History of [relaad. 
i Annals of Four Masters, Vol. 11- p. 5S3. 



HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 11 

is so closely identified not only with Limerick, but with the kingdom gene- 
rally, was of the Dalcassian race ; the succession of the kingship of Munster 
was alternate between the Eugenians and the Dalcassians, " but the former/' 
(says Eugene O'Curry in his manuscript notices of Irish History, p. 213) 
" being the most powerful in numbers and in extent of territory, monopolised 
the provincial rule as far as they were able. The line of the Dalcassians 
were, however, always kings or chiefs of Thomond in succession, and kings 
of the province as often as they had strength to assert their alternate right, 
and it is a fact beyond dispute that the kindred of the late Marquis of Tho- 
mond (viz. the present Lord Inchiquin, his brothers and family) hold lands 
at the present day which have descended to them through an unbroken 
ancestry for 1600 years." Cormac Cass, the founder of the Dalcassian line, 
was King of Munster about A.D. 260 ; Aengus Tireach, about A.D. 290; 
Connall of the swift steeds in 366 ; Carther in Fin in 439 ; Aedh Caemh, 
from 571 to his death in 601; Lor cain } in 910; Cenneidigh, or Kennedy, 
the father of Brian Boroimhe, in 954; and Brian himself from 975 to the 
year 1002, when he became monarch of all Erinn, and as such reigned till 
his death, at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. He fought 49 battles against 
the Danes and their allies, and in every one of them was victorious. The 
deeds of this magnanimous hero can never be effaced from the memory of the 
Irish people. 

During the greater part of three centuries, namely, from the reign of 
Eonchada, or Donough, who had lived for twenty-seven years in perfect tran- 
quillity, until their final expulsion by Brian Boroimhe, the Danes, who in 
Donough's reign had invaded Ireland, held their ground. Glancing back for 
a moment, we are shown the state of the island generally, of religion, of 
education, of arts, of arms, amid the troubles with which the invaders 
afflicted the island. It was three hundred and seventy years from the time of 
the introduction of Christianity by St. Patrick, to their ill-omened arrival on 
our shores ; and three hundred years had elapsed before they were finally 
expelled by the victorious monarch of Ireland at Clontarf. Darkened though 
those ages were with the disastrous influence of the invaders, some of the 
brightest names that adorn the pages of our history, flourished and shone out 
with a splendor which has lost none of its radiance in the lapse of centuries. 
Following St. Patrick was the learned Bishop of Sletty, the illustrious St. 
Piach, who handed down in a poem of fire and beauty, the actions and praises 
of the great Apostle of our nation. Next we have the celebrated Cathill, or 
Cathald. Sedulius, too, the poet, the orator, the divine, who, educated from 
his infancy by Hildibert, the Archbishop, was accomplished in all branches 
of literature and science, and travelled through Italy and Prance for his 
further improvement. He visited the East, and returning through Eome, 
was distinguished for his wonderful erudition in the Eternal City. He was 
the author of many Latin books, in prose, a Paschal song in metre, consisting 
of four books, fourteen books on St. Paul's Epistle in prose, a Hymn on 
Christ's miracles, two books of the same in prose, and several others, of 
which the titles have been lost. His name is enshrined among the writers of 
Ireland; and Ware does not forget to award him the honorable place which 
his merits won. Following in succession, came Saint Cohum-Kille, one of 
the leading spirits of the age in which he lived — the Apostle of the Picts, the 
founder of the world-renowed Abbey of Iona, denominated also Huy-a-y- 
Columkille, of which monastery he was the first Abbot ; eminent in his life 
for every virtue, his erudition is acknowledged all over the world, His 



12 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

monasteries for many years supplied the Churches of England, and some of 
those in Ireland, with Bishops. And while the lives of the saints and sages 
were brightening up, and dispelling the gloom which had so long hung over 
the destinies of our country, distant lands were enlightened by the reflection 
of their holiness and learning, and Armagh, all the while, gave its uninter- 
rupted successors to Saint Patrick in the Episcopacy, first in the person of 
Senanus, afterwards of St. Benignus, Jerlath, Cormac, &c. During these 
times it has been stated, an English Prince had been at Lismore, where he 
imbibed those principles of order and government which made his reign illus- 
trious, and, notwithstanding the barbarous aggressions of the invaders, the 
Irish proved their progress in arts, arms and religion. 

Nearly at the same time that Malachy the Great was engaged in con- 
quering the Danes of Dublin and the Islands, Brian Boru was successfully 
engaged in reducing the Danes of Limerick. He had avenged the murder 
by Ivor, King of the Limerick Danes, of his brother Mahon, eldest son of Ken- 
nedy, and on the defeat of Molloy, slain at the battle of Ballagh Leachta, 1 he 
succeeded to the throne of Minister. Though the Danes at this time were 
nominal Christians, they refused to preach to the Saxons in England, which 
discreditable circumstance occasioned the dispatch of missions from Iona, 
the monastic settlement of St Columkille. The Danes were so hateful to the 
Irish, and reciprocated the feeling so thoroughly, that they avoided all 
religious intercourse with the Irish Church, and connected themselves with 
the See of Canterbury in England. 2 

What Alfred, Edmond, and Athelstane had done less effectually for Eng- 
land, was now being performed for Ireland by Malachy and Brian; but it was 
not until the latter became monarch of all Ireland that those fierce north- 
erns, whose ravages made even Charlemagne weep, who took Eouen, besieged 
Paris, wrested Normandy from Charles the Bald, and founded a dynasty in 
England, were compelled, after terrible havoc, to vacate the country, or to 
settle down as tributaries, and to engage in the peaceful pursuits of com- 
merce. 3 To detail the barbarous ravages, imposts, and even mutilations which 
these northern savages inflicted upon the people of Ireland up to the time of 
Turgesius and King Malachy is unnecessary. The general History of Ireland 
is full of them. The transfer of the sceptre of Ireland from Malachy the Great, 
the representative of Heremon, the elder son of Milesius, to the heroic Brian 
Boru, the descendant of the younger brother Herber, took place according to 
the Annals of the Eour Masters in the 76th year of Brian's age, his reign as 
Ard-righ or supreme monarch of Ireland, lasting twelve years, to his death at 
Clontarf, A.D. 1014. We are inclined, however to believe, that the Ulster 
Annals which give the birth of Brian sixteen years later, that is, in 941, is 
the more correct account of the two. 

1 Annals of the Four Masters. 

2 The character for merciless cruelty which the Danes, as these Scandinavians were called, 
established for themselves wherever they made their appearance, ha3 descended in the oral as 
well as in the written traditions of Ireland. It had no slight effect upon a few amongst the 
irregular troops at the battle of the Boyne, and notwithstanding the elements of civilization, 
amongst which Grose wrongly, we think, reckons the Gothic Church architecture, introduced by 
this highly spirited and enterprising race, as well as the practice of commerce and other arts, any 
attempt to popularize their name would be a signal failure. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, himself 
of Danish descent, has said much in their favour in his beautiful, though slightly prejudiced 
Romance of " Harold ;" but this is not history. 

3 Mr. Walker a member of the Royal Irish Academy, ha3 an Icelandic manuscript dated in 
1010, which mentions Rafer, a merchant, an Icelander, who had resided many years in Limerick. 
— Note by Ralph Ovselcy, Esq., MR. LA., Limerick, 1793. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 13 

This transfer took place at Athlone in 1003, where Brian, joined by the 
men of Leinster and the Danes, defeated Southern Hy-Niall and the Cona- 
cians; and whether the original motive of Brian's opposition was selfish, as 
asserted by Tighernach, 1 who was almost a cotemporary writer, or the exi- 
gencies of the time, the consequences were the terminating of the frequent and 
fatal quarrels between the inferior princes and chiefs, and final subjugation of 
the Danes. On the abdication of Malachy, who still retained the title of 
King of Meath, and afterwards served under the supreme King, Brian 
became sovereign in chief, and having received the homage of Cahafl O'Con- 
nor, King of Connaught, and other Kings of that province, he set out for 
Ulster at the head of an army of twenty thousand men. 

Brian's progress to enforce the submission of the Northern Princes 
appears to have been unopposed until he reached the locality known as 
Ballysadare, when the determined attitude of the enemy compelled him Jto 
retreat. But in his next expedition he was more successful. Accompanied 
on this occasion, as before, by the dynasts of Leath Mogah, he traversed 
Meath, and was honorably received at Armagh by Maelmurry, the Arch- 
bishop, and left a gold collar weighing twenty ounces, as an offering on the 
high altar of the Cathedral. After this munificent oblation, the value of 
which may be estimated as about £800, he proceeded to the royal seat of the 
Dalriadans in Antrim, called Eathmore-Muige-Line, where he received host- 
ages from the Princes of that territory as well as from the other chiefs of 
Leth-Cuinn. 

Brian made various expeditions of this character, and frequently brought 
away such chieftains as resisted him to his fortress at Kincora — amongst 
others, the Lord of Kinel Connel upon his refusing to give him hostages, 
which Brian at last extorted by force from the Kinel Eoghain, thus completing 
the subjugation of the illustrious house of the northern Hy-Malls. This 
event took place about six years after Brian's offering at Armagh which, 
occurred in 1004, on which occasion he signed a confirmation of the usual 
grant to the Clergy of Armagh, under the style of " Imperator Scotorum," 
an entry which is still extant in the Book of Armagh. 

After this victorious progress through Ulster, Brian proceeded to Tara, 
where he was solemnly crowned. — He had now subjugated all his enemies, 
and had time to turn his thoughts to the improvement of his kingdom, to 
which he contributed in an extraordinary degree by the enactment of salutary 
laws, by the re- establishment of churches and educational establishments, 
and by the construction and repair of bridges, causeways and various public 
works, restoring to their old possessors the property taken from them by the 
Danes, raising fortresses and palaces, and putting an end to the existing 
confusion in genealogies by ordaining that all the branches of the Irish races 
should in future have surnames. 

Brian's authority as supreme King was now fully established, and after the 
peaceful interval, which he had employed to such good purpose, the 
advantage of even an enforced alliance between the several inferior Kings 
was shown by new projects on the part of his antagonists, the Danes. The 
deposed monarch Malachy having been defeated by Maolmordna, King of 
Leinster and his Danish allies, had presented himself at Kincora to solicit 
the assistance of Brian, but had been unsuccessful ; in the summer of the 
same year Brian found the movements of the Danes so menacing that he 

1 Annals of Tigernach. 



14 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

was compelled once more to take the field; and having devastated the 
territory of Ossory in his march, pitched his camp in the locality at present 
known as Kilmainham. Having returned, however, to Kincora with his 
spoils, the Danes, encouraged by his absence, and recovering from the severe 
defeats which they had sustained from his son Morrogh, had summoned their 
allies from Scotland, from the Orkneys, from the Hebrides, from the Shetland 
Islands, from the Islands of the Baltic, and even from Denmark, Norway 
and other parts of Scandinavia, inviting the northern pirates to make a 
common effort for the complete subjugation of Ireland. The summons was 
obeyed with alacrity. 

On Palm Sunday, the 18th April, 1014, a powerful fleet, containing the 
contingents furnished from all parts of the world where the Danes resided, 
including some Norman, Prench, Belgians, and Britons from Wales and 
Cornwall, arrived in the bay of Dublin, under the command of Brodar, the 
Danish admiral. — The entire of these combined forces amounted to 12,000 
men, and their Irish allies, the Lagenians, numbered 9,000, in all 21,000 
men — the Lagenians being furnished by the counties of Wexford, Carlow, 
"Wicklow, and Kildare, with part of the Queen's and King's County, the 
Princes of which were in alliance with the Danes, and related by blood to Sitric, 
King of Dublin, whose mother, Gormlaith or Korrnloda, the repudiated wife 
of Brian Boru, is said to have invited the noted pirates, Brodar and Upsoeus, 
or Upsacus, to join the confederacy against her royal consort. 

About 20,000 men composed the amount of Brian's army, of whom the 
Dalcassians or troops of Thomond collected from Clare, Limerick, and 
Tipperary, were commanded by himself in person, by his eldest son Murrogh, 
aided by his five other sons, Teige, Donagh, Donal, Conor, and Plan, and by 
Turlough, the son of Murrogh, and fifteen other nephews and relatives of 
Brian. These constituted the first of the three lines into which Brian's 
army, as well as that of the Danes, was formed in this famous Battle. The 
second body composed of the Conacians (Connaught men) under King Teige 
O'Connor and other chiefs. The third was formed by Desmonians and 
Desians, under Kian and other chiefs of Desmond. Malachy, King of 
Meath, who did signal services in this battle, and who subsequently succeeded 
Brian, was appointed to assist the Dalcassians in the first division, while the 
Ultonians co-operated with the Desmonians in the third division, as did also 
Donald and the Scotch Stewards of Lennox, and Man?. The annals of 
Innisfallen speak of one of the Maguires of Fermanagh being amongst the 
Ultonians ; but it does not appear from the Annals of the Pour Masters or 
the Annals of Ulster that the north sent any forces. 

The left of Brian's army, which, like that of the Danes, was divided into 
three bodies, was commanded by Malachy, King of Meath, who, according 
to Keating, 1 retired with his troops in the beginning of the action, and 
refused to take part in it, to be avenged of Brian for his lost crown. This 
statement is accepted by M'Geoghegan and others ; but if it were true, it is 
not at all likely that Malachy would have been universally recognised as the 
worthy successor of Brian, or rather the recoverer of his lost right. 2 

i Hist. 2, 250. 

2 O'Halloran, however, has likewise ascribed this act of treachery to Malachy, and he adds 
that it occurred at the very moment that the Dalgaia with the whole right wing marched to 
attack, sword in hand, the Danes commanded by Brodar and Aisgiodal, whereupon Morrogh, 
with great presence of mind, cried out to his brave Dalgaia " that this was the time to distinguish 
themselves, as they alone would have the unrivalled glory of cutting off that formidable body of 
the enemv."— Hut, 244. Wist. 3, 2G3. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1 | j 

In the meantime, the left, under the King of Connaught, attacked the 
Leinster Danes and their insular allies, while the troops of South Minister 
fell upon the Lagenians and their traitor King, Maolrnordha. 

In the Annals of the Four Masters 1 we find it distinctly stated, that 
Malachv drove the foreigners and the Leinster men " by dint of battling, by 
bravery and striking/' from the river Tolka (Zulcarnn) to Dublin (Athclaih), 
and in all probability the Dalcassian writers have invented this slander 
against Malachv in order to elevate the character of his competitor, Brian, 
whose command of the army devolved upon Malachv after the death of the 
Monarch. Ware, Yallency and Lanigan have also fallen into what Moore 
calls " the general error" concerning Malachy'' s treason. 

Having made his arrangements for battle, Brian harangued his troops, 
reminding them that the foes with whom they had to contend were the 
perpetual oppressors and murderers of their kings, dynasts and clergy — had 
never shown any mercy to age or sex — had spoiled and burned their churches, 
and had trampled under foot the most sacred relics of their saints, calling 
upon his troops to take full revenge for their treacherous acts, and for their 
profanation of so many churches on that Friday in Holy TTeek (on which 
the battle was fought) upon which Christ had died for their redemption, who 
would undoubtedly be present with them, as a just avenger of his holy 
religion and laws. Here the annalist repeats the charge against Malachv, 
and describes the prodigies of valour as well as military skill exhibited by 
the heroic Brian, who, as appears from other accounts, had been induced to 
retire to his tent, where he was attacked while in the act of prayer by 
Broder, the Danish chief, and slain with a blow of his battleaxe, but not 
until he had received a fatal sword thrust from the hand of the monarch. 

Then follows an account of the marvellous achievements of Morrough, 
Brien^s eldest son, who though aged 63 years, 2 slew several Danish 
officers of distinction, cutting down amongst the rest two standard bearers of 
the Danish army, as the Danish historians also record, and dispatched two 
others who had assailed him simultaneously. The heroic Morrough, who had 
occasionally retired with some of the chiefs to drink and cool their hands at 
the river, which was at last stopped by the Danes, at last encountered Prince 
Anrud, of Norway, just at the time when Morrough was unable to employ 
his sword from the swollen state of his hands. He therefore grasped the 
Norwegian with his left hand, shook him out of his armour, cast him to the 
earth, and pierced him through with his sword. But the Norwegian even in 
dying was not unrevenged, for while Morrough stooped over him he snatched 
his knife or dagger and plunged it into his breast. The wound in a short 
time proved fatal, and Malachy assumed the command. 

The death of Brian took place about this period of the conflict, and the 
Irish were so exasperated by the death of their king, that a total route of their 
enemies resulted after the command was taken by Malachy, who again reigned 
eight years, four months and ten days, until the year 1022, when he died, 
aged 73 years. 3 

1 An. 1013. 2 OTlaherty, Ogygia, p. 435. 

3 Ibid, p. 436. — The passage in the Dublin edition of the Annals of Ulster, which describes 
the Danish loss at 13,000, and that of the Leinstermen at 3,000, is evidently erroneous, if not 
unauthentic. The L'lster Annalists, who say nothing of O'Carroll, of O'Xeil, or Maguire of Fer- 
managh assisting Brien in this battle, state that the loss of the Danes did not exceed 7,000. The 
Annals of Boyle agree with the Four Masters that besides the 1000 Danes in armour, 3000 others 
were killed, who, if added to the 3000 Leinster troops, would bear out the estimate of the Annals 
of Ulster. 



16 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The body of young Turlogh O'Brien was found in the waters of Tolka with 
his hands entangled in the hair of a Dane. Of the other distinguished fami- 
lies of Ireland almost every one lost a member. On the day after the battle 
the wounded were conveyed to the camp at Kilmainham, and on the next 
day the monks of St. Columba at Swords came to bear away the body of 
Brian in order to bury it in the Cathedral of Armagh, where it was deposited 
at the north side of the Cathedral, and those of Murrough and his relatives at 
the South. For twelve successive nights, according to the Annals/ the clergy 
of St. Patrick kept watch over the dead, chaunted hymns and offered up 
prayers for the souls of the heroes. 2 

It appears from an account 3 taken from the archives of Denmark by 
Torfseus, historiographer to Christian V, that equally with the Irish, Danes 
were engaged at opposite sides in the battle of Clontarf. This historian 
describes Brian as " a Prince justly celebrated for clemency, lenity and many 
other virtues/'' 

Among the inferior notabilia of the battle of Clontarf, which lasted one, 
not three days, as the Latin writers quoted by Lanigan has it, we may 
mention that tradition says that Brian sailed under the shadow of the towers 
and steeples of the monasteries and churches of the Holy Island (Innis 
Cailthra) on Lough Dergh, as he proceeded up the Lake from Kincora, and 
that in the Norse, Broder, the slayer of Brian, is stated to have called all 
present to witness that it was he who killed him. 4 

1 Some, however, say that they were buried at Kilmainham, in the old church known as 
" Bully's Acre," with the bodies of Thadeus O'Kelly, and other lords — while some assert they 
brought it to Cashel. Dr. O'Donovan remarks (Annals of the Four Masters, 1013, note b.) that 
Moore has adopted in his interesting account of this battle the falsifications made in the Dublin 
copy of the Annals of Innisfallen by Dr. O'Brien, who was assisted by John Conroy — such as 
the presence of Tadphy Tadhg O'Connor, son of the king of Connaught and of Maguire, in the 
battle at which it seems they were not present. The Annals of Clonmacnoise state that all the 
Leinster chiefs, except O'Moore and O'Nolan, took part with the Danes, and that the O'Neals for- 
sook King Brian in this battle, as did all Connaught (?) except Hugh, the son of Ferral O'Rorke, 
and Teigue O'Kelly. 

2 Annals of Ulster and Innisfallen, An. 1014. 

3 History of the Orkneys, 10 c. p. 33. 

4 The appearance of the fort of Kincora at this day indicates clearly that it was fortified, as 
its Danish name (Worsaee, quoting the Danish Sagas) Kincoraborg would also show. Keating, 
indeed, gives a pretty lengthened list of places of strength erected or improved by Brian, besides 
Kincora, within a few miles of which he repaired the round tower of Tomgraney, built a church 
at Inniskeltra, and erected another at Killaloe. Amongst other places we find Cahir, Cashel, 
Roscrea in Tipperary, and in the county of Limerick, Lough Gur, Bruree, Duntryleague and 
Knockany. 



HISTOHT OF UMERICK. , 17 

CHAPTEE III, 

BRIAN AND HIS IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS; AND THE KINGS OF THOMOND, 

Although the battle of Clontarf may be said to have decisively crushed 
the power of the Danes, they still continued for some time to possess 
considerable wealth and influence in the principal cities and towns of Ireland, 
especially the seaports, where for the encouragement of commerce, to which 
they appear to have been as much addicted as to fighting and plundering, 
even Brian Boru had been willing they should remain. From their first 
invasion in A.D. 794 to the taking of Dublin by the Anglo-Norman 
invaders, and the death of Asculph Mac Thorkill in A.D. 1171, about a 
century and a half after the battle of Clontarf, we find this valiant and 
politic, but barbarously cruel and sacrilegious people engaged in contests with 
the natives for 377 years; and not till after the invasion of the Normans, 
a kindred people, as were indeed the Anglo-Saxons 1 also, shall we lose sight 
of the Danes as a distinct community. At the present day we have many 
respectable families who are said to be of Danish blood, such as Harold, 
Godfrey, Stack, and Trant, in Limerick and Kerry; and Plunket, Gould, 
Gilbert, Galway, Palmer, Sweetman, Dowdall, Everard, Drumgoole, Blacker, 
Betach, Cruise, Skiddy, Terry, Revel, and some say Fagan, (of Feltrim), in 
other parts of Ireland. 

In Limerick in particular we find the Danes giving the following Bishops, 3 
the see being confined to the city as elsewhere, and these Bishops going for 
consecration to Canterbury, to whose Archbishops they promised canonical 
obedience, while the Irish Bishops were under Armagh, and were consecrated 
either in Ireland or in Borne. The Danish Bishops of Limerick were Gille 
or Gilbert, Apostolic Delegate of Ireland, Bishop from 1110 to 1140, 
a most remarkable and learned Prelate. Patrick Harold, who died in 1151 ; 
Torgesius, and Brictius, who attended the Council of Lateran in 1179, 
Of the lives of these Bishops, and of the part taken by them in the 
ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese and kingdom generally, as far as appears 
in the authorities accessible to us, we shall treat, when giving the lives of 
the Bishops of Limerick, In reference to the early Bishops of the See, we 
shall follow, for the most part, the learned Sir James Ware, 

If Brian's eminent qualities and powerful resources had compelled an 
acquiescence in his claims to the chief monarchy while he lived, the legitimist 
claim met a prompt recognition after his decease. In conformity with the 
view taken of his usurpation by some of the annalists, who call it " rebellion 
with treachery/' the Annals of Innisfallen as well as those of Ulster count 
the years of Brian's reign amongst those of the deposed Prince who preceded 
and succeeded him. The example thus set by Brian, who, with the exception 
of Bcetan, was the only chief Monarch not chosen from the Hy-Mall race 
for upwards of 500 years, was one cause of the troubles which we have now 
to record, and which owing partly to the laws of succession, are unfortunately 

1 Sir F. Palgrave. » Ware's Bishops, 



18 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

but too often met with in the events of Irish history. Even in the year 
1016, when the unusual entry in the Annals of Ulster, of " Sith in Erinid" 
" Peace in Ireland/' which like the shutting of the Temple of Janus in Eome 
was looked on as quite a remarkable occurrence, even in this very year King 
Malachy, now once more supreme King, was obliged to enforce his supremacy 
by invading Ulster. Having obtained hostages he again defeated the Danes, 
subsequently the northern O'Neills, assisted by the Eugenians or people of 
South Munster, and soon after accompanied by Donogh, son of Brian Boru, 
invaded Connaught, and forced its princes to give hostages. 1 After defeating 
the Northerns at the Yellow Eord, now called Athboy, he retired A.D. 1022, 
to a small island in Lake Annim, in Meath, where this excellent prince de- 
voted his last hours to works of penitence and devotion, providing amongst 
other deeds of mercy for the support of 300 orphan children. 2 We now 
return to the Princes of Thomond. 

The unnatural feud between Teigue and Donogh, the sons of Brian, is the 
principal event in the history of Limerick from the battle of Clontarf to the 
murder of the elder of these princes. This latter treacherous act which took 
place in 1023, is ascribed by the Pour Masters 3 to the Eili, and is expressly 
said to have been perpetrated at the instigation of Donogh, who had recently 
sustained a defeat at the hands of his brother in the part of Thomond on the 
eastern side of the Shannon. The previous year 1022 had witnessed the 
death of the illustrious Malachy, successor of Brian in the monarchy, which 
may have probably suggested the idea of the fratricide as a means of remov- 
ing the principal obstacle between Donogh and the throne of Tara. 

The country of Thomond, which extended from the Shannon to the Slieve 
Bloom mountains, had been subjected 4 to two invasions before the assassina- 
tion of Teige ; on the first occasion by the Desmonians under Donald, the 
father of the Prince of Desmond, who had also been slain by Donogh, and 
who were defeated by the brave Dalcassians the year after the battle of 
Clontarf; on the second occasion by the army of Connaught, which 
plundered and destroyed both Kincora and Killaloe. This was also doubtless 
occasioned by the ambition of the King of Connaught, encouraged by the 
unnatural quarrel which had so fatal a termination. Donogh prospered so 
much that he obtained hostages three years after his brother's death from 
various chiefs of Leinster; he exacted* the homage of the Danes of Dublin, 
was now recognized as monarch of Leath Mogha or the southern half of 
Ireland, when he was defeated by the Ossorians and had a formidable 
antagonist to his claims in his nephew Turlough, the son of the assassinated 
Prince, Teigh, who was supported by Diarmid Maelnambo afterwards King 
of Leinster, at the instigation of Diarmid whose territory of Hy-Kinsella, 6 
Donogh had invaded, burning Perns and committing other devastations in 
Wexford. Several sacrilegious robberies were perpetrated at this time at 
Clonmacnoise, &c. It is to the credit of Donogh that he made satisfaction 
to the clergy of Clonmacnoise for a most revolting sacrilegious robbery, 
on which occasion the robbers stole a model of Solomon's temple, probably 
a tabernacle, and a gold plated silver chalice, the former a gilt of a Prince 
of wealth, the latter tastefully engraved by a sister of King Turlough 
O'Connor. In 1129, some of the Danes of Limerick were executed for 

1 Annrls of the Four Masters, ami Innisfail. * Annals of Four Masters. 

3 Do. an. 1023. See also Tigernach. * Annals of Four Masters, an. 1041. 

» Tigernach and Inisfail, an. 1026. 6 Annals of Innisfail and Four Masters. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 19 

despoiling the monastery of Clonmacnoise. In the year 1050 1 a Synod was 
held at Killaloe, to provide some remedies against a prevalent distress, 
occasioned by bad seasons, and to restrain crimes, under Donogh and Cele, 
" the head of the piety of Ireland," as , the annalists call him, upon which 
occasion, as our authorities inform us they * enacted a law and restraint upon 
every injustice, great and small ; and God gave peace and favourable weather 
in consequence of this law." 

The power of Donogh now began to decline, for he had sustained two 
serious reverses. During his absence in Desmond, his enemy Diarmid had 
invaded Minister with an army of Lagenians and Danes, of whom he was 
now acknowledged king, and severely avenged Donogh's, and Connor MelaghliVs 
raid into Pingal, on which occasion* they had made many prisoners in the 
great stone church of Lusk. The second blow was inflicted on Donogh, in 
Thomond, where Torlough, the son of Teighe, maintained his ground against 
Donogh's son, Murrough, assisted by his Connaught allies, as he had been 
by Hugh O'Connor and by the king of Leinster in Middle Munster. In the 
latter the Lagenians and Danes burned one of the forts strengthened by 
Brian Boru — namely, Duntryleague ; and during another expedition, under 
Diarmid, which took place in 1056, they destroyed another of these forts — 
that at Lough Gurr, finishing their ravages by the destruction cf Nenagh. 

Donoglr's deposition was now a proximate event. — Diarmid invaded 
Munster, once more burned Limerick and Emly, and defeated Donogh in a 
severe battle in the glen of Aherlow. Hugh O'Connor destroyed Kincora, 
with the town and Church of Killaloe ; and Turlogh and the Lagenians once 
more burned Limerick in the year 1063, and exacted hostages throughout 
Munster. At last being utterly defeated by Turlogh and the King of Leinster, 
at the foot of the Ardagh mountains, he abdicated the crown of Munster, 
thus transferring his royal honors to his nephew. In the hope of atoning 
for his sins he afterwards set out on a pilgrimage to Eome, where he died 
with every appearance of sincere penitence, in the Monastery of St. Stephen, 
in the year 1064. Some writers assert that Donogh not only left the crown 
and regalia of Ireland with the Pope but made him over his kingdom, an 
empty compliment, if it took place at all, which is not probable, as it is not 
mentioned by any of the old annalists. It is added by those who tell this 
story, that the crown was afterwards given to Henry the II. by Pope Adrian 
the Fourth after the Norman conquest. 2 

1 Annals of Four Masters. 

2 Donogh was connected with the Royal family of England, having married Driella, sister of 
Harold, afterwards King of England. Harold took refuge in Ireland (Saxon Chronicle, an. 1051) 
during the rebellion of his father against Edward the Confessor, and was furnished by Donogh 
with a squadron of nine ships, with which he harassed the coast of England. In the time of ' 
Donogh the celebration of Athletic games was encouraged, and more taxes were raised and 
more ordinances made than during the period which had elapsed since the coming of St. Patrick. 
— Annals of Innisfail, an. 1023 (recte 1040). 

Two interesting relics supposed to belong to Brian Boru are still in existence — namely, his 
harp and his sceptre. The latter wa3 presented to the museum of the Royal Dublin Society, 
where it is preserved, by the Dowager Marchioness of Thomond, after the death of her husband 
in 1857. The harp, according to the statement given in the fourth volume of the " Collectanea 
de Rebus Hibernicis," remained, with the crown and other regalia of Brian Boru, in the Vatican, 
until the reign of Henry VIII., when that " Defender of the Faith" received the harp with hi3 
new title. The Pope, it is said, kept the crown, which was of massive gold. Henry gave the 
harp to the first Earl of Clanrickarde, and it was presented by a lady of the De Burgh family 
to that of M'Mahon, of Clenagh, in the county Clare. In 1782 it was presented to the Right 
Hon. Mr. Connyngham, who presented it to Trinity College, where it still remains. Moore thinka 
the harp is modern, because it bears the O'Brien arms (in silver) ; but on this principle we might 
doubt the antiquity of the round tower on Devenish Island because it bears a modern inscription. 



20 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Since the death of Malachy, who was himself formally recognised by the 
states of Meath only, though tacitly accepted by the nation, the ascription 
of the title of supreme king by our native historians appears to have resulted 
rather from deference to might than to right — at least the most powerful for 
the time being of the Hoyal races of Ireland were recognised as the nominal 
monarchs, or as the Irish express it, Bigh go Freasabhra, " kings with oppo- 
sition." As the plan which we have laid down for ourselves will not allow 
of our introducing more of the general history of Ireland than may serve to 
illustrate that of Limerick, we can refer but briefly to the exploits of Dermot, 
King of Leinster, who is by some historians reckoned as nominal monarch 
after the death of Donogh, whom he obliged to abdicate the crown, in favor 
of Turlogh, the son of Teige, and grandson of Brian Boru. There is a 
great similarity indeed in the military history of all the enterprising kings of 
this period, and Dermot' s included the crushing of a rebellion raised by 
Murchad, the son of Donogh ; the compelling of the king of Connaught to 
give hostages ; the exacting tribute from the people of Meath and Dublin ; 
and if we can believe the continuation of the Annals of Tigernach, the 
subjection of the Welsh, and Hebrides, or at least to the extent implied by 
the fact that they were obliged to pay him tribute. At last this vigorous 
monarch again entered Meath in I072, 1 and was defeated with great slaughter 
at the battle of Odhba, being himself killed, and leaving Turlogh, by his 
death, the most powerful king in Ireland. 

Turlogh now entered upon the usual course of one determined to be recog- 
nised as the Sovereign-in-Chief, no competitors of his own family existing 
since A.D. 1068, the year of the death of Morrogh " of the short shield," 
who was slain during a foray into Tenia, a territory now forming a part of 
Westmeath and Longford ; while the King of Connaught, Aedh of the Broken 
Spear, who had defeated Dermot, Turlough, and their " great army of Leath- 
mogha/'' as the annalists call it, some five years before, had himself fallen in 
turn, in battle with Art O^Eourke, Prince of Brerfny, who had invaded his 
territories. Connor, too, the son of Malachy, had fallen in the year 1073, 
by the hand of an assassin, and Turlogh, now admitted to be the most potent 
of the native Kings, prepared himself for an expedition into Ulster, where the 
indomitable O'Neills maintained their independence. 

The Annals of the Eour Masters for this year 2 record a curious anecdote 
of Turlough in reference of his having carried off the head of the murdered 
King of Meath from the Abbey of Clonmacnoise on a Good Friday, immedi- 
ately before his Northern expedition. — " It was brought back again from the 
South with two rings of gold along with it through the miracles of God and 
Kiaran. A great disease seized the King Turlough O'Brien, which caused 
his hair and beard to fall off' through the miracles of God and Kiaran, for 
when the head of Connor was brought into his presence, a mouse issued out 
of it and went under his garment, which was the cause of his disease/'' The 
Annals of Clonmacnoise 3 mention the same curious story, and state that 
Brien " was like to die until he restored the said head with certain gold." 

It was during an expedition undertaken into Meath, immediately after this, 
to punish Morrough Melaghlin, the brother and murderer of Connor, that he 
tarried off the head of one of the bitterest of his enemies, as related above. 

•' Annals of Four Blasters, of Innisfail, and Tigernach. 

s A. 1). 1073, 

a A. D. 1070 (recte 1073). 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 21 

In 1075 Turlogh marched into Connaught, and received homage and 
hostages from O'Bourke, O'Beilly, (^Kelly, MacDermod, and other Princes. 

In the following year, accompanied by the army of Munster, Turlogh 
marched into Meath, and received the submission of King Melachlm, the 
latter being accompanied by the Bishop of Armagh, styled by the Annalists 
the Successor of Saint Patrick, who brought with him the Bachal Isa, or 
" Staff of Jesus/'' In this year, according to the Pour Masters, Dunlevy 
O'Heoghy and the chiefs of Ulidia went into Munster to serve for pay. 

In 1084, the chief of the Ulidians, having engaged the services of Donogh, 
the son of 0'Riiarc, nicknamed " the Cock/'' who commanded the forces of 
East Connaught, marched into Leinster and encamped at Monecronogh, where 
he was encountered by Murtagh O'Brien, son of Turlogh, at the head of the 
troops of Leinster, Ossory, Munster, and the Danes of Dublin. Pour thousand 
persons were left dead on the field in this action, which appears to have been 
a drawn battle. O'Buarc was amongst the slain, and his head having been 
brought to Limerick, it was exposed on Singland, near the city, probably in 
the locality now occupied by the Water Works, near Galiows Green. 

While Turloglr's army was engaged in Leinster, the Ulstermen entered 
Thomond, and burned Killaloe, Tomgraney, Scariff, and Moynoe, of which 
O'Halloran says in his usual patriotic style, " then flourishing cities on the 
banks of the Shannon, now scarce retaining the traces of villages/'' But 
Turlogh had his revenge, for in the next year (1085) he once more invaded 
the north, ravaged the territory, and took Muireadhach, Prince of Mninter- 
colies (the tribe name of the Magranalls or Reynolds) in the southern half of 
the county Leitrim. 

This was the last expedition of this vigorous monarch, who died in 1086, 
at Kincora, in the 77th year of his age, from the effects of a disease resulting 
from the incident which we have quoted from the Annals of the Pour Masters, 
and Clonmacnoise. His forgiveness of his nephew, Murchecl, who raised a 
formidable rebellion in Thomond, in the second year of his reign, and to 
whom, though he renewed his revolt after being forgiven, he assigned ample 
possessions in Cuonogh and Aharla, in the county Limerick, prove him to 
have been a man of a generous and forgiving disposition. As a proof of the 
high character he enjoyed amongst his contemporaries, we may refer to this 
letter 1 addressed to him by the illustrious Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canter- 
bury, as " The magnificent Turlough, King of Ireland/'' in which, he says, 
that " God was mercifully disposed towards the people of Ireland, in giving 
him royal power over that land, and stating that though he has never seen 
him, he loves him from the description he had received of his pious humility, 
his severe justice, and his discreet equity/'' As additional proofs not only of 
the high estimation in which Turlough was held, but of his being recognised 
as monarch of Ireland by his contemporaries, we may mention that another 
letter was addressed to him some years after by Gregory TIL, in which he 
is called " the illustrious King of Ireland -" and, at the request of the chiefs 
of Man, Turlough sent a prince of the blood royal to be regent during the 
minority of their youthful king. 

In Lanfranc's letter to Turlogh he complains that in his kingdom marriages 
were often irregularly contracted ; that bishops were consecrated by one 
bishop ; that infants were baptised without consecrated chrism ; and that holy 

« Usher Vet. Epist. Hibern. Syll. 
a Chronicle of Man, A.D. 1075. 



22 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

orders were given by bishops for money. As Lanfranc makes the same 
complaint about irregular marriages in bis letter to Gothric, King of Dublin, 
Dr. Lanigan 1 supposes these abuses were confined chiefly to the Danes ; 
while as to the second and third objections, Lanfranc was mistaken as to what 
is required by evangelical and apostolical authority and the canon law. 
Besides, the Irish still retained the order of cAorepwcopoi. The charge of 
simony, Lanigan thinks, may have been partly true ; but that crime was not 
confined to the Irish, nor to the church of any particular time or locality. 



CHAPTEB IV. 



HISTORY OF THE KINGS OF THOMOND, CONTINUED. 

King Turlough was succeeded by his second son, Murtagh O'Brien, not 
undeservedly surnamed More, or the Great, as king of Thomond, and nominal 
king of Ireland, A.D, 1106. Of his two brothers, the eldest had died at 
Kincora, and the other, Dermott, having been banished into Connaught, 
Murtagh became the sole, but by no means the undisputed sovereign. The 
provincial kings joined Dermot, who was subsequently slain in Meath in his 
brother's army, A.D. 1103, in a coalition against the king of Thomond, as 
pretender to the chief sovereignty of Ireland ; and another formidable oppo- 
nent appeared in the person of Domnal M'Loughlin, chief of the Hy-Mells, 
who, having enforced homage from the king of Connaught, united that 
prince's forces to his own, and with the combined army invaded Munster. 
Bory O'Connor's West Connaught men had defeated Murtagh's fleet, when 
attempting to dislodge them from their position on Innishayrcuch (Horned 
Island) in the Shannon, previously to the junction of the Northern forces 
with those of Connaught, and Murtagh now found himself unable to retaliate 
with effect until the most terrible devastations had taken place in his 
dominions. The invaders burned Limerick, devastated the country as far as 
Emly, Lough Gur, and Bruree, beseiged and demolished Kincora, and carried 
orT the head of O'Buarc from the place of its exposure at Singland. 2 Mur- 
tagh, determined to strike the first blow at the king of Connaught, dispatched 
a fleet in the following year, 1089, as far as Loughree, on the Shannon, and 
greatly to his discredit plundered the churches 3 on the various islands, and 
along the shores of the lake, including those of Innisclothran, Innisbofrm, and 
Innis-amgin. The Dalcassian troops were, however, intercepted in their 
retreat by the king of Connaught, who had occupied Inishayrcuch and 
Rughra ; and being obliged to turn back to Athlone were encountered by 
Donald O'Melaghlin, 4 king of Meath, who gave them a safe conduct to 
Thomond, on condition of leaving behind their vessels. With these vessels 
the kings of Meath and Connaught immediately afterwards descended the 
Shannon, and once more invaded Thomond. 

1 Ecclesiastical Hist, of Ireland, chap. xxiv. 

2 Four Masters, ad. an. 1088. 
> Ibid. ad. an. 1089. 

* This name appears in a variety of spelling?. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 23 

In the year 1090 a congress was held on the banks of Lough Neagh 1 where 
the two princes, Murtagh and Mac Loughlin (or O'Loughlin), agreed to divide 
the kingdom of Ireland between them, the former ruling Leath Mogha, or 
the southern half, and the latter Leith Cuin, or the northern moiety. On 
this occasion they pledged themselves by the most solemn oaths, " upon the 
relics of the saints of Erin, and the crozier of St. Patrick." At this meeting 
the kings of Connaught and of Meath were also present, and gave, as did 
also Murtagh, hostages to the head of the Hy-Niels ; but if this was an 
admission of his claims to the chief sovereignty, it was cancelled by a similar 
tender of hostages to Murtagh by the new chief monarch, M'Loughlin, who, 
notwithstanding this solemn convention, was engaged in hostilities with the 
king of Thomond in this very year, 2 and obliged to do him homage. In 
1094 Murtagh again invaded Leinster and Meath, defeated O'Connor Paly; 
attacked the Meathians, and having slain Donald O'Melaghlin, king of Tara, 
divided his territories between his two brothers. 

According to Sir James Ware, a present of Irish pearls was made in the 
year 1094, by the bishop of Limerick, to Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, 
by whom the present was graciously received. 

In the years 1095 and 1096 peace prevailed in consequence of a pestilence 
which the annalists say spread over all Europe, and earned off a fourth of 
the population of Ireland, including many persons of distinction, and amongst 
the rest Godfrey Erenach. In the meantime Murtagh had employed himself 
in rebuilding Kincora, and, having completed the work of re- edification, once 
more undertook an expedition as far as Louth, where, however, by the inter- 
position of the bishop of Armagh, the effusion of blood was prevented. 

In the year 1101 Murtagh convoked a great assembly at Cashel, and made 
a donation to the church, such as " no king had ever made before," granting 
Cashel to the " religious of Ireland in general without any claim of layman 
or clergyman upon it," as the annalists express it, thus dedicating the seat 
of the Munster kings to God and to St. Patrick, 3 who had there preached 
the Gospel to iEngus, king of Munster and his court. 

It was about the time of this splendid donation to the church that Murtagh 
made his famous expedition into Ulster, and, having led a large body of 
troops into Innis-owen, devastated the peninsula, destroyed the churches, 
and, in revenge for the destruction of Kincora, utterly demolished the ven- 
erable palace of the Hy-niells, called Aileach or the Eagle's Nest, ordering 
his soldiers to carry away the very stones to Limerick in their provision bags. 4 
In the year 1103 Murtagh sustained a decisive defeat from Macloghlin, on 

1 Annals Innisfail, an. 1074 (recte 1090). 

8 Fonr Masters, 1090. 

3 Annals of Innisf alien, 1101. 

* Mr. O'Curry adds that " with these stones [which the soldiers brought in their sacks] Mur- 
tagh O'Brien afterwards built a parapet upon the top of his royal palace, (which is situate on the 
site of the present Cathedral of Limerick) as a perpetual memorial of his victory over the ancient 
enemies of his house." Mr. O'Curry adds, " I may mention that this was not a wanton deed of 
destruction on the part of O'Brien, but a retaliation for a similar insult which the Northern 
bands, two hundred years before that, offered to the Dalcassians, when they made a sudden and 
unexpected rush into that country, and cut down, and carried away by force, from the celebrated 
woods of Creatalach (Cratloe, I believe) as much prime oak as roofed and adorned the same palace 
of Aileach." The Grainan of Aileach is situate in the county of Donegal, about a mile from the 
county of Derry, and on the top of a mountain 802 feet high, to -which it has given its name of 
Grainan. The Ordnance Survey of Londonderry (page 217) gives a graphic description and 
account of this very curious and celebrated ancient construction ; and we refer the reader to that 
extremely interesting volume for the fullest particulars on the subject. 



24 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the plains of Cobha in Tyrone, 1 on which occasion the royal tent and many 
valuable jewels were captured. 2 The following years are chiefly occupied with 
resultless campaigns between Murtagh and Macloughlin, and the interposition 
of the clergy in bringing about temporary pacifications. In 11 14, say the 
annals/ u a great fit of sickness attacked Murtagh O'Brien, so that he became 
& living skeleton, and resigned his kingdom; and Diarmuid (his brother) 
assumed the kingdom of Munster after him without permission/ - ' During 
Murtagh's absence in Leinster, Thomond was invaded by Torlogh O'Connor, 
king of Connaught, who plundered the country as far as Limerick, and carried 
off spoil and prisoners. On this occasion Donald O'Brien, son of Teige, was 
slain while defending his country against the invaders. In the second year after 
also, 1116, Torlogh O'Connor again invaded Thomond, and advancing without 
resistance, demolished Kincora as well as the fort of Boromha, which had 
been erected by Brian Boru — an insult which the Dalcassians vainly attempted 
to avenge under Dermod, brother of Murtagh O'Brien, who led an army into 
Connaught, but was repulsed and obliged to make a precipitate retreat. In 
1117, Thomond was again invaded by the forces of Connaught, commanded 
by Brian, son of Morrogh O'Elaherty, and the son of Cathal O'Connor, who 
defeated the Munster troops first at Leacan in West Thomond, and afterwards 
at Latteragh in Ormond, with still greater loss. The death of Dermod 
O'Brien was followed in a year by that of his brother Murtagh. This event 
took place in 1119, and this eminent prince, whose character ranked so high 
in his lifetime that he was often consulted by the king of England, Henry I., 
was buried in the cathedral of Killaloe, which, from the time of the donation 
of Cashel to the Church, to the period of the Anglo-Norman invasion, 
became the residence of the descendants of the illustrious Brian Boru. 

Murtagh had three sons, Domhnal, appointed Governor of Dublin, who 
embraced a monastic life in 1118 ; Mahon, the ancestor of the Mac Mahons 
of Corkabaskin, and Kennedy, of whom there is no further notice. Miutagh 
O'Brien, as Malmsbury, a contemporary author, informs us, 4 made alliances 
with other foreign princes besides Henry I. of England. He gave one of his 
daughters to Arnulph de Montgomery, eldest son of the Earl of Arundel in 
England, whom he is said to have assisted in Ins rebellion against Henry I. ; 
and another to Sicard, son of Magnus king of Norway* Keating states his 
belief that Murtagh died at Armagh. He was the last supreme monarch of 
his race. 

1 Annals of Four Masters. 

2 About this time took place the celebrated Synod of Uisneach, in Westmeath, presided over — 
according to the Abbe M'Geoghegan, by Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick, under circumstances here- 
after to be referred to. 

8 Annals of Four Masters. 

* Malmsbury De Reg. Angle, lib. v. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 25 



CHAPTEE V. 



ANNALS OF TH03IOND. 



Sir James Ware and O'Elaherty 1 are of opinion that parties were so evenly 
balanced after the death of Murtagh O'Brien, that for seventeen years after 
that event no dynast was sufficiently powerful to assume the title of monarch 
of Ireland. But after the death of Donald Mac Loughlin, who reigned 
without competition during the two years that he survived Murtagh, Turlogh 
O'Connor, son of Boderick, king of Connaught, is considered to have the 
fairest claim, and is accordingly set down by most historians as the next 
monarch of Ireland. Some, however, only assign to Turlogh the rank of 
king of Leath-Cuin, while Connor O'Brien is regarded as possessing an 
equitable claim to be considered monarch of Leath-Mogha. 

Turlogh, although a brave prince, did not disdain to avail himself of the 
arts of policy to strengthen his own interest to the prejudice of O'Brien. 
He sowed dissensions between the Eugenians and Dalcassians, touching their 
claims to alternate succession 2 to the throne, and succeeded in creating tem- 
porary divisions amongst the Dalcassians themselves. In the year 1124, 
O'Connor constructed a fleet on Lough Derg, conveyed them across the falls 
of the Shannon, at Doonas, plundered the country of the Hy-Conaill, at 
Foynes' Island, and captured the fleet of Desmond. — Cormac Macarthy, the 
king of Desmond, was shortly after defeated by O'Connor, near Kilkenny, 
and obliged to seek an asylum in the monastery of Lismore. But O'Brien, 
having effected a reconciliation between the members of his own family, by 
giving Torlogh, Thomond, west of the Shannon; and the other brother, 
Ormond, proceeded in the same year, 1127, to Lismore, and, with the con- 
sent of the Eugenian chiefs, restored Cormac, dethroned his brother Donough, 
set up by O'Connor, and forced him to fly with his adherents into Con- 
naught. In the year 1135, Cormac invaded Thomond, and was opposed by 
an ancestor of the Macnamaras, 3 Ctjieara, i.e. the " Dog of the Sea," who 
was slain in the battle. — Cormac was defeated at Clonkeen-Modinog, near 
Cashel, on which Occasion several of the princes of the Eugenians, together 
with O'Loghlin, king of Burren, were left dead on the field. The next year, 
1136, is given as the date of Turlogh's recognition as supreme sovereign, 
although O'Brien had just given decided proofs of imdirnrnished vigor, by 
routing the united armies of the king of Leinster and the Danes of Dublin, 
after which he had led his victorious troops into Connaught, when an arrange- 
ment was entered into between O'Brien and O'Connor, by the interposition, 
or under the sanction of the archbishop of Tuam, 4 

In the war between Connor O'Brien and Macarthy, O'Brien was supported 
by Dermot Macmorrough > king of Leinster; who obtained an unfortunate 
notoriety by bringing the English into Ireland. This happened in 1137 ; 
and the new allies, assisted by a fleet of the Danes of Dublin and Wexford, 
having besieged Waterford, Donogh Macarthy was compelled to submit, and 
to give hostages of the Desies and the Danes of Dublin, as a return for their 
services. Connor, now styled Lord of Thomond and Ormond, gave hostages 
to the king of Leinster, for defending Desmond for him from the Macarthies ; 
and thus it appears that Turlough's claim to the monarchy was now admitted, 

1 Ogvgia. 2 Annals of Innisfail, Minister Annals A pud Vallancr. 

9 Annals of Four Masters. * Ibid. Ad. An. 1133. 



26 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

even by O'Brien himself, though so fiercely appropriated by the O'Briens for 
more than a hundred years. In the next year, 1138, the Annals of the Four 
Masters 1 mention the treacherous assassination at Cashel, of Cormac, the king 
and bishop, the founder 2 of the beautiful church still called Cormac' s Chapel, 
the murderer being Turlogh, son of Dermod O'Brien, who afterwards suc- 
ceeded to the crown of Thomond. Thus the Mac Carthies were expelled, 
and Connor O'Brien was now left in sole possession of the crown of Munster, 
to which he added that of the Danes of Dublin, against whom he marched 
an army in 1142, and forced their submission. In the next year Connor 
O'Brien died at Killaloe, where he was interred in the Cathedral, and was 
succeeded by his next brother Turlogh. Connor died possessed of all the 
rights and powers annexed to the sovereignty of Leath Mogha. He was a 
prince of great courage, perseverance, and ability ; and though he had com- 
mitted in his various expeditions several acts of spoliation on the Church, 
he is stated in the records of the Abbey of St. Peter at Batisbon, to have 
founded and supported it while he lived, and to have sent munificent presents 
in aid of the Crusaders to Lothaire, the Eoman Emperor. 3 — Connor was 
surnamed na Catheragh, or " of the cities," on account of the many he 
founded and improved, says O'Halloran, which also accounts for his other 
nickname of " spattered robe" — according to others from his having built or 
strengthened a fort on Lough Ree. 

Turlough, the brother and successor of Connor O'Brien, whose son Mur- 
tagh was obliged to content himself with Thomond, began his reign by a 
war with Turlough O'Connor and an invasion of Leinster. He was set upon 
the throne of Limerick by Murtagh M'Niell of the line of Heremon, who 
succeeded to the monarchy of Ireland. In punishment of O'Connor's raid 
into Munster, in sustainment of the claims of Connor, grandson of Murtagh- 
More O'Brien, Turlough O'Brien marched into Connaught, and cut down the 
Ruaiclh Eheithigh 4 (the red birch tree of Hy-Eiachra Aadhne, under which 
the kings were inaugurated), and demolished its stone fort, but returned 
without effecting any important results, and in 1144 was reconciled to 
O'Connor at Terryglass, in Ormond — though, as we learn from the Four 
Masters, 5 the truce only lasted a year, the next year having been signalised 
by so many predatory excursions that Ireland was made " a trembling sod," 
to use the expressive language of these annalists. Turlough founded a mon- 
astery for the Cistercian monks in 1148, the great monastery of Nenay, or 
Commogue, in the county of Limerick, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. 

In the year 1149, the King of Munster once more led an army into Con- 
naught, destroying the Dun or Castle of Galway. In the next year he 
marched to Dublin, plundering Slane, in Meath, on his way, and exacted 
hostages from the Danes of Dublin. In the following year (1151), while 
absent in West Munster, opposing the Macarthies, he was deposed by his 
brother, Teige Gle, whom he had released from prison, assisted by the king 

• Ibid. Ad. An. 1138. 2 ibid. Ad. An. 1134. 

3 " In the Chronicles of Reinsburgh or Ratisbon, in Germany, it is related that Dvonisius, 
Christianus and Gregorj-, three successive Irish Abbots, of the Benedictine Monastery of St. 
James's at the west gate of Ratisbon, sent their own Irish messengers at three several times into 
Ireland with the Emperor Conradus's letters recommending them. To these messengers was 
delivered so great a sum by the aforesaid Conor O'Brian, otherwise Calla Slapper Sallach, King 
of North Munster, or Limerick, that thereby their cloister was from the very foundation, in a 
short time, rebuilt so magnificently that it surpassed all in those days ; and besides, with said 
money, the monks purchased for their maintenance, both within the town of Ratisbon, and in 
the country, a perpetual revenue and estate, and notwithstanding all, a great quantity of said 
money was still remaining. — Peler Walsh. 

* Annals of Four Masters, 1143. * Ibid, 1145. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 27 

of Connaught, who, invited by Teige Gle, and joined by Derinot Macmorrogh, 
advanced into Munster, and ravaged the country, until they reached Moin- 
more, or the Great Bog, which, according to Dr. O'Donovan, 1 is Monimore, 
in the parish of Emly, Barony of Clanwilliam, and county Tipperary. In 
this fiercely contested battle, the armies of Leinster and Connaught, led by 
Roderick, whose troops had once more destroyed Kincora, during their late 
invasion of Munster, were opposed by O'Brien, accompanied by the Dalcas- 
sians alone; and, notwithstanding the desperate valour of these noble 
warriors, were completely successful. The army of Munster was totally 
defeated, and the king of Thomond, with his army, left dead on the field. 2 

Altogether there fell of the Mononians five thousand men. The loss on 
the other side was severe, but not at all to be compared with that of the army 
of Munster, which the monarch now divided into two principalities, appointing 
the two treacherous Munster princes its rulers. Roderick, the last monarch 
of Ireland of Milesian descent, now entered Thomond, and having proceeded 
as far as Croom, which he burned, returned after the capture of great spoils. 

The unfortunate Turlogh O'Brien having ineffectually attempted to pro- 
cure shelter among the Danes of Limerick, fled to Ulster, where he was shel- 
tered by the native chieftains, to whom he was able to make ample recompense 
for their hospitality, having carried with him many jewels and valuables to 
the number of sixty, besides the drinking horn of Brian Bora, and one hun- 
dred and twenty ounces of gold. 3 In the arrangement which followed the 
defeat of Turlogh, Desmond fell to Dermod McCarthy, and Thomond to 
Teige O'Brien. The fortunes of Turlogh O'Connor had scarcely obtained 
the ascendant over those of O'Brien when a new rival appeared in the person 
of Murtagh O'Loughlin (MacLoughlin or O'Neill), representative of the 
royal Hy-Mells of Tyrone, and the host and champion of the king of Mun- 
ster, in whose favour he formed a league of the Ulster princes, and having 
conquered Turlogh O'Connor, replaced Turlogh O'Brien on his throne, or as 
the Pour Masters say, to one-half of his kingdom. On the return of Teige 
O'Brien into Thomond he was barbarously deprived of his sight by his bro- 
ther Dermod Einn, and died the next year, 1154. Turlogh O'Brien having 
made submission three years after his restoration, Eoderick, his father, in- 
curred the resentment of O'Neill, who, accompanied by Dermod MacMur- 
rough and his troops, entered Desmond, and exacted the submission of the 
Macarthies. He next laid siege to Limerick, then chiefly inhabited by Danes, 
drove out Turlogh O'Brien, expelled the Dalcassians from Thomond, and di- 
vided Munster between Dermod Macarthy, whose father had been murdered, 
as before mentioned, at Cashel, and Connor, the son of Donald O'Brien, in 
whose person, as the senior representatives of Murtagh-More O'Brien, the 

1 Note to Four Masters, 1151. 

2 Amongst the families still extant, who lost some of their members in this second Clontarf, 
the Annals of the Four Masters give the following from the book of Lecan: — " The following 
were the chieftains that were here slain : — Muicertagh, son of Conchovar O'Brien, the second 
best man of Dalgais ; Lughaidh, son of Donald O'Brien, two of the Hy-Kennedigh (O'Kennedys); 
eight of the Hy-Deaghaidh (O'Deas), with Flahertach O'Dea ; nine of the Hy-Seanchain 
(O'Shannons or Sextons) ; five of the Hy-Cuinn (O'Quins) ; five of the Hy-Grada (O'Gradys), 
with Aneslis O'Grada ; twenty-four of the Ui-Aichir (O'Hehirs) ; the grandson of Eochaidh 
Ua-Loingsy (O'Lynchy or O'Lynch) ; four of the Ui-Neill Buidhe (Yellow O'Neills) ; and five 
of the Ui-Eachthiern (Aheaines or O'Hearns) ; with numbers of good men besides them. 

3 This was a changeable, windy, stormy winter, with great rain. Foirdhealbhach Ua Briain 
went to Luimneach, but he did not get shelter in Munster ; and he took many jewels with him, 
i.e. ten score ounces of gold, and sixty beautiful jewels, besides the drinking horn of Brian 
Boroimhe, and he divided them among the chiefs of Silmuiredagh, &c. &e. (the O'Connors of Con- 
naught and other chiefs, the O'Bonrkes and the O'Farrells.) — Annals of the Four Masters, 1151. 



28 HISTORY Of LIMERICK. 

right line of succession was restored. But Turlough O'Brien being once 
more restored by Boderick O'Connor, 1 who entered Munster after O'Neill's 
departure for the North, cruelly put out the eyes of the lawful king Connor 
O'Brien, as well as those of his son — acts of barbarous policy to disqualify 
them for the throne,, the fruits of which he did not long enjoy, being deposed 
by his son Murtagh and banished into Leinster. This occurred in 1165, but 
Murtagh was not recognised as king until 1167, in which year his father, 
Turlough O'Brien, died. He was slain, however, in the next year by 
Connor O'Brien, grandson of Connor Na Cateragh, but after a short interval, 
the assassin and his accomplices were themselves put to death by Dermod 
Eioun, the brother of his grandfather, aided by O'Faolain, prince of the Desies. 
In the reign of Torlogh O'Brien several interesting events occurred in the 
history of the Church, amongst others the great Synod or National Council 
of Kells, at which Cardinal Paparo, Legate of Pope Eugenius III, presided, 
and distributed the palliums brought by him from Eome to the four Arch- 
bishops of Armagh, Cashel, Dublin and Tuam — a concession promised by 
Innocent II. to St. Malachy, Bishop of Down, who, with a view to obtain 
this favor, had himself journeyed to Borne in the year 1139. St. Malachy 
again visited the Continent in the Pontificate of Eugenius III, and died in 
the Abbey of Clairvaux, then presided over by Saint Bernard, who wrote his 
biography, and made those strictures on the state of the Irish Church, the 
severity of which is partly to be ascribed to the austerity of St. Bernard's 
character, partly to the want of exact information. Another event referred 
to this reign which is supposed to have led to the introduction of the Eng- 
lish, an important epoch in the history of Ireland, at which we have arrived, 
was the alleged abduction of Dervoghal, the wife of O'Buarc, prince of Brefrhy, 
by the cruel and sacrilegious tyrant MacMurrough, who was obliged to make 
ample satisfaction for the outrage. But the truth of this story, which has 
been so long held as an authentic piece of history, has of late years been 
seriously questioned ; and we have heard from the late Professor O'Curry, 
that he had in his possession some Irish manuscripts which invalidate the 
claims of this episode of the Irish Helen to be regarded as a portion of our 
authentic history. The date of the Synod of Kells is 1152. By it tithes 
were first introduced into Ireland, but they were not enforced until after the 
English invasion, A.D. 1172, when they were established by the Synod of 
Cashel. 2 

1 It was in the year 1161 Roderick O'Connor built a famous castle of " lime and stone at Tuam." 

2 During the reign of Murtagh Mac Neil], Monarch of Ireland, there was convened a national 
Synod at Kennanus or Kells in the county of Meath ; the design of this Council was the refor- 
mation of discipline and manners, and to institute two new Archbishopricks in Ireland, viz. those 
of Dublin and Tuam. The persons appointed by the Pope to preside in this Council were Giolla 
Criost O'Conaire, Bishop of Lismore, and Pope's Legate, and the Roman Cardinal Johannes 
Papiro (Paparo) ; the four palls or copes were then conferred on the four Archbishops. This 
Council, says Keating, is thus recorded in an old Book of Cluainadnach, viz. in the year from 
the Incarnation, being bissextile, 1157 (52 for 57 is a mistake) was celebrated in the spring, a 
noble Council at Caennanus, in which Synod presided Cardinal John, a Presbyter of the blessed 
St. Lawrence, and the Assembly consisted of twenty-two Bishops, five Bishops elect and so many 
Abbots and Priors belonging to the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our apostolic father 
Eugenius. This Cardinal condemned, and by all proper methods extirpated simony and usury, 
and commanded tithes to be paid by apostolical authority. He delivered four copes (palls) to the 
four Archbishops of Ireland : — to the Archbishops of Dublin, of Tuam, of Cashel, and Armagh 
Primate over the rest ; and as soon as the Council was ended the said Cardinal passed the seas. 
Thus that old Book. Amongst the Bishops that assisted at this Council was Turgesius, Bishop 
of Limerick. The suffragans then appointed under the Archbishoprick of Cashel, were Limerick, 
Killaloe, Inniscatha (which, about the beginning of the twelfth century, was united to Limerick), 
Waterford, Lismore, Cloin, Cork, Ross and Ardfearth. Sir James Ware says that this Synod 
was held in 1152. — Antiq. Hiber,, cap. 16. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 29 

In 1164, Donald, or Daniel O'Brien, snrnamed the Great, succeeded his 
brother Murtagh in the crown of Limerick. Boderick O'Connor, about this 
time, assumed being monarch of Ireland and held many wars with Donald, 
who would not acknowledge his sovereignty; at length, in the year 1167, 
they made peace and concluded an offensive and defensive alliance with each 
other. This Donald, king of Limerick, was a most virtuous, religious, and 
warlike man ; according to Hugh MacCurtin, he built and endowed eighteen 
monasteries. But as we find most ancient authors confound his actions with 
those of his son, Donogh, who succeeded him, before we give an account of 
the landing of the English in Ireland, we shall give a particular account of 
all the monasteries founded as well by Donald as by his son Donogh, and 
shall distinguish between each. 

MONASTERIES FOUNDED BY DONALD, KING OF LIMERICK. 

Holy cross. 

1169. This abbey of Holycross, in the county Tipperary, was founded by 
Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick ; it was so called for having a great relic 
of the holy cross in it : the words of the charter began thus : " Donald, by 
the grace of God, king of Limerick, to all kings, dukes, earls, barons, knights, 
and other Christians of whatsoever degree throughout Ireland, perpetual 
greeting in Christ, fee." The Bishop of Lismore, as Pope's Legate, the Arch- 
bishop of Cashel and the Bishop of Limerick signed this charter as witnesses. 
King John, when Earl of Morton, confirmed this foundation. The abbot of 
this house had title of Earl of Holycross, had a seat in the house of peers in 
Ireland, and was commonly Yicar-General of the Cistertian Order in Ireland. 
The house was a daughter of the Cistertian abbey of Nenay, in the county of 
Limerick. 

Suiry or Inislaunog. 

1172. Most authors say that this year Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, 
founded this abbey for the Cistertian monks in the county of Tipperary, on 
the banks of the river Suir. Colgan says that this abbey was long before 
Donald's time, and that it was he who rebuilt and endowed it in 1187. 

The Cathedral of Cashel. 

1172. About this time, Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, built a new 
cathedral in Cashel, from the ground and endowed it ; he converted the old 
cathedral of Cormac into a chapel or chapter-house ; he likewise bestowed 
large revenues on the see of Cashel, to which his son Donogh, surnamed 
Carbrac, gave others in Thomond, and amongst the rest two islands called 
Sulleith and Kismacayl. This donation was confirmed by King John on 6th 
September, 1215. 

Nunnery of Limerick. 

1172. The said Donald, king of Limerick, founded a nunnery for Augus- 
tinian nuns of the Order of Canons Eegular, in Limerick, in the English town. 
This house was dedicated to St. Peter and was called St. Peter's cell. 



30 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Nunnery of Kil-oen. 
1172. The said Donald founded at Kil-oen,, in the county of Clare, a nun- 
nery for Augustinian nuns of the Order of Canons Eegular of St. Augustin. 

Clare or Kilmoney. 
1194. Donald, king of Limerick, or as others say his son, Donogh, in 
1200, founded an abbey for Canons Eegular at Kilmoney, near Clare, on the 
Eiver Fergio (Fergus) . 

Inshenegananagh. 
The said Donald either founded or rebuilt for the Canons Eegular an abbey 
in the island called Innisnegannenagh, or the island of Canons, in the Shan- 
non, between Limerick and the sea, nearly opposite Foynes island. 

Feal. 

1188. This was first an abbey and then a cell of Cistertians united to the 
abbey of Nenay. 

Curcumroe. 

1194. In this year, Donald, king of Limerick, founded] for Cistertian 
monks this abbey of Curcumroe, or Corcamroe, in the county Clare ; it was 
called the abbey of Our Lady of the Fruitful Eock ; it was situated in a very 
pleasant place and was daughter to the abbey of Furness in England. The 
cell of Kilsane was annexed to this abbey. Some say this abbey was founded 
by Donogh Carbrac, son of Donald, in 1200. 

KilcouL 
1194. The same Donald founded in the county Tipperary, for the Cister- 
tian monks, the abbey of Kilcoul, as appears by the charter of confirmation, 
granted to it by King Henry III., and which mentions it to be founded by 
King Donald O'Brien. The records of the Cistertian order mention it to 
be founded in the year 1200, and that consequently it must be by his son 
Donogh Carbrac. This house was a daughter of the abbey of Jerpont. 

The Cathedral of Limerick. 
1194. About the time of the English first coming into Ireland, this pious 
king, Donald O'Brien, of Limerick, gave his own palace to the Church and 
of it made a Cathedral, which before was the small Church of St. Munchin, 
now a parochial Church ; he built and endowed this new Cathedral which is 
dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The charter which 
he granted to Brictius, 1 bishop of Limerick, about this time, 1194, is as fol- 
lows : — " Domnald, king of Limerick, to all the faithful of God, both present 
and to come, greeting : Know all, that I have given to Brictius, bishop of 
Lumneach, and his successors, and to the clergy of St. Mary, Lumneach, in 
free and perpetual alms, the land of Imurgan and the land of Ivamnacham, 
from the arch of Imuregram to the land of Imalin, and from the ford of Ceinu 
to the river Sinan, with all its appurtenances, and in confirmation hereof I 
set my seal. Witness, Mathew, Archbishop of Cashel, and Euadri va Gradei." 
See fully on this subject the chapter devoted to the Cathedral. 

1 Black Book of the Bishops of Limerick. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



31 



MONASTERIES FOUNDED BY DOXOUGH CAEBKAC, KING OF LIMERICK. 

Kilsane. 
1198. Kilsane, for Cistertian monks, in the county of Limerick. It in 
sometime became a cell belonging to the abbey of Curcumro, county Clare. 

Si. Saviour's of Limerick of Dominicans. 

1227. Donogh Corbrac O'Brien, king of Limerick, this year built and 
endowed, in the city of Limerick, a convent for the Friars of the Order of St. 
Dorm'rn'ck, under the invocation and title of St. Saviour. This convent had 
large possessions in lands in and about the city ; the fishing of the salmon- 
weir belonged to it, and St. Thomas's island where was a chapel of ease. 
The land going to Parteen, called Mona-na-Brahir, likewise belonged to it. 
In this year, 1241, this King Donagh was buried in this convent and a mag- 
nificent statue was erected over his tomb. 

In 1644 this convent was in Borne erected into a university. 

[See the chapter relating to this convent and the Order of Dorninicans in 
Limerick.] 

Ennis of Franciscans. 

1240. This year, Donogh Carbrac O'Brien, king of Limerick, built for 
the Franciscans a most sumptuous convent in the town of Ennis, or Ennis 
Cluanruada, county Clare. The Church is yet standing, and a portion of it 
has been used for many years by the Protestants for their sendee. 

Galbally of Franciscans. 
1240, or thereabouts, this same Donogh Carbrac O'Brien, king of Lim- 
erick, founded for the Franciscans a convent in Galbally, being on the borders 
of the county Limerick and the county Tipperary. 1 

1 Of Monasteries and Convents, (including some few afterwards founded, and which shall be 
more fully noticed in the proper place), the following, alone, were in the City and County of 
Limerick, viz. : — 



Canons Regular of St. Auguslin. 
Kilmallock 
Inniscatha 
Eathkeale 
Kynnythin 
Limerick 
Mungaret 
Cluanclaidech 



Dominicans. 

Limerick 

Kilmallock 

Ballingall — Carmelites, accord- 
ing to Ware, built by the Boches in the 14th 
century. Pat. 39th Elizab. called a Carmelite 
monastery, and granted to the Provost, &C.T.C.D. 



Franciscans. 
Limerick 
Askeaton 
Adare 
Adare — Observantine Franciscans, founded by 
Thos. Fitzmaurice and Joan his wife, 
A.D. 1264 {Ware, vol. II. p. 28.) 
Adare — Augustinians 
Near Balliugarry — Franciscans 

Total Monasteries and 



Canon Regular Nuns of St. Augttstin. 
Limerick 

Cluain-Credhil, now Clarina 
Hydh Ita 
Monastirne 
Calliagh, near Loughgur 



Cisterlians or Bernardines. 
Nenay 
Feal 
Kilsane 
"Wooney 



Newcastle — Knights' Templars 
Anug — Knights' Templars. 
Adare — Knights' Hospitallers 
Adare — Trinitarians 
Limerick — Knights' Templars. 

Limerick — Augustinians 

Any — Augustinians 

Ballintubber — Carmelites, some say Tem- 
plars, granted to Eobert Browne of Bal- 
tinglass 

Convents— 30. 



32 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



To gratify the curious, we here insert certain catalogues with regard to the 
kingdom of Ireland in general, in order to show in what a flourishing state it 
was from the first preaching of Christianity until the coming of the English, 
both in learning, religion, sanctity, hospitality, and force of arms. Extracted 
out of Colgan's Lives of Irish Saints, and Gratianus Lucius, or John Lynch, 
Archdeacon of Tuam's Cambrensis Eversus. 



Kings of Ireland who were 
deemed Saints: — 

St. Corniacus, Rex Momoniaa 
St. Corraacus, Rex Lageniae 
St. Aidus, Rex Lageniae 
St. Felimeus, Rex Momonia? 
St. Kellachus, Rex Cormacae 
St. Moelchobius, Rex totius 

Hibaa 
St. Brien Boru, Rex totius 

Hibae 
St. TheodoricuSjRexMomoniae 
St. Flathatus 
St. Sabina, Regina 
St. Temaria, Regina 
St. Brecanus, Hibernus Rex 

Walliae 

Twelve in all. 



iriskPrinces who were Saints:— 

St. Dermitius 

St. Guinerus, Myr. 

St. Hispadius, Myr. 

St. Fintanus 

St. Colmanus 

St. Cormachus 

St. Fichinus 

St. Fierga 

St. Sugadius 

St. Maidocus 

St. Furseus 

St. Carthacus 

St. Foilanus 

St. Foilomanius 

St. Sernocus 

St. Papanus 

St. Fingar 

St. Abbanus 

Sa. Piala, Myr. 

Sa. Dympna, Myr. 

Sa. Cumania 

Sa. Ernata 

Sa. Ethna, pa, 

Sa. Fidelraia 

Sa. Ethna, 2a. 

Sa. Sobellia 

Sa. Kentibernia 

Sa. Conchenna 

Sa. Brigida 

Sa. Maura 

Sa. Lafara 

Sae. 12 Filiae Augusti Regi 

Sa?. 31 Sorores S. Eudaei 

S. Eudaeus 

Sa. Fanchsea 

Sa. Derfraicha 



Sa. Carechia 

Sa. Lochuina 

Sa. Dominica, Myr. 

Sa?. 12 Filii Si. Brecani Regis 

S. Nenidius 

St. 12 Filii Sti. Brecani Regis 

S. Natalis 

S. Florentinus 

S. Ultanus 

S. Romualdus 

197 in all. 



Irish Saints writers of rules: — 

S. Patricius 
S. Columkil 
S. Albeus 
S. Declanus 
S. Congallus 
S. Carthagua 
S. Moloa 
S. Mocteus 
S. Finianus 
S. Columbanus 
S. Kiaranus 
S. Brendanus 
S. Brigida 

Thirteen in all. 



The number of Monks in some 
Monasteries in Ireland : — 

300 under St. Fechinus 
150 under St. Natalis 
150 under St. Maidocus 
150 under St. Munchin 
300 under St. Tehinus 
430 under St. Mochteus 
879 under St. Carthagus 
1000 under St. Gobbanus 
1500 under St. Lasserianus 
1500 in Mungret Abbey 
3000 under St. Brendanus 
3000 under St. Finnianus 
3000 under St. Congellus 
3000 under St. Geraldus 
150 under St. Monnenabirg, 

in France 
300 under St. Columbanus 
3000 under St. Caidocus 



Ancient Irish Doctors and 
Writers : — 
St. Sedulius, Dr 
St. Ccelius Sedulius, Ur 



S. Thadasus, Dr 

S. Marcellus, Dr 

S. Macbethus, Dr 

S. Dongallus, Dr 

S. Colea, Dr 

S. Dubslanius, Dr 

S. Comeanus 

S. Forchernus 

S. Fuinanus 

S. Kieranus, 1° 

S. Columba, P> 

S. Kieranis, 2<* 

S. Columba, 2» 

S. Finbarrus 

S. Ibarus 

S. Fiednus 

S. Nemidus 

S. Mocteus 

S. Brendanus 

S. Comgellus 

S. Odus 

S. Patricius, Apost. 

S. Fachnanus, the founder of 

the Academy of Ross 
St. Ainchellus 
Manslanius 
Johannes Soctus Eregina, 

founder, with King Alfred, 

of the University of Oxon 
Petrus ab Hibernia, Master 

to St. Thomas 
Richard Armachanus 
Marianus Scotus 
B. Marianus Gorman 
S. Gallus 
S. Lorn anus 
S. Patrick, jun. 
S. Benignus 
S. Evinus 
S. Comineus 
S. Adamnanus 
S. Murus 
S. Carnecus 
S. Ultanus 
S. Eminus 
S. Dalanus 
S. Herlatius 
S. Cathaldus 
S. Mocteus, 2" 
S. Fintanus 
S. Cuthbertus 
S. Moelesa 
SS. 5 Gildsa 
S. Herlatius, 2<> 
S. Colga Sapiens 
S. Cumeanus 
S. Sylvanus 
S. Tridolinus 
S. Daganus 
S. Cuthbertus, 2« 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



33 



B. Claudius Clemens, founder 
of the Academy of Paris 

S. Rupertus 

S. Ail er an us 

S. Moelranus 

S. Oengusius 

S. Gildas Coemanus 

S. Gildas Madusius 

S. Delanus, 2s. 

S. Duinanus 

S. Dageus 

For more Irish "Writers con- 
sult Sir James Ware on this 

subject. 



The number of Monasteries 
founded by the Irish Saints : — 

7 by St. Manchinus 

8 by St. Fodolinus 
24 by St. Albanus 
28 by St. Fidianus 
100 by St. Columba 
100 by St. Luanus 
100 by St. Moluanus 
700 by St. Patrick 

Monasteries founded by and for 
the Irish in foreign coun- 
tries : — 

2 at Ratisbon 

1 at Fossium in Flanders 

1 at Vienna 

1 at Nuremberg 

1 at Eystadia 

1 at Wirstburg 

130 in Ireland & 90 Martyrs 



Irish Saints who preached the 
Gospel in other countries : — i 

IN ITALY — 13. 
St. Cathaldus at Tarentum 
St. Emilianus at Faenza 
St. Silanus & St. Frigidianus 

at Lucca 
St. Andrew & St. Donatus at 

Lupentum, Fieboli 
John Albinus, founder of the 

Academy at Papia or Tici- 

num 
St. Comiaius at Bobium 
St. Gunifortius, Myr. at Milan 
St. Livinus, sen. 
S. Peregrinus of Alps 

IN FRANCE — 45. 

St. Mansuetus, Ap. of Toul 
St. Elipius, Myr. at Tone 
St. Finlagenus at Metz 
St. Praecordius at Corbeis 
St. Forcentius at Amboise 
St. Fridolinus at Poictiers 
St. Helia at Angouleme 
St. Anatolius at Perigord 
St. Fiacruis about Lyons 
St. Furseus at Peronne 
S. Sidonius S. Macallinus 
S. Adeodatus S. Mombulus 
St. Laurentius at Anghe 



St. Momon, Myr. at Leone 
St. Florentius 

St.Arpogastus aboutNarbonne 
St. Caidocus in Picardy 
St. Autbodus, Laudunum 

IN BRITTANY. 

St. Leiginus 

St. Joava 

St. Tenanus 

St. Geldasius of S. Briene 

St. Briochus, and others 

St. Maclorius of St. Malo 

AT RHEIMS. 

St. Gilriandus \ g 

St. Hernanus f 42 

St. Germanus f g 

St. Veranus ) «5 

St. Abraius St. Petranus 

St. Merolilanus St. Frandia 

St. Pompa 



11 



S. Passima 

IN BURGUNDY. 

St.Columbanus St.Maimbodus 
St. Colombanus, jun. 

IN THE NETHERLANDS. 
IN BRABANT 30. 

St. Romoldus St. Pympria 
St. Fedegandus St.Gerebernus 
St. Himelinus St. Dymphna 
S. Livinus, sen., S. Elias, &c. 

IN FLANDERS. 

Sta. Oda 

St. Levinus St.Wasualplus 

St. GuthagoniusSt.Columbanus 

IN ARTOIS. 

St. Luiglius St. Vulganius 
St. Suiglanus St. Fursseus 
St. Kilianus St. Obodius 

IN HALNAULT. 

St. Ettonus St.Wanamphus 

St.Adalgisius 

St. Albeus St. Molumbus 

IN NAMUR. 

St. Foronnatus St. Eloquius 
S. Yincentius S. Meno 

IN LIEGE. 

St. Ultanus St. Bertuinus 
St. Foillanus St. Tullanus 

LN GUILDERS, HOLLAND AND 
FRIESLAND. 

St.Wironus St. Heronus 

St. Pelchemus 

St. Othgerus St. Acca 

IN GERMANY 115. 

St. Alto & S. Virgilius 
St. Abuinus at Thuring 
St. Desibodus at Treves 
St. Ethradus at Alsace and 
Bavaria St. Magnus 



St. Marinus, Myr. 
St. Fridolinus in Switzerland 
St. Gallus in Switzerland 
St. Tontanus & St. Colonatua 
St. John at Michaelsburg 
St. Kiliarius at Wurtzburg 
St. Rupertus the Boii, Apostle 

of Bavaria 
St. Albertus at Ratisbon 

St. Eusebius Curensum 
Theodosius, patron of Con- 
stance 
Frudbart, Kuniald,"Vendelin 
S. Maccariu3 Archus 
St. Hildulphus Treverensis 
S. Arbosastus ) A j.> 
St. Florence } Argentinasis 
St. Eliphius at Cologne 
S. Armichadus of Fuld 
S. Kortilla 

S. Gidilarius of Saltzburg, 
Marianus 

S. Albinus, Ap. of Thuringia 
S. Vatalis Patto 
St. Kilian, Ap. of Franconia 
S. Harrucus 

TN THE ISLE OF MAN. 

St. Germanus, first Bishop 
St. Connidruis 
St. Romulus 
St. Machaldus 

IN ICELAND. 

St. Buo Apost. of whom 8 

Martyrs 
St. Emulphus, and 24 others 

IN GREAT BRITAIN 44. 

St. Columba 

St. Adianus, Northumberland 

St. Fuinanus St. Colmanus 

St. Sellachus St. Brendanus 

St. Madomnochus 

St. Baneus & Tuda 

St. Maidocus St. Sennanus 

St. Molugga St. Scotinus 

St. Ultanus Sa. Burienna 

Sa. Tia & Iva 

St. Piranus 

Sa. Bega & Modwenna 

Sa. Ceadda Faelbiius 

St. Abbanus St. Eochdius 

St. Cuthbertus of Lindisfarm. 

777 Martyrs 

St. Asaph, B. of St. Asaph 

St. Keranus 

S. Abban of Abingdon 

S. Adamannus 

S. Botulphus of Botulfstowe 

or Boston 
S. Cerlac, B. of tbe Mercians 
S. Dicullus of Boseharn 
SS.Gebanus, Indractus, Drusa 
St. Maldulphus of Malmesbury 

& St. John 



We supplement manv of the names from the Apologia of Stephen White, S.J. of ClowneJ, 
4 



3-1 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Hospitals for receiving Pilgrims 
and Strangers : — 

900 in Ulster 
900 in Connaught 
930 in Leinster 
1030 in Munster 



IrishSaints of the same name:- 

10 Gobbani 
12 Dichuelli 
12 Maidoci 

12 Odrani 

13 Caraani 

13 Dimini 

14 Brendani 
14 Finniani 

14 Konani 

15 Connalli 
15 Cormaci 
15 Dermitii 

15 Lugadii 

16 Lassarae 

17 Sarrani 



18 Ernini 

18 Foelbei 

19 Syllani 

20 Kyranii 
20 Ultani 

22 Killiani 

23 Aidi 

24 Columbaa 

24 Brigidise 

25 Senani 
28 Aidani 
30 Cronani 
34 Mochemii 
43 Laveriani 
58 Mochuani 
55 Fintani 
200 Colmani 



The number of Irish Saints 
who preached in other coun- 
tries : — 

10 preached in Italy 
78 preached in France 
5 preached in Lorrain 
13 preached in Burgundy 



50 preached in Netherland 
11 preached in Friesland 
92 preached in Germany 
26 preached in Iceland 
100 preached in Scotland 
59 preached in England 



Councils in Ireland : — 
At Lone 
At Kevenu 
At Meath, 1106 
At Cloonia, 1162 
At Cashell, 1162 
At Cashell, 1172 
At Cashell, 1166 
At Attabuylochia, 1167 
AtFiadmac, 1111 
At Rathbraisil, 1115 
At Ardmach, 1170 
At Mellifont, 1157 
AtKells, 1157 
At Roscommon, 1158 
At Leogane 

At Iunis Padrighy, St. Pa- 
trick 



We know of 2229 Irish Saints, even not counting their companions, 
of whom 300 preached the gospel in foreign countries, not counting their 
companions. Of these 529 were holy abbots ; 330 were bishops and 
martyrs, and numberless holy bishops ; 31 archbishops of Armagh were saints ; 
21 of whom immediately succeeded each other; 990 Irish monks were 
martyred by the Danes in the monastery of Benchear; 1200 Irish monks 
were martyred by the Danes together with their abbot Abel; 777 Irishmen 
martyrs in England ; and only one, St. Odronus, Proto martyr, was martyred 
in Ireland by the Irish. 23 English saints received their studies and educa- 
tion in Ireland; 3000 others have studied in Ireland; 100 Cambri or from 
Brittany have studied in Ireland. Innumerable were the Italians, French, 
in short from all nations who had recourse to Ireland in order to perfect 
themselves in their studies, and the knowledge of the scriptures ; so that it 
may well be doubted whether Ireland acquired more glory from the great 
number of saints whom it sent abroad in order to teach and preach the 
gospel to foreign nations, or from the great number of foreigners who 
resorted to Ireland in order to be perfected in all manner of literature and 
knowledge. 1 

1 There were four principal Universities in Ireland, viz. Ardmagh, Cashel, Lismore, and Dun- 
da-leathglass. In Armagh, under St. Dubthach, Bishop, anno 513, were 7000 scholars. In 
Cashel, under Cormac Mac Cullenan, King and Archbishop in the year 901, were 5000 students, 
and six hundred Conventual monks ; the like number were in Lismore and Dun-da-leatbglass. 
Many were the other great schools dispersed throughout the kingdom ; whereas even after the 
coming of the English at Cluanraid near Ennis, there were 600 Scholars, and 350 Monks, 
supported by O'Brien, King of Limerick. The Irish in these days made a beginning of the 
University of Oxford in England, founded the University of Paris and that of Pavia. Fifty-two 
Catholic kings reigned in Ireland until the coming of the English, consequently, 197 kings in all 
reigned in Ireland until that event. Whoever reads the antiquities must be convinced that it 
abounded in gold and silver, as every person of distinction wore a golden ring and a golden chain ; 
in the reign of Candaridtheach, their helmets were made of silver, all their chalices and Church 
utensils were made of gold and silver 5 and the ounce of gold paid to the Danes yearly, as a tribute 
for every nose in the kingdom, is a proof of their riches. — Hugh M'Curtin. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 35 

CHAPTEE VI. 

THE NORMAN INVASION. 

It was thus that Ireland was situated with regard to religion and education, 
at the period of the invasion, which must have been regarded by the Norman 
conquerors of England as an inevitable and necessary supplement to the 
conquest of the Anglo-Saxons, though it was not attempted for a full century 
after the battle of Hastings. But from the time that Henry II. had 
obtained from the Englishman, Nicholas Breakspere, who then filled the 
chair of St. Peter under the name of Adrian IV., the Bull of donation which 
had been procured under the hypocritical representation that the Irish Church 
was in a state of deplorable corruption, the attempt at invasion was only a 
question of time. Unfortunately our countrymen were divided at the time, 
which made the work of the invaders comparatively easy. The Irish were 
admittedly more divided then, than they were at any previous period of 
their history ; and if they suspected the lengths to which the ambition of 
the first invaders would extend,, which it does not appear they did, for the 
Annals of the Four Masters say the Irish thought nothing of these " fleets 
of the Flemings/'' as they called the invaders, they were still quite unpre- 
pared for the work of treachery which has conferred lasting infamy on the 
name of Dermod MacMorrogh. We regret to have to record that the house 
of O'Brien, forgot in this crisis of the national fortunes the noble principle 
of its founder, Brian, who never on any occasion could be induced to avail 
himself of the assistance of foreigners against the general interest of the 
nation. Unfortunately, the king of Thomond had not yet forgiven Roderick 
for the assumption of the chief Sovereignty, nor forgotten the long continued 
supremacy of the dymasty to which he himself belonged. The important 
events of the invasion commencing in the descent of three or four hundred 
men, and terminating in the recognition by O'Connor of Henry as Suzerain, 
together with the formation of the armed colony called the English Pale, 
belonging to the general history of Ireland, cannot with propriety be given 
in detail in a local history. Stanihurst and a contemporary, Newbrigensis, give 
a very unfavorable notion of the characters, circumstances, and motives of the 
leaders of this expedition, which is generally supposed to have occurred in 
the month of May 1169, at a place near Fethard in Wexford, called Bagan- 
bon, ^ where traces of the slight fortification mentioned by Maurice Began 
in his Fragment of Irish History still exist. 1 

On the arrival of Strongbow, which had been preceded by that of Raymond 
le Gros, the invaders made rapid progress. They took Loughgarnan (Wex- 
ford), and entered Portlairge (Waterford) by storm. Gillemaire (or Reginald), 
a Dane who commanded the tower, and Ua Faelain (OThelan), lord of the 
Decies, were put to the sword, with seven hundred men. The invaders next 
enforced the submission of the Danish occupants of Dublin. O'Ruarc and 
O'Carroll were obliged to retire after besieging Dublin for three days ; and 
Asgall, or Asculphus, the Danish ruler, was deposed to make room for King 

1 In the local traditions, these entrenchments, which are situated near Fethard, are called 
" Strongbow's Camp ;" but the place of Strongbow's debarkation was at "Waterford, as that of 
Raymond le Gros was at Dundonnel. The name of Baganbon is said to be derived from Filz* 
Stephen's two ships, the Bague and Bonne, which the Anglo-Norman adventurers burned after their 
landing. 



36 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Dermod, who made several destructive forays in Meath and Breffhy, and 
returned to Dublin laden with spoils. Macarthy, with the troops of Des- 
mond, had gained a victory at Waterford, but this was the only success 
obtained at the time, and it appears to have been of little value. 

It is mortifying to have to record of a scion of the illustrious house of 
Brian, — whose descendants, as we have stated in an earlier chapteT, still 
occupy territories which have been in the possession of this ancient race for 
full 1600 years — that Donald O'Brien of Thomond, and his valiant Dalcas- 
sians, joined the enemies of their country against the Irish monarch, Roderick 
O'Connor — though we shall find the O'Briens and Dalcassians righting 
against and defeating the English shortly after. Towards the close of the 
year 1170, a Connaught fleet, followed by a Connaught army, descended the 
Shannon, invaded Thomond, plundered Ormond, and destroyed the wooden 
bridge at Killaloe. The next year was rendered remarkable for the death of 
Dermod Macmorrogh. 1 

On the death of MacMorrogh, "Diarmaid na Gall," "Dermot of the 
Foreigners/' as the Irish historians call him, Earl Strongbow got himself 
proclaimed King of Leinster, to which he had no right whatever according to 
the Irish laws. In the meantime, while the northern dynasts were employed 
in quarrelling amongst themselves, the territories of the degenerate king of 
Thomond were harassed by continual expeditions from Connaught. 2 In the 
meantime, Henry had determined upon paying a visit to Ireland, and in the 
month of October, 1172, he landed safely at Waterford, where he established 
his head quarters. 3 

On the arrival of Henry, who was accompanied in this expedition by a 
force consisting of four hundred knights and four hundred men at arms, 
Strongbow presented him with the keys of the city of Waterford, and did 
homage after the feudal manner for the kingdom of Leinster. Dermod 
McCarthy, prince of Desmond, on the next day surrendered the city of Cork, 
did homage and consented to pay tribute ; and King Henry, now an acknow- 
ledged sovereign, advanced at the head of his army to Lismore, from which, 

1 " Dermod Macmorrogh, King of Leinster, by whom a trembling sod was made of all Ireland — 
after having brought over the Saxons — after having done extensive injuries to the Irish — after 
having plundered and burnt many churches, such as Kells, Clonard, and others, died before the 
end of a year, (after his ravages through Meath), of an insufferable and unknown disease, for he 
became putrid while still living, through the miraculous power of God, Columbkille, and Finneen, 
and the other saints of Ireland whose churches he had violated and burned some time previously. 
He died in Ferna-mor without making a will, without repentance, without the body of Christ, 
without being anointed, as his evil conduct merited." — Annals of the Four Masters. 

2 It is pleasant to have to state that the Danes and Irish of the towns (Wexford, "Waterford, 
and Dublin) in which the Danes had settled, offered a brave and not always ineffectual resistance 
to the new invaders. The Danes of Duleek, for instance, had severely revenged an insult offered 
by the English to their patron saint, St. Kianan, by the Knights of Milo de Cogan ; but Asgall, 
the Dublin Dane, who had procured reinforcements from the Danes of Man and the Hebrides, 
was not equally successful, being defeated and slain by the same Milo de Cogan, with the leader 
of his allies. 

At last Roderick saw the necessity of an energetic effort, and accompanied by O'Ruarc and 
O'Carroll, of Oriel, advanced against Strongbow and De Cogan. Unfortunately, however, he 
abandoned the siege of Dublin, for an expedition into Leinster, whither he proceeded for the 
purpose of destroying the standing corn, and leaving his camp slightly defended, was defeated, 
with the loss of so great a quantity of supplies that they victualled Dublin for a year. Another 
army of O'Ruarc was also defeated by De Cogan. In this battle O'Ruarc lost his son, who 
had greatly distinguished himself in the engagement which was fought outside the fortifications 
of the city, and with no other result than the loss of many lives on both sides. 

3 The authorities followed in this account of the English invasion, are, the Hybernia Expur- 
gate of Giraldus Cambrensis, the Metrical Chronicle in Regan, Ware's Annals, O'Flaherty'a 
Ogj'gia, and the Annals of the Four Masters, under the years in which they occur. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 37 

after a brief sojourn, he proceeded to Cashel, where, in Cormac's Chapel, he 
received in succession the submission of Donald O'Brien, king of Thomond, 
who surrendered to him his city of Limerick, promised tribute and swore 
fealty — an example which was followed by Donchad of Ossory, O'Faolan 
(Phelan) of the Desies, and other chiefs of Munster. We have already 
mentioned that King Eoderick O'Connor had dispatched an army into 
Thomond to punish the defection of O'Brien, who had formed an alliance 
with Macmorrogh, and had fought several battles with the Irish monarch, 
being assisted by Eitzstephen, who was now a prisoner in Keginald's Tower 
at Waterford, 1 whither he had been brought by the men of Wexford. On 
returning to Waterford, however, Henry set Eitzstephen free, inflicted severe 
punishment upon his treacherous enemies, and annexed Wexford and the 
adjoining territory to his royal domain. There is no authority whatever in 
the native annals for the statement that Henry was now recognised by a 
meeting of the states of Ireland; nor that all the Archbishops and Bishops of 
Ireland now waited upon Henry, and not only tendered their own submission, 
but gave him letters signed and sealed, and making over to him and his heirs 
for ever the sovereignty of Ireland. 

In the year 117 £ was held the celebrated Synod of Cashel, in which 
various rules were made for the enforcement of discipline and morality, for 
there was no doctrinal matter discussed at this much misrepresented meeting, 
whatever assertions to the contrary may have been made by interested parties. 
The payment of tythes, which had been previously enjoined at the Synod of 
Kells, was again enforced, at this Synod, as also the catechising of infants, 
the rejection of marriages with relations, and the exemption of ecclesiastical 
property from the exactions of laymen, as well as from the erics or contribu- 
tions for homicide. In other respects the Irish laws were not interfered with, 
the people being governed by their own Brehon Laws and their native usages 
and institutions from the time of Henry the II. to that of Elizabeth. 
Matthew Paris, Littleton, Ware, and even O'Connor, have strangely mistaken 
the nature of another meeting held by Henry at Lismore, which they misre- 
present as a parliament that " communicated to Ireland the laws and customs 
of England." Whereas it appears clearly from the proceedings of the Synod 
that there was no interference with the old laws and customs. Amongst 
the territories granted in the county of Limerick to Eitzgerald and his 
relatives, besides those in Cork and Kerry, were 100,000 acres of land in the 
barony of Connello, ceded to them by the native family of O'Connell (from 
whom Castleconnell and Carrig O'Connell, now Carrigogunnell, received their 
name) " in consideration," says Lynch, " of lands assigned them in the 
counties of Kerry and Clare, where branches of that family 2 continue to the 

1 Fitzstephen was also confined in Beg Erin, in Wexford Harbour, about two miles from 
Wexford. 

2 Desmoxd3. — The territory which gave its enormous power to the great house of Desmond, 
was acquired under curious circumstances. King John gave Desmond and Decies to FitzAntho- 
ny. This feudal lord, had five daughters, all of whom were married, the youngest being the wife 
of John FitzThomas FitzGerald. In the Irish civil wars, he was the only one of the sons-in-law 
of FitzAnthony who took the king's side ; so Edward L, as Lord of Ireland, gave him Decies and 
Desmond in 1258. John FitzThomas came to Dublin with the royal lettters patent, and called 
upon the Lord Justice to grant him seisin of this fine estate. But Stephen de Longespee, who 
then held the office, had secret ties which bound him to the other sons-in-law of the late Lord of 
Desmond, and he would not comply with thi3 reasonable demand. FitzThomas showed the 
letters patent. The king, said Longespee, has been grossly deceived. Furious at such a charge, 
the haughty Geraldine departed from Dublin, and set the first example of resistance to the con- 
stituted authorities for which his house were afterwards so famous. He called the tenants of 



58 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

present day." At an earlier period the O'Tracies are mentioned in the 
Annals of the Four Masters as chief of these territories. 1 

Decies and Desmond together, showed them the letters patent, and then took forcible possession 
of that extensive country. The King's Treasurer refused to receive the rent due to the crown, 
the King's Justice refused to acknowledge him as owner of these lands ; but Fitz Thomas even- 
tually succeeded against them both, was created Earl of Desmond, and left these estates to his 
posterity. And by it a part of them is still held; for the Knights of Glin and Kerry are 
Geraldines of the Desmond Branch ; the great Mitchelstown estate has descended to the Earls of 
Kingston, as direct heirs to the White Knights, also Geraldines ; and Fitz Anthony's lordship of 
Decies, passing to the younger son of one of the Earls of Desmond, is still possessed by his direct 
heir, the fair lady in whom tbe great family of Fitzgerald of the Decies ended, having given her 
hand and property to a Yilliers, from which marriage Lord Stuart de Decies descends. 

1 Maurice Eegan thus continues the history of the king's movements, as we find him translated 
in the quaint version by Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, contained in Harris's 
Hibernica : — 

" The Kynge, making but little staie at Waterford, marched into Dublin, whych Citie the 
Earle deliverid unto him ; who committed the keepeinge thereof to Hugh de Lacy. 

" After some small abode at Dublyn, the Kynge tooke his Jornay into Mounster, where the 
Archbushop of Cashell came unto hym ; at Lismore he gave Direction for the building of a 
Castle ; from whence he returned into Leinster. 

" The Kynge made his aboade at Dublin, and the Earle Richard at Kildare ; and in thys Tyme 
of the Kyng's beinge in Ireland all sorts of Victualles were at excessive Rates. 

" While the Kynge remained at Dublin, by Messingers and Intelligence out of England he 
was certified that his son, the yonge King Henry, had rebelled against him, and that Normandy 
was in Danger to revolt unto hym. 

" This ill news troubled the Kynge beyond all Measure ; and inforced him to hasten his return 
out of Ireland. The Cittie of Waterford he left in the Custodie of Robert Fitz Bernard, and 
Dublyn unto Hugh de Lacy. Robert Fitz Stephen, Meyler Fitz Henry, and Myles Fitz David, 
Were in a sort restrained, and to remain at Dublyn with Lacy. Befor his departur from Dublyn 
he gave unto Hugh de Lacy the Inheritance of all Meath, to hold of hym at fifty Knights Fees, 
and unto John de Courcey he gave all Ulster, if he could but conquer it. 

" When the Kynge had taken provisionall Order for the Affaires of Ireland, he went to Weixford, 
where he imbarqued, and arrived at Portfinan in Wales, halfe a League from St. David's, and 
in his Companie Miles de Cogan, whom he carryed with him out of Ireland ; and from thence 
with all possible Expedition he passed through England, and so into Normandie. 

" The King being departid, the Earl Richard returned into Femes, and ther he gave his 
Daughter in Marriage to Robert de Quincy, and with her the inheritance of the Duffren and the 
Constableship of Leinster, with the Banner and Ensigne of the same ; the Wordes of the Author 
are these — 



Sa fille i' ad Marie 

A Robert de Quincy, lad done 

Hoc esteit le Mariage 

Vecent fut le barnage, 

A Robert la Donat de Quincy 

Et tut le Duffer altreffi 

Le Constable de Leynestre 

Et l'Ensigne et le Bannere. 



His Daughter he married 

To Robert de Quincy; 

And when the Marriage was solemnised, 

He gave to Robert de Quincy 

Not only the Duffereyn, 

But the Constableship of Leinster, 

And the Ensign and Banner thereof. 



From thence he went to Kildare, makeing manie incursions unto Ophalie upon O'Dempsie, Lord 
of that Countrey, who refused to come upon hym, and to deliver Hostages. He gave Maurice 
de Prendergast* (in performance of his promise made unto him when he brought him into 
Ireland) Fernegenal, for the service of ten Knights, which was afterwards conferred on Robert 
Fitz-Godobert, but by what means he obtained it I know not." — Maurice Regan's Fragment of 
the History of Ireland. 

This Fragment is now published by Pickering, the text carefully made out by the eminent 
scholar, Francisque Michel. And it appears that the poet sets out by stating, not that he is 
Maurice Regan, but that he obtained his information direct from Maurice Regan. 

* Prendergast. — Maurice de Prendergast, one of the most eminent of the companions of 
Strongbow in the conquest of Ireland, was Lord of Prendergast, a castle and small parish near 
Haverford West, in Pembrokeshire. He is traditionally reported to have been related to Strong- 
bow by his mother. Dowling's Annals style him " nobilis." Holinshed says he was " a gentle- 
man, born and bred in South Wales;" a righte valiante captain," and a " lustie and bardie man. 
born about Milford, in West Wales." Whilst Giraldus gives him likewise the character of being 
" vir probus et stremuis." 

He was the first to bring reinforcements to Robert Fitz-Stcphcn, reaching Ireland the day 
offer that celebrated soldier, having under his command two ships, ten knights, and sixty 
archevst This was in May, 1169 ; Dowling says on the 2nd of that month. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 39 

The rebellion of the king of Desmond's son against his father, who had 
put him to death, is explained by the fact of these facile surrenders of the 

We find him taking a prominent part in many of the ensuing fights, which are graphically 
described in the contemporary poem, the " Conquest of Ireland," partly derived from information 
furnished by Maurice Regan, the secretary of king Dermod. 

In the great fight -with the Prince of Ossory, when that dynast had almost defeated the joint 
army of king Dermod and the English, it was the personal influence and words of Maurice de 
Prendergast that persuaded the allies to make their third and successful assault on the fortifica- 
tions erected by Donald of Ossory. His address is given in the " Conquest of Ireland," Juie 
666, which may be modified into French as follows : — 

" Seigneurs barons communals [comrades and fellow soldiers] 
Hastivement passons nous icel val. 
Que nous f ussions en la montagne ! 
En dur champ, et en la plaine ! 
Car armes vous aimez, les plusieurs 
Vassals hardies et combateurs : 
Et les traiteres sont tous nus 
Hauberts ni brunes (?) n'ont vetus ; 
Pourquoi, si tour nous en sur champ 

lis n'auront de mort gar ant." [No security against death]. 
We thus find that the superiority of the English arms and armour was an important ingredient 
in the rapid conquest of Ireland. 

Dermod M'Morrough eventually became so overbearing to the English, after Strongbow's 
departure from Ireland, as to disgust many of them, and among others the haughty Maurice de 
Prendergast. He determined to return to Wales with his retinue, consisting of 200 soldiers. 
But King Dermod opposing his designs by force and treachery, Maurice joined with Donald, 
the prince of Ossory, in attacking Dermod with success. But Donald and his Irish could not 
act long in cordial alliance with the English, who were under the orders of Prendergast ; and 
after many adventures, the latter eventually fought his way back to Wales. The next year, 
1170, however, saw Strongbow and Prendergast on their return to Ireland, with fifteen hundred 
men ; where they landed on the eve of St. Bartholomew ; or, as the Anglo Norman has it ; 
" Solum le dit as ansciens 
Bien tost apres, Richard li quens 
A Waterford ariva : 
Bien quinz cent od sei mena. 
La vile Seint Bartholomee * 

Esteit li quens arrive." — Sec. V. 1501. 
We next read of Prendergast as ambassador, jointly with the Archbishop of Dublin, from the 
Normans besieged in that city to their Irish besiegers. But as the latter would not agree to 
permit the Norman lords to hold Leinster, even as a fief of Boderick O'Connor, the king of Con- 
naught, the negociation had no result, and eventually the Irish were defeated. 
" E plus de mil e cine cent 
L ont ossis de cele gent 
E des Engleis i ont naufre 
Ne mes un serjant a pe. 
Le champ esteit remis le jor 
A Ricard, le bon contur ; 
Et les Yrreis sunt returnez 
Desconfis e debaretez. 
Cum Den volait, a cele feis 
Kemist le champ a nos Engleis ; 
Tant troverent garnesun, 
Ble, ferin e bacun, 
Desque un an en la cite 
Vittaille uvent a plente." — V. 1950. 
The above extract shows us at how early a date the-j," bacun," for which Limerick has been 
so long celebrated, was an Irish commodity, as it was from the pillage of Roderick's camp, that 
the English obtained the " vittaille a plente." 

O'Brien, the monarch of Munster, had joined Strongbow, who was his brother-in-law, both 
having married daughters of MacMorrogh. The gallant Prince of Ossory, deeming it hopeless 
to contend further with the English, obtained a safe conduct, and visited Strongbow at Idough, 
where he and the king of o Munster were encamped with 2,000 men. Maurice de Prendergast 
agreed to be his conductor.^ But when he appeared before Strongbow, the latter violently 
upbraided him for opposing Dermod, his legitimate monarch ; and O'Brien, who coveted the rich 
lands of Ossory, pressed Strongbow to treat Donald as a traitor. 



40 HISTORY Of LIMERICK. 

Irish princes ; and it is curious to reflect how easily the same immense pro- 
perty, which now passed from the MacCarthies to the Geraldines, passed 
again to other English strangers after the rebellion of the usurping Earl of 
Desmond, from the descendants of these very invaders. In the latter case 
the English had no right whatever to transfer the property any more than in 
the former, for the rebellious Earl of Desmond was not the lawful owner of 
the property which the English confiscated I 1 

In the year 1175, according to Ware, who follows the account given by 
English authors, Henry II. sent Nicholas Prior of "Willingford, and William 
Eitz-AldelmL) ancestor of the De Burgos, to Ireland, with the bull of Pope 
Alexander III., which confirmed that of Adrian, and was read and approved 
of in an assembly of bishops at Waterford, conferring on this Prince the 
title of Lord of Ireland and other privileges. But there is no mention of 
this in the Irish Annals. — After discharging this commission, Eitz-Aldelm 
and Nicholas, it is stated, repaired to the King in Normandy, when they 
succeeded so far in prejudicing Henry against Eaymond, that he ordered his 
recall. — Just, however, as he was on the point of departing, O'Brien of 
Thomond surrounded Limerick with a large force, and the troops refusing to 
march under any but Eaymond, Strongbow was obliged to restore him to 

" Le reis O'Brien vet conseiller 

At gentil cuntguerrer 

Qu'il feit prendre li trecheur 

Si li feit livrer a deshonur." — V. 2094. 
Nor was O'Brien the only chief inclined to this act of treachery. 
" E li Baruns, san mentir, 

Le voleint tuz consentir." 

But Prendergast burned with indignation at Such a breach of martial honor. He ordered his 
own retainers to arms, and took instant steps to secure the sanctity of the oath which accom- 
panied the safe conduct to the Prince of Ossory. 

" Quent morice le barun 

Garniz esteit del traisun, 

Sa gent feseit par tut mandef 

Que euz se fesent tost armer. 

Dunt se est Morice escrie : 

Baruns, que avez enpense? 

Vos feiz avez trespassez, 

Vers moi estez parjurez." 

He swor"e by his sword no one should injure the Ossorian ; and he carried out his Resolution ; for 
Strongbow gave him up that prince, and he brought him back in safety to his own camp, slaying, 
of the O'Briens, " u nef u diz," nine or ten whom he found pillaging the Prince's territory. 

Wearied with this life, but still a warrior even when a monk, Prendergast gave his lands of 
that name in Pembrokeshire to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and joined that order. 
Their chief establishment in Ireland was the famous Hospital of Kilmainham ; and of this 
monastery he was Prior, and died in possession of that dignity in 1205. William, his youngef 
son, was ancestor of the Prendergasts of Mayo, called Mac Maurice after their great ancestor, 
and who gave their name to the barony of Clanmorris, Claremorris, and other localities in Mayo. 
Philip, the eldest son, was married to Maude, the daughter of the ill-fated Robert de Quincy, 
Constable of Leinster, who married Strongbow's daughter by his first marriage, and was slain in 
battle a few days later. From him descended the Prendergasts of Enniscorthy, Newcastle, 
Beauver, and Mitchelstown. The latter was formerly described as in the Comity of Limerick. 
William de Prendergast of Kilbyde was mayor of Limerick in 1318 — See the Plea, No. 88, in 
the Uth of Edward II. And the name frequently occurs about this time, the family estates 
extending from Poneraite, by Mitchelstown, to Newcastle, near Clonmel, a mountain district of 
•frhich the northern slopes still partly belong to the county of Limerick. 

1 It appears from the Irish State Papers that even so late, as the year 1508, the Kavenaghs, 
the representatives of the royal house of Leinster, were paid eighty marks yearly by the English 
Government as cios d/ut, or black rent, besides being allowed £-40 by the county Wexford oi\ 
account of their drscent, or rather of their still remaining powers to make themselves dreaded 
Within the limits of their ancient sovereignty. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 41 

Jiis command, and ordered him to proceed to Cashel, near which city O'Brien, 
raising the siege of Limerick> had strongly entrenched himself. On this 
occasion Baymond was, we regret to say, aided by the chiefs of Ossory and 
Kinsale, to whose exhortations, as well as to the impetnous valonr of Meyler 
Fitzhenry, Eaymond was greatly indebted for the victory which he obtained. 
The period of Irish subjugation was now not long deferred — though the 
jurisdiction of the English can hardly be said to have extended beyond the 
limits of the pale until the reign of James I. The brave king of Thomond 
was now obliged to ask for peace, and the Irish monarch Eoderick, finding 
it impossible to make head against his enemies, had at last determined to 
send an embassy to England to make as good terms for himself as he could. 1 

1 The ambassadors appointed to negotiate for the unfortunate Roderick, were Catholicus or 
Cayley O'Duffy, archbishop of Tuam, the abbot of Clonfert, and " Master Laurence," Chancellor 
to Roderick, who, according to some writers, was no other than the illustrious patriot St. Laurence 
O'Toole, who after doing all he could to save the independence of his native country, retired to 
France where he died. The contracting parties met at Windsor, and the result is thus briefly 
described in the Leinster Annals : — " Anno 1175, Catholicus O'Duffy came out of England from 
the Emperor's son, with the peace of Ireland and the royal sovereignty of all Ireland to Rory 
O'Connor, and his own Corgeadh (province) to each provincial king in Ireland, and their rents to 
Rory." By this treaty Roderick became a tributary king, but only two kings of the Irish pen- 
tarchy, and three of the principal cities, were exempted from his jurisdiction, and we shall find 
his descendants, as well as those of the king of Thomond, exercising their sovereignty to a late 
period in the history of Ireland. In the some council Henry appointed an Irishman named 
Augustin to the bishopric of Waterford, and sent him to Ireland to be consecrated by Donatus, 
bishop of Cash el. At this period the following were the chief divisions of Ireland. Desmond, 
under the Mac Carthys ; Thomond under the O'Briens ; Hy Kinselagh, or Leinster, under the 
Hy Kinsallagh line of Mahons ; the South Hy Niall under the Clan Colmans, otherwise the 
O'Malachlins ; the North Hy Niall under the O'Neills and O'Donnells, who had not yet submitted 
to the English; and Hy Brune, together with Hy Fiacra, otherwise Connaught, under the 
O'Connors. A more detailed list of the Irish territories and chiefs is given by O'Halloran, which 
may be acceptable to our readers, as containing an account of the principal chieftainries of 
Thomond, at the time when the fatal chain of foreign domination was riveted by the insensate 
divisions between the natives, which the new Lord Paramount, Henry II. knew so well how to 
foment : — 

Alphabetical list of ancient Irish territories in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, and by what 
Milesian families possessed, both before and after the invasion of Henry II. 

Aherloe, in the county of Limerick, the estate of a branch of the O'Briens. 

Aine Cliach, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of O'Kirwick. 

Aos-Cliach. extending from Cnoc Greins, to near Limerick, was the patrimony of O'Connell, 
and Castle Connel his chief residence. 

Aradh- Cliach, in the county of Tipperary, near Killaloe, the estate of Mac O'Brien Arad. 
Its first proprietor was O'Donegan, of the Ernian race. 

Ardah, east of Cashel, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Dea. 

Bally- Hallinan, in the county of Limerick, the ancient estate of O'Hallinan ; but in later 
times Mac Sheetries [Qu. Mac Sheehies ?J 

Brurigh, a royal mansion in the county of Limerick, the seat of O'Donovan, chief of Kerry. 

Burren, or eastern Corcamroadh, a barony in the county of Clare, the principality of 
O'Loughlin. 

Cahir, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O'Lonargan. 

Cairbre-Aodhbha, now called Kenry, in the county of Limerick, the ancient estates of 
O'Donovan, O'Clerine, and O'Flanery. 

Callain, in the county of Clare, the territory of O'Hehir. 

Carran Fearaidhe, or Cnoc-Aine, in the county of Limerick, the estate of O'Grady. 

Ceil Tanan, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Mollony. 

Cineal-Fermaic, in Thomond, the estate of O'Dea. 

Clan-Derla, in the county of Clare, the ancient territory of Mac Mahon. 

Cleanagh, in the county of Clare, the property of Mac Mahon. 

Cluan Mac Diarmada, in the county of Clare, the estate of the Mac Clanchys, hereditary 
lord justices of Thomond. 

Conal-Gabhra, or Ibh-Conal-Gabhra, the present baronies of Connello, in the county of Lim- 
erick, the ancient territory of O'Connell ; but afterwards we find it possessed by the O'Kinealies, 
and O'Cuileans, or Collins [and long before the invasion by the OTracies and Scanlans]. 

Conuil-Jachtarach, or lower Conella, in the county of Limerick, besides the Cinealies, and 
O'Collins, we find the O'Sheehans had lordships there. 



42 HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 

The treaty of Windsor took place in the year before the defeat of the king 
of Thomond. Not long after the latter event Macarthy conferred an extensive 
territory in the county of Kerry upon Maurice, son of Baymond, who became 
powerful by his marriage with the daughter of Milo de Cogan, and gave his 
name to the territory of Clan Morris, and to his descendants of Eitzmaurice 
as represented by the Marquis of Lansdowne. 1 

Corafin, a territory in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Quinn and O'Heffernan. 
Corca-Bhaisgin, now the Barouy of Moiarta, in the county of Clare, the ancient territory of 
O'Baisen and O'Donal, but for some centuries past the estate of the Mac Mahons of Thomond. 

Corcamruadh, a principality in the county of Clare, the territory of O'Connor-Carcamruadh, 
of the Irian race. 

Cosmach, in the county of Limerick, belonging to a branch of the O'Briens. 

Cuallachda, in the county of Clare, the patrimony of O'Dubhgin, or Dugin. 

Darach, in Thomond, the patrimony of Mac Donnel descendant from Brian Boirumhe. 

Diseart-ui-Deagha, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Dea. 

Eile-ui-Fhogerta, in the county of Tipperary, the ancient territory of O'Fogerty. 

Eoganacht-Aine-Cliach, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of O'Kerwick, 

Eoganacht-Cashel, extended from Cashel to Clonmel ; its principal chief was Mac Carthy, 
head of the Eugenian line. 

Eoganacht-Graffan, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Sullivan ; and their principal 
seat was at Cnoc Graffan on the banks of the Shure. 

Faith-ui-Halluran, extending from Tulla to near Clare in Thomond, the estate of O'Halloran 
of the Heberean race. 

Fearan-Saingil, called Single-Land, but more properly the Land of the Holy Angel, near 
Limerick, the ancient estate of the O'Conuins or Cuneens. 

Ibh-Fiarach, now called Tuam-ui-Mheara, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Mara. 

Muiccadha, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of Mac Eniry. The remains of a large 
monastery, and other public buildings, at Castle Town Mac Eniry, yet bespeak the piety and 
splendor of this family, of which there are scarcely any remains at this day. 

Muin-Tir-Conlachta (I suppose the present Tuam-Greine) in the county Clare, the ancient 
lordship of O'Gra or O' Grady. 

Muifcridh-Jarrar-Feimhin, near Emly, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O'Carthy. 

Muifcridh-Luachra, near Kilmallock, in the county of Limerick, the estate of O'Hea. 

Ouen-ui-Glearna, now Six Mile Bridge, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Kearney. 

Pobul-ui-Brien, now a barony in the county of Limerick, the country of a branch of the 
O'Brien family. 

Ratk-Conan, in the country of Limerick, the estate of O'Casey. The present Viscount Pery, 
enjoys a part of his estate, in right of his great-grandmother, the heiress of O'Casey. 

Sliabh-Scott, in the county of Clare, the estate of the Mac Bruodins, hereditary historians of 
North Munster. 

Traidaire, or Tradraighe, now a barony in the county of Clare, before the incarnation, the 
residence of the Clana-Deagha, or Munster Knights, from Daire, the son of Deagha, so called, 
and which words import the warriors of Daire. Lord Inchiquin is the present chief of Traidaire. 

Triocha- cead-o-Claisin, the barony of Tulla, in the county of Clare, the estate of MacNamara, 
hereditary lord Marshal of Thomond. 

Tuam-ui-Mhara, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Mara. 

Tuaath-Muimhain, North Munster, or Thomond, extended from the isles of Aran to Sliabh 
Eibhline, near Cashell, to Carran Fearaidh, or Knoc Aine, in the county of Limerick ; and from 
Luin na Conor, or Loop Head, to Sliabh Dala, in Ossory ; but in later ages it was circumscribed to 
the present county of Clare, of which the O'Briens are hereditary princes. 

Tullichrien, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Gorman. 

Tuliallaithne, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O'Ryan, or O'Mul Ryan. — CfEalloran. 

1 In the beginning of June 1176, according to Keating (according to others in May 1177), the 
celebrated Strongbow died at Dublin after a lingering illness, which the native historians as 
usual, describe as a providential visitation for his rapacions tyranny over clergy and laity. His 
monument, which is of stone and which has attached a small broken figure, traditionally said to 
be his son, whom he is said to have put to death for cowardice, stands at the South wall of the 
nave of Christ Church Cathedral. It is the figure of a stalwart knight, armed cap-a-pee, 
having the legs crossed as usual with crusaders. Money payments, I have heard, used to be 
made upon it heretofore, as on " the nail" in Limerick, and over it appears the following inscrip- 
tion, inserted in a tablet in the wall : — 

" This auncient monument of Rychard Strangbowe, called Comes Strangvensis, Lord of 
Chepsto : and Ogny, the fyrst and pryncipal invader of Irland, 1169, qvi obiit 1177. The 
monument was brochen by the fall of the rooff and bodye of Christes Church, in anno, 1562, 
and set up agayne at the chargys of the Right Honorable Sir Hcnrie Sydney, Knight of the 
Noble Order, L : President of Wailes, L : Deputy of Irland." 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 43 

In the year 1174 the command of the forces was once more given to 
Harvey of Mount Maurice, who recommended Strongbow to join him in an 
expedition against Donnell O'Brien, who, following the example of Macarthy 
in Cork, had wrested the city of Limerick from the English intruders. 
Strongbow called to his assistance the Danes of Dublin, and Eoderick 
O'Connor advanced into Ormond to repel him, Donnell O'Brien led his brave 
Dalcassians towards Durlas O'Eogarty (Eliogarty), now Thurles, where they 
gained a complete and signal victory. According to the Norman accounts, 
the Dublin Danes were attacked while overcome by sleep, and slaughtered, 
almost unresistingly, to the number of 400. Ware ascribes the glory of 
this result to Donnell O'Brien, king of Limerick, but he calculates that the 
loss of the English was not so considerable as that here given. 

This diasastrous defeat had such an effect upon Strongbow that he shut 
himself up at Waterford, 1 whilst the Irish throughout the country rose up 
in arms. 

In this emergency Strongbow was obliged to have recourse to his old 
friend Eaymond le Gros, whose anger he propitiated by offering him the 
hand of his sister Basilica, together with the offices which had been pre- 
viously refused to him. 2 The rapidity and efficiency of Raymond's arrange- 
ments were worthy of his promised reward; and having hastily collected a 
force of 30 knights, 100 men at arms, and 300 archers, he set out accom- 
panied by his friend Meyler, and safely arrived at Waterford, just as the 
Danes were meditating a general massacre of the English garrison; which, 
when Strongbow left for Wexford with his new allies, actually took place, 
except such of the garrison as had been left in Reginald's Tower, which 
eventually took possession of the town. 3 

During the celebration of the nuptials of Raymond and Basilia de Clare, 
who brought her lord the dowry lands of Eethard, Glascarrig, and Idrone, 
besides the high offices before mentioned, and the territory called after him 
" Grace's County" in the present county of Kilkenny, news arrived of Rode- 
rick's advance to Dublin ; and Raymond hastily marched to Meath, where 
he is said by some to have cut off a few of the retiring forces of Roderick ; 
but the more credible account is, that the undisciplined forces of the Irish, 
who seem to have consisted of raw levies, appear to have been disbanded 
before Raymond arrived. 

Raymond now turned his attention to Limerick, where he had determined 
to revenge the disastrous defeat inflicted upon his father-in-law at Thurles 
by the brave king of Thomond, but where he was warmly received by the 
brave defenders of the walls which hung over the margin of the river, 
although they were obliged eventually to yield to the invaders, who, after 
committing the usual ravages, re-established the English garrison, and with- 
drew with the rest of their forces to Leinster. 

In the twenty-fourth year of Henry II. (1177), Raymond le Gros alone 
discharged the regal functions in Ireland, and committed the city of Limerick 
to the guardianship of Donald O'Brien, prince of Thomond, who shortly after 
having broken down the southern point of the bridge set fire to the city. 
This was actually witnessed by Raymond le Gros as he departed for DubKn. 

In 1178, 4 the interminable feuds of the Eoganachts and Dalgais, desolated 

1 According to some authorities in the little Island near "Waterford. 

2 Giraldus Cambrensis. 3 Hibernia Expug, 24. 
* Annals of Innisfall. 



44 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the whole province of Munster. Dr. O'Brien, one of the descendants of the 
house of Thomond, supplies us with an account of the part borne in them by 
the O'Briens. 1 

The annals of the Pour Masters have a curious entry at the year 1180 : — 
" Lorcan O'Toole, i.e., Laurence, archbishop of Leinster and legate of Ireland, 
suffered martyrdom in England/' His death really took place at the monas- 
tery of Eu, in Normandy. He was connected maternally with the house of 
Thomond. His mother, according to the authorities quoted by Ware, 2 who 
gives the above anecdote, being Ingen O'Brien, that is, daughter of the 
prince. His father, was the youngest son of Murchertach O'Toole, the head 
of the second most powerful house in Leinster, and at that time lord of Hy- 
Muiraadhaigh, comprising the southern half of Kildare, not of Imaile in Wick- 
low, as Lanigan and Moore state, though their family did at this time take 
possession of Imaile, which had been previously possessed by O'Teige. Led- 
wich has curiously and characteristically mistaken Hy-Muiraidhaigh (which 
is called Q'Murethi by Giraldus) for O'Moore. We have been thus particular 
about this illustrious man, not merely on account of his connection with the 
kings of Limerick, but of the important part that he played in the history of 
these evil times. 

In the year 1182, the annals of the Eour Masters record the treacherous 
murder of Brian, the son of Turlough O'Brien, by Eandal Macnamara Beg. 

In the year 1185, " the son of the king of England, that is, John, the son 
of Henry, came to Ireland with a fleet of sixty ships to assume the govern- 
ment of the kingdom. He took possession of Dublin and Leinster, and 
erected castles at Tipraid-Eachtna and Ardfinan, out of which he plundered 
Munster, but his people were defeated with great slaughter by Donnell O'Brien. 
The son of the king of England then returned to England to complain to his 
father of Hugo de Lacy, who was the king of England's deputy in Ireland on 
his (John's) arrival, and who had prevented the Irish kings from sending 
him (John) either tribute or hostages." 3 

1 " A.D. 1178. Donald O'Brien, at the head of the entire Dalcassian tribes, greatly distressed 
and reduced all the Eugenians, laid waste their country with fire and sword, and obliged the dis- 
persed Eugenians to seok for shelter in the woods and fastnesses of Eve-Eachach, on the south of 
the river Lee. In this expedition they routed the O'Donovans of Ive-Figeinte, or Cairbre Aedh- 
bha, in the county of Limerick, and the O'Collins of Ive-Conail Gabhra, or Lower Connello, in 
said county, beyond the mountain of Mangerton, to the western parts of the county of Cork : 
here these two exiled Eugenian families, being powerfully assisted by the O'Mahonys, made new 
settlements for themselves in the antient properties of the O'Donoghues, O'Learys, and O'Dris- 
colls, to which three families the O'Mahonys were always declared enemies to the borders of 
Loughlene, where Auliff Mor O'Donoghue, surnamed Cumsinach, had made some settlements 
before this epoch. 

2 Ware's Bishops. 

3 The ruins of the castle, built at Ardfinan, are still to be seen on a rock overhanging the river 
Suir, in the barony of Iff a and Off a, and county of Tipperary, where Cox, Leland and Moore have 
also placed the castle of Tipraid Tachtus. The followers of prince John are described by Giral- 
dus, Hanmer and Campion, in the most uncomplimentary language. Giraldus describes them as 
talkative, boastful, enormous swearers, insolent; and Campion as "great quaffers, lourdens, 
proud-bellied swaines, fed with extortion and bribery." — History of Ireland. 

In the year 1188 we find the following entries in the Annals of the Four Blasters: — "Ed- 
wina, the daughter of O'Quin and Queen of Munster, died on her pilgrimage at Derry, victorious 
over the world and the devil.'' This lady was daughter of O'Quin, chief of Munster-Iffernan, in 
Thomond,* now represented by the Earl of Dunraven. u John de Courcy and the English of Ire- 
land made an incursion into Connaught, accompanied by Connor O'Dermot ; upon which Connor 
Moinmoy, King of Connaught, assembled all the chieftains of Connaught, who were joined by 
Donnell O'Brien, at the head of some of the men of Munster." — Annals of the Four Masters. 

* The O'Q.uins and O'Deas were the chief families in the district called from the latter, Dysert 
O'Dea. — See Bishop O'Dea's Life in the Ecclesiastical part. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 45 

111 1192, the English settlers in Leinster, taking advantage of the quarrels 
between the sons of Koderick O'Connor, wasted the territory of Thoniond, 
but they suffered severely for their temerity. In the year 1193, say the an- 
nals of the Four Masters, " the English of Leinster committed great depre- 
dations against Donnell O'Brien. They pursued over the plains of Killaloe, 
and directed their course westwards, until they had reached a plain near the 
Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the east of the county Clare, where 
they were opposed by the Dalcassians, who slew a great number of them. In 
this expedition the English erected the castles of Kilfeacle (about four and 
a-half miles to the east of the town of Tipperary), and Knockgraffon (about 
two miles to the north of the town of Cahir) . Donnell O'Brien defeated the 
English of Ossory and made a great slaughter of them." 1 

The neighbourhood of Thurles was the scene of two defeats of the English 
by the brave king of Thomond. 2 

" At this period, no doubt by English influence, the see of Killaloe was 
united to Eoscrea, or Eile, and to the celebrated see of Inniscattery, or Scat- 
tery Island. 3 The death of Aedh or Hugh O'Beaghan, last bishop of Innis- 
cattery, is set down in the annals of the Four Masters at 1188, and that of 
the last bishop of Eile and Eoscrea, namely, of Isaac O'Cuainan, at 1161. 
The see of Inniscattery extended to both sides of the estuary. 4 

1 A memorial of these defeats of the English still remains in " The Graves of the Leixstek 
Men," which are situated in the barony of Owney and Arra, not far distant from the Corbally 
Slate Quarries, about two miles N.E. of Derry Castle House, and in the valley that lies between 
Thoum-Thinna (the Wave of Fire) mountain and the high lands behind Derry, Eyninch, Castle- 
town, &c, &c. These graves are marked on the Ordnance Survey Map of Ireland, so remarkable 
and historic are they. The view from the graves is grand and beautiful, embracing the Shannon 
for several miles, the Holy Islands (Inniscailthra), Scariff Bay, and a great part of Tipperary and 
Connaught. The people look upon these ancient depositaries of the remains of the invaders with 
unaccountable veneration or rather superstition. It is only lately that the bones of the occupant 
of one of the graves were disturbed during some drainage operations, when the peasantry declared 
they discovered a number of supernatural footprints near the resting places of these venerable 
warriors, and on the margin of a certain reservoir which was formed on the side of the moun- 
tain to drive a wheel. The wanton destruction of one of the graves, some time before, had 
occasioned great indignation among the people. In the year 1194, the annals record the death of 
the illustrious Donaldmore, king of Thomond, in the following language : — " Donnell, son of 
Turlough O'Brien, king of Munster, a beaming lamp in peace and war, and the brilliant star of 
the hospitality and valour of the Momonians and of all Leth-Mogha, died, and Murtagh, his son, 
assumed, his place." — Annals of the Four Masters. 

2 The Four Masters mention that in A.D. 1213, O'Donnell having, in pursuit of Muireagh 
O'Daly, plundered and laid waste Thomond, followed him to the gates of Limerick, and pitching 
his camp at Moin-ui Donnell (O'Donnell's marsh, so-called from that circumstance), laid siege to 
the city, upon which the inhabitants, at the command of O'Donnell, expelled Muireagh. — Annals 
of the Four Masters. 

We rind the following entry in the Annals of Clonmacnoise for the year 1216 : — M Geoffry 
Marche (De Marisco) founded a castle at Killaloe and forced the inhabitants to receive an Eng- 
lish bishop." The name of this bishop w T as Robert Travers. He was afterwards deprived (in 
122!), and until the time of the Eeformation the see continued to be filled almost exclusively by 
Irishmen, there having been but one Englishman, Robert de Mulfield, who succeeded in 1109. — 
Harris's Ware, vol. 1, pp. 521-593. 

3 Usher's Primordia, 873. 

4 Sir J. AVare, in his history of Irish bishops, gives the following account of the bishops and 
abbots of Inniscattery : — " Xor ought it to be forgotten, that the bishopricks of Limerick and Inis- 
Catay, or the Island of Gata (the Cat or Monster, which St. Senan is said to have banished), 
were united about the end of the twelfth or beginning of the thirteenth century. [But, accord- 
ing to Cssher, the possessions of it are divided between the sees of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert.] 

*' We shall here take occasion to mention what occurs in ancient monuments, concerning the see 
of Inis-Catay. It is said to have been founded by St. Patrick about the middle of the fifth cen- 
tury, and to be governed by him for some time, whom St. Senan succeeded ; to which alludes the 
passage before cited, p. 34, where St. Patrick is introduced prophesying that Senan, not then 
born, should be his successor. The prelates of this Church are sometimes called bishops and 
sometimes abbots ; and there are very few traces to be met with, concerning them, in antient 
writers ; the following are all I can collect : — 



46 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The last days of Donogh Cairbreagh O'Brien, were chiefly occupied with 
conflicts with the chiefs of Connaught and their allies, the supporters of the 
sons of Roderick O'Connor, against their cousins, the sons of Cathal Crovderg 
or the Eed-handed O'Connor, and nephews of O'Brien. The death of Cair- 
breagh took place in 1242. He was succeeded by his son, Connor na Sui- 
dane, the founder of the monastery of Corcomroe, in which his tomb and 
effigy are still preserved. Cairbreagh O'Brien was only the chief of the Dal- 
cassians, not king of Munster. He was the first that took the title of The 
O'Brien. 

The next events of the history of the princes of Thomond, are well con- 
densed by Professor O'Curry, from the valuable Irish tract called " The His- 
tory of the Wars of Thomond." The natural feelings of the worthy professor 
are characteristically expressed in the following quotation : — 

" The Anglo-Norman power which came into the country in the year 1172, 
had constantly gained ground; generation after generation, as you are of 
course aware, in consequence chiefly of the mutual jealousies and isolated 
opposition of the individual chiefs and clans among the Gaedhils. At last 
the two great sections of the country, the races of the north and the south, 
resolved to take counsel and select some brave man of either of the ancient 
royal houses to be elevated to the chief command of the whole nation, in 
order that its power and efficiency might be the more effectually concentrated 
and brought into action against the common enemy. To this end then, a 
convention was arranged to take place between Brian O'Neill, the greatest 
leader of the north at this time, and Tadlig, the son of Conor O'Brien, at 
Caelidsge [Narrow Water], on Loch Erne (near the present Castle Calwell). 
O'Neill came attended by all the chiefs of the north and a numerous force of 
armed men. O'Brien, though in his father's lifetime, went thither at the 
head of the Munster and Connaught chiefs and a large body of men in arms. 
The great chiefs came face to face at either bank of the Narrow Water, but 
their old destiny accompanied them, and each came to the convention fully 

" St. Senan, bishop and abbot of Inis-Cathay, was born in Carko-Baskind, a maritime territory 
in the county of Clare, and was descended by his father Ergindus, from Conair, the first king of 
Ireland. His mothers name was Comgella, of a Munster family also. He received his first ru- 
diments and the monastic habit from the abbot Cassidanus, and was afterwards a disciple to Na- 
talis, abbot of Kilmanach, in Ossory, and then to St. David, bishop of Menevia, in Wales. Re- 
turning to Ireland, he founded many monasteries in several parts of Munster, and at last fixed 
his seat at InissCathay. He died on the first of March, 544, the same day and year with St. 
David beforementioned, and was buried in his own monastery at Inis-Cathay. Colgann hath 
published his life in Latin verse out of the antient book of Kilkenny ; to which he hath added a 
supplement in prose from an Irish manuscript. To these I refer such readers who are desirous of 
knowing more of St. Senan." So far Ware who gives the following list : — 

Odran, bishop of Inis-Cathay, was the disciple and immediate successor of St. Senan. He 
flourished about the year 580. 

Aidin, bishop of Inis-Cathay, as mentioned in the martyrology of Marian Gorman, and his fes- 
tival observed on the 31st of August. 

Another Aidin, abbot of Inis-Cathey, died in 861. 

Flathbert, abbot of Inis-Cathay, and afterwards king of Munster after Cormac Mac Culenan, 
died in 940. He was the great fomentor and firebrand of that war in which Cormac lost his life. 

Colla, abbot and doctor or master of Inis-Cathay, died in 994. 

O-Burgus, Comorban of Inis-Cathay, died in 1081. 

Aid O-Beachain, bishop of Inis-Cathay, died in 1138, and soon after his death the see of Inis- 
Cathay was united to that of Limerick. 

It was in the reign and by command of Cairbreach (so called because he had been fostered in 
Carbery), that the building of the beautiful Franciscan Abbey of Ennis was commenced. It was 
finished by his son and successor, Conor na Siudaine, and it is frequently referred to in the an- 
nals. A short time previously to the commencement of the work, Donogh Cairbreagh had 
removed his residence to Clonbroad. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 47 

determined that himself alone should be the chosen leader and king of Erinn. 
The convention was, as might be expected a failure ; and the respective par- 
ties returned home more divided, more jealous, and less powerful than ever to 
advance the general interests of their country, and to crush, as united they 
might easily have done, that crafty, unscrupulous, and treacherous foe, which 
contrived then and for centuries after to rule over the clans of Erinn, by 
taking advantage of those dissensions among them, which the stranger always 
found means but too readily to foment and to perpetuate. 

u This convention or meeting of O'Brien and O'Neill took place in the 
year 1258, according to the annals of the Four Masters; and in the year 
1259, Tadlig O'Brien died. In the year after that again, that is, 1260, Brian 
O'Neill himself was killed in the battle of Down Patrick, by John de Courcy 
and his followers. 

" The premature death of Tadhg O'Brien so preyed up on his father, that 
for a considerable time he forgot altogether the duties of his position and the 
general interests of his people. This state of supineness encouraged some of 
his subordinate chiefs to withhold from him his lawful tributes. 

" Among these insubordinates was the O'Lochlainn of Burren, whose con- 
tumacy at length roused the old chief to action; and in the year 1267 he 
marched into O'Lochlainn's country, as far as the wood of Siubhdaineach, in 
the north-west of Burren. Here the chief was met by the O'Lochlainns and 
their adherents, and a battle ensued in which O'Brien was killed and his army 
routed ; and hence he has been ever since known in history as Conchubhar na, 
Suibhclaine, or Conor of SuibMaineach." 



CHAPTER VII. 



LIMEEICK UKDEE THE ENGLISH. CHARTERS AND GRANTS. 

The introduction of the English government into Limerick did not take 
place until the death of Donald O'Brien. John, Earl of Morton and Lord 
of Ireland showed great zeal and determination in estabhshing the English 
interest in the city. He granted a charter on the 19th of December, 1197, 
the 9th of Richard I., 1 by which he extended to the city, the privileges 

1 We translate from the Arthur MSS. the following. [Fitzgerald gives only the recitation of 
an abstract of John's second charter] : — 

True Copy of the first Royal Charter granted to Limerick by John, Lord of Ireland, 4' c ' 
John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, 
Justiciaries, Bailiffs, and to all his servants and faithful subjects of all Ireland, greeting ; Know 
ye that we have given, and by this charter confirmed, for us and our heirs, unto the citizens of 
Limerick, that they and their heirs do have and hold the City of Limerick, with all the appurts. 
and burgages, internal and external, to the City appertaining, in fee firm, by the return which 
was appointed by Hamond de Valois, with pleas and aiguists, and that they have all the liberties 
and free customs through all Ireland which the citizens of Dublin have ; Wherefore we will and 
firmly prescribe, that our citizens of Limerick and their heirs after them do have and hold all 
the liberties and free customs aforesaid and as presented. For the rest, know ye that [we hold 
as] ratified and well pleasing, and established for ever, the deliverances [liberationes] of burgages, 
with all the liberties and prescriptions which Hamond de Valois made in the city of Limerick as 
he let the aforesaid burgages to my citizens of the same city. 

[Whereof] These are Witnesses, Hugo de Valois, 

Richard de Force, 
fulke de carolupo, 
Hubert de Burgo. 
Killaloe, 18th day of December, in the 9th year of 
Vie reign of King Richard [A.D. 1197-8]. 



48 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

already granted to Dublin, enabling the citizens to choose a Mayor and Duum- 
viri, or two Bailiffs, a designation by which they were named until the 
reign of James I., when by charter of that monarch, the citizens were allowed 
to choose Sheriffs in place of Bailiffs, etc. — these, with the mayor, performed 
the municipal government of the city. In 1198, however, the English were 
driven out of Limerick by McCarthy of Desmond ; but soon after they may 
be said to have held firm possession, though their tenure was frequently 
disputed. We have on record as to the exact time the walls of the city were 
first built ; but from the Patent rolls, in the early portion of king John's 
reign, we find that the city was at that period surrounded by walls, and that 
the king made several grants to his followers within and without the walls. 1 
In the same year he gave to Hamo de Yalois, two cantreds of " Hoche- 
vele" in the Land of Limerick for the service of ten knights, (Char. Rol. 
82). On the 12th of January, 1200, he granted to William of Braosa the 
honor of Limerick, with its appurtenances, &c. This charter was given at 
Lincoln, and bears the signatures, as witnesses, H, Archbishop of Canter- 
bury ; R, Bishop of St. Andrew's ; E, Earl of Chester ; E, Earl of Leicester • 
G. Eitzalen, Earl of Essex; William Briwerr, Hubart Bard, Walter de Lascy; 
Simon Pateshill. It states that it (the charter) was given by the hand of 
Symon, Archdeacon of Wells, at Lincoln, granting and confirming to Braosa 
the honour of Lymerick, with all its appurtenances " retaining in our demesne 
the city of Lymerick and the Bishopricks and Abbeys, and retaining in our 

1 In the second year of his reign the king gave to Galfridus Fitzrobert one burgage* below 
(within?) the walls of Limerick, to be held by free service 12d. ; and granted and confirmed to 
the same for homage and service, five knight's fees,f at Radagar, in the Cantred of Huhene, to 
be held of one and one-third knight's fees — Charter Role A°. 1°, Rotulo 14 and 15. In the same 
3^ear he gave to Robert Sergeant four burgages, of which two are without the city of Limerick, 
between the city and the bridge, whatever part of the bridge is next the wall, and two in the 
island towards the city, near the bridge, wherever the bridge may be, for the service of 4s. per 
an., and he granted unto the same for his homage and service a knight's fee at Clonhulugrdachan 
and Cloinonochain, in the " theudum"J of Huertherain, to be held by the third part of one 
knight's fee, Hamo de Valentia being the justiciary of Ireland. — Charter Roles 78. In the same 
year he gave to Humphrey de Pj^keuile, one burgage below the walls of Limerick, for the service 
of 12d. per annum ; and he gave and confirmed to the same for his homage and service Killeru- 
manith, three knight's fees circumjacent for all service, for the service of one knight. — Charier 
Role 75. In the same year he gave Lauvelekin Fitzwilliam one burgage below the walls of Limerick, 
for (per) the service of 12d. per ann. and five knight's fees, at Insculin and Balieder, Baioni, 
Corbally, Cullen, Odergraper, Ballydermot, in the Cantred of Huhene, to be held b}- the service 
of one knight and two parts. — Charter Role 79. In the same year he gave to Win. de Naish one 
burgage in Limerick through the service of 12d. per ann. and the castles of Kava Kittel, with a 
fee of five knights in the nearer place of that castle, in the " theudum" of Lirickmadh, in the 
Cantred of Huhene, held by the service of one knight's fee and two parts. — Role 81. In the 
same year he gave to Thomas, the son of Maurice, one burgage next the bridge, on the left hand 
side towards the north, through the service of 12d. per ann. and five knight's fees, in the " theu- 
dum" of Blenrii (or Olweii, or as I rather think Kenry), in the Cantred of Fontimell, and five 
knight's fees, in the theudum of Huanarach, which is in Thomond, beyond the water of the 
Shannon, to be held by the service of three knight's fee and one third. — Charter Role 82. 

* Tenure in burgage is where the king or other person is lord of an ancient borough in which 
the tenants are held by a rent certain. It is a kind of lorage. — Lyt. //., § 1G2, 163. 

f A Knight's Fee, Feudum militare, is so much inheritance as is sufficient yearly to maintain 
a knight, with convenient revenue ; and in Henry III.'s days was £15 (Camden's Brit. p. Ill), 
in the time of Edward II. £20 ; a knight's fee contained 12 plough lands, or 5 hides, or 480 
acres. Selden, however, says the knight's fee had no reference to land, but to the services or 
number of the knights reserved. — Tomlins Law Diet. Stowe, in his Annals (p. 285) says there 
were found in England at the time of the Conqueror 60,211 knight's fees, according to others 
60,215, whereof the religious houses before their suppression were possessed of 28,015. 

J The word " Theudum" means a fief, most probably one of five knight's fees, which was ex- 
pressed by the word Toth. In the Celtic mythology the word Toth meant the genius Loci, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 49 

Land the cantred of the Ostmen and the Holy Island, as king Henry, our 
father, that honour gave to Philip de Braosa, uncle of the aforesaid William" 
— " to have and to hold to him and his heirs of us and our heirs by the 
service of sixty knights, except the service of William de Burgo, 1 of all his 
lands and tenements aforesaid honours to be held, &c, &c; and we have 
retained in our demesne and hand all its appurts in wood and plain, in meadow 
and pastures, in water and mills and fish ponds and ponds and fisheries 
and ponds, in ways and pathways, &c." 

King John, (says Giraldus Cambrensis,) gave to Philip de Braosa the 
northern division of Munster, namely, the whole kingdom of Limerick, 
except the city itself, and the cantred belonging to it. At the same time he 
gave the kingdom of Cork to Cogan and Fitz Stephen. So these three chiefs 
made a strict mutual alliance, and having obtained possession of Lismore, 
and of the greater part of Cork, namely, seven cantreds near the city, each 
containing 100 townlands, they proceeded to Limerick. Their army con- 
sisted of seventy men-at-arms, one hundred and fifty horse soldiers, and the 
proper complement of bowmen. But when they reached Limerick, the 
citizens set the town on fire. Cogan and Pitz Stephen proposed to ford the 
Shannon and storm the place. But Braosa proved wanting in courage and 
returned home. 

He afterwards endeavoured to rehabilitate his character for bravery by 
joining in the crusades, and appears to have died in the Holy Land, when 
his rights, such as they were, to the kingdom of Limerick passed to his 
nephew, William de Braosa. But we learn from Dugdale (Baronage I. 415) 
that king John sold Braosa's lands in Ireland to Philip de Wygornia, (or 
Worcester,) Lord Deputy in 1184, for five hundred marks. In 1200, how- 
ever, the unprincipled monarch, resold Wygornia's lands, and those of 
Theobald Pitz Walter, ancestor of the Ormonde famity, to William de Braosa, 
for 5,000 marks, and 5,000 marks more for the kingdom of Limerick, (see 
the charters of king John, anno &, and Dugdale, I., 416.) 2 Pitz Walter 
repurchased his own estate for 500 marks, through the mediation of his 
brother Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury, (see Soger de Hoveden, II., 
513,) whilst Wygornia, says that author, "with difiiculty escaping from the 
hands of the king, returned to Ireland, passing through the territories of the 
king of Scots, and recovered parts of his lands by waging war against the 
king." The kingdom of Limerick he had never had possession of, so did 
not probably now obtain it. But he seized on his former estates, chiefly hi 
Tipperary, and held them by force : and his heirs still held lands there by 
knights' service in 1314, (Carew MSS.) The unfortunate Braosa was unable 
to pay the instalments due to the rapacious king John; he was fiercely 

1 1201, King John granted to William de Burgo 5 Knights' fees, called a Toth, -wherein is 
seated Castle Connell, -within 4 miles of Limerick, east, provided he fortified the castle, and was to 
restore it to the king if demanded, by getting a reasonable exchange for it.— Ware. 

2 In Pat Roll. Mem. 23, No. 203, the grant to William de Braosa is set forth—" quae retinuimus 
in Dominico nostro, habenda donee Regi placuerit." 

In the 4th year of his reign a mandate -was issued by the king to Philip de Wigorne, or Wor- 
cester, " that he should render to William de Braosa the land and castles of Orngraffan, and 
other castles of the Honour of Limerick, which are retained bv the king according to convention. 
—Pat. Roll, Mem. 10. 

In the 6th year of John's reign Limerick was taken from William de Braosa by advice of the 
Barons of England, " for the peace of the kingdom."— Pat. Roll, Mem. 7. 

Wigornia, according to Dugdale's Monasticon, was Constable of Ireland. Wm. and Roger da 
Wigornia gave Sidan, Skbevin, Kilstevenan, &c, in Ireland, to the Monastery of Osney, near 
Oxford. Confirmed 28th Feb. An. 13 Edward I.— Dugdale's Monas Angli. 



50 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



persecuted by him, was driven from all his estates, and died a penniless exile, 
whilst the spiteful monarch wreaked his vengeance on his wife and son, who 
were starved to death, A.D. 1211, (see Dugdale as before.) 

Captivated, as we have seen, with the beauty of Limerick, the King 
caused a singularly choice castle, " egregium castellum/'' and bridge to be 
built. 1 In that age the Annals refer to the erection of two bridges over the 
Shannon, and one over the Suck, by the monarch Turlough O'Connor. 
There is no doubt those bridges were not of stone, but of wood, and that 
the first structures of the kind of stone were erected by, or after the arrival 
of the Anglo-Normans. 2 King John's bridge was perfectly level, crossing 
the main arm of the Shannon, from the N.E. extremity of the English town, 
close by the Castle ; it was built on fourteen arches, under each of which 
some marks of the hurdles, on which it was erected, were visible until the 
bridge was taken down in the year 1838, and the present structure was built. 
According to tradition the cost of the building of Thomond bridge was but 
£30. 3 Immediately above the bridge a ledge of rocks crosses the river, over 
which one can walk with perfect safety at low water. 

The " Egregium Castellum" continues to our own time to be one of the 
finest specimens of fortified Norman architecture in Ireland. The north-west 
tower is said to have been the first portion of the work that was erected. 
Nenagh Castle is said to have been built at the same time ; it too, is a noble 
military building in the Norman style. A Constable was immediately ap- 
pointed to it by the King. The Castle is now used as an Ordnance store, 

1 Stanihurst. 2 Dr. Petrie in the Dublin Penny Journal. 

8 In King John's time the pay of a foot soldier, which was more than a labourer's hire, was 
three halfpence a day. The small cost of the building of Thomond Bridge need not surprise us. 
In king John's time and under the Edwards, land was granted in Ireland, by carucates. A carucate 
was 140 great acres on an average and was taxed as chattels worth £6. 

This venerable bridge was taken down in 1838 by the old Corporation, and in two years after- 
wards, viz. in 1840, the present structure was built, and open for traffic. Though the old 
Corporation built the new bridge, and gave credit to themselves for doing so, the amount of the 
contract, a sum of £9000, was paid by the new or Reformed Corporation for this work. 

The new bridge bears the following inscription : — 



THIS BRIDGE WAS BUILT A:D: 1840 
AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CORPORATION 
OF THE BOROUGH OF LIMERICK. 
THIS TABLET WAS PLACED HERE BY ORDER 
OF THE TOWN COUNCIL A D 1843 
THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL MARTIN HONAN MAYOR 
IOHN F: RALEICH Esq. TOWN CLERK 
FRANCIS I. O'NEIL Esq. TREASURER 
JAMES AND G. R. PAIN, 

ARCHITECTS 



Mr. John Long, the eminent civil Engineer, who built the new bridge over the Shannon at 
Athlone, and the new docks at Limerick, communicates to us his opinion, that the early bridges 
were chiefly of wicker work, no doubt very frail and imperfect, and for this reason easily de- 
stroyed ; the notes in the Four Masters will fortify this opinion. Afterwards stone arches were 
turned over wicker centres ; but they form two distinct periods of bridge building. Until recently 
one of these wicker bridges stood over the Shannon above Carrick-on-Shannon, and Mr. Long 
says he has often crossed it. It was built of loose stone piers, such as a common labourer 
would build, placed close to each other ; some rough black oak logs thrown across from pier to 
pier, and these covered with wicker work in several layers, and gravel, &c. strewn on these. It 
was very frail, and the horse was unyoked from the cart, and the latter pulled across by men. 
This, he thinks, was the character of all the early bridges across the Shannon before stone struc- 
tures were erected, which he believes were not adopted until about Elizabeth's reign. 



Vid. fol. 50-51. 




Old Th.om.ond Bridge, King John's Castle, and St. Mary's Cathedral. 
[Engraved for Maurice Lenihan's History of Limerick.'] 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 51 

&c, and in the ground within the walls and towers, an excellent Infantry 
Barracks for four hundred soldiers was erected in 1751. The number of 
English settlers now began to increase rapidly; and the introduction of English 
habits, customs, dress, &c. kept pace with the numbers of the new inhabitants. 
Outside the walls many English families also est abHshed themselves. 1 

The politic John was resolved to keep on the best terms with the Bishop 
and Church of Limerick after he had obtained a firm footing within the city. 
The question of building the Castle and other fortifications, and of strength- 
ening himself as much as possible, was paramount with him ; but he was 
resolved to do so, not at the expense of the Church, by any encroachment 
whatever on the domains of the Bishop of Saint Mary's Church in Limerick. 
It would appear that certain of his partrzans had begun to occupy some of 
the church lands in their zeal to erect the Castle and fortifications ; but the 
King, before 1207, issued a prohibition against the slightest encroachment 
on the church properties, and in earnest and emphatic language warned, in 
a letter still extant, 2 and addressed to his justices, bailiffs, barons, soldiers, 
and all Iris faithful subjects, in France, England, and Ireland, telling them 
that the rights of his venerable father in Christ, D. the Bishop of Limerick, 
should be strictly guarded, in reference to the contemplated Castle, and the 
other muniments and fortifications, and that nothing whatever should be 
done to interfere with the church property until his arrival in Ireland, when 
he expressed his determination to see the Bishop fully satisfied in every thing 
connected with the projected fortifications. The King furnished the Castle 
with every requisite for the defence of his newly acquired city. He not only 
placed constables within its walls, 3 whom he invested with authority, but he 

1 Among the possessors of land in the county of Limerick in the thirteenth century, the 
following names appear : — Bagod or Baggot, a companion of Strongbow was the founder of the 
Bagot family now represented byThoinas Neville Bagott, Esq. of Ballymoe, county Galway; Patrick 
Bagott, Esq., of Bagottstown Castle, county Limerick, m. in 15-10, Maria, daughter of J. Edmond 
O'Dwyer, Esq.. of Kilnemanagh, county Tipperary : nine Bagots were attainted and their estates 
confiscated in Carlow and Limerick, in the wars of James II. — a portion of the family escorted 
king James to France : — Bonervyle, Brown, Butler, Fitzgerald, Sir Thomas de Clifford, Sir 
David de Rupe or Roche, Xaish, Maunsell and Pierrepoint. Walter Maunsell was chief sergeant 
of the county of Limerick in the reign of Edward the first. Of the early settlers in the city, the 
following are the names of those that survive in our day : — TVhite, Barrett, Long, Xaish, O'Xeill, 
(JXoonan, Sergeant, Young, Dundon, Kussell, Flandr, Hallanan, and Purcell. Judging from the 
municipal roll of the thirteenth century, of which not many names have come down to us, there 
appears to have been a mixture of "Welsh, Xornians. Spaniards, English and Italians. See Sir 
Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry. 

The name of Bobert Bagod occurs very frequently in the sales and settlements of land, &c, 
that were made during the episcopacy of Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick, whose transactions in this 
respect were very numerous, as appears by the Black Book. Maurice Bagott of Baggotstown 
was one of those who were excepted from pardon by the cruel and merciless Ireton, when he 
obtained possession of Limerick in 1651, through the treachery of Fennel, as will appear more 
fully in the proper place. Many of the Bagott family have continued Catholics, and are allied 
to some of the first Catholic families in Ireland. 

2 Black Book of Limerick. 

3 Godfrey de Rupe or Roche was constable of the Castle of Limerick in the year 1216.— 
Arthur MS8. 

Before the regular list of these begins, there are scattered notices to be found of the constables 
of the Castle of Limerick. — See Liber Munerurn Rib. 

Thomas FizHugh de Lees was constable at a fee of ten marks, temp. Edward II. 

He was succeeded by Thomas de Winchester, (Patent 28th May, 1326.) He had a warrant in 
tfic following July for £20 to repair the buildings and walls of the Castle — then in a very bad 
state of repair. And in October of that year £30 more was granted to him and John le Blound, 
Mayor of Limerick, for the same purpose. 

William de Swynford was constable in 1335. 

Peter de O'Kebournam in 1343. 

John Corbet in 1372. 



52 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

took care to provide it with chaplains. These succeeded each other, as re- 
moval or other causes created a vacancy in the office ; and on one occasion we 
rind Geoffrey de Mareys, Lord Justiciary of Ireland, on the part of his royal 
master, making a presentation to the chaplaincy of the King's Castle, 
of Thomas in the place of Andrew, who had either died, or been placed in 
some other position. 1 The church lands were extensive, the constant dealings 
with them, the employment they gave the Courts in Dublin, as well as in 
Limerick, are shown in the records that have come down to us, and of which 
the Black Book contains a considerable number. In 1217 a mint was 
established in Limerick. 2 In 1222 regulations were made concerning the 
Corporation, which has been recognised by Act of Parliament as a Corpo- 

Jaraes Earl of Desmond was made constable for life by Patent 23rd August 1423 — with leave 
to execute the Office by Deputy — and inasmuch as " the ancient fees for the custody of the 
Castle were for the most part annihilated, and the Castle become so ruinous, that the greater 
part of it was fallen to the ground," he was given £10 for the repair of the Castle, as well as 
forty marks out of the profits of the Lexwer (Laxweir), while he should occupy the office — 
twenty marks more, out of the profits of these weirs, were granted to him for five years in 1424. 

Sixty marks a year was a large sum in those days — so the Laxweir fishery must have been a 
very rich one to pay it. 

The earliest constables named by Lodge, in his list of patentee officers, are — 

Sir Wm. Wyse, Knt., Esquire of the King's Body, appointed by Hen. VIII. Constable for life, 
with £10 a vear fee, the king's island and the king's fisheries there, called the " Leixs Wayres." 
The £10 payable out of the fee farm of the said city, 25th Feb., 1523. 

On his resignation, his son, Andrew Wyse, was appointed, 7th June, 1551. 

Eichard Chichester succeeded on the death of Wyse. He resigned, and was succeeded by 

Hercules Rainsford, 

Andrew Creagh, 

James Spencer, 

Robert Longe, and 

John Bleake. After which Chichester was again appointed, by a new patent, 16th Sept. 1588. 

Bleake, however, recovered the appointment by patent of 14th April, 1590, and held it for life. 

John Dannet succeeded, 29th Mar. 1597. Capt. Francis Berkeley succeeded on his death soon 
after, the Patent (given " free from the seal, because he is son-in-law to the Lord Chancellor") 
being dated 2nd Nov. 1597. This was Sir F. Berkeley of Askeyton, who was knighted at Kil- 
mallock two years after by the Earl of Essex, and whose estates eventually devolved on his 
daughters, of -whom one married Mr. Courtenay, of Powderham Castle, and another Mr. Taylor, 
of Ballynort, from whom the Massy and Westropp families are descended. The Lord Chancellor, 
to whom he was son-in-law, was Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin. 

George Blundell obtained a reversion of Sir Francis Berkeley's patent, 13th May, 1608, but 
Maurice, son to Sir Francis, got him to surrender it, and had a patent accordingly, 8th June, 1610. 

George Courtenay succeeded his brother-in-law, Sir Maurice Berkeley, as Constable of the 
Castle by patent, 18th Sept. 1622 : and the reversion of the office was granted to Roger, Earl of 
Orrery, on whose death Murrough, Viscount Blessington, became Constable in 1679. 

Sir Wm. King, Knt. (of Kilpeacon ?) succeeded in 1692, but surrendering the office in 1700, 
it was granted to Brigadier- General Richard Ingoldsby. 

George, Lord Carbery, succeeded as Constable on the death of Ingoldsby in 1714, and though 
displaced on the accession of George II., when the office was conferred on Sir Standish Hartstonge, 
Baronet, of Bruff, he was restored to it in 1 739. 

Thomas, second Lord Southwell, succeeded Lord Carbery, on that nobleman's death in 1749. 

On his death, the office was granted to Edward Stopford, Esq., by patent, 26th Sept. 1780, 
and he held it for life. 

2nd January, 1795, the Constableship, vacant by his death, was given to the Hon. William 
Cockayne ; and he held it until his demise in 1809. 

The Right Hon. Colonel Vereker, afterwards second Viscount Gort, the last Constable of the 
Castle of Limerick, was nominated by patent, 18th Nov. 1809, and died 11th Nov. 1842, when 
that feudal office, prospectively abolished by Act of Parliament, ceased to exist. 

The Hon. William Cockayne was Constable of the Castle in 1799, when a grant was made to 
hiin and his successors for 99 years, of the Kings Island, Limerick. — See Patent, 8th July, 1799. 

lie died in ltSUt), and was succeeded by Colonel Charles Vereker, afterwards second Viscount 
Gort, in whose lifetime this ancient office was abolished, and the King's Island taken back into 
the possession of the Crown. 

* The Black Book of Limerick. » Smith's MSS. in R.J.A. 



niSTORT OF LIMERICK. 53 

ration by prescription. 1 In 1237 a toll was granted for the purpose of en- 
closing the city with a wall; and throughout these and subsequent years 
church affairs, which are noticed in their proper place, appear to have occupied 
the largest share of public attention. Some of the churches were established ; 
the concerns of the fisheries and the mills became of much importance, 
owing to the large receipts from those sources of revenue and profit. The 
fishermen must have enjoyed no small share of opulence for the time, because 
we find in some of the oldest documents reference made to the houses in 
which they lived, as marks or boundaries of property bequeathed or granted. 2 
The increasing importance of the city in 1285, induced Edward I. to grant 
a charter to the citizens, empowering the freemen of the Corporation to 
meet within their Common Court within the city, and there make bye-laws 
and regulations for their internal government. Grants by royal hands were 
given to the Dominican and Franciscan friaries ; and though Calway had 
advanced more in commerce, the progress of Limerick, in other respects, was 
fully on a par with its ancient rival, while the bequests of land, &c. to the 
Church, surpassed any thing of which we have a record in other parts of Ireland. 

Out of the rents of the city John assigned £100 to the Archbishop of 
Cashel, in discharge of a sum of money due by him to that prelate. 

The growth of English customs and habits was now becoming stronger 
every succeeding year. The names which were in the records of the city, 
civil and ecclesiastical, are for the greater part English. The fisheries, as 
we have stated, were constantly occupying public attention ; many inquisitions 
were held in reference to the tithes of rival claimants ; and on the 25th of 
July, 1225, a solemn enquiry, on a novel issue regarding them, was held 
before the Archbishop of Cashel, the Bishops of Emly, Killaloe, Ross, Lis- 
more, &c. as to whether the tithes of the fishery and of the mills of Limerick, 
and of the land of Dromin, were vested in the Treasurer of the Cathedral 
Church of St. Mary's, or in the Chaplain of the King's Castle, before the 
barons waged war against King John ; the result of the enqniry was given in 
favor of the Treasurer. 3 Contemporary authorities assure us that, in the 
midst of these proceedings, the people were greatly troubled with singular 
apprehensions. Extraordinary fears occupied their imaginations and visions, 
which we must attribute more to their comparative ignorance than to reality, 
constantly terrified them. 4 The following events occurred in the reign of John. 

On the 30th of August, 1205, a writ was issued to the Lord Justice, 
commanding him to build a strong Castle at Dublin, to defend that city and 
to preserve the King's treasure ; and on the 2nd of November following, the 
King by Writ commanded Walter de Lacy to put Limerick into the hands 
of the Lord Justice, because without it he could not keep the peace in Cork 
or Connaught. 5 In the same year a fierce dispute arose between the English 

1 Acts 4 Geo. IV. cap. 126. Loc & Pars. 2 gee Black Book. 3 ibid. 

4 1236, Mathew Paris -writes, that in Ireland strange and -wonderful sights were now seen, which 
amazed all the beholders, viz. There appeared coming out of the earth, companies of armed 
men on horse-back in battle array, and encountering together ; this sight appeared several days 
after each other ; sometimes they seemed to join in battle and to fight violently ; and sometimes 
they seemed to joust and break staves, as if it had been at a tournament ; the people of the 
country plainly saw them at a distance, for the skirmish shewed itself so lively, that now and 
then they might see them come with their empty horses, sore, wounded and bruised, and likewise 
men mangled and bleeding ; and what seemed most strange, was that after they vanished, the 
prints of their feet appeared in the ground, and the grass was trodden in those places where 
they had been seen ! ! ! 

5 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Vol. I. p. 43. 



54 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

themselves about the possession of Limerick. Meyler the younger, son of 
Meyler Bermingham, besieged the city, and at last took it by force ; in con- 
sequence of which the English of Meath became dissatisfied; dissensions 
arose among them. Cowley Mac Convey Leyghaghkan, chief of Silronan, 
was killed, " with many hurts done among the English themselves." 1 In 
1208, Murtagh O'Brien, son of Donell, Lord of Thomond, was taken pri- 
soner by the English at Limerick, in violation of the guarantee of the three 
Bishops, and by order of his brother Donough Cairbreach, 2 This fact is 
also mentioned in the Annals of Clonmacnoise.s In 1210, William De 
Burgo having received severe usage from the Connacians, to whom he and 
his people went to obtain " their wages," returned to Limerick, and Cathal 
Crovderg assumed the regals way of Connaught. 4 It was in this year that 
the King, to supply " defects as far as he was able," divided Leinster and 
Munster, the only parts he had actually in possession, into the counties of 
Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Uriel, Catherlaigh (Carlow), Kilkenny, Wexford, 
Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Kerry, and appointed sheriffs and 
officers of them after the manner of the English. 5 An important grant was 
made to Edmond, bishop of Limerick at this period, A.D. 1215 — a grant 
which to our own day has continued to be a subject of interest to every class 
and party among the citizens, as it is connected with salmon and eel fisheries 
of the Shannon. 6 The succession of mayors and bailiffs continued uninter- 
ruptedly, and the city was now forming into a shape consistent with the 
ideas of its English rulers, whose policy it was to have each city and town 
in Ireland thoroughly English, for nearly all outside the walls continued abso- 

1 MacGeoghegan's translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise. The O'Leyghaghan family- 
was otherwise called MacConmeadlla, now MacNarnee. O'Dugan makes O'Rouarc chief of Car- 
bright Gabra, which was in North Tiaffa. O'Leyghaghan was of the race of Fiacha. i.e. race of 
Tiaga, son of Neill — he was third son of Niall, of the Nine Hostages, monarch of Ireland, in the 
beginning of the fifth century. His descendants were the MacGeaghans and O'Molloys, whose 
country extended from Trim to Kildare, as we learn in an entry in MacGeaghan's translation of 
the Annals of Clonmacnoise, at the year 1207. 

2 Annals of the Four Masters, Vol. II. p. 133. 

8 " 1207, Murtagh MacDonnell O'Bryen, Prince of Thomond, was taken by the Englishmen 
at Lymbrick against the wills of three Busshopps, by the procurement of his own Brother, Do- 
nough Cairbreah Mac Donnell O'Brien." 

4 Annals of Four Masters. 

* Cox Hib. Angli. Vol. I. p. 50. 

• Chancery Kole 17th John : — 

Grant to ike Bishop of Limerick, dated 5th July, 17° John (1215.) 

John, by the grace of God, &c, to all, &c, greeting. Know ye that we, for the intention of 
the Lord, have granted, by this our charter confirmed, to God and the Blessed Mary, and to our 
venerable father Edmond, Bishop of Limerick, and his successors, ten pounds of silver for ever, 
every year, to be received at our Exchequer, Dublin, in free, pure, and perpetual alms of the 
farm rent assize of the city of Limerick and the fisheries of Limerick, which the said bishop 
against us has challenged. And the same bishop the ten marks which he has been accustomed to 
receive at our aforesaid Exchequer, in exchange of the lands of Drunnannalub. which, to the 
ancestor of the same before, we had given, together with the same land, to us a^id our heirs, for 
himself and his heirs, he has quitted claim. Wherefore, we will and firmly command, that the 
aforesaid Bishop of Limerick and his successors, may take for ever every year, at our aforesaid 
Exchequer of Dublin, those ten pounds of silver, in free, pure, and perpetual alms, as aforesaid. 
Witness, &c. &c. 

A mandate was issued on the 30th of July, 1216, to Geoffrc}* de Marshall, &c, ordering him 
without delay to cause the Venerable Father Edmond, Bishop of Limerick, to have the arrears 
which are due to him of the ten pounds which annually he ought to receive out of the Exchequer 
in Ireland (Close Kole, 18 John) ; and on the 31st of July, same year, a mandate to the same to 
assess ten librates of land for the arrears due to the Bishop. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 55 

lutely hostile to the crown and interest of England. 1 The want of a market 
having been thus early experienced by the busy and energetic settlers, king 
Henry III. in the first year of his reign, conceded to Edmund, bishop of 
Limerick, a weekly market, every Tuesday, at his manor of " Mungerett."" 2 
The bishops of the see of Limerick continued occasionally to reside at Mun- 
gret up to the tenth century, if not later, as we find from , some of their 
documents, mandates, &c. 

In the second year of Henry III. Walter de Lacy got " plein seizen/ J 
(full possession) of the castle of Beathar near Limerick — Patent Rolls, 
Numb. 3. In 1222, the 6th year of Henry III., the King ordered that 
none should receive a place or messuage in the cities of Limerick or Water- 
ford, " who are strangers and do not abide in cities or good towns.'''' — Close 
Rolls, No. 9. William Minntor and Adam Clericus, or Clarke, gave an 
account for the citizens of Limerick, of £70 of the Term of St. Michael of 
the 11th year, of the farm of their manor house, and £140 for the whole of 
the 12th year, for the farm of said manor — in all £210. 

For a long period efforts were made to increase the trade and commerce of 
the city, and place them on an equality with those of Galway and Waterford, 
which were English cities also, and towards which the Government had been 
earnestly manifesting their favor. Henry III. who in 1254 accepted Limerick, 
and afterwards granted it to Prince Edward, exerted himself strenuously for 
this object. Galway, however, kept the lead for a long period. At this 
moment, while the Limerick fisheries challenge so much public notice, it is 
interesting to find that the subject occupied the attention of a committee 
so early as the days of Edward I. 8 The produce of the customs of Limerick 

1 Roger Maii, John Cambitor, 

Walter Cross, Robert Albus (White), 

Simon Minitor, William de Wygornia, 

Roger de Raleie, Ludovicus or Lewis Fitz Hugh, 

William Fitz Rudolph, Robert Long, 

Rodolph le Talure, 

were citizens of Limerick in the 17th of king John's reign. — Arthur MSS. 
2 Close Roll, M\ 16°. 
8 on the 27th of October, 2nd Edward I., 1274, a commission was issued to Geoffry de 
jenyville to enquire into certain petitions of the citizens of Limerick, including among other 
matters the weir which 27 years before, they received from Maurice Fitzgerald, then justiciary 
<f Ireland, for a triennial term and not beyond, for 100 marks to king Henry, and how much 
t*e said weir may be worth by the year, in all the issues, &c. The inquisition was taken in 
Lmerick, 4th Edward I., 1275, on Friday next after the feast of king Edmund the Martyr, 
bfore twenty-four jurors, in which they declare the weir is worth in all issues of the fishery 
bjthe year, to wit, in common years, and also in time of peace, twenty marks, &c. 
The names of the citizens before whom this inquisition was taken, are as follow : — 
Lord Eustace de Rupe, Richard Laynach, 

Lord Hugh Forcel, Alexander Wale, 

Lord Robert Pincernan, Richard Brakeleye, 

William de Weys, Simon de Waltere, 

John Fitz Robert, William le Wilde, 

Reginald Scyrmissor, Robert Brun, 

Laurence Black, John Wodeford, 

Soger White, Walter Russell, 

Simon Merduc, Thomas Fitz Elias, 

Valter de Wodeford, William Fitz Elias, 

lobert Keting, Richard Fanyn, 

-dam Breheynac, David Le ( ) 

Thtletter of Geoffry de Genyville to the king, ia dated 8th March, 4th Edward 1., 1275, and 
after sating that he was occupied on divers affairs in the part of Ireland and towards Connaught, 
and ehwhere, he could not go to Limerick to take the above inquest, and that he did not wish it 
should »e taken, except by some certain men, he states that " the inquest was passed suitably in 
the sev-al points, except in the extent of the land, as to which they have extended eleven 



56 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

from Michaelmas in the 8th year of Edward I. to Easter in the 10th year 
of that king, was only £21 5s. 2d. — soon afterwards the trade and 
commerce of the city fell rapidly, whilst Galway as rapidly advanced. On 
Pipe Boll no. 17, the nett produce of the customs of Limerick, appears 
to have amounted only to Is. 6d. for a period when in Galway it reached, 
for the same time, £18 4s. 5|d. We do not wonder that Mr. Hardiman, 
the historian of Galway, should boast of the comparatively flourishing 
condition of the city of the tribes ; but Limerick was not destined to 
remain always in a secondary position. In after years not only was Galway 
left behind in the march of commercial enterprize, but it was thrown 
completely into the shade. At this period the citizens felt aggrieved in 
reference to the salmon and eel fisheries of the Shannon, and sent forward a 
petition to the king which was promptly responded to. The fisheries continued 
to be a source of very great interest ; and several important matters relating 
to them appear on the records during the reign of Edward I. which show 
the attention which was paid by the crown to them at this period, and the 
regular accounts sent on of the revenues, as well as the payments made to 
the bishop. 1 Robert de Saint Edmond obtained a grant of the weirs, &c, 
but after he had petitioned, his rent for them yearly was fixed at twenty 
marcs. The grant of Thomond by Edward I. to Thomas de Clare had its 
effect not only on Limerick, but on the province of Minister, and more so 
on the province of Connaught. This event took place in the year 1275 ; and 
to this day traces of it are found in every part of the great county to which 
de Clare gave his own name — a name which in after years became historical 
and cherished in the warm affections of the Irish people. Limerick con- 
tinued to progress, though Galway possessed more facilities as a port, and 
though so far back as the year 1277, Dermocl More O'Brien of Tromra, 
county Clare, received twelve tuns of wine yearly as a tribute from the 
merchants of Galway " in consideration of protecting the harbour and trade 
from all pirates and privateers, by maintaining a suitable maritime force for 
the purpose/'' 2 

carucates of land and a half, in demesne, by the year, for £20 3s. 4.6.." He states that the 
land is worth £30 in common years, and that " those citizens can sufficiently render you rent 
without loss, and without the waste land ; " " but know your lordship, that the citizens of this 
town hold very great place against the enemies of this march, and great damage have had by 
the Irish of that part, and by prices of your justiciaries before this time, whereby they ate 
much grieved. Wherefore, Sire, it is advised to us, that it would be good, if it please you, that 
you would do them some favour." He advises the withdrawal of the acquittance of felony, " i 
a man of their franchise kills another within the city, and he can purge himself of the fact b 
forty men." 

1 Pipe Roll, 1st Edward I. (1272), Maurice le Blund and Walter de Attar, render an amout 
of £73 6s- 8d. of the farm of the same city this year, and £220 of the same farm for thre 
years preceding ; and of £153 15s. Id. of the arrears thereof for many years preceding; t.e 
sum £447 Is. 9d. In this account compensation to the amount of £40 is given to the bisbp 
of Limerick for the fishery, for the aforesaid time, that is to say by the year £10. Citizens afcr 
rendering several other accounts are brought in debt, £189 7s. 10^d. 

Pipe Roll, 5th Edward I. (1276-7), states, that the citizens render an account of £104 3s. 
of the issues of the weir of Limerick for the whole second year of the reign of king Edwrd, 
and of £31 8s. l^d. of the same issues for the whole third year of the reign of the same kig, 
as is contained in the rolls which the aforesaid citizens delivered to the exchequer, of the afre- 
said issues ; several other sums are stated in this weir, "which the citizens expended in even- 
dations and other costs of the same weir," &c. 

The 8t,h November, 1276-77, 4th Edward I , a mandate is issued to "Robert de Uhrd, 
justiciary of Ireland, and the barons of the Exchequer, Dublin, a mandate, setting ^fortl the 
inquisition of Geoft'ry de Genyville, &c, exonerating the citizens by the advice of Thonjs de 
Clare, and taking up the weir from them, provided that, upon the reception of that wcijinto 
our hand, the same weir be in the same good state, that it was upon the day when thefame 
citizens received the weir." 

8 Hardiman's History of Galway, pp. 51 and 52. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 57 

The merchants of Limerick, on the contrary, up to the reign of James I. 
and most likely for sometime afterwards, were compelled to give tribute of 
wine and merchandise from their ships, not only to the O'Kehanes of Kilrush, 
and the O'Connors of Foynes, but to each possessor of a castle between the 
city and the sea ; which is one cogent reason no doubt, why the trade and 
commerce of Limerick did not equal those of Galway. According to the Annals 
of InnisfaUen, the possessions of de Clare and the English of Thomond ex- 
tended from Tiobraid-no-Huinnsion to the confines of Bunratty, where de 
Clare built the castle which to this our own day is one of the largest ancient 
edifices in Ireland. This castle has stood the brunt of several sieges, and, as a 
strategetical position, it has nothing to equal it on the Shannon. Bunratty was 
extremely useful whilst it protected the shipping and trade of the city. 

1285. In this year Edward I. granted a charter to the citizens of Limerick, 
empowering the freemen of theCorporationto meet in their common court within 
the said city, and there make laws and regulations for then' internal govern- 
ment. 1 In the same year the English followers of de Clare were defeated 
by the chiefs of Thomond, headed by king Torlogh at Tardree ; and in 1287, 
after suffering repeated reverses, the sustained a decisive defeat in 1287, on 
which occasion Thomas de Clare, Fitzmaurice, Sir Bichard de Exeter, Sir 
Eichard Taffe, and other distinguished persons, were left dead on the field, 
and an expedition, headed by Geoffrey de Mariscis was sent to Connaught to 
quell the disturbances there. 2 

Following out the fortunes of the O'Brien family to the period when 
Murrough, the son of Turlough, resigned the title of king of Thomond for 
an English Earldom, we shall adopt the account given by the author of the 
valuable Irish tract, from, which we have already quoted. 

" Tadhg O'Brien, the elder son of Connor, left two sons, Turloch and 
Donoch ; and according to the law of succession among the clanns, Torloch, 
though still in his minority, should succeed to the chieftainc}^ and to the title 
of O'Brien. In this, however, he was wrongfully anticipated by his father's 
brother Brian Ruadh, who had himself proclaimed chief, and without any 
opposition. This Brian Ruadh continued to rule for nine years, until the 
young Torloch came to full age; when backed by his relatives the 
MacNamaras, and his fosterers the O'Deas, he marched with a great force 
against his uncle, who, sooner than risk a battle, fled with his immediate 
family and adherents, taking with him all his property, eastwards into North 
Tipperary, and left young Torloch in full possession of his ancestral rule and 
dignity. 

" Brian Ruadh, however, could not quietly submit to his loss and disgrace, 
and, taking council with his adherents, they decided on his seeking the aid 
of the national enemy, to reinstate him in his lost chieftainship. For this 
purpose Brian Ruadh and his son Donoch proceeded to Cork, to Thomas de 

1 The names usually met w*ith in the records of these times, are Minutor, Clarke or Clericus, 
White, Arthur, Young or Juvenis, De Leyes, Crop ; in page 23 of the Black Book of the 
Bishops of Limerick ; Symon Herwarder is styled Mayor, and Maurice Blund and "Walter of 
Adare, Provosts of Limerick, in 1230 — again in page 34, Simon Hirwarder, and Richard de la 
Cowe and Hugh Ricolf ; in page 60, Reginald de S. Jacobo is styled Seneschal of Limerick, 1230. 
These names do not appear in the Arthur MSS. 

3 An account amounting to £60, appears furnished for bread and wine, &c, supplied to the 
expedition which was made by Geoffrey de Mariscis to Connaught. 

In 1290, Tallow Candles were first used in Limerick instead of rushes, &c. 



58 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Clare, son of the Earl of Gloucester, then at the head of .all the Anglo- 
Norman forces of Minister, and sought his assistance, offering him an ample 
remuneration for his services. They offered him all the land lying between 
the city of Limerick and the town of Ardsallas, in Clare. De Clare gladly 
accepted these terms, and both parties met by agreement in Limerick, from 
which they marched into Clare; where, before any successful opposition 
could be offered them, the Castle of Bunratty was built and fortified by the 
Norman leaders. 

" A short time afterwards, however, in the year 1277, de Clare-put the 
unfortunate Brian Ruadh to death, having had him drawn with horses and 
torn, notwithstanding that the fidelity of the matrimonial alliance had 
been ratified by the most solemn oaths on all the ancient relics of Minister ; 
and it was then indeed that the great wars of Thomond commenced in 
earnest ; for, notwithstanding the treacherous death of their father, the in- 
fatuated soul of Brian Ruadh still adhered to de Clare, and the warfare was 
kept up with varying success till the year 1318, when Eobert de Clare and his 
son were at last killed, in the battle of Disert O'Dea. After this the party 
of Brian Ruadh were compelled to fly once more over the Shannon into Ara, 
in Tipperary, where their descendants have ever since remained under the 
clann designation of the O'Briens of Ara. 

" The brave Dalcassians having thus rid themselves both of domestic and 
foreign usurpation, preserved their country, their independence, and their 
native laws and insitutions, down to the year 1542, when Murroch, the son 
of Turloch, made submission to Henry the Eighth, abandoned the ancient 
and glorious title of the O'Brien, and disgraced his lineage by accepting a 
patent of his territory from an English king, with the title of the Earl of 
Thomond."" This however is anticipating. We now follow the order of 
events. 

In the year 1303, according to the Annals of the Eour Masters, " a great 
army was led by the king of England into Scotland, and the (Bed) Earl and 
many of the Irish and English went with a large fleet from Ireland to his 
assistance. On this occasion they took many cities and gained sway over 
Scotland." 1 

In 1304 Torlough received the hostages of all the chiefs of North 
Minister, demolishing all the English castles as far as Youghal, and putting 
their garrisons to the sword. 

In the year 1306 Donough succeeded his father Torlough, and had scarcely 
been inaugurated when a confederacy was formed agahist him by the descen- 
dants of Brian Boe, who were supported by Bichard de Clare and the 
Dalcassian families who then occupied the Hy-Mbloid territory in the east 
of the county Clare, co- extensive with the present Deanery of Omullod in 
the diocese of Killaloe. The most distinguished of these families were the 
O'Conaings, O'Kennedys^'Ceadfeas, O'Shannahans (or Shannons), O'Hogans, 
O'Eactherns (Aherns) ,0'Mailduins, O'Duracthies, O'Lonargains, O'Conguilles, 
and O'Kearnies, from which latter family the river flowing through Sixmile 

1 The same event which is recorded as having occurred in 1299 hy the Annalists of Ulster, 
led in some measure to the expedition of Bruce, whose arrival at Limerick we shall presently 
have occasion to mention. It had also an important effect on the condition of Ireland by en- 
couraging a licentious spirit of insurrection, and giving free course to the turbulence of both the 
English and Irish inhabitants. Hence several feuds broke out with new violence during the 
absence of these powerful lords, and pett}- wars were carried on to the utter desolation of the 
finest and most valuable of the English settlements. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 59 

Bridge has derived its second name, the original being Baite, from which is 
derived Bunratty. The O'Gradies 1 were also supporters of Brian Roe, and 
had been defeated at the battle of Clare Abbey in 1276, when commanded 
by Mahon, the grandson of Donald Connachtahc. On the other side, 
Donogh was supported by his relatives, the Macconmaras, the commanders 

1 A large collection of notes in reference to the O'Grady family is in the possession of Miss 
Julia O'Grady, Castle Park, near Limerick. They held a territory in the county of Clare, called 
Kirell-Dongail, extending around Tomgraney. And in later days they constantly held the chief 
ecclesiastical dignities in the Cathedral of Killaloe. It is stated that the Bradys of Raheen, Co. 
Clare, and Brady, the first Protestant Bishop of Meath, were of the senior branch of the O'Gradys, 
who changed their name when becoming Protestants. The evidence is to be found in a work 
lately published by Mr. Brady, a son or brother of the Lord Chancellor Brady, containing 
extracts from the Chapter Books of Cloyne, Ross, Cork, &c. &c. The Kilballyowen branch, of 
whom a pedigree is in Burke's Landed Gentry, have been settled in Limerick, at Knockany and 
Kilballyowen, from an early date. Any belonged to the O'KerTvicks ; Thomas de Clare held it 
in 15 EdAv. II. ; and the O'Gradys held 'it about A.D. 1400, building Ballycahane Castle in 1496 
(D'Alton), and Rockbarton Castle, at Askeaton, soon after. A portion of the Count}' Limerick 
estates, however, belonged to the celebrated Pierce Lacy, of Bruff ; Kilballyowen, Kilcullane, and 
other lands, being then O'Grady property. So we find these lands confirmed to Donough O'Grady 
in 1611 (Rot. Pat. Hib. 8 Jas. I.), and Pierce Lacy's estate confirmed to Sir Thomas Standish 
three years later (Rot. Pat. Hib. 11 Jas. I.) Sir Thomas Standish had a large estate, which 
eventually passed through his daughters ; a small portion to the O'Gradys (Dermod O'Grady 
having married Faith Standish ; see the will of Sir T. Standish, dated 1635), but the larger part 
to the Hartstonges, now represented by the Earl of Limerick. The Annals of the Four Masters 
describe John O'Grady, Archbishop of Tuam, who died in 1371, as the "leading man for wisdom 
and hospitality in his time." From these Annals we can trace the chieftainship of the senior 
branch of the O'Gradys as follows : — 

1268. Donell, chief of his name, died. 

1311. Donell, chief of his name, died. 

1408. Teige, chief of his name, died. 

1485. Nicholas, Abbot of Tomgraney, died. 

15 — . ? Donough, son of Nicholas, died. 

1559. Donoughoge, son of Donough, and grandson of Nicholas, Archdeacon of Killaloe, died. 
The Annals do not tell us, but we know by other records, (Patent Rolls, 9th July, 1553) that 
he was the cbief of the O'Gradys, and had a confirmation of the estates from the Crown, with the 
honor of Knighthood by Patent. 1582, Donough, son of the above Donough, " a man of great 
power," died. He was Dean, probably of Killaloe, as the dignities in that Cathedral were kept 
in the same families for generations. The last notice I find of the O'Grady family in the 
county of Clare, and one which shows that the Limerick branch acted in concert with their 
kinsmen in that county, is in the very curious journal of the siege of Ballyally Castle, near 
Ennis, printed in 1841 for the Camden Society. This castle was held by the widow of Maurice 
Cuffe (an Englishman, and a merchant in Ennis), assisted by her sons, one of whom was ancestor 
of the Earl of Desart. On the 10th January, 1642, Hugh O'Grady, of Stradnegalow, raised his 
clan, and began hostilities against the English settlers in the county of Clare, and on the 4th 
February they, with Connor O'Brien of Lemeneigh, Sir Donell O'Brien, and a few others of that 
name, (but without the approval of the Earl of Thomond,) and aided by the Mac Namaras, 
O'Loghlens of Burren, O'Hogans, O'Shaughnessys, and others, made an attack on Ballyally 
castle. " Captain Henry Gradey, of Cnockaney, in the County of Limerick," was one of those 
so engaged — and being one of the chief leaders in the undertaking, he was deputed (being 
then styled in the Narrative " Captain Henry O'Gradey,") to summon the castle — " and being 
demanded by some that were upon the battlement warding, what athorety hee had to demand it, 
or right or claime he could laie to it. "Whereupon hee anshwerd that hee had commission from 
his majesty to banesh all the Protestants of the kingdom of Ireland. Heere upon without 
furthar exeamenation, there was a bullet sent from the castell by one of the wardars to exeamen 
his cumishon, which went through his thigh, but he made shift to rumble to the bushes and 
there fell downe, but only lave by it sixteene wickes, in which time, unhapely, it was cured." 

This shot was fired, it appears, by " Andrew Chapling, minstar ; " perhaps some Protestant 
clergyman of the district. 

The O'Gradys were not intimidated by it. Having no cannon, they first made two " sows," a 
small one to clear the way, and a large one to follow ; the latter being 35 feet long, 9 feet broad, 
and mounted on four wheels. It was double planked ; nailed with nails to the value of £5, which 
had been collected to build the house of correction in Ennis, and covered with two rows of hides, 
and two rows of sheep skins, which made it bullet proof. They likewise made a leathern gun 
five feet long and 5 inches in diameter, with which they tried to batter the castle, but " shee 
only gave a great report, having 31bs. of powthar in har, but lett fly backwarde, the bullet 



60 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

of the great sept of Glancuilen, so called from Cuilen, the seventh in descent 
from Caissen, from whom this powerful race was also called Hy-Caessen, 
which Caissen was the second son of Cas, eighth in descent from Olliol Olum, 
king of Minister, in A.D. 234. This sept included the following families, 
Clan Macconmara, Clan-an-Oirchinneagh (Maclnnerhenies) Clan a Ghiollam- 
havil, Clan-an-Chlaraugh, ClanMmheanmain, O'Maeldowny, O'Halloran, 
O'Slattery, O'Hossin, O'Hartigan, O'Haly, O'Cindergain, O'Maly, O'Meehan, 
and O'Liddy. Donogh was also supported by the two very powerful families 
of O'Quinn 1 and O'Dea, the chieftains of Cinel Fearmaic, now the barony of 
Inchiquin. 

In 1309 these families met to decide the sovereignty of Thomond by the 
arbitrament of the sword, and a battle ensued in which Dermod, the grandson 
of Brien Eoe, was defeated, and his brother Connor slain. 2 

The next year the territory of the O'Gradies (the Cinel Dongaile) was 
invaded and devastated by Dermod, by whom they were compelled to join 
him. The English as well as the Irish were now pitted in hostile camps, in 
consequence of the feuds existing between the Geraldines and De Burghos, 
the latter of whom supported Donogh, while the Geraldines joined their 
connexions, the De Clares, in sustaining the claims of Dermod. 

The first entry in the Annals of the Four Masters for 1310, states that 
" Conor O'Brien the best roydamna (heir presumptive, literally, { makings of 
a king/) was treacherously slain by the black English."" 3 In the year 1311, . 
was fought the battle of Bunratty, in which 630 gallowglasses of Donoglr's 
army were killed, and De Burgho taken prisoner. The besiegers were com- 
manded by the Eed Earl of Ulster. Clonroad Castle was burned to the 
ground ; Donogh himself was treacherously slain by a relative, and his suc- 
cessor Dermod died in the same year in which he was chosen. 4 These events 
are somewhat differently recorded by the Annalists of Clonmacnoise, who 
state that he was deposed and succeeded by Murtagh son of Turlogh. On 
the death of Dermod, his kinsmen Donogh and Brian Bane, grandsons of 
Brian Hoe, once more took the field with the families of the Hy-Mbloyd. 
They were defeated at the battle of Tully O'Dea, and obliged to fly to Bun- 
ratty to seek the assistance of De Clare, which was granted. In the year 
1313 Donough, supported by the English, vanquished his enemies, drove 
Murtagh O'Brien and his brother into Connaught, and was himself formally 
inaugurated King of Thomond. 5 The next year, however, a new division 
of territory took place by a decision of the States of Thomond, who awarded 
the eastern portion to Murtagh with the addition of Clonroad and Hy Cormac, 
the present barony of Islands. Murtagh O'Brien, encouraged by the in- 
remaining within.'' And as the sows also turned out useless to the besiegers, being taken in a 
successful sally on the 27th of Feburaiy, they raised the siege. 

The O'Gradys and O'Shaughnessys afterwards attacked Inchicronan castle, of which they 
eventually obtained possession. But we find no mention of the O'Gradys of Knockany as 
concerned in further actions at this period. 

1 The O'Quins are at present represented by the Earl of Dunraven. The O'Deas who gave 
their name to the parish of Dysart O'Dea, were connected by fosterage with the O'Briens, 
between whom and them a strong tie of affection subsisted to a very late period. 

2 Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 This expression puzzled Dr. O'Donovan who thinks it means the English lately came over. 
It is most likely, however, that it is a term of reproach which was richly merited by these 
ruthless and perfidious and turbulent invaders, the theatre of whose quarrels was now trans- 
ferred to the kingdom of Thomond. 

* Annals of the Four Masters. 
5 Annals of the Four Masters. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 61 

triguing English, who still pursued the Machiavellian policy of dividing and 
conquering, again sent for their Connaught allies, the De Burghs, O'Kellys, 
and O'Maddens, and succeeded in expelling Donogh and Brien. These 
monotonous feuds and barbarous dissensions always fomented by the Anglo- 
Norman invaders, were diversified by a more interesting event in the history 
of Thomond, occasioned by the arrival of a new invader. 

In 1315 Edward Bruce invaded Ireland. He defeated Eichard Earl of 
Ulster and Eeidiim O'Connor, who marched against him with 8000 men : 
the walls of Athenry are said to have been built by the spoils of the battle. 1 
In the following year Bruce besieged Limerick, burned the suburbs, and in 
the same year, (1316) he made the city the rendezvous of his army. Tra- 
dition points to the place in which it is said he resided during his occupation 
of Limerick. Donough, grandson of Brian Roe O'Brien, was one of the 
first princes to join Bruce, by whom he was conducted to Cashel, Nenagh, 
and Castle Connel. 

The chieftains of Thomond, however, who sided with the English, had 
made formidable preparations to receive him, and having given command of 
the army to Murtagh, King of Thomond, compelled the Scottish invader to 
retreat just as he was on the point of crossing the Shannon. 2 

1318, Battle of Dysert O'Dea. Eichard Lord Clare, with four knights 
and eighty men were slain by MacCarthy and O'Brien. Lord Clare was in- 
terred among the Eriars in St. Francis's Abbey, Limerick. The name of 
De Clare now disappears from Irish history ; but not from the locality of 
Bunratty where the great castle was built, because we find to this day certain 
members of the Studdert family bearing the name of De Clare. 

Returning to the Civil History of Limerick, in 1331, Maurice FitzThomas, 
Earl of Desmond, was apprehended in the city on Assumption Day, by Sir 
Anthony Lucy, the Lord President, and sent to the Castle of Dublin. In 
the next year some followers of Desmond, who had been confined in the 
King's Castle, rose on the Constable, killed him, and seized the Castle into 
their own hands. Bamberry the Mayor, headed the citizens, and showed 
such courage, presence and resolution, that they soon recovered the Castle, 
repaying the hostages in a manner so hostile that they put them to the sword 
without exception, irrespectively of rank or quality. 

The salmon and eel fisheries in those disturbed and anxious times, were 
not lost sight of; on the contrary they continually occupied the attention of 
the authorities ; and the records of the time show clearly the valuable esti- 
mation they were held in as well by the citizens as by the Government. 3 

A Parliament held at Kilkenny in 1340, having granted a subsidy to the 
King, Ealph Kelly, Archbishop of Cashel, opposed the levying of it within 
his province. In this proceeding he was supported by the Bishops of Limerick, 



1 Hardiman's History of Gal way. 

2 The invasion of Ireland by Edward Bruce is so interesting an event, independently of its 
connection with the History of Limerick, that the reader will consult with advantage a sketch 
of his progress in Ireland, by Dr. M ; Dermott, from Hollyshed, Campion, Cos., Leland, Moore, 
Lodge's Peerage and other sources. 

3 Pipe Roll, 12th and 13th Edward, 1 31 8-'19.— Thomas Crop and Alexander Barrett, Provosts 
of Limerick, render an account of £36 13s. 4d. of the farm for the same city ; this roll mentions 
£65, which they delivered to the Bishop of Limerick for recompense of the fishery there for 
Easter term, in the 12th year of the reign of king Edward, son of king Edward, and for the 
six years preceding, viz. by the year £10. Robert de Saint Edmund's account (£120) of the 
issues of the weir at Limerick, is set out as well as other accounts of the issues of the weirs. 



62 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Emly, and Lismore ; and at an assembly held at Tipperary, they decreed that 
all beneficed clergymen, contributing to the said subsidy, should lose their 
benefices, and that the laity who were their tenants, should be excommuni- 
cated, and their children to the third generation held incapable of holding 
any church living within that province. In execution of this decree the 
Archbishop and his suffragan Bishops were charged with having gone to 
Clonmel, and in their pontifical robes, in the public streets, excommunicated 
all those who granted or ordained the said subsidy, or who were concerned 
in levying the same, and for this offence an information was exhibited against 
them, the King's damages being laid at one thousand pounds. The Arch- 
bishop pleaded that neither he nor his suffragans had granted subsidy in the 
said Parliament — that by Magna Charta the Church was to remain free, and 
all were to be excommunicated who should infringe the liberties granted 
thereby. He confessed that he had excommunicated all who were enemies to 
the King's peace, who should infringe the said statute, or levy any subsidy 
without the King's consent — but he denied having excommunicated any person 
on account of the said subsidy. They were, however, found guilty, but we 
are not informed that any punishment was inflicted on them. 

A charter was granted in aid of building a bridge at Limerick, and the 
election of a city coroner took place. 1 In the year after the city returned its 
first members to Parliament ; and absenteeism 2 was prohibited ; whilst the 
fisheries still filled the public mind with proceedings connected with them. 

Pipe Roll, 2nd and 3rd Edward III., 1328-'29.— Robert Long and William de Rupe, Bailiffs, 
render account of the farm of the city of Limerick, and several sums and £95 delivered to the 
Bishop of Limerick in recompense of the fishery of the city of Limerick. 

Pipe Roll, 2nd and 3rd Edward III., 1328-'29. — Account of the issues of the weir. 

Commission to the Mayor of Limerick, dated 13th June, Edward III., 1331, Ireland commis- 
sion of weirs. — " Know that we of our special grace have granted to our trusty the Mayor, &c. 
Commonalty of the city of Limerick, in Ireland, our weirs, to the said city belonging ; to hold 
from the day of making these presents, to the end of the five years next following, paying to 
our Exchequer as much as those who heretofore held those weirs," &c. &c. 

Pipe Roll, 10th to 12th Edward III., 1337— 1339.— City of Limerick: John Daniel and 
Thomas Ricolt, Bailiffs, render an account of the fee farm of the city, and a sum of £25 which to 
the same is allowed, in recompense of the fishery of the city of Limerick, which was of the Bishop 
of Limerick, &c. &c. Robert de Saint Edmund's account is set out, and the account of Mayor 
and Bailiffs' arrears of farm, of weirs, of water of Shynyn. 

Pipe Roll, 17th Edward III., 1343 '44.— City of Limerick : William Western and Richard 
Walsh, Bailiffs for the same, render an account of the fee farm, £30 recompense to the Bishop 
of the fishery of Limerick ; account of the issues of the weirs. 

In 1343, there was a grant to John de Balstot of the king's weirs at Limerick. Hugh do 
Burgh, treasurer, caused the weirs to be extended, and that extent to be delivered to the 
exchequer. 

1 Calendary of the Patent and close Rolls of Chancery — 67. 

2 We give the following as a curious instance of the wills of this period. 1361, 36th Edward 
III., 12th of August, Edmund Wyndebald, citizen of Limerick, gave to his son Paul Wynde- 
bald, and in defect to him of legitimate male issue, to William Long, and in defect of legitimate 
male issue to William Long, to Peter de Rupe (Roche), and in defect to Peter de Rupe of legiti- 
mate male issue, to Robert de Rupe, and in defect of him of such issue, to the heirs in a direct 
line of the said Edmund, for ever, all the messuages, lands and tenements, and returns to them 
belonging in the city and suburbs of Limerick, as also all the lands and tenements of Donnouyer 
and Carrigbethelagh, with their appurtenances in the county of Limerick. Witness the Mayor 
U. B., and Bailywes J. W., T. T., above named, Eustacius Delece, Thomas Kildare, Gilbert Fitz- 
thomas. Compared at Drogheda the 12th of May by Nicholas Stanihurst, Notary of the 
Diocese of Derry, (Arthur MSS.) 

Nicholas Bakekar, Mayor ; John Wigmore and John Troy, Bailiffa : — Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 63 

CHAPTER VIII. 

ANNALS OF THOMOND. — GRANTS, &C. 

We resume the Annals of Thomond, already given in summary. Mahon 
Maonmaighe O'Brien, the eldest son of Murtogh, the usurping king of 
Thoruond, who according to the Eour Masters, deposed his uncle Dermod in 
1363, is gratefully remembered by nationalists for having compelled the 
English of North Munster to pay the Dubc/iios or black rent. Twelve years of 
this prince's reign were spent in feuds, chiefly excited by the intrigues of the 
English. He was succeeded by his brother Torlogh, surnamed Mael or the 
Bald. The new king was dethroned and banished from Thomoncl by his 
nephew, Brian Catha an Aonaigh, and took refuge in the county Waterford 
with Garrett, Earl of Desmond, who, leading an army to reinstate him in his 
dominions, was met and totally defeated by Brian. This battle was fought 
on the banks of the Maig, now Monaster Nenagh, in the county Limerick, 
near the celebrated Monastery founded in 1131 by Turlogh O'Brien. On 
this occasion the Earl of Desmond, John Fitz Nicholas, and Sir Thomas Eitz- 
john, with many other nobles, were taken by O'Brien and Macnamara of 
Thomond, in the Abbey. It was from this battle, in which Brian Catha 
obtained a great victory, that he received the surname of Aonach, from the 
fair green on which it was fought. The Eour Masters state that on this 
occasion " Limerick was burned by the Thomonians and the Claincuilen (the 
MacNamaras), upon which the inhabitants capitulated with O'Brien. Sioda 
Cam (Macnamara,) son of the daughter of O'Dwyer (of Edlnemanagh) assumed 
the Wardenship of the town ; but the English who were in it acted treacher- 
ously towards him and killed him." The same authority states that Brien 
O'Brien, lord of Thomond, was banished by Turlough, son of Murtogh 
O'Brien and the Clanrickardes ; from which it appears that Turlogh Mael was 
set up again by the English. In this feud the Macnamaras followed opposite 
parties. The death of Turlogh Mael in the English Pale is recorded by the 
Pour Masters as having taken place in 1398, which was the year in which his 
patron Garrett or Gerald also died. James, the successor of this Earl, ob- 
tained a grant of the territory east of the Blackwater from Henry V. in 1413, 
in which year also he granted to the descendants of Torlogh O'Brien a part 
of the lands about the Comeragh Mountains, where their posterity are still 
known as the Waterford O'Briens. 1 

In the year 1394, Richard the Second, king of England, landed in Water- 
ford. He is said to have been stimulated to undertake his new enterprise by 
a taunt uttered by the German Electors, from whom his ambassadors had in 
vain solicited the Imperial Crown of Germany ; the Electors pronouncing him 
unworthy of that high dignity, as neither being able to keep the conquests 

1 In 1367 the statutes of Kilkenny were passed prohibiting the use of the Irish language, 
costume and customs, the presentation of Irishmen to ecclesiastical benefices as well as their ad- 
mission into religious houses. The practice of the Brebon Laws and the entertaining of bards 
and minstrels were by it declared penal. "We have great pleasure in stating the curious fact, 
that by the returns of the late census, it appears that we have in this year, 1864, more people 
speaking Irish than existed at the passing of this atrocious measure. We notice, too, with very 
great satisfaction, that the study of the Irish language is increasing rapidly every year, even 
among the better informed classes of Irishmen. 



64 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

in France, made by his ancestors, nor to repress the insolence of his own 
subjects, nor to reduce to obedience his rebellious vassals in Ireland. 

The army which landed with Eichard consisted of 4000 men at arms and 
30,000 archers — a formidable army which soon obliged several of the native 
chieftains to make another enforced submission, which, however, amounted 
to a mere nominal allegiance intended to be broken at the earliest oppor- 
tunity. 1 

In 1399 when Brian O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, died, occurred also the 
death of Torlogh, son of Morrogh na Eaithnighe O'Brien, the representative 
of the line of Brian Roe. Brian was succeeded by his brother Conor. 

In this prince's reign the Franciscan Abbey of Quin, in the county Clare, 
was completed by SiodaCam Macconmara, prince of Glancuilen. June 11th, 
1400, Gerald, the fifth Earl of Kildare, Patrick Fox and Walter Fitzgerald, 
were appointed Custodes Pads et Supervisor e$ Castodium pads in comitate, 
Limericensi. 2 Thomas Fitzgerald, son of the Earl of Kildare, was High 
Sheriff of Limerick county. 3 On the 20th of January, 1414, Henry V. 
granted a charter to the citizens of Limerick, in which he confirmed the 
liberties already extended by his grandfather, King John, and granted " that 
no citizen of Limerick shall be impleaded outside the walls of the same city 
of any plea, except of pleas of outer tenements, which do not pertain to the 
Hundred of the aforesaid city. And that they may be quit of murder withhi 
the metes of the city, and that no citizen shall make duel in the same city of 
any appeal, which any one against him can make, but he shall purge himself 
by the oath of forty men of the same city, who shall be lawful. And that 

1 The king remained a week in Waterford, gave splendid entertainments, and received the 
homage of such Anglo-Irish Lords as the Le Poers, the Graces and Butlers. He was a benefac- 
tor to the churches and confirmed the charter to the great Abbey of the Holy Cross which had 
been granted by king John. On this occasion he summoned to appear before him, by the Feast 
of the Purification, the Earl of Desmond, that celebrated Gerald " the Poet/' who went to war 
with the Butlers for giving him the nickname of ' The Rhymer,' in whatever part of Ireland he 
should then be, to answer the charge of having usurped the manor, revenues and honor of Dun- 
garvan.* He then formed the resolution of marcbing to Dublin under the consecrated banner 
of the canonized king Edward the Confessor, which bore, says Froissart, " a cross patence or on 
a field gules with four doves argent on the shield." The celebrated Art M'Murrogh had however 
full notice of his movements, and had made effectual arrangements for interrupting his progress. 
The notices, however of these transactions by native annalists are very slight ; and for the 
details the reader should have recourse to Froissart, to a Norman metrical sketch of which Moore 
has availed himself, and to the original Rolls which contain the submission of the Irish kings, 
and which as yet remain to be translated.! 

The rudeness or simplicity of the manners of these Irish chieftains is dwelt upon with great 
emphasis by Froissart the French chronicler of these xojdl festivities. They were with great 
difficulty induced to change their plain mantles for robes of silk, trimmed -with squirrel skin or 
miniver, and their aversion to wear breeches was as deeply seated as that of some of the primi- 
tive Highlanders of Celtic Scotland. A very handsome house was set apart for the four kings 
and their attendants. The Earl of Runde, who spoke Irish fluently, and Castide who had 
learned it while a prisioner with Brian Costeret (see Foissart), were appointed as interpreters to 
wait upon them and translate between them and the English. They were so unsophisticated 
it appears in their manners as to desire that their minstrels and principal servants should sit at 
the same table and eat of the same dish, and it required all the pressing eloquence of the inter- 
preters to dissuade them from what they called a praiseworthy custom. Having kept watch all 
the night before the Church, they were knighted on Lady Day, in the Cathedral of Dublin, after 
the usage of England and France, though they assured the king that they had already received 
the honor of knighthood when they were seven years old ; and the ceremony was followed by a 
great banquet, at which the four Irish kings in robes of state sat with king Richard, at his 
table (Froissart). The presence of O'Connor and M'Murrough is, however, denied by some of 
the annalists.! 

2 Smyth's History of Cork, vol. ii. p. 29. 3 Lodge's Peerage, vol. ii. p. 81. 

* Lynch's Feudal Dignities of Ireland. 

f Dr. O'Donovan'e Annals of the Four Masters. + Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 60 

no one shall take procurations within the walls by assize or by livery of the 
marshals against the will of the aforesaid citizens. And that the citizens 
shall be quit of toll, lastage, passage, pontage, and of all other customs 
throughout his whole land and power. And that none of those citizens shall 
be indicted of an amercement of money except according to the law of the 
Hundred, to wit, by the forfeiture of forty shillings, whereof he who shall 
happen to be in amercement shall be acquitted of one-half, and the other half 
he shall give in amercement, excepting three amercements, to wit, of the 
assize of bread, and ale, and of watchings, which now are of two shillings and 
sixpence, whereof one-half shall be forgiven, and the other half shall be ren- 
dered in amercement. And that the Hundred shall be held once only in a 
week. And that he shall be in no plea " for and cause by miskenning," aud 
that they may justly have their lands, and tenures, and their pledges, and 
debts, throughout his whole land and power, whoever should have them. 
And that they may distrain their debtors by their goods in Limerick, and that 
of the lands and tenures to which within the city they shall be entitled, they 
shall be held according to the customs of the city, and of the debts which 
shall be accommodated, and of the pledges given in the same city, pleas there- 
of may be held according to the custom of the city, saving to him and his 
heirs the pleas touching the Crown." 

This charter also ordered " that no foreign merchant shall buy within the 
same city of a foreigner, com, hides, or wool, except of the citizens of the 
city. And that no foreigner shall have a tavern in the city, of wine, except 
in a ship ; and this liberty reserved to the king, that from each ship the 
bailiff shall choose two casks of wine to the king's use, wheresoever they 
wish in the ship, namely, f one before the mast, and the other behind the 
mast/ for forty shillings, viz. one for twenty shillings, and the other for twenty 
shillings, and no more thereof he shall take except at the will of the mer- 
chants. And that no foreigner shall sell cloth in the same city by retail, 
nor shall remain in the same city with his wares there to be sold except for 
forty days. And that no citizen of Limerick shall be attached or distrained 
for any debt, unless he be a debtor or surety ; and that they may marry 
themselves, and their sons and daughters, and widows of the same city, 
without the license of their lords." 

Henry YI. granted another charter in 1423 in which the following passage 
occurs : — " And that they (the citizens) may hold their market as they have 
been accustomed from of old to hold it ; and also that no one who is an 
Irishman, by blood and nation (the term ( Irishman/ being understood and 
taken as it is accustomed to be taken and understood in our land of Ireland), 
shall be mayor, or exercise any office within our said city ; nor shall any one 
within the aforesaid city take or maintain any child of Irish blood and nation, 
as is aforesaid, as an apprentice, under penalty of forfeiting his franchise in 
the aforesaid city." 

In the following year, viz. 1424, the Charters of Limerick were con- 
firmed (P. and C. Bolls.), and the Bishop was summoned to answer certain 
charges (ibid.) There is a record of the weirs also this year (Select Bolls.) 

In the year 1426, Connor O'Brien died at an advanced age, and was suc- 
ceeded by Teige na Glemore, his nephew, and son to O'Brian Catha an 
Aonaigh. Of Teighe na Glemore's sons — one, Brian Duff, was ancestor to 
the O'Briens of Carrigogurmel, and gave his name to Pobble Brien, in the 
county Limerick, — another, Donald, was Bishop of Limerick, according to 



66 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Dr. O'Brien. 1 August 31st, 1422, 1st Henry VI., the Earl of Desmond 
was appointed Constable of the Castle of Limerick, and in 1444 was appointed 
Governor of the counties of Limerick, Waterford, Cork, and Kerry, with a 
liberty to absent himself from Parliament for life, 2 on condition of sending a 
sufficient proxy. He married a daughter of Ulick Burke MacWilliam 
Eighter, and he is said by some to have brought the MacSheehys into Mini- 
ster as his life-guards. The MacSheehys, however, were in Minister before 
himself. They are given by O'Halloran as chiefs of Ballyhallinan, in the 
barony of Pobble Brien, county Limerick. 3 During the wars of the Eoses 
the attention of the English Government was so much taken up by their 
domestic quarrels that the Irish were all but left to their own devices. All 
the power of the Government was unable to keep the native chieftains from 
collecting their " black rent f- and the Geraldines, especially the Desmond 
branch, soon adopted all the peculiar habits of the natives, and were designated 
by the English as "more Irish than the Irish themselves/'' In the reign of 
Queen Elizabeth and of the sixteenth Earl of Desmond, for the word " reign' ' 
is not inapplicable to this powerful chieftain's tenure of power, no less than 
one hundred thousand acres of his property were confiscated in the county of 
Limerick alone, and divided between the following English families : — the 
Annesleys, Barkleys, Billingsleys, Bourchiers, Carters, Courtenays, Fit-tons, 
Mannerings, Stroudes, Trenchards, Thorntons and Uthereds. Trinity College, 
Dublin, also owes much of its property to the Desmond confiscations. 

A charter to the Mayor of Limerick was granted in 1433. In 1436, a trial 
was prohibited in Limerick by ecclesiastical authority. In 1442, Sir John 
Talbot was endowed with a grant out of the fee-farm of the city. In 1450, 
important improvements, which are more particularly noticed in the annals of 
Limerick, were effected. In 1453, John Cantwell, Archbishop of Cashel, 
held a provincial synod here, the canons of which are to this day extant 
(Wilkins' Concil. torn. hi). Teigh O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, in the year 
1467, led a very great force southward, across the Shannon, in the summer ; 
he plundered the Irish of Desmond and of "West Minister (Cork and Kerry) ; 
the Irish of Leinster also paid him tribute, and he then returned home, after 
having taken possession of the territory of Clan Williain (in Tipperary), and 
of the county of Limerick, which were confirmed to him by the earl of Des- 
mond, for obtaining peace for himself and his country. After obtaining secu- 
rity of sixty marks for him and his heirs for ever, from the people of Limerick, 
he died, and Conor, the son of Turlogh O'Brien, was appointed his successor. 4 

1 The Annals for 1411 contain the following, amongst other entries : — 
" Donnell, the son of Conor O'Brien, Tauist of Thomond, was slain by Barry More." 
" Thomas, the son of John, Earl of Desmond, was banished from Ireland by James, the son 
of Garrett." 

" Derraot, the son of Gilla-Isa Magrath, Ollav of Thomond in poetry, died." 
The Thomas, son of John, Earl of Desmond, thus briefly alluded to as banished by his uncle 
James, son of Garrett or Gerald (the ward of the O'Briens of Thomond), is the hero of the 
romantic story immortalised in Moore's beautiful song, " By the Feal's wave benighted." 

The Earl of Desmond, who was ward or foster son to the O'Briens, and of whom we have 
spoken before, as conferring grants in land in the county Waterford on the descendants of 
Torlogh O'Brien the Bald, banished from Thomond about 1367, may be regarded as the first of 
that great house who held vast estates in Limerick, Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, and who as- 
sumed the regal or princely state, in virtue of which they conferred Knighthood on some of their 
relatives— the Knight of Kerry, the Knight of Glyn, the White Knight, &c. He was the fifth 
in descent from Maurice Fitzgerald, the father-in-law of De Clare, who treacherously murdered 
Brian Roe O'Brien at Bunratty. He obtained Milo de Cogan's extensive property in Cork, by 
Royal license, which enabled him to purchase whatever lands he pleased, and by Avhatever service 
they were held under the king. 

• Lodge's Peerage, vol. i. p. 07. 3 See p 41. * Annals of the Four Masters. 



HISTORY Of LIMERICK. 67 

CHAPTEE IX. 

ANNALS OF THOMOND. — THE DESMONDS AND THE BUTLERS. 

The annals of these times startle us with strange and terrible incidents. 
In 1460 O'Brien, Bishop of KUlaloe (Terence or Turlongh O'Brien see 
Harris's Ware, p. 594, who refers to the Annals of Ulster for further parti- 
culars) was killed by Brian of the Fleet at Clonroad, on which the original 
town of Trim's or Ennis stood. ' The site of the present town was a strath or 
green belonging to Clonroad, which was the principal seat of the O'Briens. 1 
Constant wars between the natives marked the features of the times. In a 
maritime expedition of the O'Meallys of Mayo with the son of O'Brien, to 
Corca Bhaiscinn, the MacMahon's country, comprising the baronies of Moy- 
arta and Clonderalaw, in the South West of the county Clare, against 
MacMahon, three of the party were slain before they could reach their ship ; 
Donald O'Brien and Mahon O'Brien were taken prisoners on their way to 
their ship ; their people were slaughtered ; and subsequently O'Brien O'Meally 
was slain by his brother Hugh O'Meally, in a dispute which arose between 
them. 2 

It was on the 4th of March, in this year, that Edward IV. was made King 
of England. He granted a charter to Limerick in 1464. In 1462, the young 
Earl of Ormond came to Ireland with a large number of Saxons [i.e. English- 
men], a great war broke out between the Earls of Ormond and Desmond; 
Garrett, the son of the Earl of Desmond, was taken prisoner by the Butlers; 
in successive fights the Desmonds suffered several defeats ; the Butlers in con- 
sequence rose to very great power. 3 Mac Eichard Butler, who is designated 
the most renowned and illustrious of the English of Ireland in his time, died 
soon afterwards — he was educated by Eichard O'Hedigan, Archbishop of 
Cashel, according to a memorandum on folio 115 of the Psalter of Cashel. 
Not satisfied with the way in which Thomas, Earl of Desmond, who had 
been sent over in 1464, conducted the government of Ireland, John Tiptoft, 
Earl of Worcester, was deputed to replace him — an occurrence, according to 
the annalists, which wrought the ruin of Ireland. 

The Earl was invited to Drogheda to meet Tiptoft, when taking advantage 
of the occasion, his enemies accused him of making alliances with the Irish, 
" who were the 'king's enemies, and furnishing them with horses and arms 
against the king's subjects." He was beheaded on the 15th of February, 
1467-8, by order of Tiptoft. 4 But these were only the pretended reasons 
given for his destruction. A child of his kindred and name was appointed to 
be executed at the same time, who besought the executioner not to hurt a 
boil that was upon his neck; the putting of which child to death confirms the 
opinion that malice and revenge were the principal reasons why this Earl so 
unhappily lost his life. 5 Edward Plunkett, Esq., was also attainted at the 
same time for the same alleged charge, and suffered. Tiptoft is said by Cox 6 
to have been one of the most learned and eloquent men of Christendom. One 
of the articles of his Parliament of Drogheda was that " none shall purchase 
Bulls for Benefices from Eome under legal penalty." Between the Desmonds 

1 Annals of the Four Masters. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 

4 It was in this year that a patent was passed to Lord Dunboyne of the prisage of wines in 
the Ports of Cork, Youghal, Ross, Galway, Limerick, Kinsale, Dungarvan, and Dingle, with 
£10 per annum for his services in taking Con O'Connor and delivering him to the Lord-Depitty, 
the Earl of "Worcester. — Smith's History of Cork. 

5 Smith's History of Cork, p. 28,— and Smith's History of Kerry, p. 251. 

6 Cox's Hibernica Anglicana. 



68 HISTORi OF LIMERICK. 

and the MacCarthys, feelings of animosity prevailed — the young Earl of 
Desmond was taken prisoner by the MacCarthys ; but he was soon afterwards 
released. The Prince of Thomond, in these wars between the Desmonds and 
the Butlers, took an active part with the latter. On the return of the Earl 
of Kildare to this country after triumphing over his enemies, he marched into 
North Munster, where he was met by Conor-na-Srona, at the head of the 
Dal-gais ; battle was given to the Lord Justice, near the Castle of Ballyhicky, 
in Thomond, a desperate engagement took place, the Earl of Kildare was 
defeated ; and Conor-na-Srona obtained possession of the Castle above named, 
and another stronghold belonging to Eineen Macnamara. Conor-na-Srona 
liad two sons — the elder, Teige, killed in a fray by Desmond, son of the 
Bishop O'Brien, who was immediately put to death by the bereaved father in 
1 474 . — the second, Donough, father of O'Brien, who was compelled to part 
with the fertile plain of Shallee, near Ennis, as a ransom when taken prisoner 
by the two sons of Murrough, ancestor of the Earls of Inchiquin, and of the 
O'Briens of Dromoland. Terence O'Brien, lord of Arra, died in 148 7. l 
In the same year, on the night of the Epiphany, a great tempest arose ; 
it was a night of general destruction to all, by reason of the number of 
prostrated persons and cattle destroyed, and trees and houses, both on water 
and land, throughout Ireland. Strange that houses should have been built 
upon water, but the fact is so — the Irish chieftains had their residences thus 
protected, even during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and it was in one of those 
that O'Neill in that reign, kept his plate, many valuables, &c. In 1488, 
another dreadful tempest arose, and the summer of this year was so wet, it 
was as inclement as winter, and much of the crops decayed. In the same 
year, on the 7th of December, James, the ninth Earl of Desmond, was 
basely murdered at his house of Courtmatriss, near Eathkeale, in the county 
of Limerick, by his own servants, at the early age of twenty-eight years. 
The murderers did not escape with impunity ; they were all apprehended and 
executed by Maurice, who was the tenth Earl, and who being usually carried 
in a litter, was named Claudus — he joined Perkin Warbeck, and besieged the 
city of Waterford ; 2 but receiving the king's pardon, he was granted all the 
customs, coquets, poundage, and prise wines hi Limerick in 1497. 

In 1485 Nicholas O'Grady, Abbot of Tuam Greine (now Tomgrany, in 
the barony of Upper Tullagh, Co. Clare) who is called a charitable and truly 
hospitable man, and the twelfth man who was free in Limerick, died. 3 

On the 26th of June, 1489, Henry VII. granted a charter to Limerick. 

In 1492, Edward Poynuil, (Sir Edward Poynings) a Knight of the Garter 
and Privy Councillor, came from England with the Earl of Kildare, and the 
celebrated act, called Poyning's act, was passed, by which, among other things, 
it was enacted, that all the statutes made lately in England, concerning or 
belonging to the public weal, should be thenceforth good and effectual in 
Ireland. In the following year, Con, son of Hugh Boe O'Donnell, with his 
" great little army," in his nght with the Glyns, never halted till he crossed the 
Shannon, and afterwards advanced into Munster, where he totally plundered 
Magh o'g Coinchinn, now Magunnihy, a barony in the South East of the county 

1 O'Donougnue's History of the O'Briens. 

* Smith's History of Kerry — Smith's History of Waterford. 

3 Annals of the Four Masters. Dr. O'Donovan, in a note, states that the twelfth man, who 
was free, means the twelfth mere Irishman who was free of the Corporation of Limerick. In 
Galwa^ it was ordered, " that Lieutenant-Colonel O'Shaughnessy (in consideration of his allyance 
in blood to the whole towne, and for the good nature and affection that he and family doe bear 
it,>, and his posteritie shall be hereafter freemen of this Corporation. ''—Uardlmaua History of 
Galway, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 69 

of Kerry. In the next year Conor O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, died, and his 
brother Gilla Duv was inaugurated in his place. 

On the 26th of August, 1496, the king (Henry VII.) granted a pardon 
to Maurice, Earl of Desmond, for all his offences — he had also a grant of the 
Customs of Limerick. 1 

In 1497 and 1498 a great famine prevailed through all Ireland, " so that 
people ate of food unbecoming to mention, and never before heard of as having 
been introduced on human dishes." 2 Corn was so scarce that a peck of wheat 
in Meath was sold at five lesser ounces of silver, a gallon of ale sixpence, and 
a barrel of oats in Ulster was worth a cow. 3 The century closes with wars 
between the O'Briens and the rightful head of the Butlers, who were jealous 
of the support which the O'Briens afforded to Sir James Ormond, already 
referred to as an illegitimate son. Turlough O'Brien defeated the Butlers at 
Moyaliff in Ormond, or rather in Tipperary, not far from Cashel, after a 
bloody engagement. 



CHAPTER X. 

LIMERICK UNDER THE TUDORS. 



The sixteenth century, so full of deep importance to the destinies of the 
country, so remarkable for the many religious, political and domestic incidents 
and changes which took place in it, teems with important and startling events. 

1502. In the winter of this year Turlogh O'Brien, Lord of Thorn ond, 
burned the county of Limerick and Cord-Maighe [i.e. along the river Maigue 
in the Barony of Coshma, to Limerick] 4 

The death of Donough O'Brien, the descendant of Donough Carbraigh, 
Lord of the district from Adare to Limerick, and from Baile-nua (Newtown 
in the parish of Kilkeedy) to Monasteranenagh, Lord of Aherlagh and 
Coill-Beithne (Kilbeheny) " the fountain of the prosperity and affluence of 
Minister/' occurred in 1502. In this year, according to the Annals of 
Ulster, there was such inclement weather that it killed most of the cattle of 
Ireland, and prevented the husbandmen from tilling the earth. In the next 
year (1503) the Earl of Kildare went to England, and returned home with 
success, bringing with him his son, who had been in the custody of the 
King of England. Edmond Knight of Glynn died ; and Teige Boirneach 
of Burren, county Clare, and Murtogh O'Brien, who went with Owen 
O'Flaherty into West Connaught against his kinsmen, Eory Oge and Donnell 
an baid or of the Boat, two sons of O'Elaherty, attacked the camp and , 
carried away prizes and spoils. The sons of Mahon O'Brien and Owen 

1 Rymer's Foedera. The Earl of Desmond made a submission to Thomas Radcliff, Earl of 
Essex, Lord Deputy of Ireland, at Limerick. 

a What little was known in these times in Ireland of natural history is evident from the fact 
that a camel which was sent by the King of England to one of the O'Briens, was regarded with 
perfect wonder, even by the better educated, who did not know what to designate the animal. 
We find the camel thus described in the Annals of the Four Masters : — 

" A wonderful animal was sent to Ireland by the King of England. She resembled a mars, 
and was of yellow colour, with the hoofs of a cow, a long neck, a very large head, a large tail, 
which was ugly and scant of hair. She had a saddle of her own. Wheat and salt were here her 
usual food. She used to draw the largest sledge burden by her tail. It used to kneel when 
passing under any doorway, however high, and also let her rider mount." 

3 MSS. Annals quoted in Smith's History of Cork. * Annals of the Four Masters, 



70 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

O'Maherty were slain by the O'Elahertys. The great battle of Knocktow, 
or the hill of the Battle-axes, in Clare Galway, about five miles north of 
Galway, between the Lord Justice Garrett, the son of Thomas Earl of Kil- 
dare, and Mac William of Clanrickarde, and which events had been maturing, 
as we have already seen, was fought in the next year (1504). It is described 
by the Annalists as one of the most remarkable battles on record since the 
invasion of Ireland. A description of it, copied nearly word for word, from 
the Annals of Ulster, is given by the Four Masters ; which O'Donovan, in 
his note in reference to the account of the details of this sanguinary engage- 
ment, states that it is in bardic prose style, which sacrifices strength to 
sound, and sense to alliteration. The battle was occasioned by a private 
dispute between the Earl of Kildare and Ulick Burke, the MacWilliam, &c. 
of Clanrickarde, who was joined by O'Brien of Thomond, and the half of 
Munster. It is said that no Englishmen fell in the engagement ; and Moore 1 
adopts this assertion as a fact ; and in truth no English appeared in the 
battle — the belligerents at both sides were Irish — viz. those of the Pale, 
under Kildare, and those of Connaught, under MacWilliam. Sir John Davies 
expresses surprise that so late as the reign of Henry VII. a battle so terrible 
should be undertaken to decide a mere private quarrel — without charge of the 
King — as stated in the Book of Howth. Clanricarde and his forces were 
overthrown — the number of the slain was enormous. But as we proceed, 
we shall see that Ulick Burke and the " Irish" determined to strike another 
blow, and that Monabraher, within the liberties of the city of Limerick, was 
selected for the fight. 

Our local armal of the next year, 1505, (21st Henry VII.) shows 
that the citizens reposed anything but safely within their walls, and that the 
means they took to protect themselves from pirates, who appear to have come 
up to the very watergates, were primitive indeed. William Harrold was 
Mayor for the second time; Nicholas Creagh and John Eochford were 
bailiffs; John White was Clerk of the Court of Limerick (quere? Town 
Clerk) ; James Butler, Earl of Ormond, was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; 
when our authority, on the 13th of February, says, 2 "a, great tri-oared 
galley, fitted out with all things necessary, was built for the purpose of 
guarding our port, and protecting the public interests against the incursions 
'of pirates/'' The next year (1506) the Bridge of Port-Croisi, — a name which 
is yet preserved in the townland of Portcrush, situated on the Shannon, in 
the north-west end of the parish of Castlecormell, — was built by Turlough 
O'Brien ; and some few years afterwards, as we shall see, the Earl of Kildare 
marched with his army to this bridge, which he broke down, and encamped 
for the night, before the battle of Monabraher. — John Burke, son of Ulick, 
" the noblest of the English in Ireland, a vessel filled with hospitality and 
truth, a link of steel in sustaining the battle/' died. — Henry VIII. now 
(1508) ascended the English throne ; and events prove his anxiety to see 
more closely than any of his predecessors into the affairs of Ireland. In 
Limerick, we find that he laid the foundation of the Sexton family, which up 
to our own time, retain much of the lands which he gave to their ancestors. 
By new Letters Patent he constituted Garrett, Earl of Kildare, Lord Justice 
of Ireland, and intimated to him his father's decease and his own succession 
to his kingdoms. 3 Always aggressive, and now, more than ever sustained 
by Royal favor, an army was led into Munster by the Lord Justice of Ireland, 

' Moore's History of Ireland, vol. iii. p. 221. 2 Arthur MSS. 

* Ware's Annals of Ireland ad. an. 1502, 1510. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 71 

attended by the chiefs of the English and Irish of Leinster. He erected a 
castle at Carrig-Cital, now Carrick- Kettle, in the Barony of Small County, 
county of Limerick, in despite of the Irish. O'Donnell followed with a 
small number of troops to assist him, through Meath, and went westward 
into Munster until he joined him at that place. Then they passed into Ealla, 
(Duhallow, county Cork), and they took the castle of Caen-tuirc (the head 
or perhaps hill of the boar — now Kanturk — see Smith's history of Cork, vol. 
II. c. 6) and plundered the country. Then proceeding into great Desmond, 
they took the castle of Pailis (a castle on an eminence near Laune Bridge, 
Killarney — Winder's Historical and Descriptive Notes of Cork, 2nd Ed. pp. 
386, 387), and another castle on the banks of the Noer Mang (Maine, near 
the Bay of Castlemaine, county of Kerry), after which they returned into 
Limerick. They then mustered additional forces ; and the Geraldines of 
Munster, under the conduct of James, son of the Earl of Desmond, and all 
the English of Munster, and also McCarthy Beagh (Donald, son of Dermott, 
who was son of Eineen), Corniac Oge, who was the son of Cormac, son of 
Teige, and the English and Irish of Leinster, proceeded into Limerick. 
Turlough, the son of Teige O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, with all his forces, 
and M'Namara, the son of Silaedha, and the Clanrickarde, mustered another 
numerous army to oppose them. The Earl, i.e. the Lord Justice, marched 
with his army through Bealach-na-Eadbaighe, and Bealach-na-nghamn, the 
old names of the roads to Portcroise, until he arrived at a wooden bridge, i.e. 
the bridge of Portcroise already referred to, which O'Brien had constructed 
over the Shannon ; and he broke down the bridge, and encamped for the 
night in the country. — O'Brien had encamped so near them, that they used 
to hear each other's voices during the night. On the morrow, the Lord 
Justice mustered his army, placing the English and Irish of Munster in the 
van, and the English of Meath and Dublin in the rere. O'Donnell, and his 
small body of troops, joined the English of Meath and Dublin in the rere; 
and they all took the short cut through Mor-na-in-brather [Monabraher 
near Limerick] to Limerick. O'Brien attacked the English, and slew the 
Baron Kent and Barnwall at Kirwickstown [now Cookstown, in Meath], and 
many other men of distinction not enumerated. The English army escaped 
by flight, and the army of O'Brien returned in triumph with great spoils. 
There was not, in either army, that day, a man who won more fame than 
O'Donnell. 1 The Four Masters, says O'Donovan, always praise an O'Donnell, 
at which we cannot be surprised, as founders of their monastery. 2 

It is not our business to follow the fighting Earl through his successive 
campaigns against the Irish in Connaught and Leinster — through his crossings 
and re-crossings of the Shannon — the annals for many years teeming with 
relations of his warlike excursions ; suffice it to say that he worked with a 
vengeance in the interest of his Eoyal master. In the year 1516, a 
war broke out among the Eitzgeralds, and James, the son of Maurice, laid 
siege to Loch Gur, in the barony of Small County, near Bruff, where the 
ruins of a great castle, and other military works, erected by the Earls of 
Desmond, may yet be seen. The O'Briens of Thomond, joined by Pierce 

1 Annals of the Four Masters, vol. v. pp. 304-5-6. 

2 "Ware gives another account of this battle ; but all the annalists agree in stating that the 
victory over the Earl was decisive— that night having decided the battle, he withdrew, the army 
(says Ware) still retaining their ranks, and the energy displayed by the Dalgais on the occasion 
inspired the Lord Justice with so much respect for the military genius of their prince, that he 
turned his arms to another quarter, and laid siege to the castle of Leim-ui-bhanain (the Leap) 
in Ely O'Carroll, belonging to the prince of that territory. 



72 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Butler,, and others of his Confederates, advanced to meet the Geraldine 
army, — and " when the son of the Earl perceived the nobles of the army of 
the great race of Brian approaching, the resolution he arrived at was, not to 
come to an engagement with them, but to leave the town unharmed, and 
thus they parted with each other/'' ' It was immediately after this that the 
Earl took the Leap Castle, 2 which still exists under its old name, and is 
situated between Eoscrea and Tullamore. 



CHAPTEE XI. 

END OF THE KINGDOM OF THOMOND. — RIVALRY BETWEEN LIMERICK AND 

GALWAT. 

One reason of the constant hostilities of the princes of Thomond from this 
period down to the extinction of that Kingdom, is to be sought in the 
alliances formed by Conor na-Srona for his daughters, three of whom inter- 
married with members of the O'Donnell, De Burgh, and O'Euarc families ;* 
and to these alliances are also attributable many of the disastrous conse- 
quences of the fatal battle of Knocktow. The limits prescribed by the 
space which we propose to occupy with the sequel of the History of Tho- 
mond for the term of the next thirty-five or thirty six years, will admit of 
only short notices of the principal events which occur in that interval ; while, 
for several contemporary occurrences in the local history we must refer to our 
Annals of Limerick. 

In the year 1522 a feud having arisen between O'Neill and O'Donnell, 
the sons of the King of Thomond, namely, Donogh and Teige, together 
with their kinsman Torlogh O'Brien, Bishop of KiUaloe, proceeded to the 
North to the aid of O'Neill ; but the latter prince having been defeated 
before they could join him, the prince of Thomond and his troops were 
compelled to make a precipitate retreat, not halting until they reached the 
Curlew mountains, where the allies separated. 4 

In the year 1523 this Teige O'Brien was killed at the battle of the ford 
of Camus. 5 while attacking Piers Eoe, Earl of Ormond, who was then at 
war with the neighbouring dynast O'Carroll ; and his dead body was carried 
by his soldiers to the monastery of Ennis, where several of his race have 
found a resting place. 

In 1528 Torlogh Donn, the father of this prince died after a reign of 29 
years. He is highly lauded by the Four Masters for " maintaining war 
against the English." He must have been regarded as a person of con- 
siderable consequence, for his name is included in a treaty entered into with 
the Earl of Desmond by Erancis I. of France, to divert the attention of 
Henry VIII. of England, who was then leagued with the Emperor Charles 

1 Annals of the Four Masters. 

a The great war between O'Donnell and O'Neill, in which the former was victorious, occupies 
several pages of the Annals, in 1522, and is interesting, chiefly as indicating the existence of 
the fiercest and most implacable feuds among the Irish. The O'Briens, Burkes, O'Connor Roe, 
O'Connor Don, M'Dermots, &c, joined O'Neill, whilst O'Donnell was supported by the forces in 
Kinnell Connell, viz., O'Boyle, O'Dogherty, the MacSweenys, O'Gallaghers, &c. &c. But 
between the English in Ireland there were also fierce and implacable disputes. 

3 Historical Memoir of the O'Briens. 

* Annals of the Four Masters, who, as usual, favor the O'Donnells, the founder of their 
monastery. 

5 On the Suir a little north of Cashel. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 73 

against the French monarch. Torlogh Donn was succeeded by his eldest 
son Connor, his brother Donogh being nominated tanist, who died in 1531, 
and was succeeded by Murrough, who surrendered the Royalty to Henry 
VIII. 

The hatreds, jealousies and wars between the Butlers and the Eitzgeralds 
— the English in Ireland — the latter, however, "more Irish than Irish 
themselves/'' are written on a dark and dreary page of our national annals. 
To dwell on the state of affairs between the English in Ireland at this period 
would be merely, mutatis mutandis } giving a picture of the wars that pre- 
vailed among the Irish themselves. We proceed, therefore, to develope the 
progress of domestic affairs at this time. In the year 1524 a remark- 
able occurrence took place, which shows that Galway at this time was in a 
position superior to ours, commercially and financially. We are told by the 
Historian of Galway that the city of Limerick was from an early 
period of our history jealous of the growing trade and prosperity of Galway, 
although the latter long had retained its superiority. This jealousy was shown 
on many occasions; but latterly broke out violently in consequence of a 
mercantile dispute which happened some time previously to 1524, between 
David Comyn, a citizen of Limerick and some merchants of Galway. Comyn 
complained that he could have no justice administered to him in Galway ; 
and waiting for an opportunity he seized the person of Ambrose Lynch 
Eitzjames, one of the inhabitants of the town, and kept him close prisoner, 
until he was ransomed for a large sum of money. In consequence of this 
outrage hostilities commenced between the city and town, and great depreda- 
tions were committed both by sea and land ; until the people of Limerick, 
weary of the contest, dispatched two of their citizens, Christopher Arthur 
and Nicholas Arthur, to Galway, to conclude a peace ; or as the record of 
this transaction expresses it, "to pacyficat and put awaye all manner of 
adversitye, rancour and inconveniences that have rysen or insurged between 
the city and town and habit antes of the same/' Upon their arrival in 
Galway the Mayor, bailiffs and commonalty assembled in the town-house, 
and with one assent elected Walter and Anthony Lynch EitzThomas, to 
conclude a " perpetual peace and concorde" with the deputies of Limerick. 
The terms being agreed upon, a public meeting was convened on the 7th of 
May, 1524, and articles were ratified on both sides ; and apparently to the 
mutual satisfaction of all parties ; but as treaties are more frequently entered 
into than inviolably observed, so the people of Galway complained that those 
of Limerick still indulged their resentment, although every matter in dispute 
was supposed to have been peaceably settled; and charged them with 
having again involved the town in fresh troubles, by insidiously instigating 
Pierce, Earl of Ormond, to make a demand for prisage wines, an impost 
which had never been theretofore paid or demanded in Galway. 

Limerick, in the end, owing to political causes, gained the ascendancy, 
which it holds to this day. 

These rivalries between Galway and Limerick prevailed for many years. 
The "tribes'" of the one were jealous of the sturdy Anglo-Irish of the other; 
but though at this time Galway was one of the finest towns in Ireland — 
spacious, well built, and well walled, with a great trade with the south of 
Europe, and particularly with Spain, and sustained by the spirit and energy 
of its early settlers, who were always a terror to the Irish of West 
Connaught, it fell away, whilst Limerick increased in importance, and rapidly 
progressed, became superior, and retained its superiority. 1521-1522 (13 



74 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Henry 8) David Comyn was for the second time Mayor of Limerick; 
Nicholas, son of Thomas Fitzwilliam Arthur, was Mayor for the second time 
in this year also : William Panning and Andrew Harold were Bailiffs. 
David Comyn died during his Mayoralty of a terrible pestilence, which pre- 
vailed all over the city ; and on the 4th of September he was succeeded by 
Nicholas Arthur, Dr. Arthur does not fail to remark that it was now the 
supreme Pontiff conferred on Henry 8th the title of " Defender of the Faith/' 
in consequence of " the book he published against Luther /' and that ". the 
Turks invaded the island of Ehodes." 1 

It was in this reign (28th Henry 8th, cap. 15) it was enacted that none of 
the king's subjects shall be shaven above the ears, or wear the hair on their 
heads like long locks called GlihbeSj or have any hair on their upper lips 
called a Crommeal, or wear any shirt, smock or kercher, Bendel Neckerchour, 
Mocket or Linnen cap coulr'd with saffron, nor wear above seven yards of 
cloth in their shirt or smock, and no woman to wear any coat or kirtle tuck'd 
up, or embroidered with silk or laid with Usher, after the Irish fashion ; and 
none to wear any mantles, coat or hood, made after the Irish fashion ; a for- 
feiture of the thing so worn (to be seized by any of the king's true subjects) 
and also the penalties following : — 



Every Lord Spiritual and Temporal, 


£6 13 


4 


Every Knight and Esquire, 


2 





Every Gentleman or Merchant, 


1 





Every Freeholder and Yeoman, 


10 





Every husbandman, 


6 


8 


And every other person, 


3 


4 



To be recovered in any of the king's courts and to be divided between the 
King and Prosecutor, Proviso, not to extend to any woman, herds or horse- 
boys wearing a mantle, nor any persons on their journey, or upon Hue and 
Cry? 

In the rapid progress of events we see how Henry changed not only his 
policy but his faith, how those religious institutions, which flourished so 
vigorously when he was fulminating against Luther, soon afterwards were 
doomed by him to suffer spoliation and ruin, and how the properties which 
went to the alleviation of human misery and woe, under the care of the 
monks and friars, and in support of the old faith, were handed over to those 
who submitted to his will and changed their principles at his pleasure. 

Henry proceeded in his active courses strengthening his power in Ireland. 
On the 19th of November, 1534, Thomas Butler was made Baron of Cahir, 
and in the beginning of the next year Maurice O'Brien and Ulick Bourke, 
induced by the example and success of the Earl of Tyrone, went to England 
to wait upon the king, having made their submissions, and surrendered their 
estates. O'Brien obtained a grant of all his lands in Thomond, and all the 
Abbeys and patronage in the king's gift within his precincts to him and his 
heirs male ; and he was made Baron of Inchiquin, to him and his heirs, 
and created Earl of Thomond for life, with a remainder to Donough O'Brien 
and his heirs for ever, who for the present was made Baron of Ibricane but 
whether this Donough were nephew or natural son of the Earl's is not very 
plain. This Lord of Ibricane had also an annuity of twenty pounds per 

1 Arthur MSS. 2 Irish Acts of Parliament. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 75 

annum granted to him in tail, and the Abbey of Insula Canonicorum, and 
half the Abbey of Clare ; and the king bore the Earl of Thomond's charges 
and gave him an order to be of the Privy Council. As for Ulick Bourke, 
he had his charges borne, and was created Earl of Clanricarde, and his 
estates were regranted to him, and the Abbeys and patronage of all benefices 
within his precincts. 

Thus ended the kingdom of Thomond under Murrough O'Brien, the 
fifteenth and last of its princes who had been elected chief, by Tanistry to 
the prejudice of his nephew Donough, to whom in compensation he resigned 
the Lordship of Ibricane. Murrough is at present represented by his lineal 
descendant Lord Inchiquin. 



CHAPTEE XII. 



LIMERICK UNDER THE TUDORS CONTINUED. HENRY VIII. LORD LEONARD 

GRAY. EDMOND SEXTON, ETC. 

The English convocation and the English Parliaments having acknowleged 
the supremacy of Henry YIIL, with a ready servility, the new head of the 
Church expected to find in Ireland an equal subserviency, but in this he was 
grievously disappointed. A most unexpected and decided resistance arose 
in the opposition of the Catholic Bishops, of whom, a few only were induced 
to submit to the new orders of things. We give the events in the original 
words of our authorities. 1 

Ap. Parry, who had been in the service of Lord Leonard Gray, writes in 
1535, respecting his journey from Cork to Limerick, to secretary Cromwell, 
after he had visited Callan, Clonmel, &c, stating that they had removed 
from Cork to Mallow, and there encamped by a river side, and on the follow- 
ing day went to Kilmallock, and lay there that night — he describes it as a 
very "poore towne;'" and the next day came to Limerick, " and of treuthe 
O'Breyn was cum downe, and lay within three myl of Lemeryk, and as the 
saying was with a great ost ; and hurlyd down the wodes in this way, as we 
schold have gone into hys counterey, and had forsakyn two of hys castels, 
herd by Lemeryk ; and herd that we were so ny, he went into the moun- 
tayns from us, for fere of ordynance : and when that he herd tell that we 
had no ordynance, then he restored his men into hys castels agayn, with 
such ordynance as he had of his own. And without ordynance to bett the 
one pyll we cowld never enter well into hys cunterey. Therefore my Lorde 
Jamys thought best to recoyll bake agayn, and to bring the Desemontes, 
and Cormack Oge with his cumpany, to a say, ore that hee wold pase eny 
further.-" He adds, that in Limerick they had a very good cher, but nat 
nothing lyke the cher we had in Corke." They parted eight miles off to a 
place (Monasternenagh), "the wyche is after the order of Grenwyche/"' 
and my Lorde of Kyldare was the founder of it, for he hath a castel and 

» State Papers of Henry VIII. 



76 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

landes evyn ther fast by, and ther met with my Lorde Jamys, hys brother- 
ilaw, whyche is O'Bren's sone/' (Donough, nephew of Murrough O'Brien.) 
The account of the interview between Donough and his brother-in-law, Lord 
James, describes the latter as telling the former that he had married his 
sister, forsaken his father, his uncle, and all his friends and country, to come 
to him to help to do the king a service. He had been sore unrewarded, had 
no gains — had nothing to live upon. If it pleased the king to take him 
into his service, he would come into the country and bring with him a piece 
of ordnance, to take the Castle of Carrigogunnel, 1 and that the king would 
give to him that which never had belonged to an Englishman for two hundred 
years, he said he desired no aid but the English captain and a hundred 
Englishmen, to pursue his father and his uncle, who were His Majesty's 
enemies, and the Irish who were ever the enemies of the English. He 
pledged himself he would hurt no Englishman, but do all he could against 
the Irish and the king's opponents. And in all such land as he should 
conquer, it was his wish that the king should plant Englishmen, the land to 
be holden of the king, according to his pleasure ; and he further promised 
to discard all a Yrsyche Faschyons," and to order himself after the "Yng- 
lysche laws/' and all he could make or subdue. He besought a reply. 

1 Carrigogunnel Castle. — This Castle is four miles distant from Limerick, to the S.W., 
bordering on the demesne of Tervoe, the residence of the Eight Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P. Mr. 
Crofton Croker, in his Antiquarian Researches in the South of Ireland, says it is one of the 
largest castles he remembers to have seen in Ireland. It stands on an abrupt limestone rock,* and 
commands an extensive view, across the Shannon, of the County Clare, and the low grounds 
termed " Corcass Land," which form the banks of the river. It3 building is ascribed to the 
O'Brien family. Through stipulation and treachery it was lost more than once by the followers 
of the Earl of Desmond, and those sent to reduce him and the country. At the Siege of Limerick, 
in 1690, it was garrisoned by 150 men, adherents of James II., but surrendered without resis- 
tance to Major General Scravenmore, " the leaving these detachments in such places," observes 
Dean Story, in his History of the Civil Wars, " being very unaccountable, since they had a 
mind to defend them no better." The castle was deemed so tenable a position that it was considered 
expedient to destroy it, and it was accordingly blown up, together with Castle Connell. Dean 
Story received the very large sum of £160 for the purchase of gunpowder to ruin those fortresses. 
The dilapidated ruins tell the effects of the explosion. Immense fragments of the walls and 
towers lie scattered around in picturesque confusion. " It is a matter of difficulty," adds Mr. 
Croker, " to trace the original plan." Near this Castle Charles Johnson, the author of Chrysal, 
or the Adventures of a Guinea, and other works, was born in 1719, and received his education 
from the excellent teacher, the Rev. R. Cashin, who was superior of the Limerick Protestant 
Diocesan School in the early part of the last century. 

The Vol. 1425 of the Harleian MSS. contains the following pedigree of " O'Brien of Carry- 
Connell, in the Countie of Limericke." 

MAHON O'BRIEN. 

I 

I 



CONNOGHER. BRIAN O'BrIAN, 

of whom the 
Brian Duff. E. of Thomond 

and others descended. 
Donough. 

I 
Mahon. 

I 

DONNAGH. 

I 

Brian Duff, of 
Carigconnell, in the 
Countie of Limerick, 
lived in anno 1615. 



* A large portion of the rock is of a basalitic nature. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 77 

Parry adds, that old Sir John of Desmond, "who cane spek very good 
Ynglysche" arrived on the same day; and the parley was postponed for that 
day fortnight at " Yowgholl." 

In a letter dated from Limerick on the 9th of August, 1536 r 1 The 
Council of Ireland write to Cromwell, that Donough O'Brien, O'Brien's 
eldest son, who had married the daughter of the Earl of Ossory, told what 
had been stated in the letter of Stephen Ap. Parry, of his desire to serve 
the English and possess Carrigogunnel, and set to the reformation in those 
quarters — the Deputy put an English ward of soldiers in the castle, and 
being there they consulted together as to the winning and breaking of 
O'Brien's Bridge — " wherein we thought the said O'Brene's sonnes ayede 
and conducte so necessary, as we supposed, that, havynge the same, we 
shud with the les difncultie achyve our purposes." In order to attain this 
dignity the council states, that the Castle of Carrigogunnel, "which had 
been inhabited by the O'Briens for 200 years before," was given by inden- 
ture to Donough O'Brien, " to be kept under us during the king's highness 
pleasure.'" — " After which conclusion takyn the said castell by tradyment, 
was takyn again by the persons which had possession thereof before — but 
we trust shall lytel prevayl them, but that the Deputies conclusion and army, 
and the promises thereon shall take effect/'' The letter proceeds to state, 
that on Friday they marched with all the army, with demiculverins, and such 
other ordnance as they had towards the bridge, and by the conduct of the 
said Donough and his friends, they were brought to it in a secret and un- 
known way, on this side of the water, where never English used nor carts 
went before, whereby they achieved the progress with less danger than they 
could have clone on the other side. On Saturday they reached the bridge, 
and after the army was encamped, the Deputy and gunners made a recon- 
noissance. On this side was a strong castle, "builded all of hewenmarbell/'' 
and at the other side a castle, but not of such force, both built within the 
water, but not much distant from the land. At this end the O'Briens had 
broken four arches of the Bridge at the end next the land. The gunners 
fired all day at the castle, but with no effect, "for the wal was at lest 12 or 
13 fote thick,-" and both the castles were well warded with the gunners, 
gallowglas and horsemen, "having made such fortifications of timber and 
hoggsheades of earthe, as the lyke have not been seen in this lande." They 
had a great piece of iron, "which shot buylees as great in maner as a 
marines hede."" They had also a ship piece, a " Portingall piece, - " " certayne 
hagbushesses,-" and hand-guns. The Deputy seeing the ship-piece no avail, 
ordered that each man should make a faggot a fathom in length, to fill that 
part of the water between the land and the castle, and desired ladders to be 
made ; which done, he appointed certain of his own retinue and a company 
of " Mauster Saynclows" to give the assault ; by which they carried the 
castle, the defenders escaping at the other side ; and having done so they 
broke down the bridge. [A letter 2 of William Body to Cromwell gives the 
credit of the capture to Ossory.] Two of the army were slain, several 
were wounded ; while the timber of the bridge was loosing, the Mayor of 
Limerick, Edmond Sexten, with about 30 others who were standing on it 
at the time fell, but were not injured. Gray also gives a long account of 
the above achievements to Cromwell. 

Henry YIII. in a letter to the town of Galway, in which letter the Irish 

1 State Papers. 2 State Papers. 



78 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

customs of clothing, &c, are forbidden, and in which he takes from malefac- 
tors the sanctuary of the Friars Minors, &c, in and near that town, and calls 
upon' the justice to bring them to punishment — proceeds to say, " More- 
over, yf O'Brene, or any other Irysheman, be at war with our deputie, or our 
subgietes of our Cittie of Lymerycke, that in no wyse, by any coloure, practyse, 
or covyne, ye suffer no vytals, iron, sault, or other commoditie, to passe from 
you to theym, dureing the tyme of their contencion till they shall be perfectly 
reconcyled, upon payne of your allegeannces ; and alwayes that ye obsarve the 
artycles before written, specially concernyng the keepeing of markettes, and 
that none of you resorte with anny merchandyce amongynst. Iryshemen at 
anny tyme. And where we be informed that at such seasons as strangers re- 
frayne within the havyn of Lymerycke, certayne of you foresttale the market 
of our said cittie, alurying and procuryng the stranger merchauntes to repayre 
oute of the havyn of Lymerycke to you, offering theym avauntage above the 
profere of the sayd citie, to ther gret disadvanytage and commoditie, and yn- 
haunsing the pryce of foren and alyen merchaundyses, to the profit of alyens : 
we therefor woll and commaunde you, that you do not provoke anny mer- 
chaundise aryving in theyr havyn from you to theym:" He commanded that 
he should hear no further complaint on this behalf, or in any of the 
premises if they intended his favors. 

In the same year Cowley, writing to Cromwell on the establishment of the 
king's dominion in Ireland, says : — 

" Then a thousand to arive at Lymyrik, and the Erl of Ossery, and his son, 
and power to joyne with them, and first to wyn the pyles and Casteles from 
O'Dwyer (chief of Kilnemanna, west of Owney), and next that to wyn the Cas- 
tele and towne of the Enagh (Nenagh, in Tipperary), and to builde and en- 
habite the towne, and so to pursue all the Irishry at this side of the water of 
the Sheynan, and to wyn O'Bryn's Bridge that standeth upon the same water. 
Then to peruse all Clancullen (the ancient barony of Clancullen was situated 
between Limerick and Killaloe, now forming part of the barony of Tullagh) 
in O'Ibryne's countree, and to win the pyles and holdes, and specelly the strong 
castele called Bon Eaytte (Bunratty), eight myles from Lymerick, on the 
river of Lymerick — consequently to make a strongholde of Clare, and to 
enhabit accordingly ; and to make two other baronies in the midst of O'Brien's 
countreey. There are piles enough in that counteray already, so that there 
needeth no more than to enhabite/' 

Thomas Allen, in the same year, writes a long letter to Cromwell on the 
subject of the Lord Deputy's expedition for the fortifying and re-edifying of 
Woodstock and the bridge of Athy. After giving an account of the expedition, 
he says, " And his Lordship went to Kilkenny, where he met the Erl of 
Ossorye and MacGilphatrick, where he and Omore were contendid to remayne, 
and goo to Dublin with my Lord, and ther to abide his and his counsaile's 
order, and to put in pledgis for performance thereof, and to attend upon my 
Lord in this journaie. And from thens departed the Chief Justice, and the 
Maiour of Limerick (Edmond Sexten) to speke with O'Brene and the Erie 
of Desmonde, who have confethered togeder." 

In a long letter from the Lord Deputy and Council to Cromwell, written 
from Dublin the 23rd day of November, the journey of Munster is said to 
have taken fruit and success, &c. &c. " For undoubtedly the pretended Earl 
of Desmonde, after diverse communications had betwixt him, the Maior of 
Lymerick, the Chief Justice, and the Master of the Eolles, at severall tymes, 
condescended as well to delyvcr his too sonnes in hostage, and to fynde the 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 79 

Yicount Barry, the Lord Rooche, Thomas Butler EitzEdmond, John Butler, 
broder to the Baron of Dunboyne, Gerald M'Shane of Drommanaugh, and 
dy verse others, to be bound for him in a 1200 marcks, that he shoold not 
oonly obey the Kinge's lawes, and cause thaym to be obeyd everywher under 
his rule,- but also as well to suffer the Kinge's revenues to be levied there, as 
upon the title and claim x>f James EitzMorice to the Earldome, to abide 
thorder and judgement of the Deputie and Counsaill; and percase the same 
James EitzMorice were adjudged Erie, he to suffer him to enjoy the Earl- 
dome accordinglie ; with diverse other articles, comprised in a prayor of 
indentors concluded thereupon, &c. kc" 

In 1537 a letter from the Lord Deputy and Council to Henry VIII. 
they state " for asmuch of your revenues as appertained to the Earl of Kildare 
in the countie of Lymerick, your Grace hath nothing of it, nor shall nat 
have untill the pretended Earl of Desmond beat some poynte; of whose 
offers, I your Graces Deputy, have at severale tymes advertized your Highness, 
and your Counsaile, to the intente I mought know your pleasure therein, 
whereof hitherto I have not been advertized/'' And after speaking of the 
burying act, the expulsion and the destruction of the tenants, the writer 
goes on to state, " trustin there wol be few wastes after this year, if your 
Grace ensure our clevises in too poynts. One is, no man in this countrie woll 
manure and enhabite your, ne other mans landes, especiallie to any fruit- 
ful purpose, onles he may have a securitie of continuance therein, so as, 
when he hath edified the same he shall not be expelled from it." This 
letter is dated from Dublin the 20th of April, 1537, and to those landlords 
who do not acknowledge tenant-right, we earnestly recommend its perusal, 
as an important fact in favor of fixity of tenure. 

On the 28th of June, 1537, Lord Leonard Grey arrived in Limerick, 
where he remained a week, and of his doings here he gives a detailed 
account to his royal master. He had afready received the submission of 
O'Carroll of Ely, of O'Kennedy of Ormond, of Maclbrien of Arra, of 
O'Mulryan of Owney, as well as of Mac William of Clanrickarde. He 
summoned the Mayor and his " brothem" before him, and acting in the 
spirit of the instructions which he had received from the Council of Dublin, 
he had the Mayor and members of the Corporation sworn, according to the 
tenor of the act of supremacy, and further to abjure the power of the Pope. 
He moreover commanded the Mayor to have all the commonalty of the city 
likewise sworn and to certify the fact to the Court of Chancery. He states 
that " without stopp or gruge the confirmed them syrves." After this he 
adds, he called before him the Bishop of Limerick, not Bishop "William Casey, 
who was, after apostatising, appointed Bishop of Limerick, but John Coyn 1 
or Quin, and had him sworn in like manner, a fact which appears the 
more singular, and of which very grave doubt exists, because Quin had been 
promoted to the see against the wishes of King Henry, who laboured 
earnestly in favor of Walter Wallesley who was afterwards appointed to 
Kildare. 2 Coyn or Quin had assisted at a synod which was held in Limerick 
by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, in 1524, and his zeal for the 
interests of his religion had been manifested on various important occasions. 
Gray further states that he commanded him to have all his clergy sworn. On 
this occasion Connor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, was present, and promised 
to serve against Morrough, the Tanist, who owned the country around O'Brien's 

1 State papers. 2 "Ware's Bishops. 



80 HISTORY OF LIMKRICK. 

Bridge. This Connor O'Brien died in 1539, and was the last of the 
race of Brian Boroimhe who up to the hour of his death exercised regal 
functions in the ancient kingdom of Thomond. 1 During his stay in Limerick, 
Gray impeached certain of the merchants of the city of treason for victualling 
and maintaining Morogh O'Brien and other "Iryshe Hebels." Stephen 
Harold, Treasurer of the city ; Pierce, Walter Edmund and James Harold, 
merchants, Thomas and Bartholomew Strytch, merchants, and Bobert Lewis, 
merchant, were among the number. The property of the treasurer (Stephen 
Harold) was confiscated, the others named were imprisoned, for the Lord 
Deputy resolved to carry things with a high hand in his dealings with the 
citizens. 2 

On the next day, James of Desmond, and O'Brien with their retinue 
came to him, and on the 8th of July, he removed with them into Morrogh 
O'Brien's country, and there took his castle of Ballyconnel, 3 and Clare 
[Clare More], invaded, burnt and destroyed Morrogh's country that day. 
On the morrow, because he would not conform to good order or reformation 
towards the king, Gray encamped that night at Clare castle, 4 and upon the 
next day James of Desmonde and O'Brien departed ; and then he proceeded 
to Clanrickarde, where he encamped that night, and the 10th of July, 
repaired to a castle called Bally Clare, which he rifled and not chalice or 
cross left in it belonging to Eichard Oge Burgh, which " did much hurt to 
your towne of Galway/' " and the same dyd take and deliver to Ullyck 
Oborgh, now lately made Capitayn of that countre" [and knighted by Gray] . 
He remained eight days in Galway, where he was entertained by the Mayor, 
and Ulick Burke gave all the "Iryshe retinue," that was with him in 
his countrey, " frelye mete, drynk, and lodging. Lyck order, as I toke with 
the Mayor of Lymyryck, hys brothern, and the Busshop as touching theyr 
othes to your Majestie, and the refusall of the usurped power of the Buss- 
hopp of Borne, lyck order toke with the Mayor of Galway, and his brothern 
and the Busshop." About this time, it would appear a serious dispute 
arose between the Deputy and Edmond Sexten, who had hitherto been very 
good friends. We take from the Arthur MSS. an important item of intelli- 
gence, which goes to show how matters stood in this instance, and which 
gives an account of the achievements of Sexten on a very memorable 
occasion : — 

In the 27th and 28th Henry 8th : Edmond Sexten being Mayor, O'Brien's 
Bridge was destroyed, by which the robbers of Thomond rushed into the 
rest of the Province of Munster and safely returned with their preys. This 
Edmond Sexten was born in Limerick, but descended from the family of the 
Sesnans in Thomond. He passed over into England where he became sewer 
of the king's chamber from whom he obtained in the late catastrophes of 
religion two monasteries in Limerick, one of the Holy Cross, and the other 
of St. Erancis with all its funds and profits. At length the citizens being 
offended, having obtained the royal letters, he was admitted into the Mayoralty 

1 O'Donoughue's History of the O'Briens. 2 State Papers. 

3 The Castle is called by Gormanstowne Ballycongle, and by Ap. Parry, Ballyconnell. 
According to his narrative, the garrisons both of it and of Clare Castle fled at the sight of 
ordnance. 

< The " Confession" states that they remained at Clare two nights, and that at their removing 
from thence there began a great schism, and a dangerous fray, between Desmond and the Lord 
Deputy, for O'Mulryan's hostage ; in so much that the former put himself in array to have given 
battle, were it not that Sir Thomas Butler, being familiar and bold with Desmond, with great 
address and difficulty, took up the matter with them. And Desmond, being pacified with Butler, 
returned home. 



HISTORY OF LIMERTCK. 81 

which he valiantly executed, for when Lord Leonard Grey, Viceroy, conducted 
the Eoyal army into Limerick with a determined resolution to slaughter all 
the inhabitants in one night, I know not for what reason, except that he 
bore a mortal hatred against them for their constancy in the orthodox religion, 
and he deceitfully removed out the Mayor and the better part of the city- 
bands to assault Carrigogunnel they being displeased at the peace, the 
Mayor having somewhat discovered the Viceroy's treacherous contrivance flies 
into the city at midnight, hastens almost out of breath with his guards to the 
Viceroy's house, knocks loudly at the gate, the porter having delayed and refused 
him entrance, he threatened instantly to tear the gates asunder. He was then 
admitted, and having found the Viceroy and all the commanders and men at arms 
of the army waiting for the destined hour of slaughter, he asked theViceroy what 
was the meaning of that unusual appearance of armed men, pipers and 
drummers thus assembled, who did not give him genuine but feigned reasons. 
Lest by the loss of time the intended wickedness might not be brought to 
maturity, the Viceroy advised him immediately to return into the city, but 
he fully detected the hidden contrivance of the treacherous general slaughter, 
and produced from the inside of the bosom of his soldier's coat the king's 
patent which he had a good while by him ; and due respect being given he 
ordered it to be read quite over, by virtue of which he positively commanded 
the Viceroy in the king's name that he should not attempt anything secretly, 
unknown to and without consulting him in his government of the Province 
of Munster ; and that he should not presume to devise anything to the pre- 
judice of that royal city committed to his care (for that was the tenour of 
the Eoyal letters) and he declared if the Viceroy had ordered any to stir up 
tumults in the city, that he would in the first place restrain and set them in 
order. Thus did he deliver the city from the threatened destruction. 1 

The Council of Ireland writing to Cromwell in 1538 state that under- 
standing Edmond Sexton 2 intended at this season, to repair thither, they had 
thought good for their discharge, to acquaint his Lordship Cromwell partly 
of his demeanour ; upon contention moved between him and the citizens of 
the city of Limerick. Sexten was accused before the Council of high treason, 
for which being committed into ward in the King's Castle of Dublin, he alleged 
before them that he proposed to go to England to instruct the king and 
Cromwell, " of weighty matters touching the kinges honour, and an highe 
advancement of his revenues \" for which causes he required to be out on 
bail. The council having heard the particulars of his complaint accounted 
them of small effect to trouble either the king or his council. In this letter 
the council throw very great doubts on the sincerity of Sexten, who, they 
allege, was not successful in his proceedings against Desmond and O'Brien, 
and they state that " the truth is his coming thider (as we be informed) is 
specially to accuse and disturb the citizens of Lymerick, for malice and dis- 
pleasure he beare to them ; among whom, ondoubtedlie he hath moved great 
dissension and displeasure. And considering the situation of the sayd cittie 
to be in the mydes, as it were, of the Kingis rebelles and ennemyes, with whom 
we knowe they must by and sell v or elles lacke all vitelles, and tracte of 
merchandises ; we thinke the inhabitantes of it to be worthy praise and com- 
mendation, both for ther obedience to the laws, and that they kepe the citie 

' Arthur MSS. 

2 This name is spelled indifferently Sexten and Sexton. In the paper referring to him, as well 
as to the events of the period, I prefer using the old and somewhat rugged style of the chronicles 
of the times. 

7 



82 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

alwaies in that wise, that it is the onlie key, releve, and socour to the Kinge, 
his Deputie, and army, against all men, whensoever they com thider. And 
whatsoer the inhabitants be, as, in good faith, having respect, where they 
dwell, we take them to be good, it were a shrewde policie to snbvert the 
hoole citie for a few eivel. And they, on thother side, beare him dis- 
pleasure, and, as they saie, they moche abhorre him, because he is an Irishman 
of blode, and (as they saie) he useth himself according to his nature. How- 
beit he is made denizen and free by the King, so as he hath been chargour 
there, contrary to the Inglishe statutes and their liberties. They saie also that 
he, his brederen, kynsmen, and adherantes, been mere Geraldines, and that 
parte of his brederen were slayne in defence of the Castele of Maynothe ; so 
as in respecte of his Irish blode and corrupt affection to traytours, they 
saye they doe not trust him. 1 

In an extract from the minutes of Council, 2 with the King's commands, 
it is stated that as the law is continually kept at Dublin, and that between 
Dublin and Limerick the distance is 120 miles, and so many dangers between, 
" and as few or none dare passe without some strength which poore suitors 
have not/'' it is suggested that a Council of a President and four Councillors 
under a Secretary be established ; the President to have diet for himself, 
and the rest £200 yearly. Every Councillor for his entertainment, and 
finding his own horse and servant, £50 yearly, and the Secretary of the 
Council, £26:13:4 yearly, with such reasonable fees as the country may 
bear. The Archbishop of Cashel is suggested as a meet President. 

In a later letter from the Council of Ireland to Secretary Cromwell, 3 
Limerick is represented as a city situated among Irish and English rebels, 
pretending to have privileges of the King as other maritime cities, to buy and 
sell, and as a place that deserves to be protected only because it is a succour 
and a refuge always for the King's Deputy, when he wars against the dis- 
obedient Desmonds, Brians, Bourkes, and many other like in those parts. 
In this letter it is stated that, owing to the ^misinformation'''' given by 
Edmond Sexten to the Lord Deputy during his last journey in Munster, 
more damage and inquietude had happened among the citizens than any 
anticipated honor or profit to the King. 

There is no doubt, notwithstanding all these complaints, that Sexten suc- 
ceeded in retaining the good graces of his royal master, for, in 1538-9, 29th 
and 30th of Henry, he granted by PrivySeal "to the King's well beloved servant 
Edmond Sexten, sewer of his chamber/'' of the Monastery, Priory or cell of 
St. Mary-house, the site, ambit, or ground thereof, and all lordships, manors, 
lands, advowsons of churches, tithes, chapels, chantries, spiritual and tem- 
poral, thereunto belonging, within the precinct of Limerick, city or county, 
in as large and ample manner as Sir Patrick Harold, late Prior, held the 
same, together with all the goods and utensils of the house ; to hold to said 
Sexten and the heirs male of his body, by the service of one knight's fee ; 
with directions for the issue of a commission for the dissolution of said 
monastery. And, 34th Henry YIIL, we find grant from the King to 
Edmond Sexten and his assigns, for life, of £8 sterling, annually, which the 

1 The Corporation of Limerick subsequently made a Complaint to Cromwell against Sexten, 
upon which the Irish Council, on the 20th of May, 1539, reported, that though he was the king's 
servant, they could not vindicate his conduct. The Complaint is in the Chapter House, and the 
report in the State Paper Office ; and in the Lambeth Library is a memorial of his services, before, 
during, and after his mayoralty in Limerick — State Papers. 

2 State Papers. 8 State Paper*. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 83 

King and his ancestors heretofore received in the name of fee farm, ont of 
the city of Limerick. 

The execution of the decrees of Henry could have no firmer partizan than 
Edmond Sexton,, judging from the high estimation in which he was held by 
his unscrupulous master. He soon had his revenge of Lord Leonard 
Grey, who had been unsparing in his destruction of the shrines and sacred 
places of the land. Among other fell atrocities he caused the most precious 
shrine of St. Bridget, St. Patrick and St. Columba, which was in Down, to 
be burned and the ashes thereof to be cast to the winds 1 : — 
" In Bur go Duno tumulo tumulantur in uno, 
Brigida, Patricius atque Cohunb&pius." 

Anglice 

" Brigid, Patrick and Columb of renown, 

Were all three entombed in the town of Down/ 7 

This outrage took place in the year 1538, but the divine vengeance quickly 

fell upon him for this and for other crimes ; his head was cut off in London 

in the year 1541. 

Sexten now grew in favor every day. The letters which passed between 
him and the king show that a strong mutual feeling of consideration and 
fidelity prevailed ; and that the services performed by him were of such a 
nature as to win the substantial recognition of his Majesty. 

Desmond, through Sexten' s influence, wrote the following letter : — 

To His Soveraigne Liege Lord the King's Majestie. 
u Be it known to all men by these presents that I, James Fitzjohn of 
Desmond, bynde me, mine heyTes, my goodes moveable and immoveable, my 
fideltie and trueth to my trend Edmond Sexten, to fulfill and performe all 
such things as the said Edmond shall speake to the King's Majestie and his 
councell in England as hereafter follows : 

First — That I shall bringe to the Kynge's Majestie' s coffers all the cheeffe 
rents that O'Bryen and Mac I Bryen Arra hath upon the country of 
Lymmerike ; and also all the Abbey lands and goodes that are in Mounster 
to the Kyng's hands, and I and my friends and servants shall take them to 
fearrne. Also that all the Lordes and Gentlemen of Mounster, Englishe and 
Irishe, shall pay a certain chiefe rent to the Kyng's Majestie, so as it shall 
be a great revenue. — And for the more performance of the premises, I, the 
said James, subscribed this with my hand and sett to it my seale the 20th 
day of June/'' 

Henry addresses "to our mytie and well beloved Sir John Desmond within 
our land of Ireland/'' a letter of " righte heartie and cordial thankes f and 
states that he has " conceived and graven the same in our hert and shall 
retorn and sucede to you no little profitt and advancement.-" The king 
writes a much longer and more particular letter to Desmond, in which he 
acquaints him fully of all that has been told him by his " trustie and well 
beloved servant, Edmond Sexten, of the humble submission with a promise 
to observe towards us from henceforth such faythe and loyaltie as to your 
duty of alleygeance appertaineth, and shall be consonant to the office of a 
true and faithful subject, which we accept greatlie to our consolaticion, and 
give unto you therefor our righte harty thankes and condigne." " The king 
says Dr. Thomas Arthur 2 wrote another letter to James Fitzjohn of Desmond, 

1 " But the walls as well of the cathedral as of the little chapel, where the most sacred relicks 
were deposited, exist to this dav, as I saw them in the year 1751." — De Burgo, Eib. Dom. p. 242, 
* Arthur MSS. 



84 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

verbatim with his patent letter, only he accused him of assisting " the rebell 
Thomas Fitzgerald which much offended the Kynge and his commonwell in 
Ireland/'' His Majesty wrote a letter in Latin, of which language he was 
an accomplished master, in which he speaks in the highest terms of Edmond 
Sexten, and states " that Edmond Sexton, his dearly beloved, will tell him 
(Sir John of Desmond) more fully his minde on the affairs respecting which 
he writes/'' This letter is dated from his Royal Palace near London, the 
17th of January, 1534. Before Sexten' s impeachment a report was sent to the 
King, as to how a Edmund Sexten, your grate servant/'' being then Maier of 
your Cyttie of Lymerike in the journey to O'Bryen's Bridge did not only 
right diligently endeavour hym to serve your Majesty e, but also in all other 
your grate affayrs as in practising with O'Bryne and James of Desmonde and 
all other your disobeydyent subjects to allure them to his power to your 
grate obedyenc} r , and lykewise in his present with the cytenzens of Lymerick 
did forwardly, diligently and hardly effectual service in every imploye of 
that journey to his grate charge, labours and paynes, kc" This " petytion" 
is signed by Leonard Gray, John Barnwall, your grate Chancellor ; George 
Dublin, James Eawson, Pryor of Kilmaynam ; William Brabazon, Gerald 
Ajdmer, Justice; Thomas Lutterell, Justice; Patryke Einglass, Baron; 

Thomas Justice ; Patryke Whyte, Baron. 

O'Brien writes the following to the king, in which he admits all that Sexton 
had done in his Majesty's favor : — 

O'Brien to King Henry VIII. 

Moste noble, excellent, high, and mighty Prince, and my most redoubted Soveraigne High 
Lord, in the humblest manner that I can or may, I recomend me unto your Majestie ; I 
Couonghure O'Bryen, called Prince of Thomond in your land of Ireland. Advertysing, that I 
received your most dread letters by your servant, Edmond Sexten, now Mayor of your Citty of 
Lymericke, the 20th day of September, in your most noble Reign e the 26th, dated at your 
Mannor of Langlee, where I perceived partly your minde, in especiall, that I should give firme 
evidence to your said servant. This is to advertise your Majesty of trouth that I was credible 
enformed, that the said letters were counterfeit, by my Lord of Ossery, and by my Lord his 
sonne, and by your said servant ; which was the principall cause, that I did not receive such 
rewards as your said servant profered me and my brother, and that I did not write to your 
highness according to my duty ; and that was the cause that I did not follow the councell of 
your said servant in your behalfe, till thys tyme : humbly beseeching your Majesty to pardon 
me of my negligence in that behalfe. 

And as for the receiving of Thomas FitzGerald into my countrey ; I insure you that I never 
sent for him, privy nor apperte, into my countrey ; but I could not, for very shame, refuse him 
of meat and drinke, and such little goods as we have. And as well I insure your grace that I 
never went, nor one of mine, to aid the said Thomas against your grace is subjects, and if I 
would have helpen him with my power, I assure your highnesse he would not have come in this 
toilment, at the least. 

And as for to certifie you of the goeing of James Delahide towards the Emperour, I insure 
your grace that it was never by my will ; and to prove the trouth of the same, I insure your 
grace, that ever he come, with power or without power, I shall take or banish him to the utter- 
most of my power : also beseeching your grace to pardon me of my negligence in that behalfe. 

Furthermore advertising your grace, that I have received your most dread letters, dated at 
your Mannor of Westmester, the 10th day of September, in your Keigne the 27th year, by the 
hands of your servant, Edmond Sexten, wherein I percieve your grace is jealous and displeasor 
with me, and as well your grace will be me to give ferme credence to your said servant, I insure 
your grace, that if I had the consaill of your servant, and of our Master Doughtoure Neyellane, 
Thomas Young, and John Arthur FitzNicholas, alderman of your said citty, at the first time, as 
T am informed by them now of your grace, and of your power and bountie, I had never done 
nothing prejudiciall to your grace is pleasure ; but I was counselled by light people, whereof now 
I am right sorrie. But now, seeing that all thinges is done and passed for lacke of experience, I 
humbly beseech your grace to take me to your mercy. And your grace has good cause soe to 
take me, for I insure that all mine ancestors, and I myself, hath done right good service to your 
grace's deputies in this land of Ireland. Therefore 1 humbly beseech your grace, as lowly as 
huy subject can or may, to pardon me of all the premisses, and . and all that I have in the 
world, is and shall be at your commandment. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 85 

In 1540 the Lord Deputy and Council write to Henry VIII. and speak of 
the determined attitude of the Desmonde (the pretended Earl) O'Neill, 
O'Donnell, O'Brien, O'Molloy, O'Connor, young Gerald, &c, and their 
resolution to raise the Geraldine sect and uphold the " usurped" supremacy 
" of the Bishop of Rome." The letter states that the land of Ireland is 
" by estimacions and descriptions as large as Englande" — and proceeds : — 

" But to enterprise the hole extirpation and totall destruction of all the 
Irishmen of the lande, it wold be a marvailous sumptious charge, and great 
difficultie ; considering both the lacke of inhabitors, and the great hardness 
and mysery these Irishmen can endure, both of hongre, colde, thurst, 
and evill lodging, more then thinhabitantes of any other lande. And by pre- 
sident of the conquest of this lande, we have not hard or redde in 
any cronycle, that at such conquests the hole inhabitantes of the lande have 
bene utterly extirped and bannisshed. Wherefore we think the easiest way 
and least charge were, to take such as have not heynously offended to a 
reasonable submission, and to prosecute the principaUes with all rygor and 
extremytie." It is recommended in another of these state papers that garrisons 
should be formed in several cities. That at Limerick 1000 soldiers whereof 
horseman 300, gunners 200, archers 400, andbillmen 100, should be raised. 
This letter is dated from Dublin, 18th January, 31st year of the king's 
" most victorious reigne." 

In 1542, the Council repaired to the city of Limerick, on the 15th of 
February, and held a Parliament which they continued to the 10th of March. 
This Parliament stood prorogued to the 7th of November, and was further 
prorogued to the 22nd of December, when it met at Dublin, and adjourned 
again to Limerick. According to the Statute Book it sat only to the 
7th of March, three days less than the term mentioned in the despatch 
from the Deputy and Council to the king. In the same despatch O'Brien 
is lauded as a very sober man, and likely to continue " a treue sub- 
ject." A subsidy of 20 marks yearly is ordered out of the county of 
Limerick, and 60 marks out of the county Tipperary. Upon the Irishmen 
of certain quarters mentioned — first upon Mac I Brien 60 golglas for a 
month — and 6d. sterling out of every plowland in his country — upon Tu- 
lagh Mac Brien, Captain of Ycownagh, £5 rent sterling yearly, upon O'Ken- 
nedy and M'Egg (Egan), £10 yearly, Irish — O'Mulryan £40 15s. yearly rent, 
and 60 galoglas a month — O'Dwyre 8d. sterling out of every plowland m 
his countrey, and 40 gallowglas for a month, yearly. "They complain of 
the great lacke that will be here of learned men and other ministers to 
reside about Lymerick, daily to see justice ministered there, laying farre 
from Dublin, where your highness lawes be executed, and no man there 
learned to stay or order anything among them." 

And as if it would please your grace to be soe good and gracious to this poore land, and to 
use your poor subjectes, as to send some nobleman to govern us ; and in especiall, if it would 
please your highness to send your sonne, the Duke of Richmond, to this poor contrey, 1 insure 
your grace that I and my brother, and all my kinsmen, with all my friends, shall doe him as 
lowly service, and as trew, as any man liveing ; and I, my kinsmen, and all my friends, shall 
right gladly receive him to our foster sonne, after the custom of Ireland, and shall live and dye 
in his right and service for ever, and binde us to the same, after your pleasure known, by 
writeing to us by your servant Edmond Sexten, to whom we remit airjthe rest of our mindes to 
your grace. As the Holy Trinitie knoweth, who have our Majesty in his must tender tuycion, 
to your harte's desire. Written at my Mannor of Clone Rawde"[Clonroad, Ennis], the 13th 
day of October. 

Conokuyr O'Bryen, Prince of Ticomone, 



86 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The despatch is dated from the castle of Catherlaghe (Carlow), the last 
day of March, in the 33rd of the reign of Henry VIII. 

In the expedition to O'Brien's Bridge, so often referred to, Sexten was 
desired in the following letter which appears in the Arthur MSS. 1 to give his 
assistance : — 

To our trustie and well beloved, the Maior, Baylives, Aldermen, and 
Cityzens of the cittye of Lymerick. 

Trustie and right well beloved we grete you well, and desire and praye 
you also neverthelesse in the kyng's name charge according, our former 
writing of haster night, you with your companie in all haste, repayre unto 
us with your pikeaxes, speades, shovels, matokes, axes, and other such 
engines for the breaking of O'Bryen's Bridge. Yee knoo well wee have but 
3 dayes victualls, and cannot sett forth conveniently, till your comying, 
wherefor make speede with all haste possible, and lett victualls be brought 
by water. Yee knowe the king's honor one and all your wealths lyeth 
uppon this our proceedings at this instant tyme, fayle yee not hereof, as ye 
intend ever our good will, and for the contrary will answer at your pril to 
the king. From the Campe this morning, 
Leonard Gray, 

To the Mair of Lymirke, in hast post haste. 

1 A summary of the achievements of Edmond Sexten from the Arthur MSS. is of some interest : 
" Edmond Sexten was employed hy the king in the commission with the Earl of Desmond, the 
Bishop of Emlaye, and Mr. Agard, for the suppression of all the religious houses in Mounster, in 
which journey be spent £9 sterling. He was a mayne help with the cittizens of Limmerick to 
take in the castle of Deryknockane from the rebells, and Lord Leonard Grey left the keeping 
thereof to Sexten's own care for the six years, which cost him in all £89 18s. sterling. He was 
employed by the Kyng to the traitor Thomas Fitzgerald, in hope to reduce him to subjection, 
whereof he fayled, but certified his Majestie of the refractoriness of the said Fitzgerald. 

After that he was three severall tymes employed by the King to the Earl of Desmond and 
other Lords in Munster, to keepe them in their loyaltie, and from adhering to the said Thomas 
and his complices. The then Lord Deputie and Councell oftentymes employed him to that effect 
to the said lords and to O'Bryen, to John of Desmond, and to hi3 son James, and to Donough 
O'Bryen and others. 

He served at his own cost at the taking of Knockgraffon, Dungarvan, Carrigogunnel, 
the first and second time ; Ballinconnell Castle in Thomond and Clare, and Clononkenie, 
in the countie of Lymrick. He toke Donnell O'Bryen's galley, which did much prejudice the 
King's subjects in the river of Shenan. He sent his men, who slew the rebell called Slico 
(O'Connor Sligo), which did offend the cittizens much, and threatened to burn Lymerick. He 
caused Edmond Bourke and his sonne to pay £16 to such of the cittizens as they have robbed 
thereof. He caused William Fitzjames Geraldine to bestow the prey which he toke from some 
of the cittizens. His men brought home the cattle which were taken away the night before by 
some of the rebells. He apprehended one Macloghlen Baukaks sonn, and another rebell, whome 
he caused to pay £24 for their ransome, which he gave to such of the cittizens as the said Ma- 
cloghlen's sonn form erby caused to pay him ransome of £16. He with a small companie burned 
the toune and castle in the Island called Ellanrogane, and faught with many of the rebells there, 
of whom they killed many, and burnt others, and brought his men with their goods home salfe. 
He toke a galley and a half galley from Mourough O'Bryan, which he carried by land a myle 
and a half, and then lanced them to the water, and brought them to Lymricke. He issued at 
midnight out of Lymricke towards the Bishop of Killalowe and his two sonnes, but they narrowly 
escaped him, quitting their horses and baggage, whereon they seized. He burned Kilcordane and 
Clonemoniayne, in O'Bryen's countrie. He allured James of Desmond to come into the Lord 
Deputie's camp and laye in his tent and wayte on him to Limerick, and in his progress through 
Thomond within two miles of Gal way, where they tooke leave and came to Lymrick, and the 
Lord Deputie went to Galway. He payed £40 in part payment of 1000 Duckatts, which he 
promised to Donough O'Bryan for betraying and delivering up into his hands the rebell Thomas 
Fitzgerald, being then with O'Brien in Thomond, as he undertook to doe, but fayled in perfor- 
mance thereof." 

A very large mass of correspondence contains among the rest, several letters written 
by the king to his Deputy Lord Leonard Grey, in which he strongly reminded our 
trusty and well beloved Edmond Sexten, one of the gentlemen of our chamber and may be 
of that our city of Lymerick to doo unto us faithful and acceptable service — and 
tells Gray " in all your proceedings in our affairs concerning the reduction of the 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 87 

In a letter from the Council of Ireland to Cromwell, dated from Cashel, 
August 24th, an account is given of the recapture of the castle of Carri- 
gogunnel, by Donogh O'Brien, Ossory, and the Lord De Gray; in the assault 
ordnance and arrows were used, and thirteen of those who were within the castle 
were slain with ordnance, and four with arrows. There were 40 of Ossory's 
party also killed. The keeping of the castle was then given to Ossorv. 

inhabitants thereaboutts to our obeysance and due reformation or as the state shall 
require in prosecuting of the same, the obeyance and indurate mynde so requiring, ye 
doo tak unto you our said Sexton, and but begin consult whereby the said inhabitants may per- 
ceyve our estimaycion and favour born unto hym, by whych means he shall now the better 
allure them to our obeysance, and consequently by his experience and polyte the rather obtain 
the desired purposes in our affairs in those quarters." We have also the letters of Henry to 
Sexton, and of Sexton to Henry. Henry writes a special and lengthy letter commencing 
" Henry bv the Kinge — Trustie and well beloved we grete you well" — returning thanks for the 
series of services performed, adding ■ taking you to noit (note) that being advertised how like 
goode, true, and faithful subjects ye have resisted the malicious enterprises of Thomas Fitzgerald 
that faulse Traytor and Eebell and other his accomplices there, we have thought goode not 
onleye to give unto you our hearty thanks for the same, but also to signifye unto you that we 
shall not faile for to remember your integritie declared therein, as shall be to your benefits, 
wealthe and commoditie hereafter. Ye shall also understande that whereas the fee farm of that 
our cittie remaineth for sundrie yeares behind and unpaid, sythens (since) our subject Eichard 
Ffox was first maier thereof, we have authorised and appointed our trustie and well beloved 
servant Edmond Sexton, sewer of our Chamber, to receyve of you to our use the said arrearages 
soe behind, so unpayed, whose acquitance in that behalf shal be your sufficient discharge as from 
yere to yere from henceforth to tak and receyeve into his hands our said fee farm being ten 
pundes by the yere till ye shall further know of our pleasure." The letter goes on at further 
length, as "given under our signet, at our Manor of Langley, the 21st day of September, the 
# * * yeare of our reigne" — and is addressed " to the Eighte Trustie and well beloved, the 
Maier, Baylilffes, Aldermenne and Cittizzens of the Citie of Lymerick." Not content with these 
expressions of favor to the Mayor, Corporation and citizens, Henry wrote to the Council and 
Corporation of the city as follows : — 

Henry Rex. By the King. 

Trustie and right well beloved, we grete you well, and perceyving by your letters and credence 
sent unto us in the person of our trustie and well beloved servant, Edmond Sexten, Mayor of 
that our cittie, your desire concerning the confirmation of your charter and libertyes, with 
certain additions in the specialities whereof, ye further instructed the same our servant concern- 
ing your faithfull loyal herts towards us, with your dilligent service to our good contentation 
and pleasure, like as for the same we give unto you our right harty and condign thankes. We 
be right favorable willing and inclyneable not only to yor said pursuits, but also shall be the 
semblable in all other your reasonable petitions. And for this tyme, in token of our favor 
towards you, we have written unto our deputie there that at his next repayre unto our prce, he 
shall leave one of our great pieces of ordinaunces, "with shott and pouder necessary, in your 
custodye within that our cyttie, there to remayne, and be alwayes in a readyness for the advance- 
ment of all enterprosses in those ptes, to be attempted and sett forwardes by your said servant 
and his coadjutor, our trustie and well beloved John Arthur FitzXichoIas, one of your brethern 
of that your cittye. Byde unto them at all seasons, consellying, favouring, aveding and assist- 
ing to the best of yeur power, as our speciall trust in you. Given under our signet at our 
Manor of Westmr, the last day of May. 

To the Counsell and Corporation of our cittie of Lymericke. 

In addition to his other qualifications, Edmond Sexton was an author. He wrote a book 
by the King's commandment " for the reformation of those parts," and among his papers were 
found the names of the castles, lands, rivers, creeks, important places, territories, lordships, with 
their lords, on each side of the Shannon to Loop Head. He states that in the Island of Innis- 
cattery, the merchants of Limerick dwelt, and had castles and store houses of their own inheritance 
— that there was an image of St. Senan in the island, which was regarded with the utmost 
devotion by the people, and a great old church, wherein woman never went since the time of St. 
Senan, with a provost as warden, who singly disbursed a hundred marks yearly. He recom- 
mends that a future church be built on the island. Moore wrote, or rather translated from the 
Latin, the beautiful and well-known verses " St. Senanus and the Lady." 



88 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

SUCCESSES OP THE ENGLISH FRUITS OP THE REFORMATION. 

The events summarised in the last chapter occupy a period of between 
seven and eight years. 1 We need not refer to the extraordinary changes 
which took place in consequence of these successes of the English in a coun- 
try where they had heretofore had little if any footing except within the 
walls of the city where they had been endeavouring to establish themselves 
for some centuries before. In 1537, the Earl of Kildare, whose rebellion 
had caused sore annoyance to the government, and who is styled by the 
annalists " the best man of the English in Ireland of his time/' and his 
father's five brothers, namely, James, Oliver, John, Walter, and Eichard, 
were put to death in London ; all the Geraldines of Leinster were either 
exiled or put to the sword ; the Earldom of Kildare was vested in the King, 
and every one of the family who was apprehended, whether lay or ecclesiastic, 
was put to death. It appears from a letter w r ritten by Lord Thomas, to 
Eothe, 2 that during his confinement he was treated with the greatest indignity 
— he was not permitted to enjoy the merest necessaries of life; for his clothes, 
which were tattered, he was indebted to the charity of others, his fellow 
prisoners, who took pity on him. He wrote a letter to Eothe, in w r hich the 
following passage appears : — " I never had any mony sins I came into pryson, 
but a nobull, nor have I had neither hosyn, doublet, nor shoys, nor shyrt, 
but on [one] nor any other garment, but a synggle fryse gowne ; for a velve 
fyrryd wythe bowge, and so I have gone wolword and barefore, and bare- 
leggd, diverse times (when ytt hath not ben very warme) ; and so I shall have 
done styll, and now, but that pore prysoners, of their gentylnes, hath 
sumtyme geven me old hosyn, and shoys and old shyrtes. - " The grief and 
misery which prevailed throughout Ireland for the fall and extermination of 
the illustrious Geraldines of Leinster, were expressed in the loudest and most 
unmistakeable manner ; and to add to the sorrow with which the heart of the 
nation was stricken, it was just at this time that the " Eeformation" in 
England and in Ireland began to manifest the existence of its bitter fruits. 
The possessions of monks, canons, nuns, brethren of the cross — i.e., the 
crossed or crouched friars — and the four poor orders — i.e, the orders of Mi- 
nors, Preachers, Carmelites, and Augustinians — were suppressed, and their 
properties vested in the King. 3 The monasteries were broken down ; the 

1 In the year 1535 M'Auliff of Duhallow, the ruins of whose castle may still be seen near 
Newmarket in the county Cork, gained a great battle, in which were slain the Lord of Claingais, 
or Clulish, a wild district in the Barony of Upper Connelloe in the South West of the county 
Limerick, with a large battalion of the Clan Sheehy, i.e. Mac Sheehy, who were of Scottish 
origin (see O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters, ad. an. 1535) and hereditary gallowglasses 
of Ireland. In this battle was slain Mael Murry, son of Brien M'Sweeny. 

2 Lord Thomas Fitzgerald to Rothe — State Papers. 

3 The number of abbies which Henry VIII. possessed himself of in England was 64-5, which 
were levelled to the ground, and their lands and riches seized — there were 2,347 chapels and 
chantries in like manner destroyed, and their temporalities confiscated ; 1 10 hospitals, and about 
100 colleges, together with their revenues, were also appropriated to the king's use. Such abbots 
as did not resign their abbies were cruelly put to death — viz. the abbots of Glastonbury, of 
Heading, of Gloucester, of Whately, of Gerveaux, of Sawley, and the Priors of Woburn and 
Burlington. With the spoils of St. Thomas of Canterbury's church alone there were twenty-six 
waggons, laden with the richest ornaments, plate, jewels, &c. There is no computing the enor- 
mous wealth which was thus taken possession of by the king to satiate his own brutal lust for 
plunder. In Ireland the abbies, convents, and priories, were in like manner handed over to the 
king, and in 1541 these resignations were ratified and confirmed by the Irish Parliament. To 
appease the gentry of the nation, " lumping bargains" were given to them by the Crown of 
Church lands, and thus interest quelled their complaints ; so that they beheld the ruins of the 
noble monasteries and convents founded by their forefathers for the service of God without remorse. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 89 

roofs and bells were made away with, so that from Arran of the Saints to the 
Iceian Sea, 1 there was not one monastery that was not broken and shattered, 
with the exception of a few in Ireland, of which the English took no heed — 
some of which appear not to have been known to them for a long time after 
this disastrous period, and in the neighbourhood of which the friars continued 
to live, as at Multifarnham, Ballyhaunis, &c, until a comparatively recent 
period. 2 

The Chief Justiciary, Gerald Aylmer, meantime arrived in Limerick, in the 
33rd year of Henry's reign, and made an inquisition, with his fellow com- 
missioners, " touching some things taken up to the King's use at Limerick 
upon the suppression, and other crown matters." He ordered the mayor and 
bailiffs to come before him and his commissioners, and to summon " 18 free 
and lawful men" of the bailiwick on the Friday before St. Patrick's Day, to 
enquire into sundry matters. The inquisition was accordingly taken on the 
13th of February, and the particulars of it, as we find them in the Arthur 
MSS., which go into many subjects in detail which deserve to be put on record. 
These, which will be found in the note, will give some notion of the great 
riches with which the abbies and monasteries of these days were filled, before 
they fell a prey to the rapacious spoliation of the brutal and merciless Henry.* 
They have never, we believe, been hitherto published. 

With the exception of the Butlers, and very few others, there were none 
in favour of these proceedings. Many of the old statutes of Kilkenny for 
the extinction of friendships between " the Irishrie and Englishrie/' and the 

1 The name by -which the ancient Irish writers called the sea that divides England from France. 

2 Note in Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 An office declaring the possessions of the king's castle Lymerick, and touching some things 

taken up to the king's use uppon the suppression at Lymerick, and other crown matters. 

" Gerald Aylmer, knight, that is captain, and justiciary of our lord the king in the pleadings 
before the same lord and king in his land of Ireland, and to his fellow commissioners of our lord 
the king within the county of Limerick, as well within the liberties as without, to inquire about 
all singular treasons, murders, felonies, transgressions, and other offences whatever, within the 
aforesaid county, committed only whenever perpetrated, and the hearing and deciding same, and 
further proceeding as in the letters patent of the said lord our king, whence to me and my fellow 
commissioners aforesaid being (so) appointed is more fully contained. We command the mayor 
and bailiffs that they cause to come before the commissioners aforesaid, 18 free and lawful men 
of your bailiwick of the city aforesaid on the Friday before the feast of St. Patrick, Bishop, 
which is next to be, to enquire about articles touching our lord the king, and further to do what 
shall be given them in command; and that you have there the names of the said 18 men and 
this precept. Witness the aforesaid justiciary at Limerick, 8 day of March, in the 33rd year of 
the reign of King Henry VIII. 

The inquisition taken before the king's commrs. at Lymerick the Thursday next after Shrofft 
Tuesday which was the 13th day of Februarii in the 33 yeare of our Sovereign Lord, King- 
Henry the Eighth, by the jurors following, David White, alderman, Thomas Young, alderman, 
Patrick Fanning, alderman, Stephen Creagh, alderman, William Fanning, alderman, Dominik 
White, alderman, David Eyce, George Stretch, Andrew Harrold, Stephen Comyn, James Creagh, 
William Verdon, Rowland Arthur, Thomas Long, Humphray Arthur, John Comyn. Wee find 
that the king's castle hath by the yeare ten pounds of the fee-farm of the citty of Lymerick 
which £10 Mr. William Wyse doth receive yearly as constable of the said castle under the king. 
Item wee do finde that there are twoe gardines adjoyninge to the south side of the Ilande pertayne- 
ing to the said king's castle which the said constable hath. Item more wee finde that the pasture and 
grazeing of the said iland appertayne to the said king's castle. The inhabitants of the said cittie 
having their ingress and regress for their pastyme therein without any interruption or lett. Item 
more wee doo finde that there belongeth to the said castle tenn shillings a yearely rent to the 
He weare which lyeth on the east side of Corbally. Item, we fynde that there belongeth to the 
said castle of every ship resorting to the said cittie, with wheate or salt, being noe freeman's 
goods of the same citty, one measure of salte, and one of wheate and of every boath or galey 
laden with heareings or oysters, as is aforesaid, one hundred of heareing, and one hundred of 
oysters soe laden. 



90 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

annihilation of the Irish habit, were ordered to be put in execution. 1 
Harpers, Bhymers, Chroniclers, Bards, &c, were ordered to be set upon with 
unsparing vengeance. Silk and satin were forbidden to be worn. The cele- 
brated image of the Blessed Yirgin, which Archbishop Browne (the first of 
the English church archbishops of Dublin) called, in the language of the 

Item, wee finde that John Comyns house in the Key lane, do beare yearly to the house of 
Keilmanam, twoe shillings of yearly rent and noe most. Item, -wee finde that Patrick Fanning's 
house lynge in Creagh lane, doe bearre to the house of Keilmanam twelf pence of yearly rent. 
And of Patrick Lange's house, next unto the same of yearly rent twelf pence, and a gardine 
lyeing by the spitle twelf pence of yearly rent. Item, wee doe find that in the 30th yeare of 
King Henry the Eighth, Edmond, Archbishop of Cassell, and Walter Cowley, the king's solicitor 
taking uppon them to be the king's commissioners, did take of the image of the holly roods, 
shoes of silver, wheing twentie seaven unces troy weight -wherein weare divers stones the value 
whereof wee cannot tell. And alsoe did take the image of our Ladye of the said church showes 
of silver weighing six unces with divers stones, and fifteene buthons of silver, valued at three 
shilling, 9d. str. And neyne crosses of silver, valued at neyne shillings. And a peare of beades 
of silver, weighing six unces. Item, the said commissioners did take of the black fryers of 
Lymerick the day and yeare above said Sanict Sunday, his showes of silver weighing tenn unces, 
with divers stones, the value whereof wee cannot tell. And 4 stones of cristall bound with silver 
to our estimation weighing 2 unces. And foure score pound of wax as wee doe think rather 
more than less, being in the said chappele then. And iron being in the said chappell to the sum 
of twentie stones, And above. Item, the 22nd day of Januarii, in the 32 yeare of our sovereigne 
Lord King Henry the Eighth, Mr. Robert Saintlager did take both the greate bell and the small 
bell out of the same place. Item, we find that David Michell of Lymerick, marchant, have a 
challice of silver, of the grey fryars in his keeping, delivered unto him, by one John O'Linge, at 
that tyme fryer of the said house, which challice was delivered to Humphrey Sexten. Item, wee find 
that John Skeolan of Lymerick, merchant, have two candlesticks of brass, of the said abbey in 
gage they doe say. Item, wee find that John M'Skyddiy of Lymerick, taylor, have a booke of 
the said fryars in gage for eight pence. Item, wee find that Stephen Crevagh, hath certain 
glasses of the said fryars which he hath delivered: to Humphray Sexten. Item, George 
Sexten hath a vestment of chamlet red with a cross of velvet thereon. Item, John Eyce hath a 
vestment of Ameistock of the said fryers. Item, Humphrey Sexten have received of Leonard 
Crevagh, one challice of silver of the grey fryers. Item, wee finde that Stephen Harrold have a 
gardine of the said fryers by lease for years, paying therefor yearly sixteene pounds which is 
within the churchyard of the said fryers. Item, Steephen Crevagh hath a particle of the same 
churchyard, and in lease for yeares paying therefor, yearly, sixpence. And Christopher Crevagh 
hath the rest of the said churchyard by lease for years, paying yearly therefor, 2s. 8d. Item, 
Steephen Crevagh hath a garden of the said fryers, within the moore of the said fryers by lease, 
paying yearly therefor, 2s. Item, James Harrold hath a garden of the said fryers, by lease, 
paying therefor, yearly, 3s. 4d. Item, John Nagle hath a gardine within the precincts of the 
said freeres, by lease paying therefor, yearly, 3s. 4d. Item, John Nagle hath a little medowe of 
the said freeres, paying therefor , yearly, 3s. Item, more wee find that John Skojdane hath 
another gardine in the said moore, by lease, paying therefor, yearly, 23. Item, Nicholas Stretch 
hath a gardine by the little Hand by lease, paying yearly therefor, 8s. sterling. Item, Andrew 
Harrold hath a gardine in the said moore by lease, paying yearly therefor, 2. 4d. James Fox 
hath a garden by lease and within the precincts of the freeres church, paying yearly therefor 
8s. Item, Leonard Creagh hath another gardine payeing yearly therefor Is. Item, Dominick 
Comyn hath one stone house of the said freeres, named the fish house, by lease, paying therefor 
yearly sixteen pence. Item, John Nagle hath one other gardine within the said precinct by 
lease, payeing therefor yearlie 16d. Item, John Stretch Fitzgeorge hath one other gardine by 
lease without the moore, paying 3 r early therefor 2s, More, the said John hath one house which 
did appertayne to the said freeres, by lease, payinge therefor 2s. Item, Christopher Crevagh 
hath one tenement or voyde place by lease, payeing therefor yearley 4s. and another voyde 
place, payeing therefore yearly 8s. 4d. Item, wee fynd that there are tenn acres of land in Lui- 
thagh, more the two parts of the teythe of the same in Theobot Boorke's country, and three acres 
in Bramblock and twoe parts of the teythe of the same, and twoe acres in the great croft and the 
twoe parts of the teythe of the same, and tenn acres in Claishcuigilly with the 2 partes of the same, 
whych lands and teythes appertayne to the same freeres. Item, wee fynd that the church of 
ScaintePeter and the churchyarde of the same is a chappell in Keilrone,inO'Bryens countrye,and all 
lands and tenements within the cittie of Lymerick, appertayning to the saide Sainct Peters here- 
after followe. Item, wee find that Christopher Harrold hath one gardine and orchard by lease 
for certaine yeares paying therefor yearly 2s. And one house by lease which lease doth mansion 
that all rent thereof is payed before hand. Item, Elian Whyte widdowe hath one orcharde by 
lease payeing therefor yearly, 2s. And Elinor Arthur widdowe hath one gardine and one hou?<5 

1 State Papers, Henry VIII. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 91 

scoffer, the " Idoll of Trym," and believed to perform wonders and mira- 
cles/ this and " The Staff of Jesus/' or crozier of St. Patrick, 2 were publicly 
burned. 

The persecution suffered during these terrible days by the Irish Catholics 
was not surpassed by that endured by the Church of Christ in its very ear- 
liest times at the hands of the Pagan Emperors of Rome, " so that it is im- 
possible to narrate or tell its description unless it should be narrated by one 
who saw it." 3 In more remote and hidden places the monasteries, it is true, 
were not molested, simply because they were beyond the reach of the des- 
troyers, but for no other reason. 

The Lords of the Pale at this period felt that they must introduce Irish 
tenants ; they were not content with the English tillers of the soil, who 
could not live in penury or wretchedness as the Irish, but must sustain 

by lease payeing yearly 16d. Item, Oliver Arthur Fitzrobert, hath one gardine by lease, 
paying yearlie therefor Sd. Item, that Ellen Stacpol widdowe hath one gardine by lease paye- 
ing yearly Sd. Item, that Donogh O'Donnell hath one house by lease payeing yearly therefor, 
16d. Item, there is half one plowland named Ballynagalleagh in the south side of the Curry 
there is underwood and pasture belonging to the same. Item, there is by Loughgair a towne 
called Ballynagalagh in the countye of Lymerick that pertayneth to the said nunnery and house 
of Keiloine aforesaid. Item, wee finde that one Michael Arthur, merchant, deceased the 10th 
day of May, 32nd yeare of King Henry the Eighth, and that one Morris Herbert, archdeacon of 
our laidies church of Lymerick, did refuse and would not take of one David Arthur, and Genett 
Whyte executor of the said Michael Arthur, but according as it hath been paid of ould time con- 
trary to the forme of the statute there in provided. Item, wee find that Tibbott Bourke of 
Caherkinlish in the county of Lymerick Gentl., the 10th day of Januarii, to 33 yeare of King 
Henry the VIII. and divers before and after did take of one William Young of Lymerick, mer- 
chant, for seaven loads of oaths, 7d. and so of divers others of the sayd cittie daylie. And of 
James Fox of the same for ten barrells of wyne departinge out of the same cittye into the countrie 
2d. in extortion. Mahone O'Bryen of Carrigogunnel in the countie of Lymerick, gentl. did take 
of Domynick Whyte of Lymerick, mercht. the 10th daye of December, 33rd Henrci 8, for 3 
barrells of wyne 3d. and for ten barrell of wyne 20d. and soe from day to daj% from divers 
others of the said citty in extortion. And so did Murrough MacMahon of Balliolman of Chris- 
topher Creagh Fitzparrick of Lymerick, merchant, for custom of 2 hogsetts of hearings 3s. 8d. and 
for 5 dykers of hydes 7s. 4d. and of every boath that cometh to that cittye by his castle 7s. 4d. 
and soe of divers others. And O'Conoughour of Carigfoyle did take of John Streech Fitzgeorge 
for his ship coming to that citty 3s. 4d. and 20 gallouns of wyne, and soe of every ship that 
cometh to that towne with wyne. Shiekus O'Cahaine of Keilruish in the countriey of Corkavaskin, 
the 10th day of December and 33rd H- 8, did take of every ship that cometh to that cittye 
and in especiall of John Fanning, 6s. 6d. by extortion. Donogh Gowe of Corrugraige, constable 
of the same under the Earl of Desmond, the 4th day of March and 33rd H. VIII. did take of 
Robert Heay, of Lymerick, merchant, for his boath of oysters that came to the citty a hundred 
oysters, and soe of every boath that cometh likewise. Darmitius M'Morrough of Finies, the 10th 
day of Februarii, and 33rd of Henry VIII. did take of William Yong of Lymerick, merchant, 
for one boath passing by the castle of Ffinies, 12 gallons of wyne and eight gallons of bony, and 
of every boath that passetb by the same, to the said citty. Item, Fineen M'Xamara, and Taig 
M'Xamara did daiely take of every barrell of wyne that passes out of the said cittie into the 
countrey by them 2d. and of every cow and horse passing by them to the said citty, 2d. and the 
tenth parte of all Linnen cloath passing by them to the said citty, and of every man passing by 
them to the said citty havinge a capp on his head, 6s. 8d. in extreame manner. Alsoe O'Bryen, 
doth levye and take all such things as aforesaid, except the 6s. 8d. for the capp. Item, in 
tyme past the Earls of Ormond and of Desmond have used such like customes which nowe they 
be content to remitt. Item, Donogh O'Bryen doth take of every pack that passeth from Lymerick 
to Waterfourd, 20d. and of every horse. load of wares coming from Waterfourd to Lymerick od. 
And that the said Donnogh the loth day of Januarii last past tooke from John Harold, Nicholas 
Harold, Patricke Rochfort, and Bichard Verdon for packs aleaven duccats and soe of divers 
others." 

1 " This image," say the annalists, " used to heal the blind, and the deaf, and the crippled, 
and persons afflicted with all sorts of diseases." 

2 This staff was said to have been received by St. Patrick from a hermit in an island of the 
Etruscan sea, to whom it was delivered, as was believed, by the Redeemer himself, whence the 
name " Bachall Isa," and was in Dublin performing miracles from the time of St. Patrick down 
to that day, and had been in the hands of Christ whilst he was amongst men. — Xote in Annals of 
Four Masters. 

3 Annals of the Four Masters. 



92 HISTORi OF LIMERICK. 

themselves and " keep honest residence /' and it became a matter of grievous 
complaint that they were obliged to chose those who could neither speak the 
English language, nor (c wore cap or bonnet/'' 

In the year 1540 Murrogh O'Brien and the chiefs of Thomond, by the 
consent and permission of the superiors of the order of St. Francis, bestowed 
the monastery of Clonroad on the friars of the Observance, 1 but wherever the 
English extended their power, they persecuted and banished the religious 
orders, and in this year the monastery of Monaghan was destroyed, and the 
guardian and some of the friars were beheaded. 

Whilst the common enemy was thus at work, the old intestine divisions 
and wars continued to prevail among the leaders of the people. So general 
were these wars, that the death "in his bed" of Torlough O'Brien, in 1542, 
at Inchiquin, 2 is specially mentioned, he being "the most expert man at 
arms, the most famous and illustrious of his years, in his time."" The 
progress of the Reformation was slow, but the plunder of church property 
and the destruction of churches, went on unchecked, and many relics of older 
times were brought to light. 3 

The Geraldines again gave trouble to the Government in revenge of their 
expulsion from their patrimony. The Lord Justice (St. Ledger) going into 
Offally, wrought vengeance upon them — he burned churches and monasteries, 
destroyed crops and corn, proclaimed O'Connor and O'More traitors, and 
confiscated their territories to the King. 4 

In 1547, just in the crisis of troubles and misfortunes, Maurice Russell 
of Dublin, gentleman, was appointed curator, bailiff, commissioner, or trustee 
of the city of Limerick during pleasure, with the like fees as John White 
or any other received in said office, and the yearly sum of 40s. sterling out of 
the fee farm of the city, and was again so appointed the 10th August, 1549. 

In 1547 Henry YIII. died, and Edward YI. ascended the throne on the 
day of his father's death, viz. 28th of January, 1547. Henry was styled 
" Defender of the Faith/' for his book against Luther, yet in the two and twen- 
tieth year of his reign he issued a proclamation, that no person should 
purchase anything from the Court of Eome ; in the three and twentieth the 
clergy submitted themselves to the King for being found guilty of a pre- 
munire, and were the first that called him supreme head of the Church, yet 
with this restriction, so far as it was in accordance with God's word and not 
otherwise; and he proceeded from bad to worse, until in his thirty-fifth year 
all colleges, chantries and hospitals were given up to him. 5 Notwithstanding 

1 Annals of the Four Masters. 

2 The castle at this lake, which was built by the head of the O'Briens sometime after the 
expulsion of the family of O'Quin. 

3 In breaking down a part of Christ Church, Dublin, in the year 1545, a stone coffin was dis- 
covered in which the body of a bishop, in his episcopal dress, with ten gold rings on his ten fingers 
and a gold meys chalice standing beside his neck. The body lay in a hollow, so cut by a chisel, 
in the stone as to fit its shape ; it was taken up, all parts adhering together, and placed in a 
standing position, supported against the altar, and left there for some time ; no part of the dress 
had faded or rotted, and this was regarded as a great sign of sanctity. — Annals of the Four 
Masters. 

4 Cox remarks of the state of education at this time, that "most of the letters of the great 
Irish lords (even some of English extraction) are subscribed with a mark, very few of them being 
able to write their names. Most of the Irish chieftains neither understood nor sought to under- 
stand the English language, and carried on their correspondence in Latin, supplied by the 
Catholic clergy." Cox errs in some respects, as O'Neill and other Irish lords unquestionably 
wrote their names. 

5 Sir R. Baker's Chronicle, p. 425. 



HISTORY OF LIMEPJCK. 93 

these enormous confiscations, Cox 1 adds that the necessities of the State 
obliged the King to coin brass or mixed moneys, and to make it current in 
Ireland by proclamation, to the great dissatisfaction of all the people, 
especially the soldiers. 2 This base money was circulated in Limerick as well 
as elsewhere. 3 At this time the power of the English was very extensive 
in Ireland ; " so that the bondage in which the people of Leath-Mhoga 
were, had scarcely been ever equalled before that time." 4 Just at this time 
Sir William Brabazon, Lord Justice, who was elected by the Council, com- 
mitted the government of Tipperary to Eclmond Butler, Archbishop of - 
Cashel, and made a journey to Limerick, where Teig O'Carroll submitted, 
and entered into covenants of paying a yearly tribute into the Exchequer, 
and of serving the King with a certain number of horse and foot at his own 
charge, and of renouncing his pretensions to the barony of Ormond ; and 
afterwards the same Teig O'Carroll surrendered to the King his country of 
Ely 0'Carroll, containing ninety-three plowlands and a half ; and the King 
regranted the same to him, and created him Baron of Ely. By O'Carroll's 
means, Mac Murrough, O'Kelly, and O'Melaghlin, were now taken into 
protection and pardoned; and by the Lord Deputy's mediation, the Earls of 
Desmond andThomond who were wrangling about bounds, and theprotection of 
each other's Tories or outlaws, were reconciled on the 11th of March. 5 

On the 4th of November, Charles Mac Art Kavenagh made his submission 
to the Lord Deputy at Dublin, in presence of the Earls of Desmond, 
Thomond, Clanrickard and Tyrone, and the Lords Mountgarrett, Dunboyne, 
Cahir, and Ibracan, renounced the name of Mac Murrough, and parted with 
some of his usurped jurisdiction and estate. 6 O'Carroll, however, did not 
long remain quiet. In this same year he burned Nenagh upon the " Red 
Captain/' 7 and the monastery of Tyone also. He destroyed the town from the 
fortress out. He set fire to the monastery of Abington in the county of 
Limerick, banished the Saxons out of it, 8 created great confusion among 
them, by which he weakened their power and " diminished their bravery," 
so that he ordered them all out of his country, except a few warders who 
were at Nenagh in the tower of Mac Manus. 9 

The Lord Justice (Brabazon) being in Limerick, held a great court, 
at which the Mayor was present, and took part in it as one of the Judges or 
Commissioners. In 1551, Edmond Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, and son 
of Pierce, Earl of Ormond, to whom the government of Tipperary had been 
committed a few years before, died; and Murrough O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, 
as he was styled by the English, and king, 10 but styled O'Brien according to 
the custom of the Irish, died— he was the first man of the race of O'Brien 

1 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana. 

2 In the time of Henry VIII. the discovery of the American gold mines made a great change 
in the value of money ; his Chief Baron of the Exchequer had a salar} r of £100 a year ; the 
Barons, £46 18s. 4d. each ; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, then a less important per- 
sonage than he now is, had £26 13s. 4d. a year. 

3 It breaks and moulders away after very little handling ; it is called copper by the Four 
Masters, who add that "the men of Ireland were obliged to use it as silver." — Annals of the Four 
3/ asters. 

4 Annals of the Four Masters. 

5 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 287. 6 Ibid. 
7 Annals of the Four Masters, en an 1548. 8 Ibid. 

9 This was the name of the massive tower now called the " Round" of Nenagh ; who this 
Mac Manus was it is impossible to say. — Dr. O'Donovan's note in Annals of the Four Masters. 
Could it be " Magnus ?" 

10 Annals of the Four Masters. 



94 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

who was styled Earl, — " a man valiant in making and puissant in sustain- 
ing an attack, influential, rich and wealthy/' 1 Donough O'Brien succeeded 
him ; he had a contest with his uncle Daniel, who claimed the Estate by 
Tanistry ; by the mediation of the Lord Deputy they came to an agreement, 
when an Indenture Tripartite was made between the Deputy, the Earl, and 
Daniel O'Brien : the Indenture bears date, May 7th, 1552 2 . It had but a 
temporary effect ; the Earl of Thomond and his uncles Donald and Turlogh 
were again in arms ; they took Clonroad ; the earl defended the castle for a 
time ; but not long after he was murdered by Donald, his uncle, and the 
annalists add, that Dermot O'Brien died on the eve of St. Bridget and was 
buried in the monastery of Ennis. 

If Edward VI. did no good to Limerick, he endeavoured to show his 
partiality for it by granting a charter to the city. 



CHAPTEE XIY. 



LIMERICK UNDER QUEEN MARY AND ELIZABETH. THE WARS OP THE 

DESMONDS. THE BUTLERS AND THE O'BRIENS. CONFISCATIONS, ETC. 

The news of the accession of Queen Mary to the throne of England was 
received with joy by the citizens of Limerick, who hoped that they might 
participate in the full fruition of their civil and religious rights and immu- 
nities. 3 Casey, 4 who had been the first Protestant Bishop of the see, 
now fled beyond the seas, imitating, in this respect, the conduct 
of Bale, Bishop of Ossory. Hugh Lacy, or Lees, was constituted 
by the Pope, Bishop of Limerick, and an immediate change in the 
aspect of affairs was apparent. A Parliament was held in Dublin, commenc- 
ing on the 19th of June, 1557, and on the 2nd of July was adjourned to 

1 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 292. 

2 Sullivan mentions a curious fact which is quoted by Cox, in continuation of the wars 
between Daniel O'Brien and the Earl of Thomond in reference to the estates. He states that the 
Lord President Fitton got Daniel O'Brien into Limerick upon his oath that he would give him 
free and easy egress out of the gates ; but the sophistical Englishman turned him out of the 
wrong gate ("so that there was the river Shenin between him and his army which was encamped 
in Thomond" and immediately sent the young earl to take possession of the country, which he 
did ; and Daniel, who was so brave a man that many of the old and new Irish courted him to be 
king of Ireland) was forced to lie that tempestuous night in a cabbin ; but when, according to 
the Irish fashion, he thought to lead his horse to stable in the same house with himself, the proud 
beast scorned to stoop, until the footboy whispered the horse in the ear and told him that his 
master O'Bryan would lodge that night in that cabbin, and desired that he would lower his crest 
and his crupper, and creep into the house to keep his master company ; and the horse being well 
bred did comply in matter of ceremony ; but when he came to supper he was at a loss, for he was 
used to wheat, and could not conform to country entertainment, until the footboy whispered him 
once more that his master O'Bryan, who fed on oaten cake, did command Kosinante to be content 
with the same fare, and then he fell to it. 

s Arthur MSS. 

* The Right Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P., is a descendant of Bishop Casey, as is also Sir Vere de 
Vere, Bart. — Cotton's Fasti. Cotton adds that the Duke of Buckingham is also one of Bishop 
Caeey's descendants. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 95 

10th of November to Limerick, and from Limerick, to the 1st of March in 
the following year, to Drogheda. The statutes of this Parliament enacted 
that all heresies should be punished, that all acts against the Pope made 
since 20th Henry 8th, should be repealed, &c. Sullivan (Catholic History, 
p. 81) gives every credit to Mary for propagating and supporting the old 
faith ; but he adds that although the Queen was zealous, her ministers did 
not forbear to injure and abuse the Irish. 1 

Towards the close of her Majesty's reign, the Lord Deputy, Sussex, arrived 
to suppress a revolt of some inferior branches of the O'Brien family against 
their chief. Sussex mustered an army to march into Munster, and O'Brien 
another to oppose him ; they, however, made peace ; and on this occasion, 
Connor O'Brien, the earl and the freeholders of Thomond, after service in the 
cathedral church of St. Mary, swore fealty to the crown of England : " the 
Irish, from the Barrow to the Shannon, on the part of O'Brien, and the Eng- 
lish of Munster on the part of the Lord Justice." 2 Sussex brought over 
with him five hundred soldiers and an order to coin brass money, and to make 
it current by proclamation, which was done. 3 On the 14th of June, he came 
to Limerick, and advanced afterwards to Thomond. Scattering his foes, he 
took the castles of Bunratty and Clare, and restored the country to the Earl 
of Thomond, who, together with the freeholders, swore, on Sunday the 10th 
of July, on the sacrament, and by all the relics in the church — book, bell, 
and candle light, to continue loyal to the Queen and to perform their 
agreements with the Lord Deputy. 4 The progress of Sussex was not con- 
fined to this triumph — the Earl of Desmond made his submission on the 21st 
of June, and to strengthen the bonds of fealty and friendship, the Deputy, 
on the 26th, became godfather to the Earl's son, whom he named James 
Sussex, and gave the child a chain of gold, and gave another chain and pair 
of gilt spurs to Dermot McCarthy of Muskerry. 5 In this year, Turlough 
O'Brien, son of Turlough, son of Teigh-an-Chomaid, 6 died. 

Queen Mary died in the following year, and was succeeded by Queen Eliza- 
beth, during whose eventful reign some of the most startling events in our 
local annals occurred, and first among them the lamented death of James, Earl 
of Desmond, of whom it is said " the loss of this good man was woeful to 
his country, for there was no need to watch cattle or close doors, from Dun- 
quin, west of Ventry, in Kerry, to the green-bordered meeting of the three 
waters, 7 on the confines of the province of Eochaidh, the son of Lucta and 



1 Quce tamcetsi Catholicam religionem tueri et amplificare conata est, ejus tamen prcefecti et 
Concillarii injurias Eybemis inferi non desisterunt. 

Sullivan speaks -with great truth when he refers to the conduct of Mary's ministers and 
councillors in Ireland ; they were as fierce and implacable against the old Irish race as any of 
their predecessors ; and the annals are full of the misdeeds of Sussex against many of the ancient 
possessors of the land, whom he treated with unexampled oppression and cruelty. 

2 O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters, cir an 1555. 

3 Sussex's advent in Ireland is stated by the native annalists to have been followed by the 
most fearful disasters. He polluted the temples of God throughout Ireland ; he uprooted and 
overturned the altars wherever he met them ; he expelled the orthodox bishops and the clergy, 
and all members of religious houses ; he drove out the nuns from their sanctified retreats, and 
introduced the Lutheran religion, the Lutheran liturgy, and the heterodox faith, wherever he 
could. — Arthur MSS. 

* These are the words of the herald's certificate. 

5 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 307. 

6 Coad, a townland containing the ruins of a small church near Corofin, Co. Clare. 

7 Annals of the Four Masters. 



96 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Leinster." 1 He died at Askeaton on the 14th of October in this year/ and 
was succeeded by his son Garret. 

In this year also, Donnall O'Brien of Thomond was banished from his 
patrimony by the Lord Justice. The chief towns of Thomond and not only 
these, but the entire country as well waste lands as inhabited lands, were 
placed by the English in the hands of the son of Donough O'Brien who was 
appointed Earl — and he was the first of the race of Cas who was popularly 
called Earl. 3 

Terrible was the commotion in consequence ; for nothing went more to 
the hearts of the people than an indignity of this kind. 4 In 1559, Conor, 
Earl of Thomond, sat before Inchiquin, to oppose the sons of Murrogh 
O'Brien. Donough, one of the sons of Murrogh was in the town, but Teigh, 
the other son of Murrough had been constantly in the company of the Earl 
of Desmond, since the expulsion of Donald O'Brien up to that period. 
Teigh made a sad complaint of his condition to the Earl of Desmond who 
assembled his troops and crossed the Shannon. The Earl of Thomond, 
leaving the camp at Inchiquin empty, proceeded to ask assistance from his 
trusty friend the Earl of Clanrickarde, which being granted, he did not halt 
until he arrived at the green of Inchiquin, and he returned back the same 
night to Ballyally. The camps of the Earls were not far asunder on that 
night. On the morrow, Desmond rose early, and marshalled his youthful 
warriors. They skirmished and fired on each other until they reached the top of 
KnockEurchailP where fate brought them together, and victory afterafearfulfight 
declared in favor of Desmond. Contemporaneously with this event O'Carroll, 
in accordance with the custom that every Irish chieftain thought it a duty 
to perform a predatory excursion as soon after his inauguration as possible, 
made his Captain's first expedition against Turlough Mac I Brien of Arra, 
on which occasion, he totally devastated and ravaged the country from 
Ballina, near Killaloe, to O'Hogan's mill, near Ardcroney. 6 On the same day 
he slew Morrough Maclbrien, a distinguished Captain. In revenge the 
Maclbrien proceeded soon afterwards to ravage Ikerrin, in Tipperary ; but 
in this expedition he was overthrown ; O'Carroll approached in battle order, 
dispersed the guards of the Maclbriens, not one of whom escaped by flight, 
took Maclbrien prisoner, who was not set at liberty until he had paid ransom. 7 
The rebellion of Gerald, the 16th Earl of Desmond, which brought him and 
his family to ruin, not content with his peaceable settlement in the Earldom, 
began about this time. His first disturbances were (in 1564) against the 
Earl of Ormond. 8 These Earls were ordered to England, and bound by 

1 The Suire, Barrow, and Nore, below the city of Waterford. 

2 Smith's History of Kerry, p. 253. 

3 Though Murrogh O'Brien was created earl for life, in 1543, he was never called earl by the 
people. 

* Annals of the Four Masters. s Spancil-hill, Co. Clare. 

6 Annals of the Four Masters. 

7 One of the castles of the Mac I Brien, or the ruins of it, may yet be seen at Ballina. 

8 Sir John Davis says, the first occasion of his rebellion grew from his attempt to charge the 
Decies in the county of Waterford with co'ujn and livery, black rents and cosheries, after the Irish 
manner, when he was resisted by the said earl, who fought him a pitched battle at Affane* in th.it 
county, on the 15th of Februar}', 1564, wben he was taken prisoner and lost a considerable 
number of his followers. — Smith 's History of Kerry, p. 254. 

* Affane. — This place was granted, together with other places, to Sir Walter Raleigh. It 
was here that he grew the first cherries, as it was in Youghal that he grew the first potatoes. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 97 

recognizances in chancery of twenty thousand pounds to stand by the queen's 
award. 1 

By the dissensions between the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, Munster 
was almost ruined, especially Tipperary and Kerry. The barony of Ormond 
was overrun by Pierce Grace ; and Thomond was as bad as the rest by the 
wars between Sir Daniel O'Brien and the Earl of Thomond. 2 Hooker states 
that there was now no religion ; he means of course amongst those who, in the 
name of religion, perpetrated unheard-of iniquities. A great battle was to 
be fought between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond, concerning certain 
lands in dispute about the Suir and Cashel. The place selected was Boher- 
more, near Tipperary town ; immense numbers of their respective English 
and Irish neighbours crowded together from Cork to the Barrow, and from 
Logh Garman, 3 "to the wide, foamy harbour" of Limerick. 4 But "When 
the hosts came front to front and face to face, the Great God sent the angel of 
peace to them, so that concord was established between the hosts; for, having 
reflected on the dreadful consequences of the battle, they parted without 
coming to any engagement on that occasion.'''' 5 Soon after this event, Teige, 
the son of Murrough O'Brien, was taken prisoner at Limerick, by order of 
the Lord Justice, and sent to Dublin to be imprisoned, and it was universally 
said at the time that the Earl of Thomond had a hand in his capture. 6 Teige 
escaped from his bondage two years afterwards, when meeting Donald 
O'Brien, who had exerted himself to set aside the Earldom of Thomond 
before Connor's accession, united in opposition to the Earl, who raised many 
encampments against them; but the result of the fighting was that the Earl's 
people were defeated, many of them slain, and Brien, who was taken, was 
not given up until Shallee, in the barony of Inchiquin, was given to Teige by 
way of ransom. Ballycarr, the residence of the sons of Murrough, was 
afterwards taken and demolished by the Earl, who had brought ordnance and 
forces from Limerick for that purpose. 7 

It was in this year that the magnificent abbey and abbey lands of Cor- 
comroe, with their rents and customary services, and acquirements of land in 
the territories of Thomond, and its church livings, were given to Donnell 
O'Brien, as a compensation for the lordship of Thomond, to which he would 
have succeeded by Tanistry. 8 

The citizens of Limerick, now aided the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney ; 
to the number of three hundred of them joined his forces in apprehend- 
ing the Earl of Desmond at Kilmalloch, where for a short time the Earl was 
imprisoned, and thence conveyed into Limerick, where he was indicted for 
levying war against the Queen. His brother John was knighted, and made 
Seneschal of Desmond. 9 This was the first occasion on which Sidney visited 
Limerick — he had been some time previous occupied elsewhere in his en- 
deavours to suppress the Desmond Eebellion. Queen Elizabeth wrote an 
obscure letter to him, all in her own hand, in reference to the disputes of 
the Desmonds and Ormonds, and this letter is printed in Smith's History 
of Kerry, pp. 256-7. 

On the 24th of September in the next year (1565) Arnold, Justiciary of 
Ireland, by consent of the Secretary of the Council, commanded the Mayor, 
Bailiffs, and citizens of Limerick, that they should observe the solemn injunc- 

1 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 320. 2 ibid. 3 The Irish name of Wexford. 

4 Annals of the Four Masters. 5 ibid. 6 ibid. 7 ibid, ad an. 1564. 

^ 8 Ihe English, to pacify him, bestowed these gifts upon him, as also such lands as descended to 
himself by gavelkind, and such as he had possession of in any other way— Annals of Four Masters. 
9 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 325. 



98 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tions of Sussex, lately Viceroy of Ireland, recently given to them by Lis letters, 
by which he cautions them that they should not dare, even in the slightest 
particular, to sell any one of the ancient commonage lands, but that they 
shonld preserve them entireto be expendedin the public service and requirements . ] 

At this period a very remarkable man lived in Limerick, and taught 
school. This was John Groocle, a Catholic Priest, of the order of Jesus, some- 
time educated at Oxford. He was a man of extraordinary erudition, and 
gave great aid to Camden in that portion of his Britannia which treats of 
Ireland. " 'Tis strange" (says Nicholson) that a writer so much honoured 
by this great British antiquary, who gives a high character of this gentleman's 
modesty and learning, should be overlooked by Sir James Ware and the 
Oxford antiquarians/' 2 

Gerald, the Earl of Desmond, was removed from Limerick to London 
by the intrigues of Ormonde, and imprisoned in the tower, where were also 
confined at the time, the Baron of Dungannon, O'Connor Sligo, O'Carrol, 
and other Irish chiefs, most of whom made submission to the Queen in 1568, 
when they were enlarged. Sidney visited Limerick a second time in 1569, 
where he established Sir John Perrot in the office of President of Minister. 
In Collins'' State Papers it is said that the city was in a wasted condition at this 
time, and that the Deputy recommended the bnilding of a bridge here — most 
likely it was in consequence of his recommendation that Thomond Bridge 
underwent some repairs. 3 Sidney's anxiety respecting bridge-building did 
not rest with recommendations — he built the bridge of Athlone in 1568. 4 

1 Arthur MSS. 2 Nicholson's Irish Historical Library. 

3 A highly curious inquisition was taken at this time in Limerick touching the marriage of 
the Earl of Clanrickarde with Grany O'Karwell, or O'Carroll. It is thus stated in Morrin's 
Calendary of the Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery : — 

1566 — 9th Elizabeth. Depositions of witnesses taken before the King's Deputy and the Coun- 
cil at Limerick, 5th October, 36th Henry VIIL, touching the marriage of the Earl of Clanrick- 
ard with Grany O'Karwell : — Hugh MacDonnell MacEgan, Brehon of Cloughketinge, in Ormond, 
saith "he heard Molrone O'Karwell say, when the late Earl of Clanrickard, then called Ulick 
Bourke, came to marry Grany, the O'Karwell's daughter, for that he thought he would give up 
the said Grany, before he should marry her in the face of the church, he would himself see the 
marriage solemnised between ; and at the same time, deponent being at Modergime (Modereeny ?) 
saw them go to church to be married, and saw them likewise come from the church ; and further, 
heard those that were in the church say that the marriage was performed and done accordingly, 
howbeit he saw it not done himself." Teige Oge M'Gilyfoyle deposed " that he was present at 
the mass, and saw solemnly married, in the face of the Church, and kneeling before the high 
altar, saw the Earl kiss the Priest and then the said Grany ; and being in the church when the 
mass time, saw them go out together, and the next day they departed thence." Shanet McDono- 
noghe MacDermot Mycke Gilyfoile agrees in all things with the second deponent, mutatis 
mutandis. Sir Adam Oge O'Hyran, priest, saith, " that at the solemnization of the marriage 
he was chaplain to the O'Karwell, and that it was he that said the mass, and coupled them 
together by the laws of Holy Church, being there divers other priests, gentlemen and horsemen, 
during the solemnization." — Oct. 5 36° Henry YIII. (Morrin's Calendary of the Patent and Close 
Rolls, Chancery, Ireland, p. 504.) 

* The old bridge, which was surmounted by the ancient " Queens Arms," had a compartmented 
stone facade, containing, amongst other inscriptions, one commemmorating the building of this 
bridge by Sidney, and the beheading of the " arch traytor Shane O'Neill," as the sculptor desig- 
nated the haughty and unbending Shane na Dinis. This stone is now in the R.I. A., to which it 
was presented by Mr. John Long, C.E., when building the new bridge at Athlone. William 
Englebert, a famous Engineer, who was born at Sherborne, got from Queen Elizabeth for his 
services, 1588, a pension of 100 marks per annum. King James would not permit him to serve 
any foreign prince. He died in 1634 at Westminster.* It is not improbable that this engineer 
built, or gave the designs for the bridges on the Shannon at Limerick and Athlone, for Sir Henry 
Sydney, then Lord Justice of Ireland. The annals give the building of Athlone Bridge under 
date 1568, as follows: — " The Bridge of Athlone was built by the Lord Justice of Ireland, i.e., 
Sir Henry Sydney." Bridges over so large a river were at that time regarded as works of great 
magnitude, and doubtless the best engineering skill then available was secured to advise on the 
erection of these bridges across the Shannon. 

• * Fuller's Worthies, Vol. 2. p. 366. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 99 



CHAPTER XV. 

PROGRESS OF SIR H. SIDNEY. EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMS OE THE IRISH. 

THE DEPUTY^ YISIT TO LORD POWER AT CURRAGHMORE. BATTLE OF 

MANISTER, &C. 

In 1568 Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy, held a parliament, in which a 
subsidy of 13s. 4d. was granted out of every occupied plough-land in Ireland, 
except those belonging to the Corporations of Dublin, Limerick, Cork and 
Waterford, and the chief government was to present to all church dignities, 
the cathedrals of Cashel, Limerick, Cork and Waterford excepted. 1 

In 1569 Limerick was one of the first places where the acts and ordinances 
of the remarkable parliament held this year were ordered to be proclaimed. 
In the course of a great hosting which Sidney made in the same year, 
he proceeded from Cork to Limerick, demolished some of the towns 
of Minister between those cities, and next proceeded to Connaught, and 
reduced to " obedience" all the country to Limerick, naming Sir Edward 
Phitun (Eitton) President — the first President that ever was named in that 
country. Limerick at this time was in a wasted condition. In the next 
year following the Deputy received the submission of MacIBrien Arra, who, 
in consequence, was confirmed in the possession of all his " manors, castells, 
lordshipps, signiories, rules, hereditaments, commodities, and profits, with all 
and singular appurtenances'''' in Duhallow. These expeditions were successful. 2 
It Tras about this period that Clare was made a portion of the province of Con- 
naught. The deputy visited Limerick a second time in 1575, and was enter- 
tained with more pomp than anywhere else. 3 Here he kept sessions, and 
observed the same methods he did at Cork ; he then marched into Thomond, 
in which, though it had formerly belonged to the English lords of Clare, and 
was inhabited by many English, now not a man of English extraction was to be 
found, and even the O'Briens, though very near relatives, were inveterate 
enemies one to the other ; the country was entirely wasted, and innumerable 
complaints of murder, rape, burning, robbery, and sacrilege were made to the 
deputy, 4 who imprisoned the Earl of Thomond and Teig Mac Murrough 
until they gave bonds and hostages of their good behaviour ; he kept the 
earl's brother in irons, made Sir Donald O'Brien sheriff, left a provost 
marshal and a garrison among them at their request and charge ; and upon 
shewing them that the uncertainty of their tenures was the cause of all their 
disturbances, they promised to surrender their estates and take patents ac- 
cording to law. Having effected these objects he proceeded to Galway. 5 

Sir John Perrott, who in 1572, had been appointed Lord President of 
Munster, had so effectually proceeded in the interest of Elizabeth, that 
James Fitzmaurice, of Desmond, was compelled to submit to him at Kil- 
malloch, which town on 4th of March before he had burned and plundered, 
having executed the sovereign and several of the townsmen, Fitzmaurice 

1 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Vol i., p. 330. 

2 The letters patent passed to Mac I Brien are duly enrolled among the patents of 120 
Elizabeth. 

3 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 345. 4 Ibid. 
5 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 345. 



100 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

made his submission in the Church, lying prostrate at the President's feet, 
who held the point of the sword at his heart, in token that he had received 
his life at the queen's hands. 1 

Extraordinary customs prevailed in this reign, if we are to credit contem- 
porary witnesses. At the execution of Murrogh O'Brien, " a notable traytor" 
at Limerick, the foster mother of the unfortunate Murrogh took up the 
head, sucked the blood as it flowed from it, and stated, that the earth was 
not worthy to drink it. She then steeped her face and breast in the reeking 
gore, and tore her hair, crying and shrieking most terribly. 2 

We will not follow the Deputy to Galway, which he describes not flatter- 
ingly, neither shall we go through those still continued and apparently 
endless wars of the Desmonds and O'Briens, which fill so vast a space in the 
annals of these eventful times. During the Mayoralty of Eoger Everard 
the Deputy arrived, as we have seen, in Limerick, and Ferrar, who is fol- 
lowed by Eitzgerald, erroneously states, on the authority of the Davis MSS. 
that it was in this year that the sword of state was carried before the Mayor, 
and that the Cap of maintenance was for the first time worn. The sword 
had been sought for in the reign of Henry VIII. but refused ; Elizabeth, 
however, in her charter, which she granted to Limerick in 1582, and not in 
1575, not only bestowed the sword, but gave the " hatte of mayntenance" 
also. Eor this most important charter see Appendix. 

During Sir Henry Sidney's visit to Limerick he addressed a letter to the 
Lords of the Council in England, which supplies some interesting details, 
illustrating the state of the south of Ireland at this period. The letter is 
dated Limerick 27th of February, 1575-6, and after giving an account of 
his arrival in Waterford, after his tour in Ulster and Leinster in all which 
places he met with a very favourable reception, proceeds to describe 
his visit to Lord Power at Curraghmore, where he was entertained " with 
plenty and good order," and where he found the tenants in a condition which 
would be considered enviable at the present day, for though the soil is stated 
to be much worse than in the county Kilkenny, " yet Ins tenants made more 
of one acre of land than there was made of three acres in that country or 
was made in the Decies, the lordship near adjoining him on the other side ; 
and the reason was that he suffered no idlers in his county, nor the better 
sort to oppress each other." 

Erom Curraghmore the Lord Deputy proceeded to Dungarvan Castle, 
where the Earl of Desmond waited on him, humbly offering him any service 
that he was able to do the queen. 

Erom Dungarvan the Deputy passed into Sir John of Desmond's country, 
in the county of Cork, from which he proceeded to Lord Barry's, and on the 
28th of December, arrived at Cork, where he was received " with all the 
joyfulness, tokens and shews they could express, and diet and lodge six weeks 
for half their pay." Here he was waited on by the chief men of the province, 
all of whom, the letter states, offered all fealty, homage and service to her 
Majesty, and to hold their lands of her and yield her both rent and 
service. 

After having settled matters at Cork, he proceeded towards Limerick and 
was two nights entertained at Lord Roche's. At Limerick he was attended by 



' Smith's History of Kerry, pp. 2G2-3. 

2 Spencer's View of Ireland, p. 104: he adds that the old Gauls used to drink their enemy's 
Uoud. and paint themselves with it, and that the lriah drank the blood of their friends. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 101 

several lords and gentlemen, and was received with much greater magnificence 
than he had hitherto seen in Ireland. Here as elsewhere,, the local notables 
who visited him, complained bitterly of the misery and waste of the country by 
their great men, and begged for an English force to protect them, and Eng- 
lish Sheriffs to execute the laws, offering to surrender their lands and hold them 
of the queen. The letter mentions amongst his visitors the Bourkes, Sup- 
ples, Purcells, the " Eed Eoches/-' and divers original Irish, as O'Movlan, 
MacBrien, Ogoonah, MacIBrien Arra, O'Brien of Aherlow, on the South 
side of the Shannon, and many other personages of distinction. The Earls of 
Ormond and Upper Ossory also waited on him, the latter of whom he had 
left governor of the English Pale during his absence, and found kept in 
good order. Ulick and John Bourke, sons of the Earl of Clanrickarde, also 
waited on the Deputy, having received their pardon and being ordered to 
meet him at Galway. The Earl of Thomond, the letter continues, and all 
the principal gentlemen of his name, though enemies to each other, with 
two Lords in Thomond called Macnamara, also came and made the same 
complaints as the others ; but the counties of Kerry and Tipperary being 
Palatinates the Lord Deputy did not visit, "but thinks that no perfect refor- 
mation could be in Munster until these grants were resumed" — so far Sir 
Henry Sidney's letter. The palatine authority here referred to was about 
this period pleaded by the Earl of Desmond, who had been nominated one 
of the Council of Sir William Drury, who in the year 1576, was appointed 
Lord President of Munster on the return of Sir John Perrott to England, 
as a prehminary step towards the reform of the Province. The new President 
proceeded to extend his jurisdiction into Kerry, notwithstanding Desmond's 
plea and subsequent appeal to the Chief Governor ; and there, after a short 
struggle with the EarFs followers, he proceeded at once to execute the law 
without any further obstruction. 

In the year 1576, Thomond according to the annals of the Pour Masters 
was separated from Connaught and joined to Munster. The annals for the 
year 1577, which is memorable for the massacre of the men of Leix and 
some of the Keatings at Mullaghmast by the English, aided, some say, by the 
O'Dempseys, mention a visit paid to Thomond at this period by the Lord 
President, accompanied by a great multitude of the English and the chiefs 
of the two provinces of Munster, on which occasion he held a court for 
eight days at Ermis, and " the Dalgais having refused to become tributary to 
their sovereign, he left," says the annalist, " a marshal with a vigorous and 
merciless body of troops to reduce them. The President then returned to 
Limerick, and proceeded to behead the chieftains and rebels of the districts 
adjacent to Limerick : amongst these was Murrough the son of Murtough, 
son of Mahon, son of Donough, son of Brian Duv O'Brien, the most re- 
nowned and noble of the heirs of Carraigh O'Coinnell and Eatherlah," now 
Carrick O'Gunnell and the Glen of Aherlow, in the county of Tipperary. 1 

In this year Thomas Leary, Catholic Bishop of Kildare died in banish- 
ment. 2 The Earl of Thomond, Conor O'Brien, in the same year, according 
to the annals of the Four Masters, went to England to complain to the queen 
of his distresses and oppression, and obtained a charter of his territory and 
towns, and also a general pardon for his people. He received great honor 

1 Annals of the Four Masters. 2 Rothe's Analecta. 



102 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

and respect from Elizabeth, but be was disappointed in bis expectations that 
thenceforward his territory would be free from the unjust jurisdiction of the 
Marshal, who before the Earl's return had imposed a severe burden on the 
people, so that they were obliged to become tributary to the sovereign, paying 
ten pounds for every barony. " This" adds the annalist " was the first tri- 
bute paid by the Dalcassians." For they had been free from tribute before 
the English invasion, and they had resisted the payment of tribute up this 
year. 

In 1579 Thady Daly, a Franciscan of the convent of Askeaton, was executed 
in Limerick for the faith. Edmond Donnelly, of the Society of Jesus, a 
native of Limerick, after suffering different torments, was hanged and quar- 
tered in Cork. 1 

In the same year Nicholas Stritch, Mayor of Limerick, presented Sir 
William Peiham the Lord Justice with a thousand citizens well armed ; with 
these forces Sir William marched to Fanningstown, where he was presented 
with letters by the Countess of Desmond, to excuse her husband for not 
obeying the Lord Justice ; these were filledwith evasions and trifling excuses. 
Desmond was proclaimed a traitor, and the army was ordered to enter his 
country with fire and sword, if he did not within twenty days, surrender. 
In their progress they hanged the Mayor of Youghal at his own door. 2 

In this year was fought the celebrated battle of Manister or Monaster- 
nenagh, five miles to the north-west of Bruff — a battle of which such sin- 
gularly discrepant accounts have been given by O'Daly in his History of the 
Geraldines, and by Camden. The latter, who has been followed by Ware, Cox, 
and Leland, asserts that Sir John of Desmond was defeated with the loss of 
two hundred and sixty of his army, together with the famous Dr. Allen the 
Jesuit who was left dead on the field. Allen and Sanders, the Jesuit and 
Papal Legate, had arrived from Spain at Smerewick, on the coast of Kerry, 
in the previous year, with three ships, men and money, &c. 0'Dary, who 
mentions the loss of Thomas Geraldine, Johnston, and Thomas Brown, 
Knight, says nothing about Allen. The Irish force assembled here by Sir 
John Fitzgerald, brother of the Earl of Desmond, consisting of 2000 Irish 
and Spaniards, headed by Father Allen, and aided by the abbot of the 
monastery, were attacked by Sir William Malby at the head of 150 
cavalry, of 600 infantry, and defeated with great slaughter, including a great 
number of the Clann-Sheehy. 

The Irish were well commanded by Spanish officers, and fought with such 
fury that the battle was a long time doubtful. The Earl of Desmond, who, 
with Lord Kerry, had viewed the action from the neighbouring eminence 
called Tory Hill, on perceiving the result, retired into his strong castle at 
Askeaton, where Malby remained nearly a week, the Geraldines every day 
threatening to give him battle, though they did not do so. 3 Malby destroyed 
the monastery of that town, and then proceeded to Adare, where he remained, 
subjugating the people of that neighbourhood until he was joined by Sir 
William Pclham the newly patented Lord Justice, the Earl of Kildare, and the 
Earl of Ormonde. 4 During the engagement the Irish and Spanish soldiers 
took shelter in the abbey of Monasternenagh, which suffered greatly from Hie 

1 Rothe's Analcctfl. 

2 Ware's Annals. 

• 1 Annnls of the Four Masters. 
* Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 103 

fire of the English cannon, the refectory and cloisters being destroyed, 
and the surrounding walls razed to the ground, so that the monastery, 
though it survived until the dissolution, never recovered its original impor- 
tance. It was here that a horrible slaughter was made of the Cistertian 
monks by the murderous soldiers of Malby, who cut the throats of those 
defenceless recluses, and perpetrated the most revolting atrocities. 1 The 
Desmond castles, garrisoned by the English after this battle, were Loughgur, 
Kathmore, Castlemorrison, Adare, and Kilmalloch. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



MARTYRDOM OF BISHOP HELY AND FATHER o'rOURKE. CONTINUED 

ATROCITIES. 

The Earl of Ormond, in the same week, made a chieftahfs first expedition 
into the territory of the Geraldines, and proceeded as far as Newcastle West 
in the county Limerick, whence he carried off all the flocks and herds in the 
country that he could seize upon, but he returned back without receiving 
battle or conflict, because that at that time the Earl of Desmond was with 
his relatives in Kerry. 2 

The martyrdom of the holy Bishop of Mayo, Patrick Hely, and his com- 
panion, Father O'Kourke, occurred in this year at Limerick by the order 
of the Deputy, soon after his visit. 3 Pope Gregory had earnestly recom- 
mended Father Patrick Hely to his flock in Ireland, on account of his 
" incredible zeal/'' and had him consecrated Bishop of Mayo. After a certain 
number of days the Holy Father, having provided him with whatever he 
required, sent him forward, recommending to him the care and spiritual 
health of the faithful in this country. The pious bishop proceeded on his 
journey, and having arrived at Paris he remained there for seven or eight 
months, where he spent his time, partly in the convent of his own order, and 
partly in the city itself; and, says my authority, he did not do so without meriting 
the hearty commendations of all who approached him, as he was not only an 
example but a perfect mirror for every one to see himself, not as he was, but as 
he ought to be ; and who was not only admirable for his talents and virtues, 
but in whom, charity, in particular, burned so strongly, that he may have been 
said to have been a warming "sun" (helios), who was not deterred by the most 
imminent dangers from studying the salvation of the Irish. He held a public 

1 In the reign of Queen Elizabeth a part of the army entered the monastery of Nenay, or 
Maigue, sometimes called Commogue (see White's MSS.), in the county of Limerick, of the order 
of St. Bernard, and because the abbot and his monks would not renounce the Catholic faith, he 
and forty of his monks were put to death and afterwards beheaded, and that in the church in 
presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This happened on the 14th of August, the eve of the 
Assumption, says Broduinus. Angleus Manriquez and Chrisostome Henriquez tell a curious story 
about an old monk, the only one left alive by the victors, who, they state, entered the choir 
weeping copiously, and found all his murdered brethren with a bloody mark round their throats, 
and with crowns on their heads and palms in their hands, singing the usual vespers, Deus in 
adjutorum, &c. 

2 Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 Thomas Bourchier de Martvrio Fratrum Ordinis Minorum Iugolstad, 1583. 



104 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

thesis in Paris, in which he manifested, in the most indisputable manner, the 
wonderful resources of his great intellect, in which, not only in the abstract 
sciences, but in the varied range of controversy and logic, he shewed a superior 
genius, astute, vigorous, complete, deficient in nothing that constituted the 
perfect theologian ; bending even to the studies of the juniors, and making 
easy to them the pathway of learning. In an age when learning was so gene- 
ral in France, and when Paris was filled with many of the ablest men of the 
age, the praise bestowed by Father Thomas Bourchier .on Doctor Patrick 
Hely, would seem extravagant were it not vouched for by an earnestness and 
emphasis not to be misunderstood or mistaken, in the elaborate panegyric of 
the illustrious man who was soon destined to bedew the scaffold with his blood 
in Limerick : his only crime was that he loved the faith and evangelised 
the poor. He had a full conception of the peril he incurred in coming to 
Ireland, where the ravening wolves which at this period, were thirsting for the 
blood of a priest, were sure to scent him out ; but he did not hesitate 
wherever zeal and obedience urged him forward. He resolved to bow to the 
mandate of the Holy Father rather than be dictated to by his own appre- 
hensions of what was to happen to him. He prepared, at once, like a good 
shepherd, who is ready to lay down his life for his flock if the occasion should 
arise. He made himself up for the voyage, therefore, and the ship which 
bore him having touched on England, he sailed for Ireland, which when he 
reached he at once proceeded to seek the Earl of Desmond. When he 
reached his residence, he found that the Earl was from home, but he was 
hospitably and politely received by his wife, the Countess of Desmond ; but not 
indeed to the honor of her name, must it, alas ! be told, that like other 
women, she too acted a fearfully treacherous and dreadful part. " Like the 
dancing girl who brought the head of Saint John to Herod — like Delilah who 
shore Samson of his strength, and delivered him into the hands of the Philis- 
tines — like the woman who caused the fall of David" — this lady of the house 
of Desmond, forgetful of everything that became her position and name, 
betrayed the holy Doctor Patrick Hely and his companion, Father O'Rourke, a 
native of Connaught, into the hands of their enemies, after a period of about 
three days. 

On the day after this visit he departed for Limerick, which Bourchier de- 
scribes as at this time the first city in Munster, in which, as there were many 
Catholics, Hely expected to gather good fruit in the vineyard of souls ; and 
there, his intended work and mission having been made known to the Mayor, 
through the exertions of the Countess of Desmond, he was cast into prison. 
The enterprize was unquestionably a most perilous one, and the holy Bishop 
' must have been perpetually aware of the snares which awaited him in a 
locality where destruction was prepared for the devoted sons of the Church. 
But he was so filled with love of his heavenly Father, as Father Bourchier 
observes, that he despised all terrors. He was immediately transmitted 
from Limerick to the town of Kilmalloch, where at that time the Deputy 
resided, and by his orders sentenced with his companion to death, without any 
other form, except the process of martial law. The Deputy, however, offered 
him full right and possession of his benefice, provided he would deny the 
faith and betray his whole business to him ; to which the bishop replied, that 
as regarded his faith, he would not part with it for the enjoyment of life 
and honors j but as for the business on which he had come, he said he came 
to discharge the episcopal function (which he had openly professed to do) 
and thereby to promote the cause of religion and effect the salvation of souls, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 105 

nor did he refuse a death which was attended by any advantage to religion, 
or even avoidance of disadvantage. The Deputy further called upon him to 
reveal the plan formed by the Pontiff and king Philip of Spain for the 
invasion of Ireland, which he absolutely refused to do, although his silence 
was the cause of grievous tortures to him. 1 For, placing small iron bars 
across his fingers, they struck them so violently with a hammer, that his 
fingers were cut to pieces, and as he still refused to reveal anything, they 
immediately led him to the gallows. While he was being conducted to the 
place of execution he asked permission to read the litanies and to receive 
absolution from his companion, and to give it in turn ; both of which he was 
permitted to do. He then exhorted his companion, who was affected by a 
natural horror of death, to be of good cheer, for that though the feast was a 
bitter one, the triumph would be noble. Having restored his companion's 
courage by this exhortation, and made a most impressive address to the people, 
in which he spoke at length of the necessity of preserving an unswerving 
faith, and of his professional duties, for asserting which he, together with his 
companion, cheerfully met a happy death for the love of Christ, both were 
immediately hanged. But Bourchier observes, that the Deputy who passed 
sentence on the bishop, was immediately after seized with an incurable 
disease of which he died at Waterford, " though struck by no wound, as one 
who undoubtedly fell under the vengeance of God." Be the cause of his 
death what it may, certain it is that Sir William Drury, the Deputy or Lord 
Justice, who had been summoned from Cork to Kilmalloch, to suppress the 
insurrection which had suddenly burst forth on the arrival of James, the son 
of Maurice, formerly temporary leader of the Geraldines, who had recently 
landed from France with a supply of men and arms, to raise the standard of 
the Pope amongst the disaffected Irish and English, did die at Waterford, 
whither he had returned, and was succeeded in his office by Sir William 
Pelham. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, who thus suffered with Father Cornelius 
O'Bourke, and another whose name is not mentioned, was, as I have stated, 
bishop of Mayo ; both martyrs were of the Franciscan order. They were 
hanged upon a tree, and their bodies remained suspended for fourteen days, 
to be used as targets by the soldiery. 2 

As a proof that this persecution was not confined to Limerick, we may men- 
tion that in 1579 Thomas Hierlihy, Bishop of Ross, who was born in the 
country of Eoss, in the district of Carberry, was raised to the Bishoprick of that 
see, and assisted at the council of Trent in 1563, together with Donald 
Magongail, Bishop of Raphoe, and Eugene 0' Hair, Bishop of Achonry. Upon 
his return to Ireland, he endeavoured to enforce the decrees and discipline of 
that council : he was driven from his see in 1570, and fled from the violent 
persecution against him into a small island, where he was taken, together 
with his chaplain, by the eldest son of O'Sullivan, and delivered up prisoner 
to Sir John Perrott, President of Munster. He was sent prisoner to England, 
and for three years and seven months was confined in a dark nauseous dungeon 
of the tower of London, together with Richard Creagh, Primate of Armagh. 
He was there offered great honours and dignities if he would renounce the 
faith, which offers he constantly rejected and chose death in preference to 
them. At length, Cormac McCarthy becoming bail for him, he was released 
out of the tower and returned to Ireland : upon his landing in Dublin, he 

1 Bourchier, p 167, &c. 

2 Bourchier, Wadding; and Bruodin, Passio Marl. p. 437. 



106 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

was again apprehended and confined,, until by letters from London, the 
government was assured of his being enlarged there. Upon his return to his 
own country he retired from the noise of the world, and built, for himself, 
near the side of a lonesome wood, a little cabin made up of wattles, wherein 
he spent the remainder of his days in divine meditations, in consoling his 
distressed flock, in administering the sacraments, and in all other works of 
piety and charity ; at length, consumed with labour and overcome by many 
hardships, he died, in the odour of sanctity, in the year 1579, and was 
buried in a convent of Franciscans in Muskerry, called the Cellecrea. 1 Nor 
were these dreadful crimes perpetrated on such men only as Doctor Hely, and 
his companion, Father O'Eourke, and the Bishop of Boss ; the terrors of the 
time are indescribable. On the 11th of February, a commission of martial 
law was sent to Sir Warham Saint Ledger, then the Lord Justice, who re- 
mained three weeks at Waterford, whence he went to Clonmel, where Ormond 
met him, and thence to Limerick. His baggage was carried a great part of 
the way on men's shoulders for want of carriage horses, or because of the 
badness of the way, or both ; and at Limerick, the chancellor of the diocese 
was found guilty of high treason, for corresponding with Desmond, but he 
made a shift to get a pardon, while the Bishop of Limerick, who was also 
shrewdly suspected, was merely confined to his house. 2 On the 1 0th of March, 
Ormond and the Lord Justice met at Eathkeale ; next day they passed over 
the bridge of Adare, and returned at night and invaded Connelloe, and having 
done what mischief he could there, proceeded to Carrigfoyle, which he took, 
and hanged Captain Julio, an Italian engineer, who commanded the garrison ; 
and on the 3rd of April, 1580, laid siege to the castle of Askeaton, one of the 
most magnificent castles in the country, which the garrison deserted, and which 
the Lord Justice partially destroyed by gunpowder, leaving the towers un- 
touched, as they remain to this day. Askeaton and Ballyheige castles, 
in Kerry, which were taken at the same time, were the last castles of the great 
Desmond. Having left four companies at Askeaton, the Lord Justice re- 
turned to Limerick on the 5th of April ; Ormond proceeded to Kilkenny, 
Malby to Connaught, and the others to Dublin. 3 But the Lord Justice did not 
rest in Limerick. He proceeded (" by sea" ?) to Adare, and sent Captain 
Case by land, where, we are told, they both returned " after the slaughter of 
many traytors, with a prey of twelve hundred cows and as many sheep." 4 
On the 15th of May he received a commission from Elizabeth to be Lord 
Justice, and another to make Sir William Burke Baron of Castleconnell, with 
a yearly pension of a hundred marks during life. 5 On the 13th of this month 
Pope Gregory the Thirteenth granted to all Irishmen who would fight against 
• the Queen, the same plenary pardon and remission of all their sins, as to 
those that were engaged in the Holy War against the Turks. 6 

1 Rothe's Analecta. 

2 Cox, Hibernia Anglicana, p. 363. 

3 Cox, Hibernia Anglicana. 4 Ibid. 

5 The Four Masters give a more particular and accurate account of this expedition, in which 
they mention the townlands through which the Lord Justice passed, and show that " the tray- 
tours" they killed, were not only men fit for action, but " the)' killed blind and feeble men, 
women, boys and girls, sick persons, idiots, and old people." They add, that a great number 
were killed by the plundered parties, who followed thera to the camp. — Annalg of the Four 
Masters. 

6 Sullivan's Catholic History, p. 101, and Peter Walshe's Remonstrance. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 107 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ENGLISH PROGRESS. PERSECUTIONS CONTINUED. ARRIVAL OF THE 

SPANIARDS. 

On the 8th of July, the Lord Deputy continuing in Limerick, the Catholic 
Lords of Munster were summoned before him; they were charged with 
correspondence with the rebels ; they submitted, with the exception of Lord 
Barry ; but repenting of the terms, they withdrew their submission, and were 
confined to their chambers in consequence, until they had bound themselves 
to maintain two thousand men during the war. It was at this time that the 
queen's fleet reached the coast of Ireland, and made no delay until they cast 
anchor in the Shannon, opposite Carraigh-an-Phuill. 1 

About Whitsuntide following, the Lord Justice proceeded back to Askea- 
ton, where he spent a considerable part of the summer, and never ceased, 
day and night from persecuting and extirpating the Geraldines. 2 Having 
perpetrated several revolting atrocities, he passed by a transverse course to 
Cork, and back to Askeaton and Limerick. He had in his custody, the 
Chiefs of Munster (the Geraldines only excepted) as hostages on this 
occasion, namely, Barrymore, the wife andson of MacCarthy More, the two 
sons of MacMaurice of Kerry, (D'Sullivan Bear, MacDonough McCarthy, 
Chief of Duhallow, and the son of MacCarthy Eeigh. 3 While the Lord Justice, 
Sir William Pelham, was at Limerick, Arthur, Lord Gray, Baron of Wilton 
and Knight of the Garter, arrived in Dublin; and the Lord Justice surrendered 
the sword to him, having left Limerick for Dublin for that purpose, and 
sailed for England. 

The reign of terror proceeded unchecked and rampant ; in the church of 
the parish of Mahunagh, county of Limerick, dedicated to St. Nicholas, 24 
poor old people were put to death on the 6th of August, 1581. Gelasius 
O'Quillenan, a Bernardine abbot of Boyle, and Eugene Crane were martyred. 
Daniel O'Nieilan, a Eranciscan, was martyred at Youghal by John Norris, 
mayor. Laurence O'Moore, a priest, Oliver Plunkett, a gentleman, and 
William Walsh, a soldier, were shot to death by a party in hatred of their 
religion, 11th November. 4 

An Italian or Spanish fleet of the " Pope's people" landed in Kerry in 
the September of this year ; their arrival caused the greatest excitement in 
Limerick, so much so, that had they appeared at the gates of the city, they 
would have been thrown open to them, such was the idea of their strength 
and importance among the citizens, who viewed the expedition with contend- 
ing feelings of hope and dread. 5 They landed at Eort-del-or, which is 
situated on an island connected with the South shore of Smerewick Harbour, 
and which James of Desmond fortified the year before. O'Sullivan, in his 
Catholic History, gives a description of the island, near which is a green 
round hill called Cnoc-na-geaan, i.e. hill of the heads, whereon, tradition has 

1 The Four Masters and Ware state that it was the occupants of the Castle of Askeaton who 
endeavoured to blow it up ; and the Four Masters add that, not being able to destroy it, they 
opened wide its gates, and the next day it became the property of the Queen. This was the first 
time that ordnance was used in the district, and the terrible roar of " those unknown guns, the 
like of which had never been heard before," had a dreadful effect on the occupants of the Castle, 

2 Annals of the Four Masters. 3 Ibid. 

4 White's MSS., and Analecta, 5 Arthur MSS. 



108 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

it, the English were encamped when they stormed the fort, This fleet was 
induced to come to Ireland to assist the Geraldines, who, it was known 
abroad, had been reduced to great extremities for their devotion to Ireland, 
and their defence of the Catholic faith and of Catholic interests. The Earl 
of Ormond mustered an army to oppose the expedition, and did not halt 
until they arrived in Kerry ; after a good deal of parleying and diversation, 
the Italian Captains, Stephen San Josepho, Hercules Pisano, and the Duke 
of Biscay, " came to the Lord Justice as if they would be at peace with 
him;" but the people of the Lord Justice went over to the island, and 
proceeded to kill and destroy the invaders, so that even of the seven hundred 
Italians not one escaped, but all were slaughtered as they cried out, miseri- 
cordia, misericordia. 1 The Lord Justice also seized upon much gold, wealth, 
and other things which the Italians had with them ; he destroyed the for- 
tifications on the island, in order that it should not be a supporting rock or 
a strong retreat for insurgents any longer ; and having effected all this in 
the month of November, he returned to Limerick, and thence to Eingal. 

With respect to the Italian captains, there is but one opinion on the part 
of Camden, 2 Muratori, and O'Daly, and that is, that the principal man among 
them, San Josepho, was either a downright imbecile, or an accomplished 
traitor. 3 Donough and Mahon O'Brien continued to worry and lay waste 
the country from Burren to Limerick ; and John, the son of the Earl of 
Desmond, was, at this time, a roving plunderer ; but though in so miserable 
a plight, he commanded a body of one hundred followers, with whom he did 
execution in Upper Ormond and Eliogarty, retreating to the woods about 
Mountrath, where he was joined by the sons of MacGillapatrick, the son of 
O'Carroll, and a great many others, who harassed the country in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Slieve-Bloom mountains, being joined by all the men of 
Offally and Leix who were able to bear arms. 4 

The blow struck at the power of the Desmonds, and the cause in which 
the Catholics of Ireland had their hearts, was felt so much, that disappoint- 
ment and sorrow were universal. Sir George Bourchier was selected Governor 
of Munster before the departure of Sir William Pelham, and was in the city 
of Limerick acting in his official capacity, during the events we have been 
describing. In 1581 the Earl of Desmond, notwithstanding his reverse, made 
many successful incursions. Upon one occasion, however, a bold and merciless 
body of ' ' the soldiers of Adare,'" having been divided into two parties, went 
forth, the one by water, the other by land, to traverse Kerry, and the lands 
lying along by the banks of the Maigue, to seek for fighting or booty. The 
two parties having been met together in the neighbourhood of Ballycal- 
hane, by young David, ancestor of all the families of the Purcells, 
according to Mac Firbis's pedigree, and his forces, charged them, so 
that he left them but a heap of bloody trucks and headless carcases. When 

1 Ware's Annals. 2 Life of Queen Elizabeth. 

3 O'Daly, who is a competent authority, expresses his belief that he was a traitor. 

* The manner in which John lived on this mountain was worthy of a true guerrilla ; he slept 
but upon couches of stone or earth ; he drank but from the pure cold streams, and that with his 
hands or shoes ; his cooking apparatus were the long twigs of the forest, with which he used to 
dress the meat he carried away from his enemies. Had John been able to join the Italians and 
Spaniards, as he intended, and in which intention he was seconded by James Eustace, Viscount 
Baltinglass, who had renounced the Protestant creed, and became a Catholic, by the Kavanaghs, 
Kinsellagles, Byrnes, and Tooles, (Annals of the Four Masters) he would have prevented the 
slaughter which cast a stigma on the Lord Justice and Ormond, and enabled the Italians and 
Spaniards to keep their ground firm in Smerewick, and march into the interior. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 109 

the news reached Adare, Achin, the captain of the town, 1 assembled the 
soldiers of Kilmalloch, and set out at the head of a sanguinary body of troops, 
and slew every man, woman and child he met outside Ballyeaihane Castle, 
(near Kildimo) which belonged to Purcell, who had assisted the crown from 
the commencement of the war between the English and the Geraldines to that 
time. On the following day David's people were hanged on the nearest trees ; 
and the heroic soldier himself was sent to Limerick, where he was immediately 
put to death. Nicholas, the agent or treasurer of the Geraldines, was slain 
by the soldiers at Adare in this year, and Turlough O'Brien, uncle of the Earl 
of Thomond, who, after being a year in prison, was hanged in Galway, his 
execution being followed two days after by that of William, son of the Earl 
of Clanrickarde, whose sons had rebelled against the authority of the crown. 



CHAPTEE XVIII. 

FATE OF THE EAEL OF DESMOXD. 



Ix this year 2 the two sons of MacMaurice of Kerry made their escape 
from the King's court in Limerick, the Council having resolved to put them 
to death. They soon found themselves supported by hundreds of kerne, 
and they spent the remainder of the year in acts of pillage and insurrection. 
In the winter of this year Dr. Saunders, the Pope's legate, died in a miserable 
hovel in the woods of Claenglass, worn out by cold, hunger, and fatigue. 
The government had offered to pardon Desmond if he would give up this 
eminent ecclesiastic to them, but this he steadily refused. His companion 
in misfortune, the Bishop of Killaloe, who attended him in his last moment, 
escaped to Spain and died in Lisbon, A.D. 1617. It was to the fastnesses 
of Caenglass, which is situate in the south of the county of Limerick, and 
to the adjacent woods of Kilmore, that John Desmond, who still protracted 
this wretched struggle, was in the habit of carrying his spoil. In this year 
Hugh Lacy, Bishop of Limerick, died in gaol. He had been deprived by 
Queen Elizabeth. 

In 1582 3 died Teige O'Brien (founder of the Ballycorick family) " a hero 
in prowess." He had been for some time Tanist of Thomond, but was 
expelled together with his brother by Donnell. He afterwards went to Spain 
and France, and thence to England, where he obtained his pardon and his 
entire share of the territory, except the tanistry alone. He was interred in 
the monastery of Ennis. Donogh O'Brien (son of Morrogh), who had 
joined the rebellious De Burgh the year before, having repented, returned 
back under protection ; 4 but the Queen's officers detected a flaw in the pro- 
tection, and hanged him in the gateway of Limerick ; he was buried in the 
monastery of Ennis. His castles and lands of Lemenagh, Dromoland, Bally- 
connelly, and other places, descended to his son Connor and his heirs, 
amongst whom is the present Lord Inchiquin, who established his right to 
that title in virtue of his descent from this Donagh, the founder of the 
family of Dromoland. There was no forfeiture, because Donagh fell a victim 
to martial law, which recognises no forfeitures. 5 

1 Ware's Annals, and Annals of Four Masters. 2 Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 Annals of the Four Masters. 4 Annals of the Four Masters. 

6 O'Donoghue's History of the O'Briens. Appendix. 



110 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The attachment of the Irish peasantry to the Geraldines was not less 
remarkable than that of the Scotch to the Stewarts. Notwithstanding the 
great rewards offered for the capture of their leaders, no one was found so 
base as to betray them, and yet the gallant John of Desmond appears to 
have fallen a victim to the treachery of one of his followers, if we are to 
believe (XDaly, Hooker and Cox. The story is thus told in the Annals of 
the Four Masters : — John set out accompanied by four horsemen to the woods 
of Eatherlack, 1 to hold a conference with Barry More, with whom he had en- 
tered into a plundering confederacy. He proceeded southwards across the river 
Avonmore in the middle of a dark and misty night, and happened to be met 
face to face by Captain Sicutzy [the Irish for Zouch], with his forces, though 
neither of them was in search of the other. 2 John was mortally wounded 
on the spot, and had not advanced the space of a mile beyond that place 
when he died. He was carried crosswise on his own steed from thence to 
Cork, and when brought to that town he was cut in quarters, and his head 
was sent to Dublin as a token of victory. According to O'Daly, a wretch of 
the name of Thomas Fleming, who had been his servant, was the person who 
killed him. He adds that his head was spiked in front of the Castle of 
Dublin, and his body was hung in chains at one of the gates of the city of 
Cork, where it remained for three years, until on a tempestuous night it was 
blown into the sea. 3 His kinsman James was hanged soon after, together 
with his two sons, but Lord Barry made his peace with the government. 

The savage rigor of Lord Grey had already offended even his own govern- 
ment. "We have seen how after the surrender of Smerewick, with a savage 
barbarity only equalled by Cromwell in after years, he had put every man of 
them to the sword, with the exception of the governor and a few officers. 
In consequence of this extreme severity, this Lord Grey, of whom it was 
said that "he left her majesty little to reign over but carcases and ashes/'' 4 
had been recalled, and Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin, and Sir Henry Wallop 
were appointed Lord Justices. By these Lord Justices first efforts were 
made to bring back Desmond to his allegiance, but without effect. To what 
a frightful state Minister was now reduced, may be seen in the pages of the 
annals of Hollinshed, of Fynes Morison, Cox, and particularly of Spencer, from 
whose remarkable description we make the following extract : — " notwith- 
standing that the same (Munster) was a most rich and plentyful country, 
full of come and cattle, yet ere one year and a halfe they (the Irish) were 
brought to such wretchednesse as that any stony heart would have rued the 
same ; out of every corner of the woods and glynnes they came creeping forth 
upon their hands, for their legges could not bear them, they looked like the 
anatomies of death ; they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves ; they 
did eat the dead carrions, happy where they could finde them, yea and one 
another soone after, inasmuch as the very carcases they spared not to scrape 
out of the graves ; and if they found a plot of water-cresses or shamrocks, 
there they nocked as to a feast for the time, yet not able long to continue 
there withal, that in short space there were none almost left, and a most 
populous and plentyfull country suddainely left voyde of man and beast/' 5 

1 The Glen of Aherlow, four miles south of Tipperary. 

2 A statement which is denied by the above-named writers. 

3 Ware states that the body was hanged by the heels on a gibbet by the north gate of Cork, 
and his head sent to Dublin to be placed on a pole upon the castle. 

4 Cox, Hib. Ang. 5 Spencer's State of Ireland, p. 166. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Ill 

The annals of the Four Masters are almost equally graphic in their 
description of the ravages caused by these wars, when " it was commonly 
said that the lowing of a cow or the voice of the ploughman could scarcely 
be heard from Duncaoin, (now Dunqueen, the most western part of Kerry) 
to Cashel in Munster.'" 

Further persecutions and murders of Priests and religious were now per- 
petrated. Andrew Strich, a Priest, a native of Limerick, who studied in 
Paris, laboured greatly in the mission of Ireland, at length was taken and 
confined in Dublin, where he died with the hardships. 1 

In 1582 Donough Hinrechan, Philip O'Fen, and Maurice O^Scallan, all 
Franciscans, were stabbed at the altar in the Convent of Lislactin, county 
Kerry. 2 

The Earl of Desmond who was excluded from the amnesty which was now 
granted to the insurgents, occasionally gave proofs of considerable energy. 
He plundered the territory of Ormond, defeated the English in a hard fought 
battle at Gort-na-Piei, [Peafield in Tipperary] and cut to pieces a large force 
which had been sent against him by the brother and sons of the Earl of 
Ormond at Knockgraffin. He also despoiled the MacCarthys. But for 
sometime previously his people had begun to separate from him, and on one 
occasion 3 when he had spent his Christmas in the wood of Kilquaig, near 
Kilmalloch, the garrison of that town were induced by the importunities of 
one John Walsh to endeavour to surprise him, and marching in the night, very 
nearly captured himself and his countess, who alarmed by the noise, got out 
of their cabin into the river, where they stood up to their chin in water on 
the bank side, and by this means escaped, but his servants were all killed, 
and his goods were carried away. In the summer and autumn of 1583, 4 even 
his countess, his children, and friends had begun to desert, so that at this 
period he had only four persons to accompany him from one cavern of a rock 
or hollow of a tree, to another throughout the two provinces of Munster. 5 
Deserted by his adherents he became a fugitive through the country, and 
was hunted from place to place, and was so well watched, that on one 
occasion when the Earl, accompanied by sixty gallowgiasses, happened to be 
in the glen of Aherlow, the were surprised whilst some of them were asleep 
and some cooking horse flesh, by one Captain Dowdal who made prisoners of 
the first and cut the latter to pieces. The Earl however escaped and fled to 
Kerry, where he took shelter in a wood near Tralee. We give the rest of 
this melancholy story from the Annals of the Four Masters, with such cor- 
rections as their strong prejudices against the Geraldines require : — 

" When the beginning of winter and the long nights began to set in, the 
insurgents and robbers of Munster began to collect about him, and prepared 
to re-kindle the torch of war, but God thought it time to suppress, close, 
and finish this war of the Geraldines, which was done in the following way : — 
A party of the Moriartys of the Mang side [a family], of the race of Aed- 
Beannan [king of Munster, who died in 619 6 ] took an advantage of the Earl 
of Desmond, whom they found in an unprotected position ; he was concealed 
in a hut in the cover of a rock in Gleann-an-Ghinntegh [Glan-geenty, five 
miles east of Tralee] . This party remained on the watch around the habi- 

i White's MSS. 2 Analecta. 

3 Cox, Hib. Ang. 4 Annals of the Four Masters. 

5 Munster was divided into Thomond, Desmond, Ormond, and Iarmond, i.e. north, south, 
east, and west Munster. The two former are to be meant here. 

6 Annals of Innisfalkn. 



112 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tation of the Earl from the beginning of the night until the dawning of day ; 
and then in the morning twilight they rushed into the cold hut. This was 
on Tuesday, which was St. Martin's festival. They wounded the Earl, and 
took him prisoner, for he had not with him any people to make fight or 
battle except one woman and two men servants. They had not proceeded 
far from the wood when they suddenly beheaded the Earl. Were it not that 
he was given to plunder and insurrection, as he [really] was, this fate of the 
Earl of Desmond would have been one of the principal stories of Ireland/'' 

P. O'Sullivan Beare does not mention the name of O'Moriarty in con- 
nexion with this murder ; but he appears to believe that the persons who led 
the soldiers to this place did not know that it was the Earl of Desmond 
that was there. He seems to think, however, that Daniel who slew the Earl 
was brother of Owen. 1 Daniel O'Kielly, Kelly or Kolly, one of the soldiers 
who took the lead of the band, entered first and almost severed the EarPs 
arm with a blow of his sword. The old man then exclaimed, " I am the 
Earl of Desmond, spare my life." Donnell O'Moriarty took him on his back 
and carried him some short distance, but finding he could not live, or fearing 
the return of the Earl's party, O'Kielly cut off his head at Owen Moriarty's 
desire. 2 The EarFs head was fixed upon London Bridge, and his only son 
James, was kept prisoner in the Tower of London for many years after his 
death. 

O'KieHy, who was rewarded by government with a pension of £20 a year, 
was hanged in London for highway robbery. Owen O'Moriarty was also 
hanged some years after, in the insurrection of Hugh O'Neill, by EitzMaurice 
of Lixnaw, the family having become excessively unpopular on account of 
the part they had taken in this tragic occurrence ; O'Sullivan says that the 
place where his body was killed still continues red. The spot is still called 
Bothar-na Iarla, [the Earl's Road.] Thus ended the rebellion of the 
great Earl of Desmond, whose character has not been very favourably 
drawn, even by Thomas Moore, who describes him as weak of understanding, 
and violent in temper, rather than naturally depraved. 3 MacGeogheghan 4 
says of the Eitzgeralds of Desmond, " the Maccabees of our day, who sacrifice 
their lives and property in defence of the Catholic cause.'''' His extensive 
estates, the revenue of which, according to the same authority exceeded at that 
time 400,000 crowns, were surveyed by Sir Valentine Brown, ancestor to Lord 

1 O'Donovan's Notes to Annals, 1583. 

2 A preposterous attempt has been recently made to shield the respectable family of the 
Moriartys from the stain imagined to have been fixed upon the posterity of Owen or Daniel 
(Ormond, says " Donal") McMoriarty and their followers for the part which they took in the 
capture and killing of the last of the Desmonds. It is stated by these that it was not Moriarty 

' but O'Kielly, (erroneously called Kelly by Cox,) who murdered the earl. But the Annals of the 
Four Masters distinctly state the fact that the Moriartys not only wounded but put him to death ; 
and a letter written by Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormonde and Ossory, Governor of Munster in 
1583, addressed to the privy council and dated Kilkenny, 15th Nov. 1583, fully vindicates the 
veracity of the Four Masters, the truth of whose statements en this subject has been lately 
impugned by Mr. M. A. O'Brennan in a note in p. 163 of his " Antiquities of Ireland." 

Mr. O'Brennan has been satisfactorily refuted in a recent publication, a " History of Clanna- 
Kory," by Richard F. Cronnelly, (Dublin, Goodwin, Son and Nethercott, 79, Marlborough-3treet, 
1864,) p. 56, 57, in which the authorities above alluded to are given. I am assured that the sept 
of O'Moriarty is called the Kind na Mala in Kerry, that is " the breed of the bag," in reference to 
the bag in which the earl's head was carried ; and a learned member of the house of Fitzgerald 
has stated to my informant, that it was long customary in that family to ask " whether there was 
any Moriart}' in the room ?" whenever they met en famille on festival or other occasions. The 
general tradition is that O'Kielly wounded the earl severely in the arm, and that the sept of 
O'Moriarty cut off his head. 
3 Moore's Hist. IV. 95. * History of Ireland, translated by O'Kelly. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 113 

Kenmare, and divided amongst the English, who supported the war against 
him, and particularly the Earl of Ormond, who had a large share of the 
spoils. The reader who remembers how the ancestors of this illustrious 
family obtained their estates, will probably look upon their fate as a retribu- 
tion for the unscrupulous chivalry of the followers of Fitzstephen and 
Strongbow. 

1583. After the death of the Earl of Desmond all his followers submitted 
to mercy except John Bourke who stood out, and he with his company went 
to Adare to take a prey, but as he passed the castle a boy discharged a piece 
and shot him in the head. He was afterwards hanged at Limerick by the 
Commissioners. 1 

The Earl of Desmond's estates in Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford, 
extended one hundred and fifty miles, and contained 574,628 acres. John 
Oge, the son of John, son of Thomas, the Earl, died at an advanced age in 
Limerick, his sons having joined the Earl of Desmond. 2 

The Arthur MSS. mention a curious occurrence which took place at Lim- 
erick about this time. One Stephen Eochefort, having married a lady named 
Catherine Wolfe, had excited the jealousy of a certain James Cromwall to 
such a pitch of madness, that he conceived the idea of murdering his fortunate 
rival. Availing himself of the occasion of a review, or muster of the city 
militia train-bands, Cromwall, in prosecution of his wicked scheme, discharged 
a double ball at him while he was reviewing the men, and shot two other 
citizens dead, the object of his murderous revenge escaping the intended 
blow. Eor this offence the assassin was hanged upon a gibbet, cut down 
while still alive and decapitated; after which his body was cut into four 
quarters. The militia of the city at this time amounted to 800 men, while 
Waterford had only 600, and Cork 400, from which the comparative popu- 
lation of Limerick at the period has been reasonably inferred to have been 
proportionately superior to either of those cities. 3 

1 Dr. Smith's MS. in the Royal Irish Academy, p. 150; Cox, and Annals of the Four 
Masters. 

2 Annals, ad an. 1583. 

3 The following is the list of the Militia of Munster in this year, as given by Cox :— 





Shot. 


Billmen. 


The City of Waterford - 


300 


300 


Cork - 


100 


300 


Limerick 


200 


600 


Clonmel 


040 


200 


Kilmallock 


020 


100 


Fethard 


020 


100 


Cashel 


020 


140 


Kinsale 


020 


100 


Carrick 


020 


040 




~UO 


1880 


The Barony of Muskerry - 


020 


300 


Carbry 


030 


1000 


The County Tipperary 


050 


400 


The Barony of Decies 


020 


200 


Imokilly 


012 


080 


Condons 


008 


060 


Lord Barry's Country 


030 


200 


MacCarthy More 


008 


400 



178 2640 



114 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In the same year, Brien Duv O'Brien made a surrender of his Lordship of 
Carrigogunnel, which was immediately returned to him under a new grant. 1 

The death of the Earl of Desmond was followed by a period of tranquillity. 
The hopes of the disaffected were extinguished, and desolation and famine 
followed the ravages of five years of civil war. Sir John Perrott was sworn 
into the office of Lord Deputy on the 26th of June, 1584, and after making 
a progress to Athlone and Galway, attended by Sir John Norris and Sir 
Bichard Bingham, who were respectively Presidents of Munster and Con- 
naught, arrived at Quin in the county Clare, where Cruise, the sheriff of 
the county, delivered up to him Donogh Beg O'Brien, styled by the Annal- 
ists, in their excessive loyalty, the arch traitor, and leader of the plunderers 
of Connaught : — " whose body, mangled and half dead after hanging, was 
affixed, fastened with hard and hempen ropes to the top of the steeple of 
Quin as a warning to evil doers/'' Turlough, son of Owney O'Loghlen of 
Burren, had been executed previously by Sjr Edward Brabazon, the temporary 
governor of the province. The Lord Justice went next day to Limerick, 
and was resolved, according to the Annals of the Pour Masters, to destroy 
and reduce a great number of gentlemen on each side of Limerick, until 
news reached him that a Scotch fleet had arrived in the north of Ireland, 
whither Perrott proceeded at once, and promptly repressed the movement. 

In 1585 a parliament was summoned to meet at Dublin, with the two-fold 
object of settling the country, and disposing of the vast forfeitures of the 
Desmond estates. A great number of lords and chiefs attended. 2 In the 
second Session, which was held in the April of the next year, the late Earl 
of Desmond and a hundred and forty of his adherents were attainted, their 
property confiscated, and subsequently divided amongst English undertakers, 
who were invited from England to assist in repeopling the desolated regions 
of Munster ; seven years were allowed to each undertaker to complete his 
plantation ; garrisons and commissioners were to be provided to prevent and 
settle differences. Each undertaker had licence to export all commodities 
duty free for five years ; the planters to be English, and no English planter 
to convey to any mere Irish — the natives being forbidden to have anything 



1 The following was the grant : — 

" A Grant to Brien Duffe O'Brien Mac Donagh of Carrigogynnell, chief of his nation in Pobel- 
brien, and Lord of Pobelbrien (upon his surrender dated 9th July, 1584,) of all and singular 
Manors, Lordships, Castles, lands, woods, fisheries, advowsons and hereditaments spiritual and 
temporal of and in Carrigogynnell, Cloghey, Keatyne or Cloghakeatin, Derrecknokan, Loymeney, 
Bowbiglasse, Cnocknegall, Bally vorroghowe, Cnocknegranshye, Garranemonagh, Ballyeahan, 
Cnockgromassill, Kyllenchon, Kyllynoghtie, Dromeloghan, Ballymeilly or Ballynveylie, Lackyn- 
vintane, Birrenegyhie, Ballynostie, Cahirephollyen-Graige, Ballyneennonoge, Atiflewin or Arti- 
flony, Dawnin, Anaghenrostye, Cloghecokye, Barneehoile, Ballyanrichan, Ballivylishe, Terrevowe, 
Clonounye, &c, to hold to the heirs male of his body, remainder to his brothers Teige, Mathew, 
alias Mahowne, Dermone, Donalde, and Conogher O'Brien in Tail Mail successively in Capite, 
by the service of one Knight's fee, and the rent of £5 sterling for and in consideration of the 
like rent of £5 out of the premises, paid or due to Gerald, late Earl of Desmond, and his heirs, 
to find three sufficient horsemen, well furnished with horse and armour, with 3 hackneys for the 
said horsemen with their apparel and 6 footmen, alias shott or kerne, either Galloglas, such as 
the L. D. should chuse or think fit, where or when required, upon 20 days' warning or less, at 
their proper costs and charges, as necessity should require, and paying yearly out of certain of 
the premises for an increase or new rent 2s. sterling, and saving to the Queen the benefit of every 
composition of the premises to be made by the L. D. and Council, together Avith the benefit of 
every escheat and forfeiture of the premises, by reason of the attainder of Gerald, late Earl of 
Desmond, or other traitors attainted or to be attainted. — Dated, 17 Feb. 1584— Enrolled in Rolls 
Office, Dublin. 

2 See O'Donovan's Notes for a most interesting account of the modern representatives of these 
families, whu.se names are published in the text of the Four Masters. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 115 

whatever to do with the forfeitures. The undertakers were all English gen- 
tlemen ; they were sent over to plant and occupy no less than 574,658 English 
acres of land in the counties of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Kerry, which 
were divided into seignories, containing 12,000, 8000, 6000, and 4000 
acres, according to a plot laid down for the commissioners for that purpose. 
Smith 1 gives a list of the undertakers and their grants in Kerry, from which 
we take the subjoined particulars : — 

To Sir William Herbert, Knight, 13,276 acres, at £221 5s. 4d. crown rent 
per annum. 

To Charles Herbert, Esq., 3,768 acres, at £62 15s. 4d. per annum, crown 
rent. 

To Sir Valentine Brown, Knight, 6,560 acres, at £113 6s. 8d., crown rent. 

To Sir Edward Denny, Knight, 6,000 acres, at £100 per annum, crown 
rent. 

To Captain Jenkin Conway, 5,260 acres, at £8 18s. 8d. crown rent. 

To John Champion, alias Chapman, so called by Moryson and John Stone 
(neither of whose posterity in the male line remain in this country), 1,434 
acres, at £23 18s. per annum, crown rent. The first Earl of Cork purchased 
these lands from Chapman and Stone. 

To John Holly, 4,422 acres, at £73 14s. crown rent, of whose posterity, 
also, says Smyth, I find no remains. 

The Conways, Blennerhassets, Springs, Eices of Kerry, were settlers and 
undertakers in the same reign. The Eices settled or had possessions in 
Limerick county. James Eice, of Ballymuddell, son and heir of Stephen 
Eice, Esq., of Dingle, married Elinor, daughter of Eobert White, Esq., of 
Limerick, and, second, Phillis, daughter to Edward Fanning, Esq., of the 
city of Limerick, and dying the 24th of Eebruary, 1636, had issue by 
the latter eight sons and three daughters, of whom Sir Stephen Eice, the 
fifth son, being bred to the law, was appointed the 1st of June, 1686, one of 
the Barons of the Exchequer, and April 11th, 1687, Chief Baron of that 
Court. 2 

After the undertakers had been appointed, Sir John Perrot gave the charge 
of the county of Desmond to the Earl of Clancare, Sir Owen O'Sullivan, and 
O'Sullivan More ; and the palatinate of Kerry to the government of the 
Queen's Sheriff and Lord of Kerry. 3 The work had been so effectually 
accomplished that the undertakers were able to settle down and possess the 
enormous estates, which constituted the chief forfeitures in the kingdom in 
those troubled and disastrous times. 

Queen Elizabeth, understanding that the act, the 12th of her reign (where- 
by the Irish Prelates were strictly obliged to maintain free schools, according 
to the quantity and quality of their dioceses, the Bishop paying one-third of 
the expense, and the clergy the other two-thirds) was so slenderly, or not at 
all, executed in Limerick, empowered the mayor of the city to sequester 
yearly, and from time to time, so much of the livings, tithes, &c, as belonged 
to the Bishop and Clergy of the diocese. 

Soon after the prorogation of the parliament, Sir John Perrott resumed the 
work suspended by the recall of Sir Henry Sidney, whose letter referring to 
this subject we have alluded to heretofore, and after he had proved to the 

1 History of Kerry, pp. 32, 33, 34, et Seq. 

2 Sir Stephen Rice was the ancestor of the present Lord Monteagle of Brandon. 

3 Smith's History of Kerry, p. 277. 



116 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

conviction, if not to the satisfaction of the lords and chiefs of Thomond, lately 
annexed to the Presidency of Connaught by the name of the connty Clare,, 
that the main canse of their troubles was the uncertain grant and possession 
of their lands. He had brought them, therefore, he says in his letter, to 
agree to surrender all their lands, and take it of her Highness the Queen, 
again, and yield both rent and service. The evils attendant on the system 
of cuttings and cessings, exactions made by the chieftains under pretence of 
defending the people, were enlarged upon in a commission now issued, and 
the commissioners began their work with the county of u Clare and Thomond." 
Then followed the districts within the newly-created county of Galway, and 
" Indentures of Composition" were entered into for these territories. 

The nature of this Indenture appears from the following extract from the 
Four Masters. 2 

" The governor of the province of Connaught with a number of other 
men of distinction, and of the council of Dublin, went to the province of 
Connaught, to hold in the first place a session in the monastery of Ennis, in 
the county of Clare. Here they enacted universal ordinances, namely : — that 
ten shillings should be paid to the queen for every quarter of land in the 
country, as well ecclesiastical as lay lands, except the liberties which they 
themselves consented to grant to the gentlemen of the country ; and that over 
and above the queen's rent, five shillings should be paid to the Lord of Thomond 
for every quarter of land free and unfree, 3 in the whole country except the 
liberties and church lands. They took from the Earl of Thomond the dis- 
trict of Kenel-Eearmaie [" barony of Inchiquin,'"] which had been hereto- 
fore under tribute to his ancestors, and gave the Lordship of it to the Baron 
of Inchiquin, Morrough the son of Murrough, son of Dermot O'Brien. 
It was also ordained and decreed that Turlough the son of Donnell, son of 
Connor O'Brien, should have the rents and court of Corcomroe, the Castle of 
Dumhach, in succession to his father, to whom it had first been given out 
of the Lordship of Thomond, by the Earl of Thomond, namely Connor the 
son of Donough O'Brien. They deprived of title and tribute, every, head 

i Cox, Hib. Angl. See these indentures in Hardiman's edition of O'Flaherty's Description of 
Jar Connaught, pp. 309-362. 

The recital of the parties to the indenture ahout to be made contains the following list of the 
leading families of the County Clare at this period : — 

u Indenture made betwixt the Rt. Hon. Sir John Perrott, Knight, &c, of the one part, and the 
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, chieftains, gentlemen, &c, of that part of the Province of Con- 
naught called Thomond, that is to say, Donogh, Earl of Thomond, Morrogh, Lord Baron of 
Inchiquin ; the Reverend Father in God, Mauricius, Bishop of Killaloe ; Daniel, elect Bishop of 
Kylfinoraghe ; Donogh O'Hiran, Dean of Killaloe ; Daniel Shennagh, Dean of Killfinoragh ; 
Denis, Archdeacon of the same ; Sir Edward Waterhouse, of Downasse, Knight ; Sir Torlogh 
O'Brien, of Ennistevey (Innistymon), Knight ; John Macnamara, of Knappock, otherwise called 
Macnamara of West Glancuilen ; Donald Reagh Macnamara, of East Glancuilen ; Teige Mac 
Mahon, of Clonderalaw, otherwise called MacMahon of Castle Corrovaskin ; Torlogh MacMahon, 
of Moyasta, chief of his name in "West Corcovaskin ; Moriertagh O'Brien, of Dromleyne Glu ; 
Mahowne O'Brien, of Clonclewan (Clonoon) gen. ; Owny O'Louglin, of the Greggans, otherwise 
called O'Loughlin ; Rosse O'Loughlin, of Glan Columkille, tanist to the same O'Loughlin ; 
Mohme and Dermod O'Dea, of Tullyadea, chiefs of their names ; Conor MacGilreogho (Gallery) 
of Cragboren, chief of his name; Torlogh MacTeige O'Brien, of Beallacorriga, gen.; Luke 
Bradey, son and heir of the late Bishop of Meath ; Edward White, of the Cralletagh, gen. ; 
George Cusacke, of Dromoglen, gen. ; Boethius Clancy, of Knockfinny, gen. ; John MacNamara, 
of the Moetullen, gen. ; Henry O'Grady, of the Island of Inchicronan, gen. ; Donogh MacClanchy, 
of the Urlion, chief of his name ; Donogh Yarrav O'Brien, of Ballycessy, gen. ; Conor O'Brien, 
of Curharcercae (Cahercorcran), gen. ; and George Fanning, of Limerick, merchant, of the other 
part." 

2 O'Dono van's Translation, ad. an. 1585. 

3 See O'Donovan for the meaning of this expression. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 117 

or chief of a sept, and every other Lord of a triocha-ched (barony) through- 
out the whole county, with the exception of John MacNamara, Lord of the 
western part of the district of Clann-Coilein, who did not subscribe his 
signature to this ordinance of theirs. They made similar compositions in 
the counties of Galway, Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo."" Such was the 
manner in which the settlement of Thomond was effected. 1 

About this time lived Richard Creagh, 2 an illustrious native of the city of 

1 This composition was signed by Murrogh and Murtagh, the last king of Thomond, by the 
former in person, by the latter through his nephew and representative, Sir Turlogh of Ennisty- 
mond. The majority of the chiefs, it may be presumed, yielded a reluctant acquiescence to this 
settlement. 

2 We extract an account of his life and actions from the White MSS. : — 

THE LIFE OF RICHARD CREAGH, PRIMATE OF ARMAGH. 
1585. This great and illustrious Prelate and Primate of Ireland, was born in the City of 
Limerick, of honest and industrious parents. His father was Nicholas Creagh, a merchant, and 
his mother's name was Joan White ; in his youth he was bound apprentice to a grocer, which 
calling, as he did not like, it being exposed to commit frauds, he soon obtained his indentures, 
and applied himself closely to his studies, in which he made a great proficiency. He then went to 
Louvain, where he studied philosophy and divinity, and argued being made a Bachelor. Being 
promoted, he returned to his native country and city, where he laboured indefatigably by his 
private teachings, his public sermons, and by his instructing the children and the ignorant in the 
rudiments of the faith. After thus exerting himself for some time in the mission, he again 
went abroad, as well to perfect himself more in his learning, as to embrace a more austere and 
religious life, for which purpose he went to Rome, but was forbid by Pope Pius V. to become a 
Regular until His Holiness's will was further signified to him, for the Pope designed him for 
filling the see of Armagh, then vacant by the death of George Dowdall, Archbishop, which he 
accordingly did ; and as soon as Richard was consecrated he repaired to Ireland [Dowdall died 
in June, 1558 — Ware], where in a short time after his landing, he was taken and confined in 
Dublin. After being some time in fetters, he, together with his keeper, made their escape, and he 
again retired to foreign countries, where, after breathing a little liberty, and understanding that 
it was the will of his Holiness that he should again return to the mission of Ireland, he accord- 
ingly did so, and there, for a while, he most strenuously laboured for the edification of his flock, 
until he was again taken and brought to Dublin, where he was arraigned for being a transgressor 
of the law and a breaker of the jail. He justified himself with great presence of mind, acknow- 
ledged himself to be a Catholic Prelate, but denied his breaking the jail, whereas his keeper 
made off along with him. The judge made a malevolent charge to the jury against him — the 
jury, according to custom, were locked up, but disagreeing to their verdict, they continued some 
days shut up, living on bread and water, and at length brought him not guilty ; the jury there- 
upon were imprisoned and fined. The Prelate was transmitted to England, and fettered in a 
nauseous dark dungeon of the Tower of London ; he was allowed no more light than what served 
him to eat his victuals by, but which he served to say his office with, and he likewise contrived 
to save the fat of his victuals, and with a rag to make a kind of a candle whereby to have light 
to say his office. He was at length brought out of this dark dungeon, and lodged in a more 
lightsome apartment of the Tower. It was during his abode here that the new Bishops appointed 
by Queen Elizabeth to fill the sees of England, not being able to find any Catholic Bishop to 
give them consecration, had resource to Archbishop Creagh in the Tower ; for that purpose, they 
therefore invited him to a neighbouring tavern ; they flattered and caressed him ; they offered 
him his liberty, the choicest church livings, the Queen's favor, and the highest bribes, if he 
would but consent to consecrate them ; but all their offers were in vain ; he would not betray the 

trust reposed in him, nor give the bread of the children to . Ward, in his cantos, thus 

satirically relates this passage : — * 

" The good Armagh, in pious rage, 
Curst gold and them, and to his cage 
He fled, where late he lay before 
Begging the turnkey of the doors 
To lay him fast in chains and gieves 
Secure from such unhallowed thieves, 
And never more to let him loose 
Until the happy fatal noose 
Should free him from imprisonment, 
And send his soul hence innocent." 
Some time after this affair with Parker and his fellow Bishops, a trifling passage put it in our 

* This answer given by Ward may be contested by many circumstances, one of which is, that 
Pius V. was not Pope in 1559, the year of Parker's appointment. — Note by Dr. Young, Catholic 
Bishop of Limerick. 



118 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Limerick. Archbishop Creagh was the relative of Dr. Thomas Arthur, 
who gives in his MSS. a copy of the Archbishop's Bull of consecration. 1 

Prelate's mind to contrive his escape : a small bird came into his room, and as it were to show 
him, there began to prepare itself for flight, by composing its wings, stretching them, then flying 
from place to place, until at last it flew out. The Prelate thereat being inwardly moved, now 
found that he perhaps might also escape ; he threw himself on his knees, he begged God to drive 
that distraction out of his mind ; the same notion of escaping still returned to him — he packed 
up what little clothes he had ; he returned to prayers ; in short, he continued in a kind of anxiety 
and uneasiness of mind for some days — his nights were disturbed with visions in his sleep ; he 
could not expel the thoughts of procuring his escape, and as if he was inwardly moved thereto, 
in Easter week, he goes to the prison door, which he finds open ; he looks about him, and saw 

1 Copia Vera Bullae qua Richardus Crevagh, Limericensis Sacerdos Assumptus est ad Archiep- 
iscopatum Ardmachanum totiusque Hiberniae Primatum. 

Pius Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei delicto Alio Richardo Creuoch lecto Ardmichano Salutem et 
Apostolicam benedictionem. Divina disponente dementia cuius inscrutabile providentia ordinationem 
suscipuit universa ad apostolicae dignitatis apicem sublimitati ad universas orbis ecclesias aciem 
nostras considerationis extendimus et pro earum etatu salubriter dirigendo apostolice f avoris auxilium 
adhibemus sed de illis propensius cogitare nos convenit, quas propriis carere pastoribus intuemur 
ut eis juxta cor nostrum pastores praeficiantur idonei qui comisos sibi populos per suam circum- 
spectionem providam etprovidentiam circumspectam salubriter dirigant et informent acEcclesiarum 
ipsarum bona non solum gubernant utiliter sed etiam multis modis afferantincrementis. Dudum si- 
quidem provisiones Ecclesiarum omnium tunc vacantium et in antea vaciturarum ordinationi et dis- 
position! nostra? reservavimus. Decernentes ex tunc irritum et inane si secus super his per quosqunque 
gravis authoritate scienter vel ignoranter contigeret attemptari. Et deinde Ecclesia Ardmachana 
cui bona? memorise Donatus Mac Teige Archiepiscopus Ardmachanus dum viverat praesidebat per 
obitum ejusdem Donati Archiepiscopi qui extra Romanam Curiam debitum naturse persolvit pastoris 
solatio destituta. Nos vacationem hujusmodi fide diginis relatibus intellecta ad provisionem eiusdem 
ecclesise celerem et f aelicem de qua nullus praeter nos hac vice se intromittere potuit sive potest re- 
servation et decreto desistentibus supradictis ne ecclesia ipsa longae vacationis exponatur incommo- 
dis paternis et solicitis studiis intendentes post deliberationem quam de praeficiendo eidem ecclesise 
personam utilem et etiam f ructuosam suis fratribus nostris habuimus diligentem Demum ad te Pres- 
byterii Limericensis diocesis Baccalareum in Theologia de legitimo matrimonio procreatum et in 
aetate legitima constitutum vitas ac morura honestate decorum in spiritualitus providum et tempo- 
ralibus circumspectum alijsquemultiplicum virtutum donis prout etiam ride dignorum testimoniis 
accepimus insignatum direximus oculos nostrae mentis. Quibus omnibus debita meditatione pensatis 
te a quibusvis ex communicationis suspensionis et interdicti alliisque ecclesiasticis sententiis, censuris 
et pamis a jure vel ab homine quamvis occasionem vel carisas latissi quibus quomodo libet innodatus 
existis ad effectum praesentium duntaxat consequentum harum serie absolventes et absolutum fore 
consentes,De persona tua nobis et eisdem fratribus nostris ob tuorum exigentiam meritorum accepta, 
eidem ecclesiae cuius Praesul pro tempore existens Primas totius Hiberniaa esse dignoscitur. De 
ipsorum fratrum consilio apostolica authoritate providemus teque illi in Archiaepiscopo preficimua 
etpastorem, curam et administratrionem ipsius ecclesiae tibi in spiritualibus et temporalibus plenarie 
comraittendo in illo qui dat gratias et largitur praemia confidentes quod dirigente Domino actus 
tuas pref ata ecclesia sub tuo faslice regimine regetur utiliter et prospere dirigetur et grata in eisdem 
spiritualibus et temporalibus suscipiet incrementa. Jugum igitur Domini tuis impositum humeris 
prompta devotione suscipiens curam et administrationem pra?dictas sic exercere studeas solicite fi- 
deliter et prudenter quod ecclesia ipsa gubernatori provido et fructuoso administratore gaudeat se 
commissam tuque praeter seternae retributionis premium, nostram et apostolice sedis benedictionem 
et gratiam exinde uberius consequi merearis. Quocirca venerabilibus fratribus nostris suffraganeis 
et Dillectis filiis capitulo et vassalis dictas ecclesias ac clero et populo civitatis et Diaecesis Ard- 
machanas per appostolicas scripta mandamus et suffraganei tibi tanquam membra capiti obsequentes 
et capitulum tibi tanquam patri et pastori animarum suarum humiliter intendentes exhibeant tibi 
obedientiam et reverentiam delitas ac devotas. Ita quod mutua inteste et ipsos suffraganeos gratia 
gratos sortiatur effectus et nos aeorum devotionem possimus propterea in domino commendare, ac 
clerus te pro nostra et sedis prasdicta? reverenter benigne recipientes et honorifice pertractantes tua 
salubria monita et mandata suscipiant humiliter et efficaciter adimplere procuret ; Populus vero 
te tanquam patrem et pastorem animarum suarum devote suscipientes ac debita honoroficientia 
prosequentes tuis monitis et mandatis salubribus humiliter intendant. Ita quod tu in eos devotionis 
filios et ipsi in te per consequentes patrem benevolum invenisse gaudeatis. Vassali autem praafati te 
debito honore prosequentes tibi fidelitatem solitam rec non consueta sevitia et jura tibi ab eis 
debita integre exhibere procurent Alioquin sententiam sive psena quam respective in rebelles rite 
tuleris sive statueris ratam habebimuset faciemus auctore Domino usque ad satisf actionem condig- 
nam inviolabiliter observari. Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum anno incarnationis Dominicas 
1564. Unedecimo Kalend. Aprilis Pontificatus nostri anno quinto. Cae. Glorierius. 

fr. De fforida. 
Se Cae. tan, Secretarius Apticus Glorierius. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 119 

Maurice Kenrichy of Kilmallock, a great supporter of the unfortunate 
Earl of Desmond, was another celebrated priest in these days of trouble and 
disaster, of which the general character is well indicated in such notices of 

every passage open before Mm ; he returns again, and had resource to prayers ; at length he took 
his clothes, which he had packed up under his arm; he goes out through a passage before un- 
known to him, and passes through six gates, all of which he found open, until he came to the 
outward gate, where there was a guard of soldiers ; he was asked. by them if he had the maris, 
for that it seems was the watch now ; he, not understanding what they meant, was silent, upon 
which one of the soldiers prudentially said drily, " you see he has his clothes under his arm ;" 
they thereupon asked him who he was. He confidently answered, he belonged to a great Lord (for 
there were some lords confined in the Tower) ; the soldiers said, they would bring him before a 
proper person to know the truth ; he answered, he could prove what he said before any one ; they 
thereupon dismissed him. He afterwards for three days strolled through London without know- 
ing any one ; as he passed along he often heard the Irish people talk of the Irish Bishop with 
the grey beard who escaped out of the Tower ; he even frequently met those who were in search 
for him, and with his very keeper, who was so blinded as not to know him. He agreed with the 
master of a ship for his passage to Flanders, but the master, as well as all his crew, were Presby- 
terians, and when they were just ready to sail, the Queen's officers came aboard, and put them 
all to their oath to tell if the old Irish Archbishop was aboard ; they all swore he was not, for 
that they had no passenger but a young Frenchman, for such they mistook him to be. When 
they were to sail from the English coast one of the sailors discovered his breviary, and 
the men were intent upon turning back in order to get the 300 ducats which were offered for 
taking him, but the winds immediately began to blow so hard against them, and so fair for 
Flanders, they were obliged to steer thither, where our Prelate safely landed. He continued in 
these Catholic countries for some time : but it being intimated to him that it was the Pope's will 
he again should return to Ireland, he readily obeyed, and when he arrived in that country he 
went there — warmly exerted himself, not only in the cure of his flock at Armagh, but also in 
his assiduity in visiting all other parts of the kingdom, then in the greatest confusion on account 
of the wars which then raged, and that by the violent persecution most of the dioceses were de- 
prived of their Catholic Pastors. He was engaged in an unfortunate dispute with the OXeil. 
Earl of Tyrone, who then at the head of the Ulster Irish waged war against the Queen. It 
seems that O'Xeil unjustly seized and possessed many Church lands, which he turned to his own 
account, and likewise gave an unbridled liberty to his soldiers to plunder and ill-use ecclesiastics 
who came in his way. The Primate often laid these grievances before O'Xeil, but instead of 
redress he met with insults and ill-usage from him. He used all possible means to reclaim 
OXeil. but all was to no purpose : wherefore he was under a necessity of excommunicating him. 
But O'Xeil laid but little stress on his censures, which proved unlucky to OXeil, for from that 
time forth none of his proceedings were attended with success. This Prelate was at length 
taken the third time, sent to Dublin a prisoner, where he lay confined, and from Dublin was 
again transmitted to London, and was shut up in the Tower, where he remained for many years, 
consoling his fellow sufferers wherever he got liberty to see them, employing all vacant hours at 
prayers, dispersing through the city salutary letters to confirm the Catholics in their faith, and 
exhorting them to abstain from resorting to the Protestant churches which the laws urged them 
to. He and other Catholic prisoners were once compelled by the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower 
to hear a minister preach in the chapel of the Tower, who in his sermon greatly inveighed against 
the Catholics ; but Bishop Creagh on the spot stopped the preacher short, and began to confute 
his doctrine, but his mouth was firmly shut with bands, and he was brought back to his dungeon. 
A malicious accusation, which was framed against him, gave the Prelate a great deal of uneasi- 
ness. This was framed against him by one of the keepers, who alleged the Bishop ravished his 
daughter. He was obliged to stand his trial for it at Westminster, yet notwithstanding the 
virulence of the accusers, the jury brought in a verdict of his innocence — even the very girl 
publicly acknowledged the bribe she received for accusing him. He at length, after a tedious 
confinement, or rather a long martyrdom, finished his days in the Tower in the year 15S5. 

There are some who say that the keepers of the Tower, being tired of his long confinement, 
and the expenses of his support, poisoned him with a piece of cheese which one of them reached 
him, and which he ate suspecting no fraud ; when he was, for some time, tormented with violent 
inward cuttings, he sent his urine by a boy to one Archow, a Catholic physician, who, as soon as he 
saw it, cried out, " The Irish Bishop is poisoned beyond all remedy." Perceiving his weakness to 
increase, and his end to approach, he sent to a neighbouring dungeon for one father P. Criton, 
of the Society of Jesus, detained likewise a prisoner there for the faith, who, having received his 
confession, and performed every other necessary which the place and circumstances would admit 
of, he never parted from him till the holy Prelate expired, the 11th October, 15S5. 

It is said that the place in Connaught in which he was taken never since produced either 
grass or corn, and that when in the Tower he was closely manacled, yet when he was desirous 
of either erecting or opening his window for air, that his fetters would so far loosen as was 
necessary for what he wanted to do. Amongst other works of his, he wrote these books — viz.. 
on the Origin of the Irish Language — on Controversy of Faith against Heretics — a Chronicle of 
Ireland and an Irish Catechism. His catechism was published in 1560 (Dr. Young's not?). He 






120 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

cotemporary events as the following four entries in the chronicles of the 
times : — 

1584. Thady Clanchy of Ballyrobert, in the connty of Limerick, was for 
the faith put to death, 15th September — remarkable for his piety. — Analecta, 

1588. Dermot Mulroony, or Moroney, a native of the county of Clare, 
and son of the Franciscan Convent of Limerick, was taken at Galbally, and 

obtained from Gregory XIII. a yearly subsidy for supporting Irish students for the mission, and 
•was very intent on encouraging the Jesuits to come to Ireland. He was buried in the Tower of 
London. 

So far we quote from the White MSS. 

While our illustrious Archbishop lay a prisoner in the Tower of London, he underwent a 
series of interrogations at the hands of Sir William Cecil, as to his going to Rome, and as to the 
English and Irish subjects who were acquainted with his movements. In Shirley's Original 
Letters there is a copy of the examination taken from the holograph of Sir William Cecil. The 
Archbishop gave an account of those with whom he was acquainted, and whom he met in Rome, 
including Murtough and Donough O'Brien, scholars, Dermod O'Thady, Conor og, Owen Myers, 
&c. Whilst he was in Rome he was succored by the Pope, both in meat, drink, and house rent, 
because he was sent thither by the Pope's command, which he was bound to obey by an oath 
taken when a student in Louvain. On being questioned as to how many English, Irish, and 
others, he made privy to the cause of his return into Ireland, he replied, that with the exception 
of an English Jesuit, who was at Dellingen, near Augsburgh, and two friars of St. Francis, an 
English and an Irishman, whom he met at Antwerp, and one Doctor Clement, who lived in that 
city, no one knew of the circumstance. Some young Irish scholars had heard in Louvain, per- 
haps from persons who had come from Rome, of his appointment to the Archbishopric of 
Armagh. He said that he had spent a portion of his time in merchandise, which was true, — 
that he carried a letter from the Pope to Shane O'Neil, — that he did not endeavour to procure 
the Bishopric of Down and Connor for Shane's brother, a young man of twenty-three years of 
age, and unlearned, — that he was aware the Queen only could found a university, — that he was 
anxious to convert those who were given to all kinds of iniquities, to murders, &c. He stated 
that he lost part of a ship, esteemed to be worth nine thousand ducats, by the French gallies in 
the war in King Henry's time, and that a sum of £32 wa3 taken from his brother by the 
searcher of Dover when he was going with the mone} T to Louvain, to pay for his (the Arch- 
bishop's) school expenses, &e. &c. This examination was taken on the 22nd of February, 
1564-5, and on the 17th of March in the same year, another examination was taken by Richard 
Ousley, Recorder of London, and Thomas Wilson, Master of St. Katharine's Hospital, which is 
also given in Shirley's Original Letters. In this examination he stated that David Wolfe, a 
fellow citizen of Limerick, was the Pope's nuncio — that Wolfe was a professed Jesuit — that he 
had lived in Rome about eight years — that he was sent from Rome, by obedience, to Ireland, 
to see what Bishops did duties in this country, what sees were void, and that he himself had 
been most commonly in the Bishopric of Limerick, and had taught children there. His intro- 
duction to the nuncio arose from the fact that the nuncio had heard he was learned — that he so 
required him to go to Rome, and take upon him the Archbishopric of Cashel, and afterwards the 
Archbishopric of Armagh being void before his departure, the nuncio charged him to go to Rome 
for the Archbishopric of Cashel or Armagh, which he could not refuse, because when a bachelor 
of divinity in Louvain he swore obedience to the Pope, and therefore durst not disobey the 
nuncio. He stated that the nuncio gave him a letter to Cardinal Morone — that on his coming 
to Rome he delivered his letters to the superior of the Jesuits, he desiring to enter religion, but 
he was commanded shortly after by Cardinal Gonzage, who was acting in the place of Cardinal 
Morone, then at the Council of Trent, that he should not enter into religion till he had known 
the Pope's pleasure. In answer to further questions, he stated that when he was leaving Ireland 
the nuncio gave him forty crowns — that the Bishop of Limerick (Hugh Lacy) gave him twelve 
marks, " the which 12 markes he had as an exibion for his fyndy'g there," and twenty crowns he 
had of his own, and more he had not by credit or otherwise. On being questioned where the 
nuncio most commonly kept in Ireland, be stated that he had secretly come to Limerick, and 
had been the last summer with Shane O'Neil in Tyrone, as he heard, and that the letters he 
received were delivered to him in Limerick, in the presence of a Priest called Sir Thomas Molam. 
He stated further that he went out of Ireland two years before — that he came to Rome in 
January — that in February he was commanded not to enter into religion, and that afterwards 
he was charged upon the Pope's curse, not to refuse the Archbishopric of Armagh, and about 
Easter, twelve months after, he was consecrated by Lomelinus (Beneditto Lomellino of Genoa, 
born 1517, Clerk of the Apostolic Chamber, Bishop successively of Anagui, Vintimiglia, Luni, 
and Sarzana, and afterwards Cardinal, died in 1579), and another Bishop, in the Pope's chapel, 
and so came from Rome in July last past. He repeated that while in Rome the Pope bore all 
his expenses after he had warning not to enter religion, and had daily meat, drink, and wine, 
for himself and his servant at the Pope's cost — paying for his house room six crowns by the 
month, having had at various times from the Pope 700 crowns, of which he had 300 crowns 
from the Pope when leaving Rome, and 100 crowns from the nuncio — he had apparel of three 



HISTORT OF LIMERICK. 121 

was by the President of Minister executed,, the 2nd of March, upon his 
beheading a drop of blood did not flow. — Broduinus. 

In the year 1591, which was also memorable as the year the College of 
Dublin was founded by Queen Elizabeth, the murder of John, Lord Castle- 
connell by Arnold Crosby, for which the latter was hanged, excited a con- 
siderable sensation in Limerick. The melancholy event is thus curiously 
versified in Davis's Manuscript Annals. 

1591. Oliver Bourke, Mayor. 

John Bourke, Lord Castleconnell, was basely slain 

By Captain Arnold Crosby, for they twain 

Resolved to fight ; —but Crosby stops, demurs, 

Prays Castleconnell to take off his spurs ; 

And as he stoop'd, yielding to his request, 

Crosby most basely stabb'd him in the breast. 

Gave twenty- one, all dreadful wounds, base act ! 

And Crosby's only hang'd for the horrid fact. 

1592. Eleven Priests and Jesuits were taken in Minister and Connaught, 
and sent prisoners to Dublin, where they were prosecuted by one Kaily, who 
swore they encouraged people to take up arms ; among the prisoners was one 
Michael Eitzsimons, priest, a son to Alderman Eitzsimons of Dublin — he 
was executed in Corn market, Dublin. 1 

1598. Edmund Gauran, Primate of Armagh, was killed, whilst during 
the time of battle he was receiving the confession of a wounded man. 2 

In this year a rateable assessment was recommended for the Irish Corpora- 
tions, and Limerick was rated as 50 comparatively, and Waterford being 
assessed at 100, and Cork at 50. 3 

sorts, of blue and unwatered camlet, and wore them in Rome, where he had three servants 
waiting upon him ; at leaving Rome he had the Pope's blessing, and Cardinal Moronius told him 
that the Queen (Elizabeth) would shortly turn to the Catholic faith. He then mentioned the 
particulars of his journey from Rome, which are not of interest — that on his reaching London he 
went to see St. Paul's Church, Westminster Church, the monuments there, Westminster Hall, 
where he heard that Bishop Bonner was arraigned, but he did not see him. Being asked what 
he would have done if he had been received Archbishop of Armagh, he said he would have lived 
there quietly. Being asked what he would have done if he were refused, he said he would go 
back again to Louvain, as being discharged of his obedience, whereunto he esteemed himself 
bound in conscience. On the 23rd of March he made an explanation as to some points in the 
preceding examination. (Shirley's Original Letters). In this explanation he states that he had 
6ent letters to several persons, including Richard Arthur, that what he had learned of the Em- 
peror Charles and other good men's charges, and costs, he had bestowed to his poor power for 
the profit and wealth of the Queen's Majesty's subjects, young and old, " and thanks be now 
unto Almightie God and to her gracious highness for my rewarde, begeing hier in such pouertie 
(besides diuers my pour bodys seknes) that I can nother day nother nyght change apparel 
hany'g of myself, nother of anny body one peny to caus the broken sherth that is on my back 
to be ones washed, whos incommoditie honestie will not have it declared, beside the myserie of 
cold, and such others without goune or covenient hose." He besought leave of the Queen to 
permit him to teach school, which he would do for nought, as he had never received a penny of 
the Church or ecclesiastical benefice during his life. This ended the explanation. 

Sir James "Ware (Ware's Writers of Ireland) states Archbishop Creagh wrote de lingua Hiber- 
nica, lib. 1 (which is yet extant in manuscript, and some collections from it are in Trinity College 
Library), an Ecclesiastical History, part of which was in Sir James Ware's time, in the possession 
of Thomas Arthur, Doctor of Physic* He is said also to have written de Controversiis Fidei 
(which possibly may be the same treatise that Stanihurst calls Responsiones ad Casus Conscientia, 
as his Chronicon Hibernice may be what the same writer calls Topographia Hibernice), Vita3 
Sanctorum Hibernise, and Catechismum Hibernice. 

> Analecta. 2 Ibid. 

3 1594. Eudox. But let me I praye you by the way aske you the reason, why in those cities 
either of Mounster, namely Waterford and Cork, you rather placed garrisons, then in all others 

* Dr. Thomas Arthur, above mentioned, was the writer of the Arthur MSS. in my possession, 
and so often quoted in the course of this work. 



122 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

As it does not enter into our plan to give the details of the war of O'Neill 
and O'Donnell, we must pass over some of the most interesting portions of 
the history of Ireland to the events in the local history. The brilliant 
campaigns of O'Neill and the other chiefs of Confederate Ulster, especially 
crowned by the victory of the Yellow Ford, in which Marshal Bagnall, with 
twenty-three officers and seventeen hundred men were left dead on the field, 
leaving their artillery, arms, colors and baggage in the hands of the Irish, 
produced a powerful effect on the Catholics of Munster ; Sir Peter de Lacy 
of Bruff, invited the celebrated Eory O'Moore, who had recovered his chief- 
tainry of Leix, to Munster, and O'Moore having consulted O'Neill, accepted 
the invitation, and despite of a show of opposition for Ormond, arrived 
without interruption in the county of Limerick ; Sir Thomas Norris marched 
to Kilmallock to oppose him, but he was obliged to retire to Cork, leaving a 
garrison behind him, and in his retreat, his rere guard was roughly handled 
by the forces of O'Moore. The success of O'Moore, produced an almost 
universal rising of the noblemen of Munster against the queen, but the 
Earls of Thomond and Ormond, and the Baron of Inchiquin did not join in 
the league, and their extensive influence prevented the MacMahons, the 
MacNamaras, the O'Connors, the O'Loughlins of Thomond, the O'Dwyers, 
the O'Fogarties, the O'Meaghers, the O'Moel Ryans, the O'Kennedies, and 
other chiefs of Tipperary from uniting against the queen. 1 The chief per- 
sons that joined the confederacy, were the Lords Lixnaw (Mtzmaurice), 
Fermoy, (Roche), Mountgarret (Butler), Cahir (Butler), the Knight of 
Kerry, the Knight of Glyn, the White Knight, the three last being Geraldines, 
at the head of which sept O'Neill placed James, son of Thomas Fitzgerald, 
surnamed the Eed, and nephew of the last Earl of Desmond, being known 
in history as the sugan or straw rope Earl. This was the leader of the con- 
federates, who in Cork and Kerry were supported by most of the MacCarthies, 
O'Sullivans, O'Driscolls, O'Donoghues, O'Donevans and O'Mahons, and 
some months after the expedition of Norris, Thomas Burke, brother of the 
Baron of Castleconnell, left the queen's party and went over to the confeder- 
ates, but went back again, and was subsequently killed with his brother, 
Lord Castleconnell, by one Dermod O'Connor, to whom they had refused 

in Ireland. For they may thinke themselves to have great wrong to bee so charged above all 
the rest. 

Iren. I will tell you those two cities alone of all the rest do offer an nigateto the Spaniard most 
fitly. But yet because they shall not take exceptions to this that they are charged above all the 
rest, I will also lay a charge upon the others likewise : for indeed it is his reason that the 
Corporate towns enjoying great franchises and privileges from Her Majesty and living thereby 
not only safe, but drawing to them the wealth of all the land, should live so free as not to be 
partakers of the burden of this garrison for their own safety especially in time of trouble, and 
seeing all the rest burthened ; (and therefore) I will charge tbem thus all ratably according to 
their abilites, towards their maintenance, the which Her Majesty may (if she pleases) spare out 
of the charge of the rest, and reserve towards her other costes, or else adde to the charge of the 
residency in the North. 

Waterford C Clonmel X Dundalke X 

Corke L Cashell X Mollingare X 

Limerick L Fedard X Newrie X 

Galway L Kilkenny XXV Trim X 

Dinglecuish X Wexford XXV Ardee X 

Kinsale X Tredah XXV Kells X 

Youghall X Ross XXV Dublin C 

Kilmallak X in all 580 

Endox. It is easie, Irenaeus, to lay a charge upon any towne, but to see how the same may be 

answered and defrayed, is the chief part of good advisement Spencer's view of the recent state 

of Ireland — pp. 217-18. 
* Mac Geogbegan, p. 50S. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 123 

quarter. Most of the English settlers, who occupied the lands of the Earl of 
Desmond, now abandoned their dwellings and were exposed to dreadful 
sufferings. The plantations was left without defence, and to add to the 
terrors of the insurrection, the country was menaced with a foreign invasion ; 
all the castles of Desmond were recovered, except those of Askeaton, Castle- 
main and Mallow, and the insurrection having thus attained most formidable 
proportions in Munster, the Leinster and Ulster confederates returned home, 
leaving Tyrrell to organise the forces of the new Earl of Desmond. 

In this year (1598-99), 41st Elizabeth, when James Cromwell was Mayor, 
and Philip Roche and Thomas Burke were Bailiffs, James, the son of Thomas 
Geraldine began to wage war — against whom, Robert, Earl of Essex, Vice- 
gerent of the queen, came to Limerick at the head of a great many of the 
most honorable of the nobility and with an immense army, and having pro- 
ceeded with his army to Moneroura, and Adare, he fought fiercely there. 1 

In the Spring of 1599, O'Donnell, who had proceeded with Clanrickarde, 
and carried off great plunder, made an incursion into Thomond, where the 
insurrectionary spirit had already spread far and wide, not only by the success 
of O'Donnell, but by the bestowal of disproportionate honors on the Earl 
of Thomond and Lord Inchiquin, to the prejudice of the junior branches, 
who were greatly dissatisfied with the results of the insurrection. Such was 
the strength of the rebellion against the government at this time, that a 
particular return was given to the Lord Lieutenant of the number and dis- 
position of the Irish in arms. 2 

Many of these had sworn at a public cross to be steadfast and true to 
their religion ; and it was complained that even the Irish who were not out 
in action, were so backward in aiding the queen, that they who could 
bring 100 horse and 300 foot to dispute their private quarrels, would not 
bring six men to assist the state. 3 Essex marching to Limerick, and thence 
to Askeaton, Desmond and Daniel MacCarthy More, lay in ambush for him ; 
The ill management of the affair caused a feud between Thomas Plunkett and 
Pierce Lacy, in which the former was slain, while Henry Norris was slain in 
a bloody fight near Croom, and Desmond pursued Essex's rere for six days. 4 

On the 29th of April, 1600, the garrison of Kilmallock " took the prey 
of Loughgur/' and soon after Barrett, Condon and the White Knight 
submitted to the President. 5 In the May of this year the President caused it 
to be understood that it was his intention to march to Limerick on the 6th of 
the month. The rebels consequently met in great numbers at Ballyhowra, 
and continued together for ten days ; then partly for want of food, and partly 
because they believed the President would not or dare not pass that way, they 
separated. 6 

On the 21st of May, the President marched from Cork to near Mallow, 
and the next night near Kilmallock, the 24th to Bruff, where he left a 
garrison ; on the 25th he came to Limerick. On the 23rd, James Galdy, 

« Arthur MSS. 

foot horse 

2 In Leinster 3048 0182 

In Ulster 7220 1702 

In Munster 5030 0242 

In Connaught 3070 0220 



] 8368 foot 2346 horse.— Cox. 
3 Cox's Hibernia Anglicana. p. 416 * Ibid p. 417. 

5 O'Sullivan's Catholic History. « Hib. Pacata, p. 60, &c. 



124 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

brother to the Lord Cahir and with his privity, by the treachery of an Irish 
sentinel, surprised the Castle of Cahir, but by way of set off, Owen Grace, 
the Governor of Loughgur Castle, delivered it up for a bribe, " not exceeding 
£60." On the 30th of the same month, the President took Ballytarsney 
Castle, which the ward had deserted, and in which there was a great quantity 
of corn ; part of his army destroyed Owney ; the whole army then returned to 
Limerick, and garrisons were placed in Askeaton, Liccadowne, Kilmallock 
and Limerick. 1 Before the President departed from Limerick, the Earl of 
Thomond invited him to the Castle of Bunratty. Captain Gawen Harvie, who 
had sailed from Cork the day the President marched from that City, anchored 
in the Shannon, and brought with him, to the comfort of the army, money, 
munition, provisions and clothing for the soldiers ; a timely relief which pre- 
vented the loss of the summer service. 2 The next morning, Captain Harvie 
was directed to go to the quay of Limerick, where after landing his charge, 
the President ordered him to go down the river with his ship and anchor 
opposite Glyn Castle, until he and the army had presented themselves before 
it. Dermot O'Connor, while the Sugan Earl lay in prison, took Ballyalinan, 
another Castle, belonging to Eory MacSheehy, 3 and the president being in 
Limerick, O'Connor sent John Power, one of the ransoms, to tell him to 
draw all the forces he could gather to Kilmallock, which he did, and there 
the Lady Margaret after some days met him, in order that he should receive 
the sum of £1000 which was promised on the delivery of the prisoner. She 
told the President that Castleishin was besieged by the rebels, that her delay 
was occasioned by the dangers that lay in the road. The President proposed 
to raise the siege ; but before the army had moved a mile, a messenger came 
and stated that the Earl had been rescued that morning, and that he saw him 
out of the Castle. 4 

1 Hibernia Pacata. 

2 A.D. 1600 " The Victuals by reason of contrary winds, not being as yet come into the 
River of Shenan, the tbirteenthe of this moneth he (Sir John Carew) was constrained for want 
thereof, to return to Limerick again by which returne, we having marched though exceeding 
strong fastnesse, incamped the first night before the Castle of Corgroge, seated upon the Shenan 
belonging to Master Trenchard the Vndertaker, and of strength sufficient to hold out against 
any force except the cannon. But the example of the Glynne was so fearful to the Rebels, that 
upon the first summons they yeilded the same, with safetie of their lives, and the President 
gave the custody of it to Oliver Stevenson. The next day, the armie marched twelve miles unto 
Adare, a Manor house, belonging to the Earles of Kildare, wholy ruined by Pierce Lacy, from 
thence the President sent seven hundred foot, and seventie five horse to Askeiton, there to re- 
main in garrison : and in the same year we find the following letter from James FitzThomas. 
Ibid, page 191. 

" James FitzThomas his letter unto him. 
My good lord and cosen, your letters of the eighteenth of May, I received the five and twentieth 
of the same, wherein you relate the manner of your proceedings with the President at Corke, 
and also of his determination towards the west of my counterey. I thank God I prevented that 
which he expected here, for all the good pledges of the counterie are committed to Castlemague, 
for their constant behaviour in this our action ; the President with his force is come to Limerick, 
and intended presently to order towards Askeiton, where I propose with my armie to resist him, 
I pray you the better to further the service, and the more to coole the bloody desire of our 
enemy, let me intreate you to put in effect the meaning of my last letters, by drawing your 
forces to joyn mee, which being done, I doubt not, under God, to performe service that shall re- 
dounde to the general quiet of the countrie, and so, referring the due consideration thereof (to 
your Lordshipp's carefull vsage) I commit you to the most mightie : From the camp at Adare, 
this first of June, 1600. " Your loving Cosen, 

"JAMES DESMOND." 
The sufferings of the garrison were so great that water could only be obtained by digging a 
subterranean passage to the river. — Hibernia Pacata. 

3 Father to two brothers MacSheehy, who had been reserved as ransoms for O'Connor. 

4 Castleishin is described in the Hibernia Pacata as near the great fastness of Connelloe. Its 
ruins are still visible in the townland of Knocktemple, county Cork, not far from the bounds of 
the county Limerick. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 125 

The President and the Earl of Thomond set out in the commencement of 
July from Limerick, with a large muster of soldiers, marched westwards 
along the northern side of the Shannon, through Clare, until they arrived at 
Colemanstown, in East Corkabaskin ; they then were ferried across the Shan- 
non to the Castle of Glyn, before which they sat two days, and which they 
reduced with the heavy metal which had gone by water from Limerick, 
killing between twenty and forty gentlemen and plebeians of the Knight's 
people, who were guarding the castle, together with some w r omen and 
children. The warders killed some of the President's soldiers. 1 This victory 
inspired the President with such confidence, that he proceeded to demolish 
several castles in Kerry ; and returning victorious with the Earl of Thomond 
to Limerick, the greater part of the inhabitants of Conneloe and of Kerry, 
deserting the Earl of Desmond, submitted, in appearance at least, to the 
Queen. 2 The Earl now repaired with his few remaining forces to Castle- 
maine ; the Knight of Glyn and Pierce Oge De Lacy 3 alone siding with him. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



ARRIVAL OF EARL JAMES. — O DONNE LL S INVASION OF THOMOND. GAOL 

DELIVERIES. — FATE OF THE INSURGENTS AND THE SPANIARDS, &C. 

It was after the defeat of the Sugane Earl, that James, the young son of 
the Earl of Desmond, after being detained in captivity by Elizabeth for 
twenty- one years in London, as a hostage, in revenge of his father and father's 
brothers having rebelled against her, was released from bondage, after he 
had thrown himself on her mercy ; and the English ministers and the Lord 
President concurred in the expediency of setting him up as a rival to the 
power and popularity of the former in Munster. An order was given to 
proclaim him as " an honorable Earl," by the authority of his sovereign (to 
whose presence he was admitted, and by whom he was saluted Earl of Des- 
mond), throughout the assemblies and great towns of Munster. He arrived 
in Ireland, accompanied by a great force, in the month of October following, 
was welcomed at Cork by the President and the Earl of Thomond. They 
afterwards appeared in Mallow, Cork, and Limerick. 4 On his arrival in 

1 It would not have been easy to take the castle were it not that the Earl of Desmond's people 
had grievously dispersed from him. — Annals of the Four Masters. 
3 Annals of the Four Masters. 

3 The Earl was subsequently taken prisoner in a cave in the mountains of Slieve Gort, county 
Tipperary, sent to London, where he died in the tower in 1608. Previous to this, the earl was 
nearly surprised at Lisbarry, county Cork, where he was in company with Edmond Magrath, 
Catholic Bishop of that see, who so successfully disguised himself as a beggar, that he was 
thought not worth hanging by the loyalists of the queen. His brother John settled in Barcelona. 
After James's death he took the title, as did also John's son Gerald, who served in the armies of 
Germany and Spain, and died in 1632 ; in him ended the heirs male of the four eldest brothers of 
Thomas the eighth Earl of Desmond. Previously to the seventeenth century Shannid Castle was 
held by the Earls of Desmond ; the ancient war cry, " Shannid- Aboo" is the motto of the Knights 
of Glen, a still- existing branch of the Geraldines. " Crom-Aboo" the ancient war cry, too, from 
Croom Castle, in the county of Limerick, also, has been adopted as the motto of the Leinster 
Geraldines — the Duke of Leinster. 

4 Listowel was the only town that remained in possession of the Sugan Earl, and even that 
town was taken in November by Sir Charles Volmant, the Governor of Kerry. He wrote the 
name Wilmot himself. — Hibernia Pucata. 



126 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Kilmallock, he was received by the people with acclamations of unbounded 
joy and congratulation — the streets, doors, windows, even the roofs of the 
houses, were filled with exulting crowds, all pressing to hail the noble heir 
of an illustrious race. A strong guard of soldiers could not obtain a passage 
for him, or extricate him from their tumultuous salutations ; but when they 
saw him go to the Protestant Church, they all forsook him, " yea, cursed him, 
and spit upon him/'' 1 Such was their immediate detestation of the man 
who had not only fallen into the interests of the Queen, but who hadjso far 
forgotten the spirit of his ancestors as to abandon the faith for which they 
had suffered and bled. The young lord, who did not understand the Irish 
language, passed on to his devotions, but on his return he received in the 
fullest measure the strongest expression of their rage and disappointment. 
He was left abandoned — left unnoticed and unattended. By none more than 
by the English undertakers was his presence regarded with jealousy and 
alarm. They conceived that he would be restored, not only to the honours, 
but to the estates of the Desmonds — they trembled for their own safety. 

Eory Mac Sheehy, the chief Constable of these Geraldines, died this year. 2 
The President now held a Sessions of Gaol Delivery, rather than a Court- 
martial, which had prevailed so long. In Limerick the first Sessions was 
held ; in Cashel and Clonmel the next, where the Earl of Ormond proceeded 
to meet him ; but, owing to a domestic affliction, intended negociations with 
the President on the subject of suppressing certain disturbances which 
annoyed him on the borders of Ormond, were deferred. 3 

That the people were driven into the most fearful excesses against the 
Government, and that there were aggravating causes, is a fact admitted by 
historians who incline altogether to the English side. Leland 4 attributes 
them, in a great measure, to the grievous compositions laid upon the lands, 
from, which they were not relieved at the stipulated time ; the extortions and 
bribery of the sheriffs ; the easiness of English jurors in condemning ob- 
noxious persons on the slightest evidence, and the terrifying executions of 
innocent Irishmen ; the extraordinary devices used to impeach their titles to 
estates ; the rigorous execution of the penal laws against recusants, and the 
intrusion, as they deemed it, of the English settlers. 5 

About this time Sir Geoffry Galway, Bart, a lawyer of eminence, Mayor 
of Limerick, was turned out of his office and made to pay a fine of £500, 
which was expended in the repair of the castle of Limerick, by the Presi- 

' Cox. 

2 O'Donovan, in a note in the Annals of the Four Masters, says that the first of the MacSheehys 
came to this country in 1420, as leader of the gallowgl asses of the Earl of Desmond. He built 
the castle of Lisnacullen, a townland within five miles of Newcastle West, the ruins of which 
still remain in good preservation. 
a Hib. Pac. 

4 Leland's History of Ireland, vol. ii., p. S85. 

* Ibid, p. 410. Leland goes on to say that the horrid accounts of famine and distress in these 
parts of Ireland most exposed to the calamities of war, can scarcely be suspected to contain false- 
hood or exaggeration when the effects are considered of those civil commotions in the city of 
Dublin, which are authenticated by the signature of John Tierch, mayor, by which it appears 
that 

Wheat had risen from thirty shillings to nine pounds per quarter ; 

Barley malt from ten shillings to forty-three shillings per barrel ; 

Oat malt from five shillings to forty shillings per peck ; 

Oats from three shillings and four-pence to twenty shillings per barrel ; 

Beef from twenty-six shillings and eight-pence to eight pounds per carcass ; 

A lamb from twelve pence to six shillings ; 

A pork from eight shillings to thirty shillings. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 127 

dent, whose repeated orders he had slighted to try or enlarge a soldier whom 
he had formerly imprisoned for petty larceny. 1 

While the Earl of Thomond was occupied against the followers of the 
Sugane Earl, O'Donnell paid a second visit to the county Clare, where, 
according to the Eour Masters, his soldiers burned the whole of the country, 
on one Sunday, from the borders of Galway on the north-east, to the Atlantic 
ocean. After burning Ennis, and ravaging the territories of his enemy, 
O'Donnell dispatched the abundant spoils which he had taken to Tirconnell, 
and proceeded next to ravage the territory of another of his enemies, the 

• This affair is thus related in the " Pacata Hibernica." " There -was, at this time, one Geof- 
fry Gallway, maior of Limrick, a man that had spent many years in England in studying of the 
common law, and returning to Ireland about three years since, did so pervert that citie by his 
malicious counsell and perjurious example, that he withdrew the maior, aldermen, and generally 
the whole citie from coming to the church, which before, they sometimes frequented. More- 
over, about a year since, there happened an affray in Limrick between the soldiers and some of 
the town, at what time this Gallway came to the then maior, advising him to disarm all the 
soldiers, and then told them that all their lives were in the maior's hands and at his mercy, 
whereby a gapp was most apparently opened by him to have induced a wicked and barbarous 
massacre upon her Majestie's forces. With this man, therefore, did the President take occasion 
to enter into the lists, upon a manifest contempt offered to his office and government as follow- 
eth : it came to passe that a soldier of the Earl of Thomond's company was imprisoned by the 
said maior for a supposed petty larceny of a hatchet. The President being upon his journey 
against the rebells that were now reported to have invaded the province, required to have the 
said soldier delivered unto him, that he might receive a present tryall and punishment for his 
default, or else repayre to his colours and goe the journey." Here the mayor is charged with 
having dallied with the president by demanding a warrant for the release of the prisoner, which 
was afterwards rejected, as well as a second and third framed after his own directions, till the 
army began its march, when the mayor declared that the authority given him by the charter, 
exempted him from the jurisdiction and command of the President and Council. u The Presi- 
dent much scorning to be thus deluded and dallyed withall, told the maior that hee would shortly 
find a time to call him to an account for his contempt, not against his person, but against her 
Majestie and her government established in this province. Who being now returned from the 
service, and abiding at Moyallo, directed his warrant to the said Gallway, commanding him, upon 
his alleageance, that he should immediately appear before him and the Councill at Moyallo, 
where, making his appearance, he was censured to live as a prisoner in a castle in the country 
and not to enter into the citie of Limrick, until hee had paid a fine to her Majestie of four hun- 
dred pound sterling, which was designed for the reparation of her Majestie's castle there, and 
lastly, that a new maior should be placed in his room. The townsmen presently sent an agent 
(as their manner is) to make sute to the Counsell of England, seeking to abuse their lordships 
with counterfeit humility and false suggestions, to get abatement either in whole or in part of 
this fine aforesaid ; but herein they failed of their expectation, aud having received a check for 
their proud contumacy against the President ; they were commanded from the Court." 

An old very high Dutch gabled house, No. 3, Nicholas-street, is pointed out to this day as " the 
Castle House," in which Sir Geoff ry Galway is said to have resided. It is also said to have been 
the house in which Ireton, Cromwell's son-in-law, died. An ancient arched door-way forms an 
entrance into it from Gridiron Lane , which divides it from the Exchange ; in front is a baker's 
shop. It is stated to have been the first brick-fronted house in Limerick. Sir Geoffry Galway 's 
ancestor, John De Burgo, younger brother of Ullick, ancestor of the Marquis of Clanrickarde, 
called John of Gallway, from having accredited the bills of the citizens of Galway, was knighted 
by Lionel Duke of Clarence, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for his signal services in defending 
Ball's Bridge, Limerick, against the great force of the O'Briens in 1361, with permission to him 
and his heirs to carry the bridge emblazoned on his arms, with the date 1361, with the grant 
from Henry IV. of the Castles of Dundannion and Lota, county Cork, where he is still represented 
by William Galway, Esq. The Limerick family is buried in the South aisle of St. Mary's Ca- 
thedral, in which there are the mutilated remains of a fine black marble monument, bearing the 
Galway arms, with the expression, " Quadrant Insignia Galway" — no doubt referring to the above. 

Dr. Thomas Arthur makes this note : — " Sir Geoffry Galway the layor and baronett 20 Mail, 
1633, did mortgage unto me all his howses, tenements, and gardines in Mongrett-street and in 
the south langable thereof, for one hundred pounds ster. And I demised the same unto him 
dureing the mortgage at ten pounds ster. per annum, he Geoffrey dureing his own life tyme payed 
me the said reserved rent yearly. He dyed 29 Martii, 1636, and since then one of his execu- 
teres. William Fitzwilliam Creagh, payed me what rents fell due vntell 23 Maii, 1638, inclusively. 
But since May, 1638, neither his heyre or executors payed me anie rents, whereby three yeares 
and a half's rent before the warres. were falen due to me being £35 ster. — Arthur M8S. 



128 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Earl of Clanrickarde. Some Ulstermen, the followers of O'Donnell, now settle d 
in Clare and founded families of various ranks. 1 The country, however, on 
each side of the Fergus, as far as Clonroad and Ballyalley, was shortly 
afterwards plundered by Teige O'Brien, son of Sir Tuiiogh of Ennystimon, 
and Redmond and William Burke ; hut these outrages committed on the 
loyalists were severely punished, John, brother of the Burkes, being executed 
in revenge, and Teige O^Brien, being mortally wounded while carrying off his 
prey. 

1601. In this year died MacIBrien of Ara, whose son Murtagh was 
bishop of Killaloe, and, according to Ware, died in 1613, having resigned 
his charge a year before his death. 

In order to frustrate the plans of the national party in Munster, who only 
awaited the arrival of the Spaniards to break out into open hostility, the 
President appointed an assize to be held at Cork, and, under pretence of 
trying civil and criminal causes, sent circulars to all the nobility and land- 
holders requesting their attendance, by which means he was enabled to arrest 
and cast into prison some of the MacCarthys and O'Mahonies whose allegiance 
he doubted. The Deputy crossed the Blackwater in the beginning of August, 
and proceeded towards Dungannon, but he was compelled by the badness of 
the roads, and the frequent skirmishes which he had with O'Neill, to direct 
his march towards Armagh. Danvers was driven back with loss to the 
English camp which the Irish attacked a few days after : but they fell into 
an ambush laid for them by the Deputy, on which occasion several Irish were 
slain, and amongst the rest Peter or Pierce Lacy, Lord of Bruif, 2 " equally 
illustrious/'' as MacGeoghegan remarks of him, by his virtue as by his birth, 
and one of the most zealous defenders of catholicity. 3 

During a session held at Ennis on the feast of St. Bridget in this year, 
Eeb. 20th, 1601, sixteen persons suffered the penalty of death, after which 
the Earl of Thomond departed for England, taking with him his younger 
brother Donald, whom he presented to the Queen. They returned, however, 
to Ireland shortly after, having been dispatched by the Queen and Council 
with reinforcements to Mountjoy, who was at that time engaged in the siege 
of Kinsale. In the meantime the Spaniards had sent dispatches to the north 
to O'Neill and Donnell, intreating them to march to their assistance, the 
number of Spanish troops who had landed at Castlehaven not exceeding 700. 

0'Donnell soon made his appearance in Ormond with an army chiefly 
collected in Connaught and Leinster. A reinforcement of two thousand 
Spanish troops with cannon and supplies afterwards arrived, and O'Neill 
occupied a position which enabled him to cut off all supplies from Cork, 

1 M'Curtin and John Loyd's History of Clare. 

a Lasey, or De Lacy, of Bruff : — Members of tkis celebrated family were among the first 
generals of the Russian Empire in the wars against the Turks in the years 1736, 1737, and 
1738. At this period Eussia possessed as great generals as any other of the European powers, 
and first among those generals were the Limerick De Laseys (Memoirs Historique sur la Russie, 
2 vols. A Lyon. 1772). Among the generals who commanded under the Mareschal de Lasey, 
were, Comte Lacy, his son, and Browne of Camus, another illustrious Limerick man. The 
conduct of the Mareschal de Lasey throughout the great campaigns in the Crimea in the years 
above mentioned, is spoken of in the most glowing terms by the historian of the wars. He 
entered Poland, commenced the Siege of Dantzig, marched on the Rhine, made the Siege of 
Azoph, and conducted many other great operations by land and sea. His son also was an illus- 
trious general in these memorable campaigns. The military fame of the family was well 
sustained during the late Crimean "War, &c , by Sir De Lacy Evans. 

3 The ruins of Pierce Lacy's Castle may yet be seen near the Bridge over the Morning Star 
River at Bruff. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 129 

Vhile O'Donnell established a communication with the Spaniards at Castle- 
haven. Altogether, however, the whole Irish army, according even to English 
authorities, amounted to only 600 foot and 500 horse with 300 Spaniards, 
under Captain Alphonso Ocampo, whilst the English force is generally 
supposed to have amounted to at least 10,000 men. 

O'Xeill and O'Donnell differed in opinion as to the propriety of attacking 
the English camp on a certain night, proposed by the commander of the 
Spaniards, Don Juan Del Aguila, who wrote pressingly to the Irish leaders 
entreating them to come to his assistance at once; O'Donnell thought they 
were bound to accede to this request. An immediate attack was resolved 
on, and by the treachery of Brian MacHugh Oge MacMahon, Carew was 
apprized of the intended onslaught. On the night of the 23rd, the Irish set 
out in three divisions, Captains Tyrrell, O'Xeill and O'Donnell respectively, 
commanding the van, the centre, and the rere. The guides missed their 
way, and after wandering through the night, O'Xeill found "himself separated 
from O'Donnell, at the very entrenchments of the English, who were fully 
prepared for the attack. O'Donnell was now at a considerable distance, and 
just as O'Xeill was preparing either to retreat or put his men in order of 
battle, the English cavalry charged their broken lines, and notwithstanding 
the stout resistance of the Irish and the gallantry of the Spaniards, O'Xeill' s 
command were either cut down or compelled to retreat. O'Donnell came at 
last and repulsed the English wing. O'Xeill made extraordinary exertions 
to rally his flying troops, but all to no purpose, nearly a thousand of the 
Irish fell. The prisoners were immediately hung ; and three days after the 
battle of Kinsale, the heroic Eed Hugh O'Donnell had sailed in a Spanish 
ship from Castlehaven for Spain, where he was received with the greatest 
honors. O'Xeill returned to Ulster. The Spaniards capitulated, marching out 
of Kinsale with colors flying, and with arms, ammunition, and all their pro- 
perty. On the return of Don Juan, who was suspected by the Irish of 
treachery, probably owing to the friendship which suddenly sprung up 
between h im and Sir George Carew, he was placed under arrest and died of 
grief. The famous defence of Dunboy castle by Richard MacGeoghegan 
and Father Collins, to whom O'Sullivan had co mm itted that fortalice, is an 
event too well known to require particular description. The President having 
levelled its fortifications returned to Cork ; and after a series of marvellous 
adventures and romantic escapes, O'Sullivan, O'Connor Kerry, and William 
Burke reached the Shannon at Terryglass, and having caused their followers 
to make corraghs or basket boats they crossed the river, and eventually 
arrived safely in the county of Leitrim, though perpetually harassed by 
enemies. 1 Garret Stack still held the Castle of Ballygarry* from the Con- 
federates, but Sir Charles TTilmot having advanced from Limerick by water 
to attack it, the garrison surrendered at discretion. 

In the year 1602, forty-two of the religious having begged of the Queen 
to be transported, were ordered to Scattery island, where, having embarked 
on board a man-of-war, when at sea, by the queen's orders, they were all 
thrown over board, and the perpetrators were rewarded by abbey lands. 2 

1 The Queen's forces who attacked O'Sullivan's Castle of Dunboy were commanded by the Earl 
of Thomond, and during the attack the last chief of the MacMahons of Corcovaskin (Teigh 
Calch) was accidentally shot by his own son, who proceeded after the fall of Dunboy with the 
other exiles to Spain, thus apparently terminating a line, which was supposed to be extinct 
until the publication of the pedigrees of MacMahon, the illustrious Duke of Magenta, proved 
that it is still well represented. 

2 Hibernia Dominirana. 

10 



130 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

1603. The Opacification" of Minister thus appeared complete, and that of 
Ulster took place nearly at the same time. 

The Annals of the Eour Masters 1 mention that before his departure for 
Spain, Hugh Eoe O'Donnell advised O'Neill and the Irish who remained in 
Ireland after the defeat at Kinsale, to exert their bravery in defending their 
patrimony against the English, until he should return with forces to their 
relief, and to remain in the camp in which they then were, because their loss 
was small. He also pointed out the difficulties of a return to their own 
country, and the ill-treatment that awaited them in such an eventuality — but 
the chiefs of the Irish, the annalists add, did not like his advice, but resolved 
on returning to their territories. " They afterwards/'' the historians con- 
tinue, u set out hi separate hosts, without ceding the leadership to any, and 
after suffering much from declared enemies and treacherous friends during 
their march, reached their homes without any remarkable loss/'' 

The Annals of the Masters for this year end with this entry, <c an intoler- 
able famine prevailed all over Ireland." Moryson gives a frightful account 
of this famine, which the English caused in Ireland " by destroying the 
rebels' corn, and using all means to punish them m /' 2 and, no doubt, the 
Irish had been utterly destroyed by famine, had not a general peace shortly 
followed Tyrone's submission. There was a survey made of the lands in the 
county of Limerick which were forfeited in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 



CHAPTEE XX. 



REJOICINGS IN LIMERICK ON THE DEATH OE QUEEN ELIZABETH. HOPES 

AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. PLIGHT OF THE EARLS OF TYRONE AND TYR- 

CONNELL 

The death of Elizabeth was very acceptable news in Ireland. In Limerick 
the intelligence gave great hopes to the Catholics, who believed that they 
could henceforward freely enjoy the exercise of their religion. 4 Her successor, 
James, was the first English monarch who had Irish blood in his veins, and 
the impression was all but universal that King James would restore the 
ancient religion which, for reasons of state, that worthless monarch had 
affected to favor. In some places indeed the Catholics had taken possession 
once more of their ancient churches ; and the mayors of Cork and Waterford 
even refused or postponed the proclamation of the new king, supposing that 
the deputy's power had died out with the Queen. The citizens of Waterford 
went so far as to close their gates against the soldiers of Mountjoy, who had 
rapidly marched to Munster with a strong force, but he quickly undeceived 
them as to the privileges conferred by their charter, which exempted them 
from quartering soldiers ; for the deputy threatened that " with King James' 
sword he would cut the charter of King John to pieces" — and Limerick, 

i Ad. an. 1602. 

* Vol. II. pp. 283, 284. 

a First Report of the Commissioners of Public Records, p. 122. Report 1810 to 1815. 

* Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 131 

Kilkenny, Wexford, and Cashel, were obliged to submit in their turn. The 
publication of a general amnesty had, however, for a time, a tranquilising 
effect. This was the last official act of Lord Mountjoy, who shortly after 
returned to England. He was accompanied by Tyrone and O'Donnell, who 
were well received by the King. On this occasion Hugh O'Neill was con- 
firmed in his honors and possessions, and Eory O'Donnell, brother to Eed 
Hugh, who died in Spain, was created Earl of Tyrconnell. English law was 
now first introduced into the territories of these noblemen. Still the horrible 
persecution went on ; in 1604, Eedmond Galcorg, Bishop of Deny, and Yice- 
Primate, was killed by the English soldiers — Analecta. 

At this time a terrible pestilence, which was brought over from England, 
raged throughout Munster, and carried off three hundred of the citizens of 
Limerick. James Galway was mayor, for the second time ; and David, son 
of Nicholas Comyn, and Thomas, son of Patrick Creagh, were bailiffs. 1 

Sir Arthur Chichester, the succeeding Viceroy, re-established the long 
disused custom of circuits in Munster and Connaught ; and as an extension 
of Eoyal favor> Corporations were granted to several towns. The rising 
hopes of the Catholics in the tolerant principles of their new King were 
soon rudely blighted by the issuing of a proclamation, promulgating the act 
of Uniformity, and commanding the u Papist" clergy to depart from the 
kingdom. He had already sent orders to Dublin that the Act of Supremacy 
should be administered to all Catholic lawyers and justices of the peace, and 
that the laws against recusants should be strictly enforced ; a commission 
was issued calling on respectable Catholics to watch and inform against such 
of their co-religionists as did not frequent Protestant churches, and some 
Catholics who had remonstrated and petitioned for religious liberty were 
committed to prison ; Sir Henry Blunkard was President of Munster, and 
Edmond Eox being mayor of Limerick, was deprived of his office three weeks 
before Michaelmas day, for refusing to take the oath of supremacy and not 
going to church. Andrew Creagh Eitzjasper was chosen mayor in the place 
of Eox, for the remainder of the year, and this Creagh was the first Protestant 
mayor of the city. Eox was eleven months mayor — Creagh one month. 
Dominick EitzPeter Creagh and James Woulfe were the bailiffs. 2 Creagh 
was succeeded by Edmond Sexten, who had Christopher EitzEdward Arthur 
and Peter EitzThomas Creagh, bailiffs. 3 

In the year 1605, the customs of tanistry and gavelkind were abolished 
by judgment in the King's bench and the Irish estate thereby made descendi- 
ble according to the course of the common law of England. 4 In the year 
1606, in order to atone for the severity of the proclamation against the 
Catholic Clergy, and to u quiet and oblige the Irish/' as Cox expresses it, 
the king issued out a commission of grace under the great seal of England, 
to confirm the possessors of estates in Ireland, against new claims of the 
crown, by granting new patents to them. 5 This if fairly carried out, was 
a very desirable and necessary measure, for a may be easily imagined, a great 
confusion of titles to estates had been occasioned by the troubles, and various 
changes which had happened in the kingdom, and whoever could not make 
out a clear and indisputable title to his estate, which considering the circum- 
stances of the nation, for some time past was scarcely possible to do, lay com- 
pletely at the mercy of the crown, and had no remedy except to compound 

• Arthur MSS. 2 Arthur MSS., White's MSS. 3 Arthur MSS. 

4 Cox, Hib. Ang. Davis's Reports. l Ibid. 



132 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

with the king on whatever terms he could, and to get a new grant of his 
estate. Hence the enquiries into defective titles, which took place in the 
early part of the reign of King James. 1 These inquisitions were first pro- 
posed in the causes of MacBrian Gonagh, O'Mulryan and other septs in 
Limerick and Tipperary, who had expelled the old English colonies planted 
there, whose heirs not being known, the lands had escheated to the crown ; 
most counties in Ireland afforded abundance of similar cases. Even of those 
who had imagined they had settled their possessions by composition, having 
covenanted to take out letters patent, the greater number had neglected to 
do so, and holding their lands only by the indenture of the composition 
made with Sir John Perrott, and not having performed the stipulations they 
stood in need of new grants to give them a lawful title to their estates. 
There was also a failure or alleged failure in an infinite number of other cases. 
This was an age of adventurers and projectors. 2 Every body was at work in 
trying to find out flaws in people's estates ; the Pipe rolls and the Patent rolls 
were searched for reserved rents and ancient grants, and no means left untried 
to force gentlemen to a new composition, or to the accepting of new grants at 
higher rents than before. It was not to be expected that the fair domains of 
O'Neill and O'Donnell, would escape the greed of these covetous projectors. 
The claims of O'Neill to the princely possessions of his ancestors were dis- 
puted under English laws, he was harassed by legal enquiries into title, until 
at last he was compelled to leave the country, partly by means of law fictions, 
and processes calling on him to appear and answer in the cause of the 
Protestant Bishop of Derry, against Hugh Earl of Tyrone, partly by a con- 
spiracy, supposed to have been concerted against him by Cecil, but which 
was put into execution by Christopher St. Laurence, Baron of Howth, who 
entrapped the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, the Baron of Delvin and 
O'Cahane into a plot into which they may readily be believed to have fallen 
by the representations made by Howth, of the probability of new penal 
enactments against Catholics. This is the opinion of Mr. Moore 3 and others, 
but it is extremely probable that the plot was contrived by Cecil, the artful 
author of the Gunpowder plot, and that the flight of the Earls was exactly 
what the government wanted, who immediately declared them rebels, and 
proceeded to confiscate their vast possessions in six counties of Ulster. 4 
O'Neill and O'Donnel with their families, sailed from Eathmullen on Lough 
Swilly, for Normandy, from which they proceeded to Home, enjoying a pension 
from the Pope and the King. O'Donnell died the following year, O'Neill in 
1608 ; Maguire at Geneva in 1608. The flight of the Earls, which may be 
said to have terminated the independence of Ireland, took place in 1607. 

1 Carte's Ormonde, II. 264. 2 Carte's Life of Ormonde, ubi supra. 

3 History of Ireland, vol. iv., p. 453, &c, &c. 

4 Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, vol. ii., p, 430; Anderson's Royal Genealogies, London, 1736. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 133 

CHAPTEE XXI. 

PERSECUTIONS ON ACCOUNT OE RELIGION. EXECUTION OE JOHN BURKE, 

BARON OE BRITTAS. A NEW CHARTER. INDENTURE OE PERAMBULATION. 

THE BATTLE OF THE MAYORS. 

In the year 1609, according to some authorities, according to others 1 in 
1610, occurred the cruel execution of John Burke, Baron of Brittas, who 
was adjudged to a terrible death, and all his property confiscated for the use of 
the king, merely because a priest had been found celebrating mass in his 
house. His life and death were holy. Being offered, says Carve, the resti- 
tution of all his goods and a remission of the sentence passed on him, if he 
would only embrace the Protestant faith, he is said to have replied, " I pre- 
fer far to save my soul, to become possessor of the entire world/'' His 
grand-daughter, Honora was married to the illustrious defender of Limerick, 
Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, and after his death at Landen in Flanders, to 
the Duke of Berwick. 2 

TTe extract from Bothers Analecta, translated in the TThite MSS. a detailed 
account of this event, which is the best possible commentary on the pretended 
toleration of the hypocritical pedant, who now occupied the throne of Eng- 
land. 3 

1 Carve, a Tipperary man and notary apostolic, refers this event to 1610 in his " Annals of 
Ireland," page 315. 

2 See O'Daly's History of the Geraldines, and Hibernia Dominicana, p. 565, where his daughter, 
a sanctified Dominican nun, is said to have died in 1646. 

3 This illustrious champion of his faith was descended from such a noble family, and was pos- 
sessed of so plentiful a fortune, as that Sir George Thornton, one of the chief governors of Muns- 
ter, thought him to be a great match for his daughter, Grace Thornton, to whom the Lord 
Brittas was married, and had nine children by her. He formed a purpose of going to Spain, in 
order the more freely to enjoy the benefits of the Catholic religion, which at this time was greatly 
persecuted in Ireland ; but his design being discovered to his father-in-law, Sir George, he so 
effectually managed with his fellow-governor, Sir Charles Wilmot, as entirely to prevent the 
Lord Brittas's departure. Being thus destuted in his journey he more fully and publicly per- 
formed all acts of the Catholic religion, by going openly to mass, assisting at sermons, having 
mass said in his own house, whither all the neighbours resorted to hear it ; his domestic affairs 
he left entirely to his wife, and devoted himself entirely to religion, by harbouring and support- 
ing ecclesiastics and religious persons, especially those of the order of St. Dominick. This, his 
conduct, being represented in a new light to Charles Mountjoy, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 
in his passage to Limerick, he thereupon forfeited the Lord Brittas's estate, and it was with the 
greatest interest and difficulty it was afterwards restored to him. He no sooner got possession, 
but he prepared a large hall in his house of Brittas for performing divine service therein the 
following Sunday, which was the first Sunday of October, and whither all those of the sodality 
of the rosary came to perform their devotions. When the President was informed of this, he 
sent one Captain Miller with a detachment of horse to apprehend Lord Brittas, just as divine 
service was going to begin. The congregation was alarmed, and through fear dispersed up and 
down ; the Lord Brittas, with his chaplain and three or four servants, retired into a strong tower 
adjoining his house, into which they denied Miller or his troop admittance. The President made 
handle of this to have him proclaimed as rebel,, which laid the Lord Brittas under the necessity 
of seeking shelter in foreign countries ; to effect this he went to a distant seaport, in hopes of 
meeting with a ship to transport him, but he was disappointed, which made him seek for shelter 
in the inland country ; but the edicts against him being published everywhere, he was discovered 
in Carrick, and apprehended by the magistrate of that town and confined in jail. 

When his wife, who was with child, visited him in his confinement, his entire entertainment 
with her was inculcating on her the principles of the faith, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin, 
and that she may avoid all commerce with heretics ; he, by her, wrote letters to father Edmond 
Hallaghan, the director of the Sodality, entreating him to have care of her instruction, and 
though she was big with child, by her husband's orders, she travelled from Carrick to Waterford, 
and from thence to Kilkenny, in quest of said director. The Lord Brittas, by the President's 
orders, was removed from Carrick to Limerick, where the President was to hold a court in a 
short time. On his trial the President assured him that he neither thirsted after his life, nor his 
estate, both which he should have, provided he conformed to the Protestant faith and religion : 
but the Lord Brittas absolutely refused to comply, or forsake the true religion he was educated 



130 HISTORY OF LIMEPwICK, 

1603. The " pacification" of Munster thus appeared complete, and that of 
Ulster took place nearly at the same time. 

The Annals of the Eonr Masters 1 mention that before his departure for 
Spain, Hugh Eoe O'Donnell advised O'Neill and the Irish who remained in 
Ireland after the defeat at Kinsale, to exert their bravery in defending their 
patrimony against the English, until he should return with forces to their 
relief, and to remain in the camp in which they then were, because their loss 
was small. He also pointed out the difficulties of a return to their own 
country, and the ill-treatment that awaited them in such an eventuality — but 
the chiefs of the Irish, the annalists add, did not like his advice, but resolved 
on returning to their territories. " They afterwards," the historians con- 
tinue, " set out in separate hosts, without ceding the leadership to any, and 
after suffering much from declared enemies and treacherous friends during 
their march, reached their homes without any remarkable loss." 

The Annals of the Masters for this year end with this entry, <c an intoler- 
able famine prevailed all over Ireland." Moryson gives a frightful account 
of this famine, which the English caused in Ireland " by destroying the 
rebels' corn, and using all means to punish them ;" 2 and, no doubt, the 
Irish had been utterly destroyed by famine, had not a general peace shortly 
followed Tyrone's submission. There was a survey made of the lands in the 
county of Limerick which were forfeited in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 






CHAPTEE XX. 



REJOICINGS IN LIMERICK ON THE DEATH OE QUEEN ELIZABETH. HOPES 

AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. PLIGHT OE THE EARLS OF TYRONE AND TYR- 

CONNELL 

The death of Elizabeth was very acceptable news in Ireland. In Limerick 
the intelligence gave great hopes to the Catholics, who believed that they 
could henceforward freely enjoy the exercise of their religion. 4 Her successor, 
James, was the first English monarch who had Irish blood in his veins, and 
the impression was all but universal that King James would restore the 
ancient religion which, for reasons of state, that worthless monarch had 
affected to favor. In some places indeed the Catholics had taken possession 
once more of their ancient churches ; and the mayors of Cork and Waterford 
even refused or postponed the proclamation of the new king, supposing that 
the deputy's power had died out with the Queen. The citizens of Waterford 
went so far as to close their gates against the soldiers of Mountjoy, who had 
rapidly marched to Munster with a strong force, but he quickly undeceived 
them as to the privileges conferred by their charter, which exempted them 
from quartering soldiers ; for the deputy threatened that " with King James' 
sword he would cut the charter of King John to pieces" — and Limerick, 

i Ad. an. 1602. 

* Vol. II. pp. 283, 284. 

a First Report of the Commissioners of Public Records, p, 122. Report 1810 to 1815. 

* Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 131 

Kilkenny, Wexford, and Cashel, were obliged to submit in their turn. The 
publication of a general amnesty had, however, for a time, a tranquilising 
effect. This was the last official act of Lord Mountjoy, who shortly after 
returned to England. He was accompanied by Tyrone and O'Donnefl, who 
were well received by the King. On this occasion Hugh O'JNeill was con- 
firmed in his honors and possessions, and Rory O'Donnell, brother to Red 
Hugh, who died in Spain, was created Earl of Tyrconnell. English law was 
now first introduced into the territories of these noblemen. Still the horrible 
persecution went on ; in 1604, Redmond Galcorg, Bishop of Deny, and Vice- 
Primate, was killed by the English soldiers — Analecta. 

At this time a terrible pestilence, which was brought over from England, 
raged throughout Munster, and carried off three hundred of the citizens of 
Limerick. James Galway was mayor, for the second time ; and David, son 
of Nicholas Comyn, and Thomas, son of Patrick Creagh, were bailiffs. 1 

Sir Arthur Chichester, the succeeding Viceroy, re-established the long 
disused custom of circuits in Munster and Connaught ; and as an extension 
of Royal favor> Corporations were granted to several towns. The rising 
hopes of the Catholics in the tolerant principles of their new King were 
soon rudely blighted by the issuing of a proclamation, promulgating the act 
of Uniformity, and commanding the " Papist" clergy to depart from the 
kingdom. He had already sent orders to Dublin that the Act of Supremacy 
should be administered to all Catholic lawyers and justices of the peace, and 
that the laws against recusants should be strictly enforced ; a commission 
was issued calling on respectable Catholics to watch and inform against such 
of their co-religionists as did not frequent Protestant churches, and some 
Catholics who had remonstrated and petitioned for religious liberty were 
committed to prison ; Sir Henry Blunkard was President of Munster, and 
Edmond Eox being mayor of Limerick, was deprived of his office three weeks 
before Michaelmas day, for refusing to take the oath of supremacy and not 
going to church. Andrew Creagh Eitzjasper was chosen mayor in the place 
of Eox, for the remainder of the year, and this Creagh was the first Protestant 
mayor of the city. Eox was eleven months mayor — Creagh one month. 
Dominick EitzPeter Creagh and James Woulfe were the bailiffs. 2 Creagh 
was succeeded by Edmond Sexten, who had Christopher EitzEdward Arthur 
and Peter EitzThomas Creagh, bailiffs. 3 

In the year 1605, the customs of tanistry and gavelkind were abolished 
by judgment in the King's bench and the Irish estate thereby made descendi- 
ble according to the course of the common law of England. 4 In the year 
1606, in order to atone for the severity of the proclamation against the 
Catholic Clergy, and to " quiet and oblige the Irish/' as Cox expresses it, 
the king issued out a commission of grace under the great seal of England, 
to confirm the possessors of estates in Ireland, against new claims of the 
crown, by granting new patents to them. 5 This if fairly carried out, was 
a very desirable and necessary measure, for a may be easily imagined, a great 
confusion of titles to estates had been occasioned by the troubles, and various 
changes which had happened in the kingdom, and whoever could not make 
out a clear and indisputable title to his estate, which considering the circum- 
stances of the nation, for some time past was scarcely possible to do, lay com- 
pletely at the mercy of the crown, and had no remedy except to compound 

1 Arthur MSS. 2 Arthur MSS., White's MSS. 3 Arthur MSS. 

4 Cox, Hib. Ang. Davis's Reports, '" Ibid. 



132 'history of limerick. 

with the king on whatever terms he could, and to get a new grant of his 
estate. Hence the enquiries into defective titles, which took place in the 
early part of the reign of King James. 1 These inquisitions were first pro- 
posed in the causes of MacBrian Gonagh, O'Mulryan and other septs in 
Limerick and Tipperary, who had expelled the old English colonies planted 
there, whose heirs not being known, the lands had escheated to the crown ; 
most counties in Ireland afforded abundance of similar cases. Even of those 
who had imagined they had settled their possessions by composition, having 
covenanted to take out letters patent, the greater number had neglected to 
do so, and holding their lands only by the indenture of the composition 
made with Sir John Perrott, and not having performed the stipulations they 
stood in need of new grants to give them a lawful title to their estates. 
There was also a failure or alleged failure in an infinite number of other cases. 
This was an age of adventurers and projectors. 2 Every body was at work in 
trying to find out flaws in people's estates ; the Pipe rolls and the Patent rolls 
were searched for reserved rents and ancient grants, and no means left untried 
to force gentlemen to a new composition, or to the accepting of new grants at 
higher rents than before. It was not to be expected that the fair domains of 
O'Neill and O'Donnell, would escape the greed of these covetous projectors. 
The claims of O'Neill to the princely possessions of his ancestors were dis- 
puted under English laws, he was harassed by legal enquiries into title, until 
at last he was compelled to leave the country, partly by means of law fictions, 
and processes calling on him to appear and answer in the cause of the 
Protestant Bishop of Derry, against Hugh Earl of Tyrone, partly by a con- 
spiracy, supposed to have been concerted against him by Cecil, but which 
was put into execution by Christopher St. Laurence, Baron of Howth, who 
entrapped the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, the Baron of Delvin and 
O'Cahane into a plot into which they may readily be believed to have fallen 
by the representations made by Howth, of the probability of new penal 
enactments against Catholics. This is the opinion of Mr. Moore 3 and others, 
but it is extremely probable that the plot was contrived by Cecil, the artful 
author of the Gunpowder plot, and that the flight of the Earls was exactly 
what the government wanted, who immediately declared them rebels, and 
proceeded to confiscate their vast possessions in six counties of Ulster. 4 
O'Neill and O'Donnel with their families, sailed from Eathmullen on Lough 
Swilly, for Normandy, from which they proceeded to Eome, enjoying a pension 
from the Pope and the King. O'Donnell died the following year, O'Neill in 
1608 ; Maguire at Geneva in 1608. The flight of the Earls, which may be 
said to have terminated the independence of Ireland, took place in 1607. 

1 Carte's Ormonde, II. 264. 2 Carte's Life of Ormonde, ubi supra. 

3 History of Ireland, vol. iv., p. 453, &c, &c. 

* Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, vol. ii., p, 430; Anderson's Royal Genealogies, London, 1736. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 133 

CHAPTER XXI. 

PERSECUTIONS ON ACCOUNT OE RELIGION. EXECUTION OF JOHN BURKE, 

BARON OE BRITTAS. A NEW CHARTER. INDENTURE OE PERAMBULATION. 

THE BATTLE OE THE MAYORS. 

In the year 1609, according to some authorities, according to others 1 in 
1610, occurred the cruel execution of John Burke, Baron of Brittas, who 
was adjudged to a terrible death, and all his property confiscated for the use of 
the king, merely because a priest had been found celebrating mass in his 
house. His life and death were holy. Being offered, says Carve, the resti- 
tution of all his goods and a remission of the sentence passed on him, if he 
would only embrace the Protestant faith, he is said to have replied, " I pre- 
fer far to save my soul, to become possessor of the entire world/'' His 
grand-daughter, Honora was married to the illustrious defender of Limerick, 
Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, and after his death at Landen in Planders, to 
the Duke of Berwick. 2 

We extract from Eothe's Analecta, translated in the White MSS. a detailed 
account of this event, which is the best possible commentary on the pretended 
toleration of the hypocritical pedant, who now occupied the throne of Eng- 
land. 3 

1 Carve, a Tipperary man and notary apostolic, refers this event to 1610 in his " Annals of 
Ireland," page 315. 

2 See O'Daly's History of the Geraldines, and Hibernia Dominicana, p. 565, where his daughter, 
a sanctified Dominican nun, is said to have died in 1646. 

3 This illustrious champion of his faith was descended from such a noble family, and was pos- 
sessed of so plentiful a fortune, as that Sir George Thornton, one of the chief governors of Muns- 
ter, thought him to be a great match for his daughter, Grace Thornton, to whom the Lord 
Brittas was married, and had nine children by her. He formed a purpose of going to Spain, in 
order the more freely to enjoy the benefits of the Catholic religion, which at this time was greatly 
persecuted in Ireland ; but his design being discovered to his father-in-law, Sir George, he so 
effectually managed with his fellow-governor, Sir Charles Wilmot, as entirely to prevent the 
Lord Brittas's departure. Being thus destuted in his journey he more fully and publicly per- 
formed all acts of the Catholic religion, by going openly to mass, assisting at sermons, having 
mass said in his own house, whither all the neighbours resorted to hear it ; his domestic affairs 
he left entirely to his wife, and devoted himself entirely to religion, by harbouring and support- 
ing ecclesiastics and religious persons, especially those of the order of St. Dominick. This, his 
conduct, being represented in a new light to Charles Mountjoy, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 
in his passage to Limerick, he thereupon forfeited the Lord Brittas's estate, and it was with the 
greatest interest and difficulty it was afterwards restored to him. He no sooner got possession, 
but he prepared a large hall in his house of Brittas for performing divine service therein the 
following Sunday, which was the first Sunday of October, and whither all those of the sodality 
of the rosary came to perform their devotions. When the President was informed of this, he 
sent one Captain Miller with a detachment of horse to apprehend Lord Brittas, just as divine 
service was going to begin. The congregation was alarmed, and through fear dispersed up and 
down ; the Lord Brittas, with his chaplain and three or four servants, retired into a strong tower 
adjoining his house, into which they denied Miller or his troop admittance. The President made 
handle of this to have him proclaimed as rebel, which laid the Lord Brittas under the necessity 
of seeking shelter in foreign countries ; to effect this he went to a distant seaport, in hopes of 
meeting with a ship to transport him, but he was disappointed, which made him seek for shelter 
in the inland country; but the edicts against him being published everywhere, he was discovered 
in Carrick, and apprehended by the magistrate of that town and confined in jail. 

When his wife, who was with child, visited him in his confinement, his entire entertainment 
with her was inculcating on her the principles of the faith, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin, 
and that she may avoid all commerce with heretics ; he, by her, wrote letters to father Edmond 
Hallaghan, the director of the Sodality, entreating him to have care of her instruction, and 
though she was big with child, by her husband's orders, she travelled from Carrick to Waterford, 
and from thence to Kilkenny, in quest of said director. The Lord Brittas, by the President's 
orders, was removed from Carrick to Limerick, where the President was to hold a court in a 
short time. On his trial the President assured him that he neither thirsted after his life, nor his 
estate, both which he should have, provided he conformed to the Protestant faith and religion ; 
but the Lord Brittas absolutely refused to comply, or forsake the true religion he was educated 



134 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

On the 3rd of March, 1609, King James I. granted a charter to Limer- 
ick. 1 The city was erected into a count}^ and the bailiffs were created 
sheriffs. This charter, and the proceedings subsequently taken, constitute 
matter of the highest importance in the History of Limerick. An inden- 

in. The two Lord Justices, whose office it was to try him, having remorse of conscience, evaded 
it, whereupon the President, with despotic authority, ordered Dominick Sarswell, the King's 
attorney, to try him, which he did, contrary to the dictates of his conscience. He asked the 
Lord Brittas if he would conform, as it was the King's pleasure, but was answered by him that 
he knew no king or queen who renounced the law and faith of the King of kings ; thereupon 
Sarswill declared him guilty of high treason, and pronounced sentence of death against him, that 
he should be hanged, beheaded, and quartered, which sentence the said Brittas received with a 
joyful and cheerful countenance. When he was brought to the place of execution outside of the 
city, he behaved with the greatest devotion and composure, as if going to feast. When he was 
hanged, Sir Thomas Brown, and many other gentlemen, interceded with the President, that he 
should not be quartered, and their request was granted ; his friends conveyed his body into town, 
and he was buried in St. John's church, Limerick, the 20th of December, in the year 1607. 
So far Eothe, who gives the date two years earlier than Carve. 

His daughter, Eleanor Bourke, became a Dominican Nun, and died in 1646 in the Irish 
Dominican Nunnery of Lisbon, in the odour of sanctity. 

On the 28th of July, 1618, Theobald De Burg, a relative of the above John Bourke, who 
married a daughter of the Earl of Inchiquin, was created Baron of Brittas by James I. ; but he 
and Lord Castle Connell being in the Rebellion of 16-11, were attainted and fled to France. On 
the accession of James II. they were restored to their estates, which they had forfeited. In the 
rebellion of 1688, they were again attainted, and lost their properties. 

Brittas Castle was on the river Mulchair, in the Parish of Caherconlish. 

1 This Charter recites the great sufferings of the city of Limerick in the rebellion of the 
Geraldines, their assistance to the King, in the war in Ulster, and in anticipation of the future 
services of the inhabitants toward the crown, proceeds to declare the city of Limerick a free city 
of itself. It grants to the mayor, bailiffs, and citizens, and inhabitants of the city, to be a 
body politic and corporate, by the name of the mayor, sheriffs and citizens of the city of 
Limerick, with the usual power to hold lands, to demise or assign them, to plead and be im- 
pleaded by their new corporate name. It confirms all their former possessions in the most large 
and ample manner, by whatever corporate name enjoyed, or by whatever legal title, grant, or 
proscription acquired. The Charter then proceeds to make the city of Limerick a county of 
itself, as already referred to under the head of " Limits," excepting thereout the King's Castle 
and the precincts thereof, one lower room under the Tholsel used as a common gaol for the county, 
and also the site of the Abbey of St. Francis and its precincts, being a fit place for holding the 
Assizes and Sessions for said County of Limerick, and confers full power for perambulating these 
boundaries. This Charter enables the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens to choose " one of the more 
honest or discreet citizens," to the office of mayor, to be chosen as theretofore ; directs that 
instead of two bailiffs two sheriffs shall be chosen, and points out the mode of their election, 
and how vacancies in the office, by death or amotion, are to be filled up. It directs that all 
persons thereto free citizens shall continue so to be, and that in all things they shall be ordered 
and governed as formerly. It enables them to choose as many aldermen, Serjeants at mace, and 
other officers as usual. It confers an exclusive Admiralty jurisdiction, both criminal and civil, 
over so much of the river Shannon as extends three miles north east of the city to the mouth of 
the main sea, with all creeks, banks, and rivulets within their limits ; gives power to hold a 
Court of Admiralty or Record every Monday, before the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, any 
three or more of them (of whom the Mayor and Recorder are to be two), who were to keep the 
peace at the Shannon within these limits ; to receive recognizances, to take fines and amercements, 
waifs, royal fish and other royal prerogatives, with a non-intromittent clause as to the Admirals 
of England and Ireland. A Society of merchants of the staple was incorporated by this Charter, 
by the name of " the Mayor, Constables, and Society of Merchants of the Staple of the City of 
Limerick ;" with the privileges and franchises of the Merchants of the Staple of Dublin and 
Waterford. This Charter further constituted the Mayor, Recorder, and four of the Aldermen (a 
class first noticed in this Charter), Justices of the Peace for the county of the city ; the four 
Aldermen to be annually elected as therein mentioned and thereafter noticed ; and empowered any 
three or more of them, of whom the Mayor and Recorder were to be two, to hear and determine 
within the city, at all times to be appointed by them, all felonies and other crimes, except treason, 
misprision of treason and murder, and do all things in relation thereto as belonged to the office 
of Justice of the Peace. This Charter also granted to the Corporation all fines, escheats, and 
amercements, in as ample a manner as the Corporations of Dublin, Waterford, and Cork enjoyed 
the same, except such royal fines as should be imposed on the sheriff or coroners of the said 
county of the city of Limerick ; the fines as granted, (except as aforesaid) to be collected by 
their own officer, to be applied to the repair of the walls, bridges, and other necessary uses of the 
city; and lastly, it enabled them to hold lands, &c to the value of £10 per annum, notwith- 
standing the statute of mortmain. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 135 

lure of perambulation 1 was made on the 31st August, 1609, between Donat, 
Earl of Thomond, Bernard, Lord Bishop of Limerick, Sir Francis Barkley, 
Knight, and Sir Thomas Browne, Knight, on the one part ; and the mayor, 

i The indenture recites letters patent dated 3rd of March, 6th James I. and states that the 
Commissioners have perambulated, measured, limited, meared, and hounded unto the said 
mavor, sheriffs, and citizens, three miles of land, and they declare the said county of the city 
of Limerick to extend and reach to the hounds of all parts, according to the admeasurements, as 
they are hereinafter declared, and that the under written towns, castles, lands, and hamlets, and 
other places named for mears, limits, and hounds, are the extreme bounds, limits and true mears 
of the said city — three miles from the exterior of the said city, east, west, and south.* 

The first bound, mear, or limit, from St. John's Gate, is and doth extend to the new small 
hillock, round, or moat, made by the causea on the west of Killcowline, betwixt Eoshard on the 
east, and Gortdromagh, west, Gortnehowyle, north-west, all which is the mear of Kilcowline 
and Walshestown. 

The second mear, or bound, is an other round which draweth from the first, eastward, standing 
upon the hill south-east of Carrigparson ; the town and lands of Carrigparson lieth within the 
same, toward the city. 

The third mear, or bound, is at the Shannon, directly from the castle of Downashe upward, 
drawing along the small current or water of Aghanenegorte, and so as the said brook or water . 
runneth east to the moore called Maen Cnockenrewe, so directly to Ballibarrie, leaving the town 
and castle out, but not the land of Ballybarrie, within the said compass, and the bound to go 
through the next ford by "West Skarte Iree, the towns of Coole Ilenan, Carromartine, Cloneclive, 
the Gransagh, Garren Ikie, Garrinoe, Cnockenrewe, Clonetwnyh, Aghbegge, Carotanevoye and 
Careonebellye, and so from Ballybarrie, making directly to the former round or moate, standing 
on the hill by East Carrigparson aforesaid, within which bound these towns are contained, viz., 
the two Killonans, Conyheigh, Newcastle, Callagh Itroye, Curraghkip, Ballyreine, Lyshlian, 
Kilbane, Bealaghennolyne, Bealasymon, Cowell, Sheynan, Kilpatricke, Garriglasse, the Eenaghe, 
Dromrave, Ardmore, Cnockananto, Touryne, Carrigparson, Carnarrie ; Walshe his To^vne, Bali- 
browne, Balliogarhie, the Parke Drowmbanyhs ; the mear, limit, and bounds, taken from Mon- 
gerett-gate, in Limerick, goeth directly to Ballinecurugh, and so directly to the two Mongeratts, 
Clough Kettine, and so to Brienduffe O'Brien his mill, called the Mill of Claren Icokye, from 
the said mill to the ford of Cloghtokie, from the ford of Cloghtokie to the ford of Anagh Irestie, 
as the brook or water between both fords runneth, including the Town and Lands of Cloghtokie 
aforesaid, wholly to be of and in the county of the city of Limerick, from the ford of Anagh 
Irestie to the ford of Leyme Ineigh, as the water or brook between both fords runneth from the 
ford of Leyme Ineigh to the church and trees of Cnocknegawell, from the church of Cnocknega- 
well along to the stone in the middle of the moore, holding direct course by the hedge of Cnock- 
ballinevrahir, and to the height of the same, and by the dyke or hedge directing up the hill 
along to the moate on the top of the said Hill of Ballinebraher, from the said moate on the top 
of Cnockballynebraher to the to"wn of Ballinebraher, and through the land that goeth through 
the middle of the said town, and so along through the lane, southward, by Caher Ivaghellie, in- 
cluding all the lands thereof, to be of and in the county of the said city of Limerick, and so along 
the highway called Boherbane, close by the land of Lykydowne, leaving the ploughland of 
Boherhod and Ballyneffrancke without the said mears and bounds, from the lands of Luckdown 
to the eastward of Carrigmartin, from Carrigmartin downward the lowe waie, westward to the 
Hedge of Walshestowne, belonging to the Lord Bourcke, where there is a moat erected, and 
from thence to the first moat above declared, erected at the causea of Kilcowline, which is the 
first mear or bound assigned in length from the said city of Limerick, the mear taken from the 
mills of Brienduffe's, called the mill of Claun Icekie, drawing to the north-west as the water- 
course thereof runneth through the Bog of Campire, and then leading to the bog directly, to the 

* This admeasurement of 1609, which created the county of the city, " three miles every way, 
in and through the County of Limerick, from the exterior part of the city walls," does not 
include the North Liberties ; and the boundary east, west, and south, exceeds the limit of 
three miles as prescribed by the Charter. The North Liberties are on the County of Clare side 
of the river. Their limits are at equal distances from the city, varying from one to three 
statute miles. They are referred to, and in part defined in the Inquisition taken A.D. 1615, and 
Epitonus, pp. 138-9, 40. The South Liberties extend on the County of Limerick side of the 
Shannon in every direction, from four to five statute miles. Whether that part of the river 
Shannon, between the confines of the Liberties and the sea, is part of the county of the city, has 
been questionable, but it is generally considered to be so. Offences committed on the river, be- 
tween the confines of the Liberties and the sea, are triable, and have been tried in the city in one 
memorable capital instance, in particular, hereafter referred to. In 1854, the late Alderman 
Henry Watson, Mayor, accompanied by the Corporation, sailed to Scattery Island, where he 
exercised Admiralty rights. On this occasion, a Eevenue Cruiser, then in the Shannon, 
saluted the Corporation Steam-boat, which was also saluted as it passed Cratloe, the residence 
of the late Augustus Stafford, Esq. MT. 



136 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

sheriffs and citizens of Limerick on the other part. This important instru- 
ment sets out the ancient liberties and franchises of the city, and orders the 
the limits to be bounded by great stones or other notable signs. The 
charter was followed by a grant of mills and water courses, and lands in the 
county, to Sir James Eullerton. 1 Patrick PitzDaniel Arthur, was the first 
mayor under the new charter ; and "William PitzMartin Creagh, and George 
White were the last of the bailiffs, and the first of the city of Limerick 
sheriffs. The indenture excepted and reserved his majesty's castle of Limer- 
ick, commonly called the King's castle, with the precinct thereof, one lower 
middle room under the common gaol of the said city, and all that the site 
of the late abbey or monastery of St. Francis, and all the pendances of the 
same, as a place convenient for holding sessions and assizes for the county 
of Limerick. 

The rigors of the law were now enforced with terrible vengeance — the - 
alternative of apostacy or civil degradation was again offered to the citizens 
of Limerick, their magistrates, &c. as it was in other parts of the kingdom. 

The merciless rigors of a bloody code were inflexibly executed ; in the 
year 1611, Cornelius Douan, Bishop of Down and Connor, together with 
Patrick Locheran, priest, were for the faith hanged and quartered, the 
1st of February. — Sir Arthur Chichester being Lord Deputy. — Analecta. 

In this year David Comyn was chosen mayor, but Edmund Sexten was in 
the same year, chosen also ; David Pitz Walter Eyce held the office of sheriff 
for six months. Christopher Creagh and Patrick Lyseiaght, 2 the one for 
the entire time — the other for the five remaining months of the civil year. 
The cause of this was that Donat O'Brien, Lord of Thomond was made 
President of all Munster. Comyn who was true to his faith, was deposed 
from his office of Mayor, because he refused peremptorily to go to church, 
and take the oath of supremacy, he was seconded by Daniel Rice, one of 
the sheriffs, who also refused. Edmund Sexten was chosen mayor, and 
Patrick Lyseiaght and Christopher Creagh, who conformed, were made 
sheriffs. 3 Catholics, nevertheless, in defiance of the government were chosen 
mayors by the corporation ; but they were presented with the oath, which 
the moment they refused to take, they were deprived of office. The same 
thing occurred in the next year, 1612, when William Meagh or Mead was 
chosen mayor, and Patrick EitzHenry White and John Skeolan were sheriffs. 
They held office for four months. Christopher Creagh was then appointed 
mayor, he held office for eight months — and took the oath, but did not go 

great stone standing in the Hedge called Legancampyne, and from the said stone to Craggen- 
ecorbally, mearing with the Lord Bishop's and Brienduffe's land, and so along the highway till 
it comes to the heap of stones called Lishdermode Ikallie, and so to Shanane, in the highway, 
betwixt Tirevowoughtragh on the west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. The great castle of 
Crattlaghmoell on the north of the Shannon standeth right over against this way, mearing Tire- 
vowoughtragh west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. "We, the said Earl of Thomond, and 
others of the Commissioners before named, having measured from the exterior part of the wall of 
the said city of Limerick to the bounds, mears, and limits before expressed, do leave and include 
as well all the towns, castles, and hamlets before-named, with all and singular their members and 
appurtenances, as all other towm, lands, fields, roads, meadows, pastures, commons, and appur- 
tenances to the same belonging, between the bounds aforesaid aAd the walls of the said city, to 
be of and in the county of the city of Limerick, and within the compass of the three miles 
granted by his Majesty by his Highness's charter to the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens of Limerick. 
In witness whereof we, the said Earl and others of the said commissioners, to this part of this 
Indenture to be retorned and remain in his Majesty's High Court of Chancery in Ireland, among 
the records of the same, have set our hands and seals the day and year above written — Thomond, 
Barnard Limic, Ffra Barkeley, Thomas Browne. 

1 Report of Commissioners of Public Records. 

2 Thus the name is apelled in contemporary MSS. 3 Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 137 

to church. George FitzJames Creagh and John Lyseiaght were sheriffs for 
eight months. Meagh, White and Skeolan were deprived, because they 
were of the Catholic religion ; the others were allowed to fill their places 
becaused they conformed. 1 Still a struggle was made, and again the Catho- 
lics were defeated by the law, which sought to enforce the taking of the 
oath on the Catholic believers. Dominick FitzPeter Creagh, John Fitz 
William Arthur, and George Woulf were appointed, the first named, mayor, 
the others sheriffs ; they held office for three months ; but all were deposed 
on the 19th of December, for refusing the oath of supremacy ; and in their 
places were chosen William Haly, mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power, 
sheriffs. Thus defeated so often in their attempts to have a Catholic 
mayor occupy his proper place at the head of civic affairs, persecution con- 
tinued also to rage, and the part taken by the Protestant party forced the 
Catholic mayors out of office in the next year, when Michael Walters was 
mayor of Limerick, Nicholas FitzMcholas Stritch, and William Eoche of 
Cahirivahalla, were sheriffs. They held office for five months, when James 
FitzJames White was chosen mayor, William Eoche, the above mentioned, 
Peter FitzPeter Creagh, were sheriffs for thirty- three days. James Galway 
was the third mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power were sheriffs for 
two months, Arthur Fanning and Christopher FitzDominick Arthur, were 
sheriffs for four months. All these, without exception, were of the Catholic 
faith; and all were likewise disturbed and removed from office, because they 
refused to go to church, and fulfil the duties which an odious and obnoxious 
law sought to force on them. 2 We may well imagine the state of the city, 
under these circumstances ; we may well imagine also, the state of the law, 
which in a Catholic city sought to deprive the Catholics of the power of 
choosing mayors of their own form of belief. For the fourth time the same 
thing occurred in the year succeeding, and with a similar result. William 
Stritch was for the second time chosen mayor of Limerick; James Fitz 
Henry Whyte and Walter FitzEichard Arthur were sheriffs; they held 
office for 14 days. Symon Fanning was chosen mayor in place of William 
Stritch, and George Sexten and George Eochfort, sheriffs. David Comyn 
was chosen mayor the second time, Nicholas FitzHenry Whyte, sheriff; 
James Galway was for the fourth time chosen mayor, James FitzJohn 
Stritch sheriff, Christopher Creagh, mayor, Patrick Lyseaight, Sheriff. The 
two last mentioned conformed. 

The battle of the Mayors appears to have ceased in this year, when 
Dominick Eoche was the second time Mayor, and John Fitzjohn Stritch, for 
for the second time sheriff, and Eichard Lawless, sheriff also. These all 
conformed. But the Catholics were not to be beaten down. It was owing 
in fact to this resolute spirit on the part of the Catholics, that Sir George 
Carew on an occasion already mentioned, had proceeded so severely against 
the Mayor, Sir Geoffry Galway, Bart. The instructions given to Sir Oliver 
St. John, afterwards created Viscount Grandison, who in this year succeeded 
Sir Arthur Chester, subsequently created baron of Belfast, was to enforce 
with rigor the fine inflicted on Catholics for absenting themselves from the 
Protestant service. 

1 Arthur MSS. and White MSS. 

2 Arthur MSS. 



138 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

INQUISITIONS — CORPORATE SPOLIATION. 

Whilst the wars of the Mayors were raging within the walls of the city, 
several grants were made, viz. 1 of the cocquet of Limerick, &c. to William 
Bruncor. 2 An appointment of officer of Customs, and a grant of the king's 
mills 3 were made; a view of the revenues of the "wears/' &c. was also 
taken, 4 and on the 18th of March, 1615, a most important inquisition was 
taken before Sir Francis Aungier, Knight, and the celebrated Sir John Davys, 
the king's Attorney General, with the following " good and lawful men of 
the said county of Limerick/' viz. Henry Barkley of Ballycahan, gentleman ; 
James Eawley of Ballingowley, gentleman ; Connor O'Heyne of Caherelly, 
gentleman ; Donell M'Mahawne of Cragan, gentleman ; John Oge Gerrald 
of Ballinard, gentleman; Eichard Wall of Cloughtreade, gentleman; 
Richard Purcell of Ballincarrigy, gentleman ; John MtzEdmonde of Gillet- 
erstown, gentleman; Dermode MTighe of Twogh, gentleman; Walter 
Brown of Camus, gentleman; Thomas FitzJohn of Ballynemoug, gentle- 
man ; Teigh O'Brien of Gortboy, gentleman. 5 

1 Repertory of Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery. 

2 Ibid, 1612. Ibid, 1613-14-15. 

3 Crown Rent Roll, 1613. 

4 It appears from this inquisition that " the Mayor and Bailiffs of the city aforesaid, tenants 
of the Weares of the city of Limericke aforesaid, called the Fisher's tent, lying from the Lex 
Weare, on the east, as far as the river called Castle Donnell, on the west part, by the veare, 
8s. lOfd. 

5 This inquisition shows the grants of King John to the bishops of Limerick ; the grants of 
Queen Elizabeth of St. Mary's Priory and its lands at 4d. per acre, to Edmond Sexten, and also 
the lands of Monksland, Clasknagiily, Branlouge and Inshymore, to the said Edward Sexten ; 
the grants by letters patent of King Henry III. to the Leper House, near the city of Limerick, 
of forty ploughlands, one ploughland of Avhich the said master of the said Leper Hospital* held 
when the inquisition was taken — that Gerald, Earl of Desmond held one ploughland in fee of the 
land called Corbally, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, that he was attainted of high treason, 
whereby the ploughland became seized by the Queen Elizabeth who granted the same by letters 
patent to Robert Annislie, one of the undertakers in the Co. of Limerick, for the yearly rent of 
forty shillings — that Corbally now (1615) is in the possession of Thomas Gould by conveyance 
and assignment of Annislie, and that no rent is paid out of it to the Mayor and commonality of 
Limerick. The inquisition found that Bealus, alias Courtbrack, was another of the forty plough- 
lands — that the Earl of Desmond held it in fee, that on his attainder it was granted by Queen 
Elizabeth to Robert Annislie at a rent of three pounds per annum ; and that it is now (1615) 
in possession of the Earl of Thomond, and paid no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further 
found that half a ploughland called Farranygallogh, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, was in 
the tenure and occupation of the nunnery of Killone, in the County of Clare, which together 
with the nunnery and its possessions came unto the crown, and was by letters patent granted to 
the said Baron of Insequine, and is now (1615) in the possession of the Earl of Thomond for 
Which no rent is paid to the mayor &c. The inquisition also found that two parts of two plough- 
lands in three parts divided in Ratwyrd, being parcel of the said forty ploughlands, came into 
Queen Elizabeth's hands by the attainder of John Browne, and were by the Queen granted to 
the said Robert Annislie, out of which £6 rent is paid to the King, and that three other parcels 
of land — viz. Gorteardboher, containing ten acres, Gortrebowley, five acres, Rathgreylan, fifteen 
acres, with three parcels of land, are accounted for one ploughland, parcel of the said forty 
ploughlands, and are now in tenure and possession of Phillis White, Simon ffanning, and Edmond 
Burke of Ballasimon, for which they pay no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further finds 
that certain other such parcels of Gowens lying south near St. John's Gate, and the land of Martin 
Croft, and Clownegonderiske, containing a ploughland, being part of the forty ploughlands, are 
now in the tenure of the mayor and commonality of the city, and that the mayor and common- 
ality are seized of the following parcels of land being part of the said forty ploughlands : viz. 
Park, containing |ths of a ploughland in possession of Thomas Comyn, held by him from the 

* The Master of the Leper House of Limerick resided in Mongret street, in 1414. 

Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 139 

From the startling facts set forth in this highly important and interesting 
document, which constituted the only means by which the property of the 

mayor &c. for 15s. Irish ; Rebouge, |ths of a ploughland, in possession of Nicholas Arthure, held 
from ditto, at ditto rent ; Ballysoddo, Jths of a part and held of John Fox from same at same 
rent ; Dubgish, Ballymoldown, and Rathmichael, one ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure from 
same at twenty shillings rent ; Rathbane fths of a ploughland in possession of White and 
ffanning, heirs "of Pierce Creagh, for which they pay only twelve shillings and four pence, Irish; 
Rathuyn, held by Nicholas Stritch of Limerick, merchant, containing the 3rd part of two 
ploughlands, for which he pays rent, Irish ; Crewilally, alias Ballincloughe, ^th of a plough- 
land held by Christopher Arthure for the rent of 5s. ; Cheapman's land, alias Ardnevedoge, half 
a ploughland, held by Simon ffanning ; the mayor, &c. were said to be seized of the following 
ploughlands, also being part of the 40 : viz. Castlebank, 1 ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure for 
20s. Kilrush £ a ploughland held by Nicholas Comyn or David Comyn, alderman, at lOs.yearly 
rent — Farrengowen, otherwise Smith's land, 1 ploughland, held by David White,* alderman, at 

K * The Whites, the Creaghs, and the Stritches have played a remarkable part in the History of 
Limerick, Clonmel, and Waterford. Sir David White of Russellstown was married to Sarah 
Bourk, daughter of John Bourk, who was called Lord of Coshure ; by his wife Catherine Fitz- 
gerald, daughter to John Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond : they had issue — 1st, Solomon White, son 
and heir to the said David and Sarah — was married to Margaret Walsh, daughter to David 
Walsh of Ballintober — had issue as follows : — 1st, David White, son and heir to the said Solomon, 
was married to Margaret Brien, daughter to Anion Brien of Commeragh, and had seven children 
— 2nd, Pierce White, counted a very strong man, but never married,— 3rd, Thomas White, — 4th, 
Robert White,— 5th, John White, died in France, — 6th, Patrick White, — 7th, James White, and 
lastly Stephen White, who was Colonel to King Charles I. and II. and never married. James 
White, above mentioned, was married to Elizabeth Butler, daughter to John Butler of Clare, 
grandson to the Lord Dunboyne, by his wife Julian Quirk, daughter to O'Quirk of Muskerry ; 
the said James White had several children, but all died and dispersed by reason of Cromwell's 
war, except Stephen White who was taken up by his uncle Pierce White, and having no child, 
was made by the said Stephen sole heir of his estate and all he was possessed of. The said Stephen 
was married to Catherine Stritch,* daughter to Thomas Stritch who was put to death by Crom- 
well in Limerick along with several prime gentlemen ; by his wife Christian Creagh, daughter 
to James Creagh of Carrighfaddagh, he had several children, whereof none live but Mary, who 
is married to James Stritch, son to William Stritch, and Julian Bourk, daughter to Thomas Bourk 
of Ballinloughane and Westown ; said James and Mary have eight children, whereof Thomas is 
the eldest.* The family of Catherine Stritch are these: first, Patrick Stritch of Limerick, son 
to William, was married to Catherine Bourk, daughter to Walter Bourk, by whom he had two 
sons named Thomas and Patrick, which Thomas was married to Christian Creagh aforesaid, and 
had several children, whereof only four lived — Patrick Stritch, married, had no issue, died — 
2nd, James was a clergyman (Catholic) and Vicar-General of the diocese of Limerick — 3rd, 
Francis Stritch, who died unmarried, and was crazy — 4th, Catherine Stritch, who was married 
to Stephen White before mentioned. The said Doctor James Stritch made Mary his niece sole 

heiress of his substance and estate. The family of Christian Creagh are, viz Andrew Creagh 

of Limerick, commonly called Andrew Maighgagh, was married to Ellen Fitzgerald, daughter of 
Fitzgerald of Gurtnatuber, — had issue by her as follows : — first, James Creagh of Carrighfadda, 
was married to Catherine, daughter to Robert White, Mayor of Limerick, by his wife Eleanor 
Arthur, sister to Sir Nicholas Arthur of Limerick; he had fifteen brothers, one whereof was 
Pierce Creagh the youngest, who was married to Mary Brien, daughter to O'Brien Arra, and 
first married Bridget Rice ; he had issue Pierce Creagh, Bishop of Cork, and Alderman John 
Creagh of Limerick, who was the eldest. Andrew Creagh the youngest was married to Catherine 
Fitzgerald, daughter to Edward Fitzgerald of Pallice. James Creagh's niece, was married to Pierce 

* John Stritch, a gentleman of fair character and inheritance, was forced to depart the town of 
Genes in Italy by reason of the great spoyle and pillage done to the said town by the Saracens 
and Infidels, A.D. 933 ; and Henry I. being the Emperor of Rome, the said John, with his wife 
and four sons, came from Paris in France and there died. In process of time his children and 
offspring came to Rouen in Normandy, from thence into England, and part of them came to 
Ireland ; and by reason of the removing of them into sundry places and shires, some of them 
are called Stretch, Stritchee. Stretchy, Stridch, Strich, Strit, Strett, Strethem, and such now 
inhabiting in England, Ireland, and in other countries in Europe as the aforesaid names, and such 
now inhabiting in Florence and Italy, and other places of the same country. Collected by Richard 
Stritch, gentleman, of Limerick in Ireland. 

This account of the Stritches was taken from an old piece of vellum which was three hundred 
years stamped and in the possession of Michael Stritch. The Italian name is Strochio. 

In the Arthur MSS. the name is usually written Strech,. and sometimes Stretch, There are 
very few of this old name now in Limerick. 

The Creaghs continue numerous and respectable in Clare and Limerick, 



140 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Corporation could be identified, it would appear that jobbing among corpo- 
rators, was not in these times unusual, and that the lands, which should 

20s. yearly. Closinmackine, ^ a ploughland, held by D. White, at 10s. yearly. Ardnegallagh, 
otherwise Knockardegallagh, Caherdavy, Shanevolley, and Farrenconinary, 1 ploughland, held by 
James White, Thomas Comyn and Rory Omighan, at 20s. Irish yearly ; Ballygadynan, 1 plough- 
land, anciently held from the Mayor and by John Blunt, now held by John Arthure at 20s. 
yearly rent ; Clonecannan, otherwiseCahernefinnellie,l plowland held by David Comyn and Edmond 
Comyn, at 20s. yearly rent ; Cownagh and Clonedrinagh 1 plowland, held by David Comyn, 
Richard White and Tiege M'Shane at 20s. yearly rent ; BallymaughteniWre, Moylish, and 
Ballyinaughtenbeg, 1 plowland, held by Wm. Stritch, alderman. John Arthure and William 
White, merchants, at 20s. a year rent ; Prior's land lying north of Thomond Bridge, containing 
15 acres, and Farrengkelly seven acres, both j? a ploughland and parcel of the 40 ploughlands, 
which Prior's land is parcel of the former six ploughlands, of St. Mary's House, granted by the 
king's majesty to E. Sexten, and was held by the said E. Sexten, yielding no rent to the mayor ; 
Farrengkelly, the glebe land of the vicarage of or rectory of Kilaly, now in possession of Vicar of 
Kilaly, paying no rent to the mayor, &c. The yearly rent of the burgage within the said city 
is and always was only 20 marks — the king's mills, under one roof, in the west part of the city 
walls, betwixt the said Weir and the rock called Corrogower on the Shannon near the King's 
castle were sometime held by the mayor, and the said mill is the mill for which £20 Irish parcel 
of the sum of lxxviii six shillings and eight pence Irish, was accounted for in the Exchequer 
— that the said mills came into the hands of Queen Elizabeth who leased same to Richard Stretch, 
which mill is now held by William Stretch, alderman, by virtue of said lease ■;* they find also 
that the following 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, which eight ploughlands 
Richard de Clare did hold of the Kings of England as feoffee of the said mayor and commonality 
or otherwise, viz. Knocknishin containing 1 ploughland, held by the Earl of Thomond ; 1 plough- 
land in Ballycannan ; 1 ploughland in Cappagtiemore, which 2 ploughlands are also held by the 
Earl of Thomond ; Glanegrosse, 1 ploughland, held by Donogh Teighe O'Brien of Glanegrosse 
aforesaid ; 1 ploughland in Frybagh, held by Thomas MacNamara, Owen M'Mahone and others ; 
^ a ploughland in Craltelaghmoell held by Donell M'Kamara ffoyne ; |- a plowland inCrallelaghneill 
held by Cowra MacLydda and James Rochfort, ^ a plowland in Castledonnell, alias Gallelagh- 
more ; \ a ploughland in Quireenboy, which 2 last mentioned are held by the heir of Edward 
White, and that the aforesaid 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, and held by 
the said Richard de Clare, do lie so near unto the said city, and answer no rent to the said 
mayor and commonality, are by tradition and hearsay, from ancient men affirmed to be within 
the old and ancient liberties and bounds first limited to the said city in the N.W. side of the 
said city. The inquisition bears the signatures of Fr. Aungier, and Jo. Davys. 

Morony of Limerick, her name was Margaret Creagh ; she was Creagh by father and mother- 
The said James Creagh had another daughter by Catherine who went to France, and was married 
to Richard Creagh of Rochelle ; he had issue as follows : — 1st, James Creagh, who was captain 
in Sheldon's Regiment and was killed at Aughrim, — 2nd, Sir Richard Creagh of Rochelle, and a 
daughter who died without issue. — Per Eleanor Stritch. 

The above particulars of the ancient families of Whites, Bourkes, Stritches, and Creaghs, are 
copied from an old MS. in the possession of Miles Vernon Bourke, Esq. M.D. of Limerick, a 
descendant maternally of the Stritches. 

In Sir Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, the Creaghs of Dangan, County Clare, are 
represented as descended from Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, Mayor of Limerick in 1651, son 
and heir of Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, M.P. for the city of Limerick in 1639, and deprived 
of his estate of Adare for having corresponded with the Duke of Ormond. On the restoration, 
, he returned from France, and obtained by patent, the castle, town, and lands of Dangan, County 
Clare. 

Helenus White, Esq. J.P. of Limerick, possesses a pedigree on illuminated vellum, which 
shows that Richard White, the first of his family, came from England to Limerick, in A D. 1418, 
and acquired great honor and reputation. He settled at Ballyneety, so called from his name 
(Whitestown) in the County of Limerick, says the pedigree, and afterwards acquired the estate 
of Ballynanty in said count}\ From this Richard White of Ballyneaty descended several fa- 
milies of the name. Richard built the Castle and Church of Ballyneaty, and began the building 
of the Church of Ballynanty, which after his death was finished by his son and heir, who 
acquired the estate of Tullybrackey, where he also built a Church. The descendants of Richard 
erected stately burying places in the said Churches of Ballyneety or Whitestown, Ballynanty, 
and Tullybrackey, and in the Cathedral Church of Limerick. Ulster King at Arms, A.D. 1716, 

* Curragower mill was held by several persons from time to time, but early in 1858 it was 
burned to the ground and not rebuilt. It was then held by Alderman Quinliv an, who worked 
it for some years, as tenant to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners, who purchased it, A.D. 1839, 
from the Old Corporation, to whom they gave a sum of .£300, and to whose tenant, Mr. Cornelius 
Nash, they gave JE2300, for the interest of his lease. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 141 

have been let at a fair and equitable value,, were parcelled out among the cor- 
porators and their friends, at a figure so very low, that when we examine the 
rental of this noble property, we ask ourselves where were the consciences of 
men, who could thus deal with public property ? "Whilst we admire the prin- 
ciple and fidelity which prevented the Snitches, the TThites, the Comyns, the 
Arthurs, &c. from renouncing faith and taking the oath of supremacy, from 
retaining the wand of office, rather than violate duty, we must deplore the 
laxity hi Corporate affairs which prevailed in an otherwise heroic age, but 
which we shall have to denounce a century later, when the property of 
the citizens was nearly alienated altogether, and the city bereft of the patri- 
mony which the charters of successive monarchs conferred upon it, and which 
was * found and recognised by the inquisition of James I. to which we have 
been just referring. 

James's reign as we have seen, was rendered remarkable in Ireland, not 
onlv bv the wholesale plunder of Catholics, but by then savage persecution. 
The question of the king's supremacy created great disturbances among the 
corporators, and it was not until the accession of Charles the 1st in 1625, 
that the execution of these unjust and cruel laws were so far relaxed, that 
the mayor and sheriffs, viz. James Bourke, James Stackpole, and George 
Burke of Limerick, went publicly to mass : so far back as 1605, Fox the 
mavor was deposed for refusing to take the oath, and Andrew Creagh was 
appointed the first Protestant mayor. In 1617, a proclamation was issued 
for the expulsion of the Catholic clergy, and the city of TTaterford, whose 
corporation had, like that of Limerick, resolutely refused to take the oath of 
supremacy, was in consequence deprived of its charter. 

In the year 1616, the mayor ordered the gate call Mongret, which had 
been long closed, to be reopened. 1 Hitherto the Catholics had strenuously 
resisted the appointment of any but Catholics to the magistracy, but at last 
the Viceroy and council promulgated a decree prohibiting any one from dis- 
charging any public office, unless he had first taken the oath of supremacy, 
and solemnly attended the Anglican service, and this under the penalty called 
pramunire. Hence it happened that they elected those whom they expected 
to be obedient to the king's wishes, whom they now call u conformists/'' as 
they call the Catholics "recusants/'' In 1616, Dommick Roche, mayor, 
John Stritch and Richard Lawless, sheriffs, both conformists. 1617. John 
Stritch mayor, George James Creagh and Pierce or Peter Harold, 2 sheriffs. 
The two later had conformed. 

certifies the pedigree above referred to, and an endorsement contains the names of Daniel 
O'Kearney, Bishop of Limerick, 1st of September, A.D. 1776, attesting that this family of the 
Whites had always remained in the Catholic faith ; of Laurence Nichell. Secretary to the Bishop, 
and by his command ; and of Michael Peter MacMahon, Bishop of Killaloe, testifying to the 
same effect. These Whites suffered severely by confiscation. The name of White appears in the 
city annals at a much earlier period than the fifteenth century. The family had enjoyed very 
high positions in the city a3 Magistrates, Mayors, &c. and in the Catholic Church, of -which several 
of them were distinguished dignitaries, including Doctor Jasper White, P.P. who lived in the 
year 1668, and compiled important ecclesiastical records, which are extant, and to which I refer 
in the proper place ; and the Rev. James White, P.P. St. Mary's, compiler of the MSS* Annals 
of Limerick. 

1 Arthur MSS. 

2 Harold. — This is one of the most ancient families in the city of Limerick, and is now repre- 
sented by Daniel and Edward Harold, Esqrs. (who inherit the paternal property which in penal 
times was held in trust by Lord Milton). They are sons of the late Richard Harold, Esq., of 
Pemywell House and Park, and grand-nephew of General Baron Harold, of the regiment of 
Keaingsfeld in the Bavarian service, who distinguished himself highly abroad, and received the 
different orders of the Holy Roman Empire. Several others of the family rose to the highest 
rank in the service of Saxony and Bavaria. The Danish forces having had a bloody conflict 



142 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

1618. Dominick Boche was Mayor and resigned in Dublin, when Pierce 
White was chosen. The sheriffs were Edward Sexton and David Boche, 
both conformists. 

Sir Oliver St. John, whom we have seen appointed with special instructions 
to enforce the law against recusants, also banished by proclamation, all monks 
and friars educated in foreign seminaries ; but his intolerable severity had 
created so many enemies, that he was unable to make head against them, and 
was superseded in 1622, by Henry Lord Falkland, to the great joy of the 
Catholics, who as at the accession of king James, began to erect and repair 
abbeys, and to re- appropriate the churches. Usher, Bishop of Meath, after- 
wards so well known as Archbishop of Armagh, distinguished himself at 
this period by his gross intolerance, though his own ecclesiastical court, 
according to Bishop Bedel, might from its disgracefully corrupt state, have 
more fitly employed the energies of his great mind, than the most efficient 
mode of riveting the penal chains upon Catholics. 

In 1626, Ealklancl advised the Irish Catholics to send agents to King 
Charles I., who actually accepted from them the offer of £120,000 in return 
for some relaxations of the penal laws, then known by the name of " graces/'' 
and the advantages resulting from what were extended to other religionists 
besides Catholics. The money was to be paid in three yearly instalments, 
and the first instalment was actually paid, when the agents on returning 
home, found that not only were the royal promises evaded, but that a pro- 
clamation had been issued against the " popish regular clergy" — and Lord 
Falkland being recalled, the penalties enacted in the reign of Elizabeth were 
mercilessly enforced. 

with the Irish at Singland, in which twelve hundred men were slain, an angel appeared in the 
camp of Auliff, the Danish Prince. Since then the Harolds of Limerick bear the angel habited 
issuing from a Ducal coronet. The Harolds of Dublin have a Lion Rampant gules as their 
crest — the arms of both families are the same — the motto is formitas in cceh. In St. Mary's 
Cathedral the seat of one of the ancient oak stalls is carved with the Harold Arms and the above 
motto. Of this family was Harold, Bishop of Limerick, A.D. 1151. The name appears fre- 
quently on the principal roll of the city from A.D. 1418 to 1689. Twelve of the name were 
mayors of Limerick. Eighteen of the name were bailiffs and sheriffs. Sir Balthazaar Nihill, 
one of the Knights of Malta, was married to Miss Harold of Limerick. General de la Hitte, 
the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the French Republic, was married to the daughter of the 
celebrated beauty, Miss Jane Harold ; she was wife of Rogerson Cotter, Esq., of Mallow (uncle 
of Sir J. Cotter, Bart., of Rakferant), and aunt of Daniel and Edward Harold, Esqrs. above 
mentioned. This family is related to the Ryans, of Inch House, Co. Tipperary ; the Macarthys, 
of Spring House, Co. Tipperary ; the Shiels, of Limerick, &c. ; the Grehans of the County Dub- 
lin ; the Galways of Limerick and Cork ; the Roches of Limerick ; the Woulfs of Clare, &c. &c. 
The portrait of Miss Jenny Galway, the wife of Richard Harold of Pemywell, and daughter of 
Sir Geoffry Galway, who was executed on the surrender of Limerick, in 1651, to Ireton, is in 
the possession of Messrs. Daniel and Edward Harold. The late eminent Chief Baron Woulfe's 
grandmother was Miss Harold, of Pemywell. A curious circumstance connected with this 
ancient family occurred during the mayoralty of the late Alderman Joseph Gabbett. The ninth 
son of the General Baron Harold, above mentioned, feeling the absolute necessity of possessing 
himself of the family genealogy, which was essential to his recognition abroad, wrote to the 
mayor expressing his anxiety to this effect. The letter was written in French — he was not 
aware that any of the name survived in Limerick. The moment Alderman Gabbett received the 
letter, he communicated with Richard Harold Esq., who immediately forwarded the required 
documents, duly attested and signed by the authorities, including the Catholic and Protestant 
Bishops of Limerick. The document went to its destination at Dusseldorf, where the young 
soldier was forthwith enrolled among the nobility, and his progress in the army, in which he 
had already distinguished himself, was rapid in the extreme. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 143 



CHAPTEE XXIII. 

AFFAIRS IN THE CITY. DR. THOMAS ARTHUR. PROJECTED CATHOLIC 

UNIVERSITIES. WENTWORTH. ARCHBISHOP USHER, ETC. 

To return to the affairs of the city — 1624. In this year the Lord Deputy 
Falkland arrived in Limerick, and was entertained by Mr. Sexten, the mayor. 
On September the 4th of this year, died Donough O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, 
at Clonmel ; he was buried in St. Mary's, Limerick, where there is a remarkable 
monument erected to his memory, which I notice among the monuments in 
that Cathedral. He was Lord President of Munster. 1 During the reign of 
James L, the following persons had filled this high, office : — Donough, EaxL 
of Thomond, Sir Henry Beecher, Sir Henry Danvers, Sir Oliver St. John, 
Henry Earl of Thomond, Sir Edward Villiers, and Sir William St. Leger. 

It was in this year that Dr. Thomas Arthur, by his great skill in the pro- 
fession, saved the life of the man whose name we have already referred to, 
who figured more conspicuously than any other in his time, as a historian, an 
antiquary, an opponent of Catholics, and a prelate of the Church Establish- 
ment — we mean Dr. James Usher, who is called " pseudo-prhnas Ardmac- 
hanus/'' by Dr. Arthur, and who had lately returned from England, where 
he had been a long time, afflicted with a most dangerous disease which had 
baffled the skill of the physicians of that country. Not having been done 
justice to by the doctors in England, Dr. Arthur accordingly proceeded to 

1 The authority of the President, in his district, was equal to that of the Viceroy in Ireland. 
He had the power of life and death, could create knights, was royally attended with guards, 
and had power by patent to command all the forces raised in the province. He had authority 
to hear and determine all complaints and to hold Commission of Oyer and Terminer, and gaol 
delivery throughout the province, and to hold his courts when and where he thought proper, 
with power to execute martial law upon all persons, who had not five pounds of freehold, or 
goods of ten pounds' value, and to prosecute any rebel with fire and sword ; for this purpose he 
might array any of the Queen's loyal subjects. He could hear and determine complaints against 
all magistrates and officers, civil and military, throughout the Province of Munster, and the 
Crosses and Liberties of Tipper ary and Kerry, and might punish the offenders at discretion. 
He had authority to put persons accused of high treason to the torture, and reprieve condemned 
persons : and to issue out proclamations, tending to the better ordering and regulation of the 
Queen's subjects. He had a retinue of thirty horse and twenty foot ; the under captain's al- 
lowance was 2s. per diem, and the guidon and trumpeter's 2s. each. He had also a serjeant-at- 
arms to carry a mace before him ; and it was his duty to apprehend all disobedient persons. 

Fynes Morison has given the following statement of the expense of the presidency of Munster 
for the year 1598. 

The Lord President's Salary, 
His diet, with the Council allowed) 
at his Table, J 

His retinue of 20 foot and 30 horse, 
The Chief Justice, 
The Second Justice, 
The Queen's Attorney, 
The Clerk of the Council, 
The Clerk of the Crown, 
The Serjeant at Arms, 
The Provost Marshal, 





£ s. d. 


per annum, ... 


... 133 6 8 


do. 


... 520 


do. 


... 803 


do. 


... 100 


do. 


... 66 13 4 


do. 


... 13 6 8 


do. 


... 20 


do. 


... 20 


do. 


... 20 


do. 


... 255 10 




£1,951 16 8 



144 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Drogheda, to visit him professionally, dwelling in the Archiepiscopal palace, 
and remaining there for some time from the 22nd of March, 1625. 1 

The proclamation which was in this year issued against the regular clergy, 
was every where evaded and turned into ridicule. It was read in Drogheda 
by a drunken soldier in such a ridiculous manner, that it created great amuse- 
ment amongst the inhabitants, and was so despised by the Catholic clergy, 
that they nevertheless exercised full jurisdiction, and not only proceeded to 
build abbeys and monasteries, but " had the confidence''' 2 as Cox expresses it, 
" to erect a university in Dublin, in the face of the government, which it 
seems thought itself limited in this matter by instructions from England." 
Concessions and ordinances, which were made in the Soman Chapter of the 
Dominicans were issued, appointing, among other important matters, that 
Five Universities should be erected in Ireland, viz. at Dublin, at Limerick, 
at Cash el, Aihenry, and Colerain. 3 

It is by no means indicative of the progress of toleration, to find the same 
government refusing even a charter to a similar institution at this very day in 
Dublin, nor, says the same writer, was the beauty of the Protestant church 
at this time sullied by its avowed enemies only. Things sacred were exposed 
to sale in a most scandalous manner ; parsonages and episcopal sees were 
alienated, and the churches were generally out of repair. 

1626. There was a proposal from the Court this year for the toleration of 
the Catholic religion in Ireland ; but the Protestant Bishops protested against 
it. 4 

1629. Complaints were now made against the Lord Deputy for partial 
administration. He was soon after removed, and Adam Loftus, Yiscount Ely, 
Lord Chancellor, and Eichard, Earl of Cork, Lord High Treasurer, were 
sworn Lords Justices. 

These Lords Justices caused St. Patrick's Purgatory to be dug up, 5 and 
by directions from the Council in England seized on fifteen of the new 
religious houses of the Irish Catholics. 6 

1 " On the 30th of August I proceeded to Limerick, where I remained until the tenth day of 
the following March with my wife, and obtained in the meantime from some patients £21 8s. 6d. 
At that time it was, that Mr. James Usher, Doctor and ' pseudo-primate' of Armagh, who 
had lately returned from England, where he had long laboured under a severe disease, to remove 
which, he had tried in vain the assistance of the royal physicians at a vast expense, sent for me. 
I waited upon him, while staying at his own palace in Drogheda, March 22nd, 1625. Then 
having heard his statement and weighed the opinions of the most eminent physicians, and 
serriously studied the symptoms which arose throughout the whole history of the disease ; from 
these I thought I had explained the cause of this doubtful disease, which every day grew worse 
and worse, and which had hitherto escaped the observation of several very eminent men, which 
when I was sensible I had perfectly ascertained after making a slight experiment to try my 
conjecture, I confidently undertook his cure ; nor did my hopes once deceive me. The curing 
of so eminent and on account of his erudition, so celebrated a man, of this grievous and stub- 
born disease, which baffled the skill of the royal physicians and most eminent doctors of Eng- 
land, made me celebrated and a favourite amongst the English, whom I had greatly disliked 
[exosus] for the sake of the Catholic religion." While this cure was progressing, the Doctor 
accompanied the Primate to Lambay Island, where remote from intrusion they devoted their 
attention to the cure. The Primate gave him £51 for his professional services. 

2 Hib. Angl. 

3 Hib. Dom. pp. 115-6, which gives the year 1629; and shows, p. 117, that these ordinances 
were confirmed in 1644 to the Dominican province of Ireland. 

* White's MSS. 5 ibid. 

6 The state of affairs regarding land at this time, is shown by the following curious entry, 
which I find in Dr Thomas Arthur's MSS. : — 

lt The Lord Henrye O'Bryen, Earl of Thowmond, 1 9° Martii, 1 635, did lease unto me for 
four score and nineteen yeares, three plow-lands and a half in Creatlaghmore and Portregue, 
at the rent of a red rose in mid-summer, or a grain of pepper if it he demanded. Uppon con- 
dition that if hia honor } his hcyres, executors or assignes die within six moneths after warning 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 145 

Land changed hands to a great extent in these troubled and disastrous 
rears ; and bargains were struck, which are hardly paralleled in the cheap 
dealings of the more modern Incumbered Estates' Court. Dr. Thomas 
Arthur states, that Daniel FitzTerlagh O'Brien of Annagk, in Ormond, Esq., 
on the 1st of September, 1631, sold him the absolute fee simple of two 
plow-lands and a quarter, less one-eight and fortieth part of a plow-land, 
in the Barony or Cantred of Arra, Co. Tipperary, in the Parish of Temple- 
an-Calha, near Ballina, with the fishing weirs thereunto belonging, in the 
river Shannon, for £200 ! He states moreover, that Daniel's foster brother, 
Kennedy M'Donough O'Bryen, sold him on the same clay, the half quarter 
of a plow-land, called Mehannach, and the half quarter of a plowland, called 
Droumnakearten, for £31 ! ! In order to warrant and defend all these lands 
against all persons unto him (Dr. Arthur), his heirs and assigns, Moriartagh 
O'Bryen, son and heir of Daniel Kennedy M'Donough, procured John 
O'Kennedy of Douneally, TTilliam O'Kennedy of Lissenaragid, and Conor 
O'Cleary of Bruodyr, "all gentlemen of Ormond," to become bound 
with them in one thousand pounds bond of the statute staple, acknowledge 
to him at Limerick, 6th January, 1636. It is a startling fact that in a few 
years afterwards, these gentlemen of Ormond, the O'Kennedys of Lissen- 
aragid, and of Dounally, figure in the Book of Distributions as forfeiters. 

Wentworth's progress in Connaught was made in 1635, to try by inquisi- 
tion the King's title to the counties of Koscommon, Sligo, Mayo, and Gal- 
way, and the county of the town of Galway ; in this he was successful, Gal- 
way alone opposing — but the sheriff and jurors, composed of the principal 
inhabitants of the county, confessed the King's right, after they had been 
sent to the Star Chamber, and gave in their oaths to that effect in the Court 
of Exchequer 1 The case of tenures upon the Defective Titles was decided 
in a solemn judgment by all the Irish judges. Live of the judges concurred 
in the opinion that the holders of the Letters Patent from the King or any of 

be given them by me, my heyres, executors or assignes, pay us in whole sum and entyre pay- 
ment the sum of one thousand and fif tie pounds, sterling, with all the arrears of the interest thereof, 
then the said lease to be expired. "William Brickdale, Esq., and George Conessis, Esq,, are 
bound with his honor in bonds of the statute staple for the warrantie and performance of 
covenants. His honor by a special note under his hand is bound to save me from all subsidies 
and other country charges to be imposed upon that land during that mortgage. Edmond, Lord 
Baron of Castle Connell, "who, in right of his wife, the Lady Margaret Thornton, the relict of 
Dunnough O'Bryen of Carrigogunnil, was tenant to the said Earl in the premises, did atturne 
tennant unto me, and payd me during his life a hundred pounds rent thereout, per annum. And 
since his death, the said Lady Dowager Margaret, of Castle Connell, payed me duly every year 
one hundred pounds sterling rent thereout until Easter, 1642, inclusively. But ever since then 
payed me no rent thereout, and yet detained the land until she deserted it in ano. 165- (perhaps 
1650) In a marginal note the land is said to contain : in Kilelypsh, 250 profitable, 183 un- 
profitable acres, 22 acres one-tenth profitable, Portreigue in Kilfentenan Parish, 213 acres profit- 
able, 58 acres one-tenth unprofitable, in ano. 1637. in Stratford's tyme. These plow-lands in 
the survey made in the Earl of Stratford's tyme contained 720 acres. The Civil Survey Jurors, 
March, 2nd, 1635, were these : Robert Starkey, Torlough MacMahonne, Paul MacXemara, 
Xeptune Blood, Thomas Hickman, Captain Thomas Cullen, Thomas Clanchy, George Clanchy, 
Thomas Fanning, George M'Xemara." 

1 Writing from the abbey of Boyle, 13th of June, 1635, Wentworth says to Lord Cottington, 
"It's true I am in a thing they call progress, but yet in no great pleasure for all that, all the comfort 
I have is a little Boney Clabber ; upon my faith I am of opinion it would like you at one measure, 
would you had your belly full of it, 1 warrant you, you should not repent it ; it is the 
bravest freshest drink you ever tasted — your Spanish Don would in the heats of Madrid hang his 
nose and shake his beard an hour over every sup he took of it, and take it to be the drink of the gods 
all the while. The best is, we have found his majesty's title to Roscommon, and shall do the 
like I am confident for all the other three counties, for the title is so good there, there can be 
nothing said against it." — Strafford's Letters and Despatches, vol i. p. 441. [fkney Clabber 13 
the Irish baine claba for "thick (sour) milk.]" 
11 



146 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

his Majesty's predecessors, were altogether void in the above counties. Two of 
them gave judgment that the Letters Patent were void only as to tenure. On 
the 13th of July, 1635, judgment was given by the court in favor of the 
annulling of the Letters Patent. 1 

The fashions and customs of the citizens in these times were rather sin- 
gular. 2 

In the course of his journeys in 1636 to and from Connaught, Wentworth, 
on the 19 th of August, paid a visit to Limerick — he remained nine days, and 
was entertained by Dominick White, the mayor. A guard of fifty young 
men of the city attended him. John Meagh was captain of this guard — John 
Sexton and Pierce Creagh were subalterns. "Wentworth left the city by St. 
John's Gate, and in doing so knighted the mayor. He bestowed on the 
corporation a silver cup, gilt, valued at £60. 3 The impression made by his 
visit, notwithstanding the flattering evidences of municipal favor which he 
received, was anything but agreeable. To this our own day his name is used 
by nurses in Leinster to frighten wayward children. His black and ferocious 
appearance was commented on by Dr. Arthur. 4 His friend and councillor, 
George RadclifT, too, made the same hostile impression, as the nervous satire 
of Dr. Arthur was also used to indicate the estimate which was formed of 
his character by the people. 5 One of the articles of impeachment, however, 

1 "Writing from Portumna shortly afterwards he says, " No Protestant Freeholder to be found 
to serve His Majesty on any occasion in this county (Galway), being in a manner mostly com- 
pounded of Papists, with whom the Priests and Jesuits (who abound in far greater numbers 
than in other parts) have so much power, as they do nothing of this nature without consulting 
them." — Ibid,. 

2 1636. A wedding present in this year will no doubt be a curiosity in the eyes of my lady 
readers. It was given by Bartholomew Stackpole Fitzjames, Esq. to Miss Mary Arthur, daughter 
of Dr. Thomas Arthur before their marriage : — 

" A small goulde cross ; a goulde ring weighing 22 carats ; 2 small gould rings 5 carats each ; 
j£6 in silver ; a small case of instruments ; a payer of imbroadered glowes ; 4 yeardes of satten 
rybbine ; 2 yeards of broad satten rybbine ; i yeard and \ of boane lace, worth 8s. per yeard ; 
i blak hoode of duble currle ; one payer of whyte glowes ; i payer of Spannish leader shooes ; 
x yeardes of blak pynked satten ; 9 yeards of skey colored tabbey ; i whyte fann with a silver 
handle ; i crowne lowe hood ; 6 payers of whyte glowes ; 4 yeards of 8d. broad satten rybbine ; 
4 yeardes of French sarge with 3 vnces of silver lace ; i large taffeta hood ; i crowne lowe hood ; 
6 payers of whyte glowes ; 2 ivorye combes ; i payer of pfumed cordouan glowes ; a small silver 
seale."— Arthur MSS., p. 133. 

3 White's MSS. 

4 A physiognomic anagram on the name of Thomas Wentworth, a truculent and nefarious 
character ; a few letters of the name being changed : — 

Thotoas Vaentvoorth, 
Homo torve tu Sathan. 
(Grim-visaged fellow Satan thou.) — Arthur MSS. 
* I publish the following twenty anagrams, with the change of a few letters, on the name of 
George Radclyffe, in which are clearly explained his origin, habit of body, mental character, the 
offices and duties he fulfilled, and his probable future exit : — 
Georgius Radclyffes 
Sic Fera gregi dolus. 
So a wild beast is treacherous to the flock. 
George Raclef, 
Fera gregi colus. 
A wild beast is a torture or whip to the flock. 
Georgio Radclife, 
O fera gregi dulci. 
O wild beast to the sweet flock. 
Georgius Radclyfes, 
Fera disclusio gregi. 
A cruel abridgment to the flock. 
Georgius Radclyfes, 
Suggessi Clodifero. 
Alluding to his evil counsels to the Lord Deputy not to receive appeals or complaints from the 
people to the King. — Arthur MSS. 

I give the above as specimens of the twenty. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 147 

against Wentworth afterwards was his having enlisted a large number of Catho- 
lics in the Royal army. There is no donbt he did enlist Catholics, and that 
many of the Catholic as well as Protestant gentry got commissions from him. 1 

Dominick Oge Roche Mayor of Limerick, in 1639 was created Baron 
Tarbert and Viscount Cahirivhalla by King James II. titles which were never 
acknowledged by the House of Hanover. He was grandfather of the 
celebrated Sir Boyle Roche who died without issue in 1801. 

The same troubled state of men's minds, the same apprehensions, imagi- 
nations, &c, which occupied the attention of the people in earlier times, 
continued to disturb them now in 1640. We have a singular evidence of 
this in a letter preserved in the R. I. A., among the Smith MSS., which 
relates a curious story of the " enchanted" Earl of Desmond, and his appear- 
ance under the form of a Black Horse in the Castle of Castle Connel. 2 

1 Sir John Browne, Knight of the Hospital in the County of Lymrick, was indehted in a 
comparatively small sum to Dr. Thomas Arthur by bond dated 13th July, 1639. Sir John 
became a member of Parliament, and immediately after became a captain in the army of Lord 
Strafford. Soon after the wars began, he went into England, where being of the King's party, 
upon seme quarrel between him and Mr. Christopher Barnwall, he was killed in a duel.— 
Arthur MSS., p. 119— 120. 

2 Limerick, the 13th of August, 1610. This was sent to the Archbishop of Arniach now in 
Oxford: — 

ffor newes wee have the strangest that ever was heard of, there inchantments in the Lord off 
Castleeonnell's Castle £ miles from Lymerick, several sorts of noyse, sometymes of drums and 
trumpets, sometimes of other curious musique with heavenly voyces, then fearful screeches, and 
such outcries that the neighbours neere cannot sleepe. Priests have adventured to be there, but have 
been cruelly beaten for their paynes, and carryed awaye they knew not howe, some 2 miles, and 
some 1 miles. Moreover were seen in the like manner, after they appeare to the vieAve of the 
neighbours, infinite number of armed men on f oote as well as on horseback. What to make of this 
neither my Lord, nor the best divines wee have can tell, they have had many consultations about 
it. This hath bin since St. James's tyde ; much more could I write of it, and more than this had 
I tyme to wryte ; but one thing more by Mrs. Mary Burke with 12 servants lyes in the house, 
and never one hurt, onley they must dance with them every night ; they say Mrs. Mary come 
away, telling her she must be wyf e to the inchanted Earl of Desmond ; moreover a countrey 
ffellow going off Knockiney ffaire,* to sell his horse, a gentleman standing in the wave, demand- 
ing whether he would sell his horse, he answered yea, for £5 : the gentleman would give him but 
£■1 : 10 : 0, sayinge he would not get so much at the ffaire, the fellow went to the ffaire, could not 
get so much money, and found the gentleman on his return in the same place who proffered the 
fellow the same money ; the fellow accepted of it, the other bid him come in and receive his 
money. He carried him into a fine spacious castle, payed him his money every penny and shewed 
him the fairiest black horse the fellow had ever seene, and told that that horse was the Earl of 
Desmond, and that he had three shoes alreadye, when he had the fourthe shoe, which should be 
very shortlie, then should the Earl be as he was before, thus guarded with many armed men 
conveying him out of the gates. The fellow came home, but never was any castle in that place 
either before or since. 

Uppon a Mannour of my Lord Bishoppe of Lymerick, Loughill hath been seen upon the hill 
by most of the inhabitants aboundance of armed men marching, and these seene many tymes — 
and when they come up to them they do not appeare. These things are very strange, if the 
cleargie and gentrie say true. God willing to-morrow or next day I purpose to go to the Castle, 
better to satisfye myself, this was but amongst other business to the Towne to averr the truth of 
the same. 

JOHN, HOLME. 

And I procured the loan, whereoff this is a true coppie. 1 understand this Holme is a gentle- 
man to the Lord Bishopp of Lymerick. — Smith MSS. in the Royal Irish Academy. 

* The Fair of Knockany appears to be one of the oldest fairs of which there is record, It is 
first mentioned under date 777 years before Christ, in the Annals of the Four Masters, and is 
noticed several times at more recent dates. It is not so anciently recorded as the Fair of Pilltown 
in Meath, but this latter has been disused since the English Conquest, so that Knockany appears 
to have the high distinction of being the oldest Fair on record in these countries, or indeed in any 
country. Fairs were about the earliest institutions mentioned, and they played a most important 
part in the history and civilization of the human race. It is not a little singular, then, that we 
should in Ireland have such early records of them, established, as they were, in all countries and 



148 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE CIVIL WAR. THE CONFEDERATION. REFUSAL OF THE CORPORATION TO 

RECEIVE THE PAPAL ENVOY. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE MAYOR 

AND THE ENVOY. — OCCUPATION OF THE KING'S CASTLE BY THE CON- 
FEDERATES. MURROUGH OF THE BURNINGS. 

The causes which led to the desolating civil war of this century have 
been already explained. The intentional non-enrolment in chancery of the 
new letters patent, the evasion of the ministers of Charles to carry the graces 
into effect, and the repeated plantations, discoveries and other means of 
depriving the native proprietors, at last produced their natural effects, and we 
shall have shortly to describe another dreadful civil war, which was to be 
followed by another, both being attended by a repetition of the favorite 
scheme of confiscation. The acts of Lord Strafford in Ireland, where he is 
still known amongst the people by the name of " Black Tom/'' have been 
pronounced by the Historian Hume to be " innocent and laudable," but inde- 
pendently of the fact that he was the chief means of destroying the woollen 
manufactures of Ireland, he is known to have advised his royal master to 
violate his promises to the Catholics, though he publicly rebuked those who 
doubted his majesty's " gracious regards." The means by which he enforced 
his schemes of plunder, by fining, pilloring and branding those jurors who 
refused to find for the king, are in themselves enough to refute these 
shamefully untruthful statements of the English Historian Hume. These 
means were indeed much more vexatious in their character than those persecu- 
tions which drove the Scotch Covenanters into a rebellion, which brought 
about those results that began with Strafford's execution, and which ended in 
the establishment of the Cromwelhan usurpation. Wandesford 1 the successor 
of Strafford was himself succeeded by the Puritanical Sir William Parsons, and 
Sir John Borlase, both bitter haters of everything belonging to Catholics 
except their property, and it was the opinion of no less a person than king 
Charles himself, that but for these men's disobedience to his commands, the 
terrible Irish rebellion of 1641 would not at all have happened, or would 
have been quickly suppressed. 2 These commands of the king were to pass 

throughout the remotest ages ; and still more remarkable is the fact, that in the Irish Fairs 
ceremonies and customs were performed almost identical with those described by Herodotus, as 
practised in the ancient Fairs of Persia and other Asiatic countries. Indeed there are many most 
interesting facts connected with this subject, which have met with attention from antiquarian 
writers. I need not add that Knockany Fair exists to this day in fully its ancient importance. 

1 In reference to Christopher Wandesfoord (sic), I find a curious entry in Dr. Thomas 
Arthur's diary, which I translate : — 

" Christopher Wandesfoord (whom I had previously attended) now Justiciary of Ireland, 
has been seized with a malignant fever this 14th day of November, which I predicted would end 
in his death, and he died on the 6th day : — 

Idem, 15th November, 

Idem, 16th November, 

Idem, 17th November, 

Idem, 18th November, 

Idem, l[)th November, 

Idem, 20thNovember, on which day he succumbed to the sickness 
Sir James Ware mi.- takes when he states that he died suddenly. 
a Curry (and his authorities), Civil Wars, 147. 



£1 





10 





10 





© 10 





10 





10 


6 


1 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 149 

the bills for the securing of the estates of the natives, and for confirming 
the other " graces" before referred to, which Strafford's own biographer 
Macdiarmid admits were certainly moderate, relating as they did to abuses 
arising from a defective police, to exactions in the court of justice, depreda- 
tions committed by the soldiery, monopolies which tended to the ruin of 
trade, retrospective enquiries into defective titles, penal statutes on account 
of religion, and other evils, for which, to borrow Moore's expression, these 
wretched people were obliged to bribe their monarch. 

To this misconduct on the part of the government, and to other acts of 
oppression may be referred the atrocities of the great rebellion which now 
broke forth — a rebellion which ended in another sweeping confiscation, and 
which, according to Sir WiUiam Petty, cost the lives of no less than 36,000 
persons. 

The insurrection at first was confined to Ulster, but the barbarities of the 
soldiers of the President of Munster, Sir William St. Leger, soon compelled 
the gentry of Kilkenny and Tipperary to form associations for the protection 
of their lives and property. Several noblemen had remonstrated against the 
cruel and indiscriminate vengeance exacted by these soldiers for certain rob- 
beries and outrages committed by some of the lawless natives ; but these 
remonstrances were heard with contempt, in consequence of which Lord 
Mountgarret and others of his friends became convinced that a conspiracy 
was being formed against the interests of the Catholics, and a general de- 
fection took place, which resulted in an appeal to arms, the immediate con- 
sequence being the reduction of all the towers and forts in the towns of 
Kilkenny, Waterford, and Tipperary. 1 The turbulent factions of some 
branches of the O'Briens were not as may be imagined idle on this occasion, 
though the Earl of Thomond exerted his influence as far as it extended. 
But, on the other hand, the anti-national Government was served with an 
energy on the part of another member of this family which had most im- 
portant results, and which has branded the name of Murrogh O'Brien, 
Lord Inchiquin, with indelible infamy, under the popular soubriquet of 
Morogh an Tothaine, or, " Morrogh of the burnings." In the December of 
1641, a coalition took place between the Anglo-Irish Catholics of the Pale 
and the ancient Irish. Out of this coalition sprung the Catholic confeder- 
ation, whose object was to establish their religious independence, and to 
recover the estates which they had lost by the sword, or the not less fatal 
instruments of legalised plunder. The confederation of Kilkenny consisted 
of two hundred and fifty-one members, including eleven spiritual peers, 
fourteen temporal peers, and twenty-six commoners. The members returned 
for the county and city of Limerick were O'Dwyer, afterwards Bishop of Lim- 
erick, William Bourke, Baron of Castleconneil, John Baggot of Baggots- 
town, Mark PitzHarris of Cloghinat-foy, Thomas O'Ryan of Doon, George 
Comyn, Patrick Panning, John Haly, Daniel Higgins, and Bartholomew 
Stackpole, all of Limerick. Lord Mountgarret was President of the Supreme 
Council. The death of the celebrated leader took place at this time at Kil- 
kenny ; his place was supplied by the Earl of Castlehaven. Garret Barry 
was nominated General of the Munster forces, Owen O'Neill of those of 
Ulster, Thomas Preston for Leinster, and Colonel John Bourke for Con- 
naught. They commanded all persons to bear faith and allegiance to the 
King. They assumed to themselves the administration of justice, assigned 

1 Carte's Ormond. 



150 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

seven hundred men as a guard of honour for the assembly, sent for aid to 
foreign governments, petitioned the King and Queen for a redress of their 
grievances, and assumed the regulation of the currency. 

While Parsons and Ormonde were exerting themselves to restrain the 
mutinous dispositions which were at this time evinced by the soldiers under 
their command, the Irish national cause, which had sustained some reverses 
in Leinster and before Cork, were counterbalanced by the capture of Lim- 
erick. In the beginning of June a numerous but ill-disciplined body of 
troops sat down before it, including Lord Muskerry, General Barry, Pierce 
Butler, and Yiscount Ikerin. The citizens evinced the strongest desire to 
receive the confederates, to whom they at once opened their gates. An 
attack on the King's castle was immediately decided on, and Captain George 
Courtenay, who commanded the place, prepared to defend it. This officer, 
who was the younger son of Sir William Courtenay, had sixty men of his 
own company, twenty-eight warders and others, in all amounting to two 
hundred men, to maintain the defence, but they were much distressed for 
provisions, which they could only procure by stealth from the city. They 
had only sixty muskets ; the rest of their arms were petronels, pistols, cara- 
bines, and fowling pieces, and only five or six casks of powder. The con- 
federates commenced their attack by making a boom across the river opposite 
a place called Mockbeggar-Mear, within musket shot of the castle. 1 It was 
made with long aspen trees fastened with iron links on the Thomond side to 
two mill stones, and at the opposite or city side to the tower of the Quay. 
The object of the boom, the completion of which after several interruptions 
was at last effected, was to prevent Sir Henry Stradling, who commanded 
some parliamentary ships on the Shannon, from throwing supplies into the 
water gate of the castle, and notwithstanding Courtenay' s guns, the object 
was attained. The Irish took possession of St. Mary's Church, on which 
Muskerry ordered a gun to be mounted, from which they kept up a steady 
fire upon the castle ; but though the surrender of the place was expected to 
take place immediately, owing to want of provisions and ammunition, the 
Castle still held out : they accordingly resolved to undermine it. 

On the 21st of June three mines were completed and ready to be sprung; 
the first mine was begun near the churchyard of St. Nicholas, and when it 
was finished and a sufficient quantity of earth carried out, they set fire to 
the timber, which propped the cavern they had made, when a great part of 
the bulwark sunk down. 2 They made two other mines with less success, but 
they continued working until the 21st of June, when a breach was made in 
the main wall of the castle ; Captain Courtenay capitulated, and the city of 
Limerick was in the hands of the confederates. Muskerry, Garret Barry, 
and other officers, took possession on the next day. This was the most im- 
portant advantage as yet obtained by the confederates ; indeed the news of the 
capture of Limerick is said to have broken the heart of Sir William St. Leger, 
who died shortly afterwards. On his death the military command of Mun- 
ster was conferred on his son-in-law Lord Inchiquin, " Murrogh of the 
Burnings," Yice-President of the province, David Barry, Earl of Barrymore, 
being joined in commission with him to take care of the civil government, 

1 In Ferrar's time a large piece of this boom fastened to a rock, supposed to weigh three or 
four hundred pounds, might be seen at the time of low water near the then House of Industry, 
now the County of Limerick Royal Regiment of Militia Barracks, on the North Strand. 

2 Carte's Ormonde, vol. I. p. 341, from which Ferrar's account is taken. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 151 

which by the death of the latter, which took place soon after, became also 
solely vested in Lord Inchiqnin. The cannon and ammunition thus obtained 
by the confederates did them good service. One of these was a thirty-two 
pounder, by the terror of which they reduced all the neighbouring castles 
except Loughgur and Askeaton. In these our own days of Whitworths, 
Armstrongs, Parrotts, and Blakelys, it is amusing to read Carte's description 
of this huge piece of ordnance, which* was of so large a bore, he says, 
that it was drawn by twenty-four yoke of oxen. The county Limerick, how- 
ever, which was the great granary of the province, 1 was in the hands of the 
confederates, and Inchiquin was unable for want of men to carry out his 
desires of destroying the harvest. Towards the end of July the two Generals 
prepared to march into Cork where the sea ports were held for the parliamen- 
tarians by Lord Broghill, Sir Charles Vavasour, Sir John Paulet, and Sir 
William Ogle. 

The Catholic party, who were now in possession of Limerick, made every 
exertion to repair and strengthen the fortifications. 2 

Among those who were seized and imprisoned on this occasion by the 
triumphant party was George Webb, Protestant Bishop of Limerick. Ware 
states that he was a native of Wiltshire, an Oxford Student, greatly distin- 
guished for the smoothness and eloquence of his style as a preacher in the 
Court of Charles I. He died a prisoner in the Castle of Limerick, his body 
was interred in St. Munchin's Church yard ; was taken up soon afterwards 
in order to see if there were rings or other valuables buried with him, and 
again deposited in his last resting place. It is said that he had been in 
possession of the mitre and crosier of Cornelius O'Dea, who had been Bishop 
of Limerick from A.D. 1400 to 1426, and of the Black Book of Limerick, 
from which I have quoted so largely in the early chapters of this work, and 
from which I shall have occasion to quote more largely hereafter ; and that 
they then came into the custody of the Catholic Bishop, with whose succes- 
sors the mitre and crozier have ever since remained, objects of the highest 
ecclesiastical and archaeological interest. 

Pierce Creagh was mayor in 1643, when the ramparts westward of John's 
Gate and Mungret Tower were built, in the battlement of one of which was 
the following line : — Pierse Creagh, Mayor, 1643. 3 



i Ibid, I., 842. 

2 1642. This year, Pierce Creagh^being mayor, the rampart from St. John's Gate of Limerick, 
within the walls, towards the west, was made, and the new tower built there (Mungret Gate 
Tower) ; this appears by the stone fixed in that tower on the walls, where it says, that when 
Pierce Creagh was mayor that tower was built, but makes the year 1643. — White's MSS. Dr. 
Arthur's statement in reference to this circumstance is in Latin, which we translate literally as 
follows : — " When the citizens were strengthening the Southern Gate of Limerick, dedicated to 
St. John the Baptist, with an exterior triangular bulwark, at the public expense, I thought the 
work, when it had been finished, worthy of being celebrated with the following few verses, to be 
inscribed on marble : — [The verses are in Latin and may be literally translated as follows :] 

Altars and native hearths, and laws defending, 

Now doth the Royal city from this fort, 

The King's foes far remove, the miscreant knaves 

Stained with the dreadful murder of a king ; 

Removes afar those evil working troops, 

Foes to our country, lusting for our gold, * 

Our homes and all. 

s At Plassy Mills, the property of Richard Russell, Esq., J.P., on a stone about four feet long, 
but broken thus -J- , built into the mill, and seen from the small bridge over the mill stream, 



152 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



During and before the mayoralty of Pierce Creagh FitzAndrew, many 
improvements were made by him. 1 

By an act of parliament passed in this year, the escheated portions of the 
city and suburbs, with the island of Inniscattery, the fisheries of the Shannon, 
together with twenty-four thousand acres adjoining the city, and the same 
immunities as Dublin and Bristol, were set out to English adventurers at 
£60,000, and £1050 a year quit rent. 2 

In this year, while the confederates, now masters of Limerick, Galway, 
Sligo, and Duncannon, and of all the chief towns of the kingdom, except 
Dublin and a few sea-ports, were strengthening their resources, and gaining 
important advantages, a commissioner arrived in Ireland from the Holy See, 
being sent by Urban VIII. at the instance of the celebrated Father Luke 
Wadding, 3 a native of the city of Waterford, an able statesman, who at this 
time resided at St. Isidore's College in Borne. — This was Eather Peter 
Francis Scarampi, a priest of the Oratory, who was the bearer of a pontifical 
Bull, in which he praised the zeal with which the Irish fought for the inde- 
pendence of their religion. He was also the bearer of 30,000 crowns, 
collected by Father Luke Wadding from the Barberini, Spada, and other 
noble families. His Holiness also sent a large quantity of arms and ammu- 
nition, and a jubilee, with a plenary indulgence to all who should take up 
arms in the defence of religion. Scarampi, on his arrival, proceeded directly 
to Kilkenny, where he found the confederates warmly discussing the question 
of an armistice ; the Irish of the Pale being anxious to make terms with 
Ormond, while the old Irish, encouraged by the clergy, were hostile to any 

that runs into the Shannon there, is the following inscription, formerly over Mungret 
Gate :— 



CAROLO REGE 
REGNANTE 
PETRO CREAGH 
PRETORE. 
ANNO DOMINI 
1643. 



Acpi — q. 




1 Pierce Creagh FitzAndrew was active and enterprising. He built a fine " Stone howse" in 
Mary-street, which house is yet standing, and in which mantel-pieces, with the initials of his 
name, and the initials of his wife's name, may yet be seen.* The house is No. 9. It was mort- 
gaged in 1631 to Dr. Thomas Arthur for a sum of £300 ; and it is a curious fact that in the year 
1860, this identical house was sold by auction, and purchased by a Mr. Cooney, of Broadford, in 
the County of Clare, for the same sum of £300. It was in his mayoralty that the causeway 
,was finished through the Friar's bog (Monabraher), and the bridge over the causeway built, 
as appears by the inscription raised on a stone in the bridge in black letters : — 
" Hunc pontem ac Viam Stratam fieri fecit 
Petrus Creagh filius Andreae major ciutatis 
Limericensis sumptibus ejusdem ciutatis, A.D. 1635." 

In Davis' MSS., it is said in rhyme that a Scotchman came to ply a ferry-boat between 
Limerick and Parteen, but as he demanded money in advance, the city refused to deal with him — 
hence the causeway was made. 

a Irish Statutes, 17th Charles I. 

3 Hib. Dom. 650, and the authorities there quoted — the author here quoted assigns this 
mission to. the year 1644, but the Arthur MSS. to 1643. The latter date is adopted by Father 
Median also, in his interesting history of the Confederation of Kilkenny. 

A. t D 

PC E R 

£$3 16 I.H.S. 33. Cfc 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 153 

proposals which should not ensure their religious rights. The Papal envoy 
gave every encouragement to the old Irish party. 

The conduct of the Mayor and Corporation, and of certain prominent 
citizens of Limerick in this crisis, was selfish and timid in the extreme ; they 
desired, as it were, to remain quiescent spectators of what was passing, rather 
than take an active part in events of the deepest national interest. The 
truth is that many of them were secret sympathisers with Lord Inchiquin, 
and the Earl of Thomond with whom they carried on a constant correspon- 
dence. To counteract the mischief which was growing out of this state of 
things, the Council of the confederation, which was now in Clonmel, des- 
patched Sir Daniel O'Brien of Dough, and Mr. George Comyn of Limerick, 
with directions to confirm the party faithful to the confederates in their reso- 
lutions, to sift to the bottom of what was agitated, and to prepare the way, 
if possible, for the coming of the confederate Council to Limerick. But the 
Mayor, and those who acted with him, notwithstanding the opinions to the 
contrary of the Eight Eev. Dr. Arthur, who was Catholic Bishop, the Clergy, 
and the citizens generally, were violently opposed to the introduction of the 
Council and Envoy, and represented the country to be scarce of corn between 
Clonmel and Limerick ; that great inconvenience would arise from the crowds 
which would be certain to arrive if the Council repaired to the city. 1 Dr. 
Thomas Arthur conducted the correspondence on the part of the Mayor, &c. 
and his letters, two of which from his MSS. I give in a note, testify to the 
extreme sensitiveness which was felt lest the Papal Envoy and Council 
should arrive in Limerick. 2 

1 Billing's Fragmentum Historicum in Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica. 

2 " Doctor Doniinick White, for the second time Mayor of Limerick, and the rest of the Coun- 
cillors and principal men of the city have earnestly requested me to write in their name this letter 
to the distinguished personage Lord Peter Francis Scarampi, at present acting in the capacity^of 
Apostolic Nuncio for Ireland, to explain, in the form of apology, the true causes of ingress into 
that city being refused to him on the 28th of October, anno Dom. 1643. 

' Most Illustrious Lord. — Our Lord Bishop Richard Arthur, venerable for the dignity of his 
love and merits, indignant on account of your Lordship's non-admission, has interdicted me the 
Mayor of Limerick, my predecessor and other leading men of our Council, nor can we find any 
room for pardon with him, unless your Lordship, of your eminent humanity and clemency, will 
vouchsafe to intercede for us. But you will say that we are persons of an impudent character, 
to presume to ask that favour of you who lately excluded you in a shameless manner. Yet we 
hope, indeed, that your Lordship will be more favourably disposed towards us, when you shall 
have weighed the influential causes which forced us against our will to commit that act of inhos- 
pitality, which causes we shall here without deceit explain. 

Our city from the beginning of this war has been divided principally into two sects or factions, 
of which the one did in a great degree hanker after murder, theft, rapine, and robbery, whilst 
the other while it had devoted to the pious services of labouring for religion, king, and state, 
disdained to be defiled by the commission of such base crime and the stain of filthy lucre. The 
former, conscious of guilt, and apprehensive of a rebuke for their crimes, and a forthcoming 
demand of restitution one day or other, fear all things ; trust not even those that were 
bound to them by ancient ties, find no asylum sufficiently secure, persecute the innocent 
with internecine hostility. Whilst the latter, from the conscientiousness of their integrity, is 
buoyed up with better hope, and is compelled to devote a considerable part of their industry, 
in repelling and overpowering the tricks, stratagems, frauds, and snares of the other party 
that menace them, and they were particularly engaged in that care recently, when the elections 
were appointed for the creation of mayor, sheriffs, and other new magistrates ; for tben the feelings 
of the citizens and of all ranks were divided between antagonistic leanings, and so, great feuds, 
quarrels, and passionate disputes arose, as well in the county as in the city, that none such have 
hitherto occurred within the memory of our forefathers. For the first faction laboured with all 
its might for the creation of magistrates, who would comply with and agree to their suggestions 
and counsels ; who, if they should attain their object, threatened to lead 500 soldiers to winter 
and spring quarters to Limerick, when there was already a cessation to arms and sieges ; then 
at length, when they should be secured by so great a force or garrison, they threatened that exile, 
the gibbet, and the loss of all their properties impended over such of the other party as were 
troublesome, and other such things as surpassed all endurance. By these clamours of malice 
and envy, discreet men of the innocent faction (if I may use the expression) were excited and 



154 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The Council saw through the hollow manoeuvre ; but as they could not 
garrison the city, they adopted prompt measures to prevent the citizens from 

roused, and they acknowledged that now the time was at hand when, if they possessed any 
resources in talent, industry, friends, dependants, or wealth, they were bound to employ all these 
energetically in the defending and upraising of the commonwealth soon doomed to fall, and in 
the preservation and defence of their lives, their wives, their children, and all their properties. 
And lest they should give occasion by their own neglect or violence to the city, being betrayed 
and reduced to the last degree of distress by a too numerous party who aimed at it, they spent 
days and nights in anticipating and averting the attempts of their antagonists, and in restoring 
their fellow-citizens to a better way of thinking and becoming integrity. 

Meantime, while we were circumstanced in such peril, after we had passed several months 
suspected, and apprehensive in avoiding and laying stratagems alternately, behold we learned by 
sudden report that your Lordship would come hither in a few days, which kept us in a state of 
anxiety and solicitude : for we feared lest some clandestine embassy sent by our adversaries 
would draw }"ou over to give credit to their attempts by your presence, being sufficiently assured ; 
and having clearly foreseen that if your most illustrious Lordship should influence the minds of 
the citizens, while hesitating, vacillating, and in suspense, that we should lose our cause, /which 
is so legitimate and of so great moment, and on which our own safety and that of the whole 
community depends, and that the populace, being won over, would raise some disturbance in the 
city; wherefore we judged that it was of the utmost consequence to the public interest, as soon 
as possible, to entreat you through our envoys, that you would be pleased to make a longer 
delay at Cashel while we should provide for ourselves and the interests of our community ; which 
care kept us so anxious and busy employed, and distracted our attention, that we had not time to 
pay your Lordship the respects due from your humble servants, by suitable honors and adequate 
preparations ; and that presently when we had transacted the business which was then to be done 
in the city, that your Lordship's arrival would be most grateful to us. But our envoy having by 
no means obtained his point, brought us word that your most illustrious Lordship had decided to 
ride up to our gates for the purpose of seeing our Bishop [Presul] ; from which unexpected 
reply that former suspicion of ours received a great aggravation, respecting the clandestine and 
crafty pronouncement of your arrival by our antagonists, which we could not be led to expect 
would take place, until astonished by the sudden intelligence of your being mounted on horseback 
before our gates. We at length adopted the resolution, that our envoy should explain to you 
in what anxiety about present circumstances our Council and people were involved and engaged, 
and to request in our name, that for that night at least you would go to either of the splendid 
houses distant not more than one mile, of Mr. Jordan Boch, Town Councillor, or Nicholas Haly, 
Esq. also a fellow-citizen of ours, where you would be honourably received, and there on the 
next morning kindly await the further wishes of the Council. Waiting in the meantime to see if 
we should happen to learn from some of j T our attendants or household secretaries, something that 
would remove that scruple about the designs of the adverse faction, and had that happened 
according to our desires, we would receive you freely, and, as the saying is, with open arms ; but 
your hasty and more distant withdrawal disappointed both of us in our wishes and expectation. 

Illustrious Sir, you have the true sentiments of our minds disguised by no fabrications, which 
we suppliantly pray you may receive with the same sincerity of mind ; and that you pardon your 
servants, whom the fear of domestic feuds, plotting against our lives and fortunes, has drawn 
aside from the path of our usual and ancient civility and due deference ; and humbly imploring 
the apostolic benediction that you would kindly grant it to us, and that you would graciously 
remove the indignation of our bishop against us, for which marks of civility and decency, our 
city Councillors and all classes would be eternally obliged to you, as well as myself. 

Your Lordship's most humble Servant, ' 

Limerick, lith October, 1643. 
This other letter also by the advice of the same Mayor and Council, I wrote to the same 
Peter Francis Scarampi on the 5th January, 1643, old style. 

Most Illustrious Lord — As when I was lately at Waterf ord, and had offered to you the apology 
of our mayor, and of all classes of our city, and explained to you the reasons of our constant 
duty and obedience to the apostolic seat, so in turn when I came to Limerick, I extolled the 
praises of your kindness, benignity, and indulgence towards them, and brought word that your 
most illustrious Lordship had decided upon thoroughly effacing and removing the mark of the 
offence you had taken, honoured our city and aged bishop with your presence, and fixed for that 
purpose upon the next spring as being most suitable, being the time when you should have some 
respite from the anxiety of business, as well as when the serenity of the air, the tranquillity of 
the weather, and the pleasantness of the country might conduce more to your health, and miti- 
gate the tediousness of so long a journey. The reason for wdiich candour on your part, and 
foresight in selecting the time of the proposed journe} r , all approved, and did not expect your 
most welcome arrival before that time. But our mayor very lately heard that our bishop had 
intended (I know not what secret advice moving him to it), himself and the rest of the common 
council, and some one of the clergy, should invite and bring hither your most illustrious Lord- 
ship at so unseasonable a time of the year, when, without the pressure of some urgent necessity, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 155 

joining the Earl of Thomond to the injury of the Confederate Government. 
The influence which the Earl of Thomond exercised over the merchants of 
Limerick was well known, because he occupied Bunratty Castle, and the 
islands on the Shannon, which commanded the navigation of the river. He 
could destroy their commerce, injure their credit, and prevent their approach 
to or from the sea, if he chose. The Council despatched Sir Daniel O'Brien 
and Daniel 0' Brien of Dough, to seize the Castle of Bunratty, and the 
person of the Earl. The one was the uncle, the other the near kinsman of 
the Earl — and both were persuaded that it was the best thing could happen 
him, for the Council had resolved, if he could thus be compelled to join the 
Confederation, that without interfering with his religion, a great part of his 
estates would be preserved for him, and no declaration required by which he 
should be subject to the penalty of neutrals. But the Earl was fully alive to 
what he conceived to be his own interests. He had already given up Bunratty 
to the Parliamentarians, and it was not recovered without a formal siege, 1 as 
we shall see as we proceed. 



CHAPTEE XXV. 

THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO KIXTJCCIXT. SIEGE OF BrXEATTY CASTLE. ESTI3IATE 

OF OKMOXD. TE DEEM IX ST. MART'S CATHEDRAL. OKILOXD's PEACE 

DENOUNCED. BOURKE DEPOSED. — PANNING CONSTITUTED 3IAY0R. ATRO- 
CITIES OF MURROUGH OF THE BURXINGS AT CASHEL, &C. 

The war, in its very beginning, produced great changes in the circum- 
stances of some of the highest personages in the land. The Marquis of 
Antrim, whose Dowager is stated to have been reduced to such a state of 
poverty by the war, 2 returned to Kilkenny this year, having effected his 

no prudent person ought to persuade, or even propose that your Lordship should expose yourself 
to the uncertainty of the weather, the inclemency of the winter, and the inconveniences of so 
long, muddy, and deep a journey. Wherefore our mayor, and the other leading men of the 
council intreated me to write in their names to your most illustrious Lordship, and in the first 
place recall the memory of their due respect towards you, their most humble request that, since 
your Lordship is pleased to adhere firmly to your first point, and commendable purpose, and to be 
induced by no intreaties to anticipate that time, which is so suitable, and which you will appear 
to have more prudently taken forethought for your health, exposed to very many inconveniences, 
on account of the unusual variety of climate, soil, and food, and to do a most acceptable thing 
to our mayor and the rest of our council, preoccupied in collecting very large sums of money, 
as well for promoting the expeditions of those led into England, and the army (intended) for 
Ulster, as well as towards the third collection of £30,000 sterling, to be paid to the King, as 
well as (preoccupied) by other cares arising out of present circumstances. Wishing your most 
illustrious Lordship every success, 

Your very humble servant, 

T. A." 

* Billing, Fragmentum Historicum. 

2 We give the fact in the words of Dr. Arthur : — 

1643. Dame Elis Xy Xeyl, Countess Dowager of Antrim, by reason of the warrs, was reduced 
to extremitie, and driven to pavne her 2 rings, a cross, and a ievvell of gould, inlayed with rub- 
bies and dyamonds, to John Barnevill, for £20 sterling, with a bill of sale past of them, unless 
shee had redeemed the same by the 20th day of September, 164-3, which not being able to doe 
of her own moneyes, was driven to mortgadge the premisses to Thomas Roch FitzPyers, of Byrr, 
merchant, for the said sume of £20, which shee delivered to the said Barnevill in redemption of 
the said Jewells, and promised him, the said Roch, £20 10s. for lending her the said £20 from 
the 2nd of August to Michaelmas enseuing, 1613. And the said Countess being at Lymrick the 
9th of September, 1643, desired me to pay the said Thomas Roch the said sume of £21, and to 



156 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

escape from Carrickfergus, and recently come from England. He proposed 
to raise troops to assist Montrose in Scotland ; and the Confederates, whom 
he had joined, agreed to furnish him with arms, and 200 barrels of oatmeal, 
which were to be shipped to Scotland by Mr. Archer, a merchant of 
Kilkenny 1 

On the 21st of July, 1644, Ormonde was duly sworn in Lord Lieutenant 
of Ireland. About this time Edmond O'Dwyer, afterwards Bishop of 
Limerick, where he distinguished himself when Ireton beseiged the city, was 
sent to Eome by the Confederation, with a memorial to Pope Urban, praying 
his Holiness to promote Eather Luke Wadding to the College of Cardinals. 
On 17th of July, Lord Inchiquin had addressed a memorial to the Parlia- 
ment in England, which was signed also by Lord Broghill, Sir Percy Smith, 
and other distinguished officers, against the cessation of hostilities for a year, 
which had been signed by Ormond on the part of the King, with Lord Mus- 
kerry on the part of the Irish Confederation. Inchiquin was in consequence 
appointed President of Munster, which had been refused him by the King, 
and which was the cause of his changing to the side of the Irish Parliament. 
He was, however, reduced to inactivity at present by the winter and the 
want of supplies, and in the spring of the next year the Confederate General, 
Castlehaven was in the field at the head of 6000 men, with whom he over- 
ran the country, taking possession of Cappoquin, Mitchelstown, Mallow, 
Doneraile, the Castle of Liscarrol, and other strong places. 

In the end of October considerable succors were received in money and 
supplies from Pope Innocent X. These timely succors consisted of 2000 
swords, 500 cases of petronels, 20,000 pounds of powder, and five or six 
trunks full of Spanish gold. They were entrusted to the care and manage- 
ment of the celebrated John Baptist Einuccini, prince and archbishop of 
Eermo, in Italy, who was consigned to the supreme council of the Confeder- 
ation, with the rank of Nuncio Apostolic, and was received at Kilkenny with 
the greatest possible joy and honour by the council ; presently he was sur- 
rounded by archbishops, bishops, a great number of the nobility and citizens 
following the Lord Mountgarrett, President of the Council, welcoming him 
with open arms. 2 In his report to the Pope, Einuccini shows he had formed 
but a poor estimate of these outward manifestations of respect and attach- 
ment. He gives no credit to Ormond for sincerity in any one point of view : 
he states, on the contrary, that the Marquis boasted of having the Pope's 
money, and he alleges that, instead of making preparations to meet projected 
attacks on the confederation, he did all he could to afford the enemy a safe 
and victorious progress to Kilkenny. 

As a counterpoise to this success, we may mention the loss at this time 
of the Castle of Bunratty, belonging to the Earl of Thomond, and which 

keepe her said jewell in my owne custodie untill shee were able to paye mee, to prevent future 
consumption and inconveniences which may ensue unto the said Ladye through the accrueing 
interest sought by the said Roch : I to pleasure the said Countess payed the said Roch the £20 
aforesaid, and kept the said Jewells salfe for the said Ladye, demanding noe interest of moneyea 
of her. 30th Aprilis, 1649, by vertue of the said Ladye Dowager, her letter dated at Grange- 
begg 29° Martii, 1649, I delivered the said Jewells to Sr. Connor O'Cuillenane, a Franciscan 
fryar, from whome I receaved twentie pounds, and five shillings, sterling, and who uppon his 
oate promised to see me payed of 15s. more, by May day then next ensueing, instead of the 3 
picatouns which were counterfaiet, and that I would not then receave for my payement. John 
Arthure FitzRobert, James Ryce FitzJohn, Nichd. Wale, and Thomas Power FitzJames were 
present. — Dr. Thomas Arthur's MSS., p. 137. 

> The Archers were an ancient Anglo-Irish family in Kilkenny. 

8 Vindicire Catholicorum Hiberniae. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 157 

was now taken by the Earl of Inchiquin. But this important castle was 
subsequently re-taken by the Confederate troops under Lord Muskerrw, 1 an 
advantage not deemed inferior to the capture of the castle of Roscommon, 
which about the same time was taken by the Confederate Preston. 

On the 13th of June, 1646, Father Hartigan, SJ. who had been sent into 
Ulster as chaplain general to the troops, returned to Limerick with the news 
of the great victory obtained by the Confederates, under Owen Roe O'XeiH, 
over Monroe at Benburb ; along with the news Lather Hartigan brought 
thirty-two standards, captured from the enemy. More than 3000 of the 
British forces were slain. 

1 The capture of Bunratty Castle was an object of the most critical importance to the Confe- 
derates. The Earl of Thomond,* who before lived peaceably in this castle, admitted into it at 
this time, a garrison of 800 foot and 60 cavalry, most of them reformed officers, under the com- 
mand of Lieut. -Colonel MacAdam, " a stout officer," who began at once to raise works to 
strengthen the castle, which, owing to the marshes about it, might be impregnably fortified. 
Bunrattv, which was strong, was deemed before the invention of artillery capable of defying all 
attempts to take it. It was now placed in a state of complete defence, and a mount was raised 
whereon were four pieces of cannon. A small castle, and behind this the church, which is now 
a ruin, stood at a little distance from this platform, all within a deep trench, well flanked, in 
which the Parliamentarians meant to draw "water from the river, which ran to the east of the 
castle. Lord Muskerry advanced to encamp in the parish of Bunratty, having taken a castle 
upon quarter which stood at the entrance into the park, wherein the enemy had left some mus- 
queteers. The finest deer in Ireland roamed through the park ; and the Irish soldiers took good 
care to supply themselves with plenty of venison; the wood, too, was preserved from destruction 
because the dry brush afforded better firing, and was easier gathered. Lieut.-General Purcell, 
Major-General Stephenson, and Colonel Purcell, all veteran officers who had served in the Ger- 
man wars, were principally instructed with the conduct of this action. (Billing.} After some 
skirmishing, they became masters of all the ground without the broad, deep trench on the west 
side of the castle, and sat down at such a distance that the brow of the bank kept Muskerry's 
camp from being annoyed from the castle or the mount. Faggots and baskets were supplied by 
the under wood. The garrison in the castle was brought by a portion of the Parliamentarian 
fleet on the Irish coast, under the command of Sir William Penn, which had arrived in the 
Shannon on the 11th of March, 1616, and which in its course up the river had committed several 
atrocities on the unprotected inhabitants ; it anchored between six and seven o'clock on the same 
evening off Bunratty, and sent a trumpetter to the Earl of Thomond, with a letter from Sir 
William Penn and Lieut.-Colonel MacAdam, — the Earl received it kindly, embracing the motion, 
and promising to join them. (Memorials of Sir William Penn). After negociations, which were 
carried on the next day by Sir Teague M'Mahon — the Earl not appearing in person — they landed 
700 men on an island close to Bunratty ; Captain Huntly, one of the Earl's retinue, waiting on 
them, invited them to confer with the EarL with whom they dined, and found him well disposed 
towards the Parliament ; the soldiers then marched over, and quartered in Bunratty that night. 
The Earl was evidently anxious to play off the Admiral and his party if he could ; but he committed 
himself irretrievably to them. (Memorials of Sir William Penn). The ship, which the pilot told 
them might go up within two or three cable's length of Bunratty, at five fathoms at low water, 
grounded on a ledge of rocks six feet high at the north side of the river, and was not got off 
without difficulty, and sustaining severe injury. The seige was carried on with skill and bravery 
on both sides ; the beseiged, who were supplied with men from the ships, sallied out often, but 
owing to the proximity of the hill, and other causes, their sallies did no harm. In one of them, 
however, on the 1st of April, Captain Magrath, commander-in-chief of the Irish horse, was 
wounded ; a route followed, in which a large number of the Confederate army were taken 
prisoners by the Parliamentarians. In the afternoon a general attack was made on the Con- 
federate camp at Six Mile Bridge, where a hot engagement ensued, which terminated in the 
overthrow of the Confederate camp, the soldiers of which were pursued two miles, and 250 bags 
of oatmeal, and other provisions which were found in the camp, were taken by the Parliament- 
arians, whose stores were well nigh exhausted. Captain Magrath and a lieutenant, both of 
whom had died of their wounds, were honorably buried with three vollies of small shot. 
Previously to this Lord Muskerry had made every exertion to distract the attention of the 

* Sir Barnabas O'Brien, sixth Earl of Thomond. On his arrival in England, where he 
married Mary, youngest daughter of Sir James Fermor, Knight, lineal descendant of the Barons 
Lempster, Earls of Pomfert, he -waited on the King at Oxford, who created him Marquis of 
Billing, in Northamptonshire, a title never enjoyed by his posterity, as the patent did not pass 
the Great Seal owing to the troubles. — Lodge. [He was descended from Conor, who d. in 1539 ; 
Inchiquin from Moerogh the Tanist who died in 1551. The last Earl of Thomond died in 1741. 
The above ancestors were brothers.] 



158 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The nuncio writing from Limerick in the 16th of this month, thus describes 
the thanksgivings offered up upon this occasion. 1 The next day (Sunday 
14th June, 1646,) at four o'clock in the afternoon, a triumphal procession 
was formed from the church of St. Francis, where the standards had been 
deposited. The whole of the military in Limerick under arms led the way, 
after them came the standards, borne aloft by the gentlemen of the city. 
The nuncio accompanied by the Archbishop of Cashel and the Bishops of 
Limerick, Clonfert and Ardfert followed ; after whom came the members of 
the supreme council, the mayor and magistrates in their robes of office. The 
people filled the streets and windows, and on the arrival of the procession at 
the cathedral, the Te Deum was sung by the nuncios choir. He himself 
offered up the accustomed prayers, and concluded with a solemn benediction. 
Next morning he assisted at the mass in St. Mary's Cathedral, for the giving 
of thanks, which was chanted by the Dean of Eermo in St. Mary's Cathedral, 
in the presence of the prelates and magistrates above mentioned. 2 

The negociations and intrigues which followed these events, 3 and which 
ended in the signing of Ormond's peace in 1646, fill a large space in the 
history of the times. The Nuncio protested with all the vehemence he 
could employ, and summoned the prelates and other chiefs among the clergy, 
with the heads of religious houses to meet him at Waterford, where with 
all the formality of an apostolic visitation, or a regular national synod, 
the peace was unanimously denounced, the scruples or fears of those 
who inclined towards it, were set at rest by promises of Einnuccini that 
large assistance would come from Eome, and that the Archbishop of Cashel 
had given his assent by saying " in verbo tuo laxabo rete." 

besieged, and to lodge a number of his soldiers in a place by which a part of the army 
might be enabled to invest the castle ; this was successfully executed, but the soldiers, hearing 
a noise which they imagined was the approach of cavalry, fled in consternation, the ser- 
geant appointed to command the party being the first to take to his heels, relying on too great 
indulgence hitherto observed in such cases. Lord Muskerry, however, made a stern example— 
the sergeant and ten soldiers were executed on the spot. To make up for the partial reverse, 
Lieut.-Colonel MacAdam, who is admitted by Billing to have been a most skilful and couragious 
officer, whose loss to the Parliamentarians was irreperable, was killed by an accidental shot from 
a field piece that was planted among gabions.* His loss was the main cause of the capture of 
Bunratty by the Confederate army. Several pages of that very interesting work, " The Me- 
morials of Sir William Penn," (2 vols., Duncan, London, 1833) are occupied with a diary of this 
seige, and with the proceedings of the Parliamentarians before Bunratty. During the time they 
attacked the castles of Rossmanaher, Cappagh, Renane, Captain Hunt's castle, &c, and killed 
many inoffensive country people, who, in the diary of the operations, are called " Rogues," &c. 
&c. The progress of the seige was satisfactorily hastened by the presence of Rinunccini, the 
Papal Nuncio, who remained at Bunratty twelve days, forwarding the batteries, completing the 
undertaking, and ultimately, when victory crowned the effort with success, causing the English 
standards to be carried through the streets of Limerick as trophies of the Catholic religion. 
' (Nunziatura). 

1 From the Nunziatura in Irlanda : Florence, 184L 

2 Among those killed at Benburb was Lord Blany ; Lord Montgomery who commanded the 
horse, was made prisoner ; in his pocket was found a note of the lists of the army on their way 
to Kilkenny, where they expected to be in twelve days march. Besides the general joy which 
so signal a victory was to all the confederates, and the solemn thanks which were rendered to 
God for it by the Council and Nuncio at Limerick, the Pope, as soon as he had heard of it, went 
in person to Santa Maria Major at Rome, to be present at the Te Deum he caused to be sung for 
the good success of the Catholics in Ireland. — Billing's Fragmenium Hisloricum. 

3 In a letter to the Father General of the Jesuits, at Rome, the Nuncio complains that the 
Fathers of the Society in Ireland were the causes of all the commotions against him, and that 
they raised disobedience to his interdicts. He states, however, that the Rector of the Order in 
Limerick refused to obey Father Molone, the Superior in Ireland who conducted the intrigues 
against him. He adds that in Kilkenny, by his (the Nuncio's) influence, the Jesuit Fathers ob- 
tained the Abbatial Church of St. John, and in Waterford the Church of St. Peter. 

* Lieutenant-Colonel John MacAdam was an ancestor, I am informed, of the MacAdams of 
Blackwater House, in the Countv of Clare. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 159 

In his report to the Pope, Binnuccini gives not only a full account of the 
causes which produced the confederation of 1641, but enters into all the 
particulars connected with the event ; the errors with which it was mixed up ; 
the want of union among the leaders ; the conflicting interests and passions 
that were engaged ; Ormondes fatal and lamentable peace which he denounced 
as the most unfortunate thing that could happen for the affairs of religion. 

In Limerick where the confederate council sat, the peace, which had 
been solemnly established by decree of that body, was carried by the 
public vote of the city assembly, but the officers appointed for the execution of 
the charge were affronted, the confederate government was treated with utter 
disobedience. On the evening of the 20th of August, the heralds of 
Ormondes peace came to Limerick, the gates were shut against them, the next 
day they were allowed in and the herald at arms, vested in the coat of his 
office, attended on by John Bourke, the mayor, the aldermen and some of the 
principal citizens, who were at all times willing to accept any advantage 
which they supposed would subserve their own interests, began to proclaim 
the peace. A vote in its favor had been carried by the mayor and aldermen 
the day before. The people resolved to resist it, and were then exhorted by 
the clergy, who had published the censures, which had been decreed by the 
Nuncio and congregation, at Waterford, a few days before. Under the conduct 
and by the instigation of Mr. Dominick Fanning, and the Rev. Father 
Wolf, a Dominican Friar, who at the High Cross, in the midst of 500 armed 
citizens fulminated excommunication against its adherents, the people fell sud- 
denly on the herald, flung stones at him, at Bourke the mayor, and all the alder- 
men who were about him, and all those of the u better sort" who countenanced 
the action ; and having scattered their ranks with so unexpected a volley, 
the wounded herald, tore his coat of arms from off his shoulders, beating 1 the 
mayor and some of the aldermen, and without the slightest respect for their 
scarlet robes or the badges of magistracy, drove them for shelter into the next 
door that stood open. Soon after, amid the acclamations of the crowd, without 
form suggested by charter, or any ancient custom for the usage of election, 
they chose Dominick Fanning, mayor, and to him, the Nuncio, a few 
day softer, by his letter returned thanks for the obedience he had given to 
his decrees, and for his zeal in favor of the Catholic cause. 2 

It would no doubt be surprising that " Ormondes peace" should be re- 
ceived in Limerick or elsewhere with such marked disapproval, not only by 
the Bishop and clergy, but by the citizens at large, who resolved to show 
their hostility in the most emphatic manner in reference to it, were it not that 
there was no confidence in the noble family of the Butlers, or in their 
designs or doings. That Lord Ormond had been playing a double part in 
order to save his own enormous possessions, was suspected; it has since 
been made quite plain. When on the 12th of May, 1535, the Lord Butler 
was created Viscount Thurles and Admiral of Ireland, and on the 21st of 
May, with his father, the Earl of Ossory, was made Governor of the Counties 
of Kilkenny, Waterford, and Tipperary, and the Territories of Ossory and 
Ormond, they promised to do their utmost to recover the Castle of Dungar- 
van, and " resist the usurpation of the Church of Rome/'' the first engage- 
ment on record to that effect. 3 Their reward was great — many abbey lands 

1 Cox states that the Herald's name was Henry King. The anniversary of the da}' of this occur- 
rence was for many years called Stony Thursday, from the quantity of stones that were thrown. 

2 Billing's Fragmentum Historicum. 

3 Clanrickarde's Memoirs. 



160 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and rich abbeys fell into their possession, having been wrested from being a 
provision and dependence of the Church. The Holy Cross of Tipperary was 
not the least among the number ; and others of the same kind, as well in 
Tipperary, as in Waterford, Carlow, and Kilkenny, — and in numbers so great 
that a natural son of the House of Butler had an entire abbey for his share, 
by grant from his father. Ormond, therefore, had powerful motives of his 
own, to oppose, not only the Catholic clergy, who hoped to be restored to 
their properties, or at least to a part of them, but the Irish party, who 
seconded the exertions, and sympathised with the cause of the clergy. No 
one did more to sow dissensions in the councils of the Confederates — and 
this was known so well by the usurping Parliament that they never exerted 
the rigor towards him which most of the loyal cavaliers felt at their hands. 1 
Dominick Fanning and Father Wolfe only gave expression to the universal 
feeling with which people and priests viewed the conduct of Ormond, and 
this is the key to the excesses which Carte exclaims against it, as it is to the 
justice of the course taken by those in Limerick who resisted Ormondes 
peace. These events were speedily followed by other manifestations, which 
showed the undercurrent that existed against the Nuncio, who was never in 
favor with that influential portion of the Catholics who in secret sided with 
Ormond, and who cared for nothing but their own security and aggrandise- 
ment. A long list of charges was preferred against Einuccini, to which he 
afterwards replied. 2 But though the peace was solemnly proclaimed in 
Dublin on the 30th of July, 1646, he adhered to his determination, 
and, after further negociations, Owen Eoe O'Neil was appointed commander- 
in-chief of that portion of the Irish army which remained true to the cause 
of the Nuncio. Whilst Einuccini was in Limerick, Eichard Arthur, Bishop 
of the diocese, who so deeply sympathised with the Confederates, died. 
He was a native of Limerick ; and the Nuncio, to whose interest he was de- 
votedly attached, and who bestowed high praise on him attended his funeral. 
Events now plainly indicated what was to follow soon afterwards. The 
battle of Dangan Hill took place, and the Confederate army was defeated 
with great slaughter — a disaster at which Billing appears to rejoice, calling 
it " a judgement on the Irish for their perfidious breach of the peace." 3 
Castlehaven also professes to look upon the reverse in the same light, and 
alleges that the Confederates began to be as tired of the Nuncio as Inchiquin 
was of the Parliament. 4 Inchiquin, who had ingratiated himself into the 
favor of the army, now marched out in the beginning of August, took Cahir 
castle by storm, 5 proceeded to Cashel, where the terrified citizens, throwing 

1 Clanrickarde's Memoirs. 

2 His reply is given in the Supplement of the Hibernia Domnicana. 

3 According to Cox, volumes of scandal, reproaches, &c, were written against Ormond by the 
Nuncio's party and the confederates. He alludes most probably to Dr. French's Bleeding Iphegenia 
and his Unkinde Desertor of Loyale men. 

* Castlehaven's Memoirs. 

5 Letters were this day read in the house from the Lord Inchiquin, giving accompt of the 
taking of 12 Castles in the County of Typerare, and the Town and Castle of Cahir, which was 
thus taken ; his Lordship passing over the Shewor at Cahir, one of his Troopers plundering neer 
the Town, was discovered wounded and taken, and Col. Hopsley in a disguise was admitted to go 
into the Castle to dresse him, who before had discovered some defects in the outward Bawn, and 
timorousnesse of the Warders. The Colonell after led on a party to storme, and took that 
Bawn, and some out Turrets, and within few hours had the Castle surrendred, on quarter only 
for life, above 20,0001. of corne burnt in that country, the Castle (qy. Cattle) drove away, so 
that our souldiers made hard shift for victualls. From Cahir his Lordship marched Septemb. 
12, to the City of Cashiell, formerly the Metropolitan of the Province ; where the Inhabitants, 
(amazed at the reducing of Cahir) left open the gates and fled to the Cathedrall a large and 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 161 

wide their gates, repaired to the cathedral for protection — where, under the 
shadow of the temple, venerable with the hoar of ages, and consecrated by 
the holiest memories to the highest services of patriotism and religion, 
Murrough O'Brien, debasing a name hitherto so highly honored, perpetrated 
the savage atrocity which will be for ever associated with his memory. 
In a portion of the building, which is to be seen at this day, a monument 
of his refined cruelty, Murrough " of the burnings/'' after having shaken 
the walls 1 with the thunder of his guns, in despair of obtaining an 
entrance, had recourse to the horrible expedient of piling up a quantity 
of turf against the outward wall, and to this he applied fire, by the 
action of which the religious and other people who were crowded inside, 
were absolutely baked to death. 2 Upwards of thirty priests and friars 
fell victims to the atrocious Inchiquin on this ever-memorable occasion. 
Flushed with these victories, as no doubt he called them, he defeated 
the Irish army under Lord Taaffe at Knockinglass, near Kanturk, where 
there was also a terrible slaughter. Inchiquin then led his army into the 
county of Limerick. In a short time he brought the whole province of 
Munster, the cities of Limerick and Waterford, the towns of Clonmel and 
Kilmallock, under contribution. He proceeded to the county of Kilkenny, 
where he took Callan, and having some of the baronies in that county made 
tributary, a part of his cavalry marched within musket shot of the city of 
Kilkenny, where he succeeded so far that he paralysed the council of the 
Confederates. It is not surprising that the Nuncio should feel intensely this 
state of affairs, which was principally brought about by the jealousies, the 
disunions, the envy, it may be added the treasons, of certain of the Catholic 
party, and that he should express himself in terms of extreme bitterness 
and reproach, to the Holy Father. 3 These losses, fearful in extent and sig- 
nificance, would be sufficient to make all parties in the Confederation, includ- 
ing the most Irish and inflexible, to seek for peace, if it could be had with 
honour ; but the Parliamentarians had now so far succeeded in England that 
the King had become a prisoner in the Isle of Wight, and there was no 
access to him. The Confederate council, /which had already removed from 
Limerick to Kilkenny, sent Lord Antrim, Lord Muskerry, and Geoffrey 
Browne, Esq., to France, to see the Queen of England and the Prince, in 
order to make them acquainted with the gloomy state of affairs. Dr. French, 
Bishop of Ferns, and Nicholas Plunkett, Esq., were sent to Rome to nego- 
ciate for assistance. An ambassador was sent to Spain for the same object. 
Meantime, whilst these active negociations were proceeding, the citizens of 
Limerick were improving and strengthening the city, fortifying the out works, 

spacious pile, seated upon a Rock, fully manned, his Lordship intends to endeavour the reducing 
oi it, then to fall upon Fethard, and from thence to Clonmell. The Gentry in the Countrey 
desire to be admitted to a contribution, and his Lordship desires supplies from his souldiers from 
hence. — From a Perfect Diurnall of some Passages in Parliament, from Munday, 27 Septemb. till 
Munday the 3 of October, ] 647. 

1 The portion of the Cathedral which Inchiquin struck -with his cannon did not fall, though a 
breach was made, till 1848, when it came down with a terrible crash. 

2 The black marks of the fire are to be seen to this day. 

3 Nunziatura. 

12 



162 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and preparing for the emergency. The north gate of St. Francis's Abbey 
was finished, and bore this inscription : — 



SANCTE JACOBI DEFENDE NOS AB HOSTE, HIC BELLONA 
TOXAT, SEDET HIC ASTR.EA RENASCENS, HOC PIETAS 
AD AQUAS AC SACRA PANDITUR A.D. 1647, RR. CAROLI : 
DOMINF FANNING PRET : DAVID CREAGH JACOBI SEXTON 
VICE COM. 



The Catholics continued to hold possession of the city. Einuccini had 
given directions for the resumption of the Divine service and ceremonies in 
their olden pomp and splendor, in St. Mary's Cathedral, to which he appointed 
the seculars and regulars, preachers on days specially set forth. 1 Catholic 
rectors were in the receipt of their rents and dnes. 2 It was essential, under 
the circumstances, that they should not only show their sympathy, but that 
every prompt and decisive means should be adopted to place the city in a 
becoming state of defence. Affairs, however, outside, were hurrying with 
rapid strides to a disastrous issue. The Nuncio, who had been making won- 
derful exertions to sustain the old party of the country, to encourage the 
timid, to fortify the wavering, to infuse life into the councils of the Confe- 
derates, discovered that all his exertions were of no avail. Those who had 
appeared willing to accept his proposals were among the first to betray him. 
He found himself in a city — Kilkenny — where he had seen three hundred 
armed horsemen enter at the command of Lord Mount-garret, where the 
dominion of ill-intentioned persons would, in a few days, have joined hands 
with an army which was his declared enemy. 

It was stated 3 that the commissioners of the council at Kilkenny had 
agreed to send letters to Prince Charles, to the effect that if he came to them, 
he should be proclaimed King of Ireland, and ratify the agreement between 
the council and Ormond, they would join with him against England, the 
Prince still making good all engagements to them by the latter and his 
agents. The council, it was further stated, Ormond being present, ordered 
that a squadron of ships, part of Prince Rupert's Meet, and part of the Irish, 
should be sent to block up the Bay of Dublin, to hinder provisions from 
coming thither by water, and that all the forces they could spare out of gar- 
risons should march into the field into Leinster, to a general rendevous 
within sixteen miles of Dublin. 

Everything conspired to compel the Nuncio to make a hasty retreat — he 
had lost, among others, the wise advice of his friend Richard Arthur, the 
Bishop of Limerick, whose obsequies he had attended. He left Kilkenny, to 

1 See Ecclesiastical portion of this History. 

2 " The lease ma.de unto me by Andrew Creagh Maior of Lymerick and Francis Gougb, Bp. 
of Lymerick, and Thomas Dunnohow Rector of St. Laurence, of the Tenement or waste Messuage 
in Mongrett-street, belonging to that Rectorie, was dated 20° die Junii anno Domini 1632, the 
rent reserved thereout to the Rector is fife shillings yearely by even portions, which was duely 
payed by James Mahowne in my absence yearely until Michaelmas 1614, since then myself payed 
the same to the Catholique Rectors, as appeareth by their several Acquittances, the last whereof 
beareth date the 17th of November, 1619." — Arthur MSS. 

It further appears from p. 100 of Arthur MSS. that this rectory of St. Laurence was in the 
patronage of the Corporation. Dr. Arthur states that at this time, 161S, he attended the Right 
Rev. Dr. James Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, for an old fracture, which was not cared for pre- 
viously, the bad effects of which had been going on for nine months, and Which turned into 
gangrene. He says he was paid hi3 fee of £1, probably the ordinary fee of that day. 

3 From a perfect Diurnal! of some passages in Parliament, from Munday 12th March till 
Biunday 19th March, 1648. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 163 

the terror and consternation of those who had heard of his sudden departure, 
many of whom expressed a belief that it was his intention to move O'Neil 
against them ; but O'Neil at this time had not six hundred soldiers, and 
before he could collect the remainder of his army together, the conspirators 
were aware that the forces of Preston would have arrived in Kilkenny before 
him. He thus escaped arrest, and the confiscation of the money which he yet 
had with him, and resolved to proceed to Galway, which had shown a strong 
affection for the cause, and be near the sea to take shipping for Prance on 
the very first moment. He reached Maryborough in his route, where he met 
Don Eugene, and several of the Bishops, who took council as to the imminent 
danger in which he was at the moment, surrounded by Preston's army, which 
was deemed ten thousand strong. 1 The Bishops begged of him, on their 
bended knees, not to abandon the country in the emergency — that if he had 
no regard for his own honour, he should for that of the Holy See, of which 
it would be said with eternal shame in Ireland, that after having sent suc- 
cours in religion, the Irish gave nothing but empty shadows. He saw that 
things had come to the worst — that delay was only a danger. However, 
after several interviews, he came to the resolution on the 27th of May, to- 
gether with the sub- delegated Bishops, of publishing an excommunication 
against the accomplices and adherents of the truce, and of interdicting the 
cities where it would be received. In an instant 2000 soldiers passed from 
the side of Preston to O'Neil. This bold step saved the cause, for the time, 
from utter annihilation. Seventeen of the Bishops were for the censures, 
eight were against them. The religious orders were divided in the same 
proportion ; the Dominicans, with only one exception, and the Pranciscans, 
without an exception, concurred with the Nuncio. Preston, taking advan- 
tage of the disagreement among the Bishops, stated that the excommunication 
did not affect him. Disunion, desertion, treachery, and above all, the over- 
whelming influence of Ormond even on the Bishops, who otherwise felt for 
the cause, 2 forced the Nuncio to adhere to his determination of abandoning 
the country. "With good guides he was conducted in safety to the confines 
of Connaught, and remained in the house of Mr. Terence Coughlan, of whom 
he speaks in the warmest terms of praise, as a man, who having joined neither 
side, in these disastrous times, was confided in generally, and had a singular 
affection for the Catholic religion, which he showed by his enthusiastic 
reception of the Nuncio. Coughlan heard one evening that Preston was to 
pass the following day, in order to unite with the troops of Viscount Dillon, 
and he immediately acquainted the Nuncio with the fact ; nor was he less 
prompt in at once departing, than Coughlan in advising him to the step. 
He was conducted that night to a strong place on the river side ; and in his 
journey he did not refrain from admiring the twilight of these northern 
nights, which irradiated the whole horizon, and gave light to their footsteps. 3 
Prom that place he went by water to Athlone, and from thence at last to 
Galway, from whence he could not at the time depart, and where directions 
were sent by the Ormondists to deprive him of the very necessaries of life. 
His vouchers and papers, which had remained with the Dean of Permo, in 
Kilkenny, had been already seized, so that he could not show what money 
he had expended. The Bishops who adhered to him were threatened with 
the loss of their churches and benefices. Several were most severely dealt 
with. Don Eugene, for not uniting with Inchiquin, was declared to have 

1 The Nuncio in his report to the Holy Father states that this was an exaggeration. 

2 Nunziatura. 3 Jbid. 



164 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

broken the confederation, was pronounced a rebel, and guilty of high treason, 
The effects and property of the Nuncio were taken possession of, and sold by 
auction in Kilkenny. The Nuncio was in want of a ship. The San Pietro 
lay at Duncannon Fort, which had ever been true to the cause of the Nuncio 
since it fell into the hands of the Catholics two years before, when Preston 
took it, not, however, without the special assistance and valuable help of 
Father Scarampi. Ultimately, however, the San Pietro was got around the 
coast to Galway, from which he took his departure soon afterwards. 

On the 29th of September, Ormond, who had been some time in France, 
from which he took his departure by Havre-de-Grace, landed at Cork, 
accompanied by Lord Castlehaven and others. 1 Lord Inchiquin went to Cork 
to meet and welcome him. Slowly advancing towards his noble palace at 
Carrick-on-Suir, — a palace which to this day, even in its decay, shows what it 
had been in its olden splendour, — he gave it to be understood by every one 
that he was sent by the Queen in order to find a means of settling the affairs 
of Ireland. In Carrick-on-Suir he received a solemn embassy from the 
Assembly of Kilkenny, at the head of which was the Archbishop of Tuam, 2 
standard-bearer to all those who, forgetful of their duty to the Holy See, 
employ their hands in every act of sacrilegious violence, 3 and that person, 
above all, who had promised the Nuncio that he never would consent to the 
re-establishment of the Marquis. 4 On the 6th of October he published a 
declaration upon his arrival in Ireland, in which there is the passage : — " We 
profess and declare, first, to improve our utmost endeavours for the settle- 
ment of the Protestant Religion, according to the example of the best 
reformed churches — secondly, to defend the King in his prerogatives. " 5 The 
city of Limerick, which was applied to for money, to meet the exigencies of 
the Irish army, pleaded inabihty, and offered only £100. 6 The four distinct 
interests in the kingdom, continuing to remain irreconcilable, viz. the King's, 
the Presbyterians', the Supreme Council's, and Owen Roe O'NeiFs, the Par- 
liament, on the 28th of March, solemnly resolved that Oliver Cromwell should 
be constituted General of all their forces then in Ireland, and that he should 
be sent thither. Cromwell, accordingly, prepared for the expedition with the 
greatest diligence. 7 

1 The Lord of Ormond is at last landed, beyond all expectation ; and for his better welcome 
hath brought over with him 4000 Armes, and 500 Cuirassiers' Arms, part of that supply 
designed for the Scots' armey in England by the Lord Jermin, and those in France ; hee hath not 
brought above 50 Cavaliers, and yet enough to put this poor kingdom into more troubles, and 
make it the seat of their malice, where it can have no vent in England. Wee are in exceeding 
want of men and money, without which wee can do nothing, unless it be to sculk out a little, 
and perhaps snatch away a garrison, and so return. The Bogg of Allen was taken rather by 
courtship than foul, at the armies last march. — Moderate Intelligencer, from October 12 to Oct. 19, 
1649. 

2 The Archbishop of Tuam in his escape from Kilkenny, on his way to Tuam, was killed by 
the Scotch at Sligo. He had a document on his person which gave an account of the monies 
brought to Ireland by the Nuncio, and how they were expended. He received from Cardinal 
Barberini 10,000 scudi, from Cardinal Mazzarini 25,000 lire, Tornese ; he also received arms and 
ammunition. The Nuncio also had 15,800 scudi of his own, which he gave in sustainment of 
the cause. — Nunziatura. 

3 Nunziatura. 
« Ibid. 

6 Carte's Life of Ormond, 
6 Nunziatura. 
1 Cox Hib. Angl. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 165 



CHAPTEE XXYI. 

CBOMWELX SENT TO IRELAND CONTINUED NEGOCIATIONS LIMERICK 

THREATENED ORMOND AND THE BISHOPS BISHOP J MOLONEY PROGRESS 

OF IRETON, &C. 

Cromwell, having taken the field in 1649, perpetrated the most revolting 
excesses. The Province of Connaught, however, continued in the hands of 
the Catholics, whilst Waterford, Limerick, and Galway, were so strong as to 
be capable of resisting the advances of Ireton, the son-in-law and lieutenant- 
general of Cromwell. These cities, too, hoped for sncconrs from sea, and 
feared no force that conld be brought against them. The forts of Duncannon 
and Sligo, the castles of Athlone, Charlemont, Carlow, and Nenagh, were in 
the hands of the Catholics also. Strength and numbers were of no avail, 
however, without union, and we have seen already how deficient in that 
essential element were the councils of the Catholic party — parties, we should 
say — for the Catholics were split up into contending factions. Ormond 
allowed the Catholics to select a leader in place of O'Neil ; the choice fell 
upon M f Mahon, the Catholic Bishop of Clogher, who not only stood high in 
the estimation of Ormond, but possessed great favour with the Ulster Irish. 1 
MOIahon saw the necessity of the whole nation uniting together as one man 
for their defence ; he laboured so hard with the clergy that he got them to 
enter into a superficial union at least, to bury in forgetfulness all that had 
passed ; to enter into solemn resolutions that for life, fortune, religion, they 
could expect no security from Cromwell ; to express then detestation of all 
animosity between the old Irish and the English and the Scotch Eoyalists, 
and their resolution to punish all the clergy who should encourage them. 
Brave and courageous in his new capacity, but deficient in experience and 
generalship, M'Mahon was defeated with great loss in a battle at Letterkermy, 
by Sir Charles Coote. Ormond at once cast his eyes on Limerick, " a place 
of the utmost consequence, and which soon would be attempted by the Par- 
liament forces." Having come to Limerick, he endeavoured to persuade the 
citizens to receive fifteen hundred infantry soldiers and three hundred cavalry, 
as the only means of saving the kingdom; this proposal was rejected ; and 
Ormond attributed its rejection to the influence of the clergy. He summoned 
twenty-four of the Catholic Bishops to attend him at Limerick, that he 
might confer with them and some of the nobility, and resolve, on their advice 
and assistance, on effectual measures for the advancement of the King's service 
and that of the people. A conference was held, in which the Bishops agreed 
to certain propositions which they presented to Ormond for the removal of 
the discontents ; they required that the Receiver General should account for 
the monies levied since the peace, and that a privy council should be com- 
posed of the native nobility, spiritual and temporal, to assist the Government. 
Ormond consented. The Bishops then published a declaration that they 
would root out of men's hearts all jealousies and sinister opinions of Ormond 
and the Government, desiring his further directions, and promising, on their 
part, the utmost care and industry. These proceedings partially changed the 
determination of the citizens of Limerick — but events proved that the change 

4 Carte. 



166 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

was not permanent, and that Ormond, as time went on, was not treated with 
even the outward show of civility, on account of his disingenuousness, and 
the efforts he continued to make to induce them to receive a garrison. The 
officers of the city guards neither went to him for orders, nor would they 
take orders from him. Without special leave of the mayor no officer of the 
army was admitted to his presence to receive directions to suppress the Par- 
liamentarians, who at the moment were roaming over the country and in the 
neighbourhood. Lord Kilmallock, a Catholic peer, and officer of the army, 
was committed to gaol for no other reason than that he quartered a few 
horsemen, with Ormond's own orders, within the city. These and other 
reasons worked on him to quit Limerick, and proceed to Loughrea, where 
he was followed by the Bishops, and where he complained that their Lord- 
ships did not treat him in a fair manner. He stated that as soon as he left 
Limerick, the Bishops of Limerick and Ross waited on Lord Inchiquin, who 
was then in the city ; that they desired Inchiquin not to quit the kingdom, 
stating that he was of an ancient race, and offering him, if he would join 
them, and put off the Commissioners of Trusts, to place all things in his 
hands. Ormond and Inchiquin had held up a constant correspondence ; they 
made these facts known to each other, and concluded, perhaps, with great 
truth, that the Bishops were anxious to obtain a riddance of both. 1 Nego- 
tiations continued to be pressed. The city seemed to desire Colonel Pierce 
Walsh to be sent to command the militia ; this was done ; they demurred 
about a garrison ; they thought 3000 foot and 300 horse, the numbers 
proposed, too great ; they insisted the garrison should be Ulster men; 2 that 
the county of Clare should be set apart entirely for their subsistence and 
pay ; that the city should be charged with no loans or levies on that account ; 
that the troops should be quartered in huts without the walls, and under 
the command of the Bishop of Limerick, Hugh O'Neil, or Mortagh O'Brien. 
The jealousy and suspicion of Ormond continued. Dominick Panning, 
gathering a body of resolute young men, entered a Dutch ship in which the 
Marquis was sending abroad two trunks of papers which he desired to secure, 
and which Panning supposed was money. When it was found that the 
trunks contained papers only, they desisted ; but they took a solemn oath 
to stand by one another in that action. Sir Nicholas Comyn, mayor, who 
had received knighthood from Ormond, convened the town council, and 
called before him the rioters ; they said they were ignorant that the trunks 
belonged to Ormond, and asked pardon. The mayor compelled them to 
disclaim their oath of combination, and to take a new one of obeying the 
Lord Lieutenant, and of doing nothing without license of the magistrates. 
Ormond, to encourage these good inclinations, removed to Clare, quartering 
the troops he had With him (1700 foot and 350 horse) in the neighbourhood, 
with orders to be ready to draw to a rendevouz. He did this the rather be- 
cause Cromwell had at this time sent propositions to Limerick, offering the 
citizens the free exercise of their religion, the enjoyment of their estates, 
churches and church livings, a free trade and commerce, without garrison, 
provided they would give a free passage through the city for his forces into 
the county of Clare. 3 While visiting, on the 11th of June, some troops in 
Clare, within four miles of the city, two aldermen, Creagh and Bourke, waited 
on the Marquis, with a request that he would settle a garrison in Limerick. 

1 Carte. 

2 These, Carte says, would destroy the troops on foot at the charge of the Province. 

3 Carte's Ormond. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 167 

According to appointment these aldermen met him at the major's stone — 
stating the city had accepted his proposals, with the exception of the guards. 
He sent them back with assurances that the guards he meant to take with 
him, should consist of but 100 foot and 50 horse, all Roman Catholics, 
such as had constantly been of the Confederacy, and were interested in all 
the benefits of the articles of the peace. 1 But when near the city gates, 
the same aldermen came to him, with an account that Father Wolfe, 
the Dominican Friar, who had distinguished himself before, when peace was 
proclaimed, had raised a tumult in the city to oppose his entrance, and 
having forced or wheedled the keys from Eochfort, the sheriff, had seized 
the gates ; so that it was impossible for him to come until the tumult had 
ended. The same night, Dominick Fanning called in Colonel Murtagh 
O'Brien, a man entirely devoted to the old Irish party, whose cause Fanning 
and Wolfe had so zealously espoused, with his regiment increased by 200 
recruits ; but though the mayor opposed his entrance at the gates, they 
forced their way in, seized the corn laid up for the supply of the army, 
which Ormond thought would be at his disposal, and a quantity of corn 
which belonged to Ormond exclusively. Ormond forthwith retired to Shan- 
bally, four miles from the city. The bishop followed him with a proposal to 
forgive Colonel Murtagh O'Brien, to which he consented, if they submitted 
to his proposals, which not being done, the Commissioners of Trust and the 
Marquis of Clanrickard insisted that the bishop should excommunicate 
Fanning and O'Brien, which he peremptorily refused. Soon after Ireton 
advanced with his troops towards the city, and threatened to besiege it. 
The magistrates asked Ormond that Hugh O'Neill might be made their 
governor ; he agreed, offering also to put himself in the city and share the 
fate of the citizens, but they refused, insisting particularly on O'Brien's regi- 
ment, and troops of their own choosing. Being near at hand in Clare, 
Ormond sent orders to the mayor and Hugh O'Neill to seize on Colonel 
O'Brien, and deliver him a prisoner to the guard appointed to receive him. 
The mayor who took a week to consider, answered that the government of 
the city was intrusted to Hugh O'JNTeill, who wrote in turn to say, that he 
was merely a cypher, not suffered to stir, except as the mayor and town 
council thought fit. Ormond was ready to forgive O'Brien, though he insisted 
that he should not hold command; but the citizens would on no account 
admit Ormond inside the walls ; and under these circumstances it was im- 
possible to keep the body of his army together, as to attempt it, except at 
the other side of the Shannon, and near Limerick, with the absolute com- 
mand of the city to secure it, would have been utterly ruinous, and to have 
done it in the county of Clare or north side of the river was impossible, 
since the ground work of the army, must be raised and supported from 
thence; which, whilst forming, would have exhausted all the substance 3 of 
Clare, and not have effected the work* 2 Galway also refused to receive him; 
he was thus shut out from every expected advantage. The dominant men 
in the city, and the clergy, knew him too well, to repose the slightest faith 
in any one of his principles. It was urged by him, that they had received 
proposals and listened to overtures from the Parliamentarians, without his 
consent, or so much as giving him notice. They denied sympathy with the 
Parliamentarians, but he came to the conclusion that his protracted stay in 

1 Carte. This correspondence is given at full length in Cox Hib. Angli., but is not of sufficient 
interest to demand more of space than this reference to it. 

2 Carte. 



168 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Ireland would tend to no good ; however he resolved to remain until he had 
received the king's directions as to his conduct. Meantime, application was 
being made by the Catholic party to Leopold, governor of the Low countries, 
to Spain and to Austria, offering to each, that they would place themselves 
under which ever power granted them protection. Carte states, that they 
knew Ormond's attachment to the king, for when the Nuncio and the Con- 
federates in the fulness of their strength, offered him the crown of Ireland, 
he rejected it. This, however, by no means agrees with the recorded 
opinion of the Nuncio, to which we have already referred, nor to the estimate 
formed of the character and conduct of Ormond throughout by the 
Catholics. Carte asserts that the Bishops with the full concurrence of the 
Nuncio, and when the Confederates were in the zenith of their power, 
offered Ormond the crown of Ireland, if he would change his religion and 
embrace their cause; but that his fidelity to the king prevented him 
accepting any such proposal. 1 This, however, cannot be proved. Indeed 
the truth appears to be altogether the other way. 

In accordance with this resolution they assembled at Jamestown, in the 
county of Leitrim, on the 6th of August ; and on the 10th, they commis- 
sioned the Bishop of Dromore, and Dr. Charles Kelly, the Dean of Tuam, 
to acquaint him with their desires "that he would speedily quit the kingdom, 
and leave the king's authority in the hands of some persons faithful to his 
Majesty and trusty to the nation, and such as the affections and confidence 
of the people would follow."" He professed to be astonished at these over- 
tures, but the Bishops intimated to him that instead of his returning a direct 
reply to their letter, they would meet him at Loughrea on the 26th of the 
month. 

Ormond went to Loughrea, where the Bishops of Cork and Clonfert 
proceeded to receive his answer to their propositions, which, according to 
Dr. Erench, Bishop of Terns, were loyal, dutiful, and moderate. He replied 
in a long letter that he was not willing to withdraw out of Ireland, as they 
for the peace of the kingdom and the reconcilement of differences among the 
Catholics, expressed a desire that he should do. They told him plainly that the 
people seeing no visible army for their defence, despaired of recovering what 
they had lost or of preserving what remained to them. Finding that they 
could not persuade him to change his resolution or bend to a just view of 
affairs, on the 15th of December, they published a declaration against the 
continuance of the king's authority in Ormond, and a solemn excommunica- 
tion, by which they delivered to Satan, all that should oppose or disobey it, 
or feed, or help, or adhere to Ormond by giving him subsidy, contribution or 
intelligence, or by obeying his commands. 

Dr. John O'Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, was among the Bishops who 
attached his sign manual to this edict ; and well did he pay for his boldness, 
as we shall soon see. The synod of Jamestown, before their breaking up, 
appointed a committee to act by their authority during the recess; and com- 
missions were given out by this committee for levying soldiers, for which a 
rendevous was fixed at Ballintober. The Bishop of Killaloe had raised a 
troop and appointed a rendevous at Quin. Ormond sent Edward Wogan 
against them; the party was dispersed, the Bishop taken prisoner, and he 
would have been put to death had not Ormond saved him, 2 though he had 
signed and promulgated the excommunication. On this memorable occasion 

> Carte. 2 Carte. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 169 

Ormond laid hands on a sum of money amounting to £140 0, which the 
Bishop had hidden away in sacks of wool — a circumstance which elicited 
from Dr. Thomas Arthur a pasquinade which reflects no high credit on his 
good taste or judgment. 1 

That Dr. Arthur was well disposed towards Lord Ormond is evident from 
many proofs which have been given from time to time of his sentiments,, from 
his practice, as a physician, among those who belonged to the government, &c. 
I find the following memorandum which I translate in evidence of the fact, in 
his MSS. " On account of the service rendered to him about the 4th of 
the November, of last year, (1650), when at length on the 21st day of May, 
of this year, His Excellency Lord James Marquis of Ormond, Yiceroy of 
king Charles the second in Ireland, was at Loughrea, and I made him aware 
that I received no recompence for my exertions, he decided that I should 
immediately be paid £10 sterling out of the public treasury, which the 
treasurer paid me on the next day/" 

Well indeed may Dr. French designate Ormond, " an unkinde deserter of 
loyal friends/'' Even the king from his retreat in Scotland, sent him a letter 
in which he expressed regret that a better understanding did not prevail 
between him and the Nuncio ; but this letter, which had been brought to 
Waterford by Captain Eoche, was not delivered until it was too late, as 
Colonel Eoche alleged, owing to the state of the country between Limerick and 
that city. The Bishops and Clergy were not supported by the forces they 
expected from a distance, which Carte attributes to the refractoriness of the 
Prelates, rather than to the successes of the Cromwellians.* A second letter 
to the same end and purpose was sent by John King, the Dean of Tuam, 
who arrived from Scotland on the 13th of August, 1650 ; it conveyed to 
Ormond irresistible confirmation of the truth, but the fact is, notwithstand- 

1 " The clergy of Ireland (says Dr. Arthur) heing weary of the unlucky administration of Lord 
James Marquis of Ormond, Viceroy of Charles II. in Ireland ; and suspecting him of heing 
too favourable to the party of their enemies, whom by his supine neglect he permitted to invade 
three provinces of the kingdom, and to take all the strongest cities, towns, and fortresses, and 
to overrun the country at pleasure with impunity ; at last, having assembled a genuine provincial 
synod, one held at Clonmacnoise, the other at James' town, they determined to withdraw forth- 
with, all the orthodox subjects from their fealty and obedience to him having signed a public 
edict [to this effect] enforced by the threat of excommunication. Whereupon the Marquis, being 
thereby filled with indignation, having caught the Lord Bishop of Killaloe, John O'Molouna, an 
economical and thrifty man, who had signed that edict, and who, he had heard, had a large 
treasure at home ; while staying in a certain castle in the neighbourhood, he dispatched some 
English spies, followers of his own, who seized upon him and upon £1400 sterling, which he had 
wrapped up in large woolsacks, and placed him before his judgment seat ; after committing him 
to custody, and thus making him pay the penalty of his own rashness and that of others, at 
last, after one or two months upon his asking pardon he let him go ; having in the meantime 
allocated all the money to the King's army. In reference to which I wrote the following verses." 
— Which verses we may add, with every respect for the worthy Doctor's memory, by no means 
reflect credit upon his muse, as will appear from the following translation, in which it will be seen 
we rigidly observe the critical canon of rising and falling with the original : — 

" A cool fourteen hundred the bishop had hoarded, 
And in fleeces or woolsacks ingeniously stored it — 
But alas for the beauty and charm of my story, 
The wool had a smell, being sweaty and gory — 
And the wolf smelled the blood of the sheep on the scrapings, 
And bolted at once with the trifle of ha'pence. ■ 

(l 'Twas the cursed greed of gold made the bishop to save so, 
'Twas the cursed greed of food made the wolf misbehave so — 
Had the bishop discharged his episcopal duty, 
My lord had no blame and the robber no boot v." 



170 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

ing the assertion of Father Peter Walshe, who compared Ormond to Joseph 
in Egypt, Ormondes determination to desert and to betray the Catholics, is 
indisputable, as he proved under his own hand in a letter to Lord Orrery. — 
Ormond now resolved to remain no longer in Ireland. On the 11th of 
December he set sail, and landed in Bas Bretagne three weeks afterwards, 
the weather being stormy. He took with him, in his little frigate, which was 
provided by the Duke of York, Lord Inchiquin, Colonel Wogan and forty 
other officers, besides several passengers, Sir George Hamilton, Receiver 
General, Mr. Belling, Lady Clanrickarde and other persons of quality who 
went to France afterwards. He appointed Lord Clanrickarde his Deputy. 1 
Notwithstanding the occurrences at Jamestown and Clonmacnoise, where 
Dr. French thinks a zeal, more unseasonable than prudent was manifested, 
but which was corrected afterwards by a general assembly of the Clergy at 
Loughrea, where the nobility and gentry of the kingdom had met, 2 when 
advantageous proposals from Cromwell's agents being unanimously rejected 
by the confederates, the country remained loyal to the monarch, and resolved 
to stand or to fall with his destinies. The result proved that their confidence 
was misplaced. 

The events which followed in rapid succession, left the kingdom an easy 
prey to Cromwell. Notwithstanding the efforts of Edmond Dwyer, Bishop 
of Limerick, who manifested great address and talent for public affairs, and 
who wrote a powerful document in defence of the position he sustained, 3 
and those of the Bishops who continued to struggle against the tide which 
threatened every moment to overwhelm them, there was alas ! a faction in 
the country which still adhering to Ormond, gave such aid by their divisions 
to Ireton as enabled him in a very short time to prove the danger of divided 
councils. Limerick contained a party of Catholics who not only did not 
provide for the emergency, but which painted honester men than themselves 
in odious colours, and informed his excellency secretly that they were to be 
suspected and feared ! It was those who spoke in this way of others that 
would in reality become traitors, and those they would cover with suspicion, 
proved honest men, true to God, to country, to king. 4 Cromwell at this 
period had perpetrated the bloody massacres of Drogheda and Wexford, and 
had made his name a terror to the entire people of Ireland. 

1 Ormond having appointed Clanrickard to command in his absence, as the King's Deputy, 
to whom the nation showed all due obedience and submission, is a manifest argument that he was 
not banished out of the kingdom by the confederate Catholics, for whom he named a commander 
in his absence. — Bleeding Iphegenia, p. 111. 

2 Bleeding Iphegenia, p. 111. 3 Hibernia Dominicana. 
4 Dr. French, Bishop of Ferns. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 171 



CHAPTER XXYII. 



IRETON's CAMPAIGN — THE SIEGE OF LIMERICK — TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF 
THE CITIZENS — TREASON OF FENNEL, &C. 

Ireton, having now made all provisions for an early campaign, and 
received some reinforcements from England, resolved to begin by besieging 
Limerick. Sir Charles Coote was directed to advance towards Sligo, in order 
to pierce into Connaught, that Limerick might be invested on all sides. 1 
The Irish were preparing to relieve the city, when Coote, drawing off his men, 
passed suddenly over the Curlew mountains, and invested Athlone. Clanri- 
karde was unable to make head against Coote, who took Athlone, and marched 
against Galway. The Earl of Castlehaven was called to the assistance of 
Galway, and he had marched but a few miles, at the head of four thousand 
men, when a party he had left to defend the pass over the Shannon, suffered 
themselves to be overpowered by the enemy, and fled precipitately — but we 
anticipate events. 

CWeil was now appointed Governor of Limerick, and he did his duty with 
a courage and true nobility of soul which brooked no compromise. Sir Geoffrey 
Galway, the son of him who had been persecuted in the days of Queen 
Elizabeth; Geoffry Barron, whom Erench calls an ornament to his country; 
Alderman Dominick Fanning, Alderman Thomas Stritch, Dr. Higgins, and 
many others of the citizens, held counsel within, and would listen to no over- 
ture that came from Ireton or his partizans. There was no one more 
prominent than Terence Albert O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, in preparing the 
citizens and soldiers for the storm, and in urging them to leave nothing 
undone to conquer Ireton and his merciless myrmidons. They were nobly 
seconded by the indomitable Dominick Eanning, the zealous Father Wolfe, 
who had prevented the city accepting Ormondes peace, by General Purcell, 
and others. 

For some months past Ireton had been putting all things in readiness for 
his army ; tents, arms, beds for the soldiers, cannon, ammunition of every 
sort, were sent up the Shannon by him towards Limerick, by vessels provided 
for the service. Garrisons had already, since the previous March, been 
placed in the castles of Castle Connell and at Kilmallock, convenient outposts 
for strategetic purposes ; other places were likewise invested or blockaded. 
The Parliamentary army was ordered to rendevouz at Cashel, from whence 
Ireton marched by way of Nenagh, down by the Silver Mines, and across 
the roads to that part of the Shannon which flows opposite Killaloe. 
The Earl of Castlehaven, who had been before this time appointed, by Ormond, 
commander-in-chief of the province of Munster and the county of Clare, now 
held that office for the whole kingdom, marched with what forces he could draw 
together, and encamped at Killaloe, to observe Ireton's movements. Ireton 
was thoroughly aware of the weakness of the confederate forces, feeling 
assured that they only kept up appearances till Cromwell and King Charles 
had decided their quarrel. He kept a guard on his side of the river, as 
Castlehaven did against him. 3 



1 Carte. 2 The Unkind Deserter. 

3 Ludlow's Memoirs and Castlehaven's Memoirs, 



172 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The antagonist troops lay in that position together for some time ; Castle- 
haven had 2000 horse and foot disposed along the river, and defended by 
breastworks, which had been placed there to obstruct Ireton's passage into 
Connaught. Ormond, who had not yet sailed from Galway, wrote " post haste" 
to Castlehaven to proceed to him, because Stephen De Henin the abbot of St. 
Catherine was in the harbour, and in his company many officers, with a quantity 
of arms, ammunition, and other materials of war, which were sent by the Duke 
of Lorraine, to whom the city of Limerick was mortgaged, and assigned as a 
security for £20,000 supplied by him for the King's service. The Duke was 
to be constituted protector royal of the kingdom of Ireland, with power over 
all the Confederate forces and places, with that title and dominion, till the 
war was over and his damages satisfied — a regular agreement having been 
entered into for that purpose. 1 On Castlehaven's almost immediate return, 
he found all quiet at Killaloe ; treachery had done its work, the pass had 
been sold. He was not aware of how the dark deed had been done ; but he 
received from Ireton, by a trumpeter, a letter which occupied four sides of 
paper, closely written in a small hand, the drift of which was to set forth " the 
justness" of the Parliament's proceedings ; their great power ; how short a time 
he (Castlehaven) would subsist ; what bad company he was in; abusing the King 
most heartily, and after several other sayings, offering Castlehaven, if he would 
retire and live in England, not only his personal safety and the enjoyment of 
his estate, but the esteem and favor of the Parliament. Castlehaven showed 
the letter to Father Peter Walsh, who appears to have been with him at the 
time j and by his advice, and by the same trumpeter, he answered every 
point, rejected the proposition, and desired that no more trumpeters should 
be sent with such errands. 

Ireton, soon after this correspondence, by the treachery of Captain Kelly, 
made himself master of O'Brien's Bridge ; and whilst Castlehaven was hasten- 
ing to oppose him, Colonel Fennel, to whom the pass at Killaloe had been 
entrusted, treacherously deserted it, and fled into the city of Limerick with 
his soldiery — he had sold the pass. Just before this event, as if he had 
intended to divert the course of the river, Ireton had set the soldiers and 
pioneers at work to take the ground lower on his (Ireton's) side, that the 
water venting itself into the passage, the river might become fordable. This 
so alarmed the Confederate forces that the most of them were drawn out to 
oppose them. The ways were almost impassable from bogs and morasses, 
hither neither man nor horse could pass without peril, so that they were 
obliged to lay hurdles and great pieces of timber across, in order to bear the 
carriages, waggons, &c, of the Parliamentary forces, which they effected 
under pretence of making a passable road between their camp and Castle 
Connel, where, as we have seen, provisions had been already laid up for the 

1 Charles II. in a letter addressed to the Duke from Paris, and dated Feb. 6th, 1652, thanks 
him for the supplies sent to the Irish, and promises to send persons to enter into a treaty with 
him for the promotion of the Catholic interests. In another letter addressed to Clanrickarde, and 
dated March 23rd, 1652, his Majesty says that he had sent the Earl of Norwich to Brussels, to 
treat with the Duke, the terms of whose articles with the Irish, he says, Clanrickarde had pro- 
perly rejected. But he recommends the Irish Commissioners (Lord Taaffe, Sir Nicholas Plunket, 
and Jeoffry Baron) to the Marquis, and bids him use their advice and service as theretofore. 
Galway was joined with Limerick in this treaty. The submission to the Pope, suggested by the 
Bishop of Ferns and the Royal Protectorship, appears to have been the most objectionable con- 
dition in the articles in the eyes of Clanrickarde and the King. Clanrickarde had allowed the 
Duke to advance the £20,000 on the security of Limerick and Galway, leaving the article 
respecting the Protectorship to be settled at Brussels ; but the deputation sent to Brussels, con- 
cluding a treaty, against which Clanrickarde protested, the negotiation came to an end. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 173 

army. Ten days had elapsed before all things necessary had been accom- 
plished ; and at the end of that time, Colonel Reeves was commanded to 
bring three boats which he had, to a place appointed for that purpose by one 
o'clock in the morning. At the beginning of the night three regiments of 
foot, with one of horse, and four pieces of cannon, marched silently towards 
the place where the boats were ordered to lie, and arrived there an hour 
before day. They found but two boats waiting for them, which, however, 
served to carry over three files of musqueteers and six troopers, who, having 
unsaddled their horses, caused them to swim by the boat, and were safely 
landed on the other side. Two sentinels of the Confederate forces wer& in 
the castle, of whom one was killed, and the other made his escape. 

Ireton's boats had transported about sixty foot and twenty horse before 
any opposition was given; but then some Confederate horse coming up 
skirmished with Ireton's ; and in this action a young officer named Howe, 
who had accompanied General Ludlow, one of Ireton' s chief officers, into 
Ireland, highly distinguished himself. About 1000 of the Confederate 
foot now advanced ; Ireton's horse were ordered to retire; they obeyed with 
some hesitation; the rapid advance of the Confederates was arrested by the 
guns of the Parliamentarians, which had been placed on a hill on their side 
of the river, from which they fired so constantly and so vehemently, that the 
Confederates were forced to retreat under shelter of a rising ground ; and 
not being able to regain what they had lost, to provide against further detri- 
ment by retreating more through the woods into their own quarters. Mean- 
time the Parliamentarian ships, with all things necessary for a siege, had 
anchored in the river, and only awaited orders to proceed to the desperate 
enterprise in which they had engaged. 

Sir Charles Coote, during these proceedings, was engaged in bloody deeds 
in Connaught, where he besieged Portumna house, the residence of the Earl 
of Clanrickarde, and whom as we have seen, the Earl of Ormond had con- 
stituted his deputy in that province. Ludlow, from whose memoirs we have 
drawn some of these details, in his progress from Connaught to Limerick, 
where his presence in aid of Ireton was essentially demanded, summoned 
Gurtenshegore, a castle near Gort, belonging to Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, 
who being at the time in Galway, had left his tenants, some soldiers, and 
Folliot, an Englishman, to command them, in the castle. Here Ludlow was 
treated, for a time, with utter contempt, the occupants of the castle sound- 
ing their bag-pipes in derision, although fire and faggot, iron bars, pickaxes 
and sledges threatened them. The defenders resisted bravely. A desperate 
engagement ensued, Polliot acting with determined pertinacity — and it was 
not until after severe fighting, the castle was surrendered. Ireton's army 
marched immediately to Limerick. Pive hundred head of cattle that had 
been taken in Burren, Co. Clare, were driven on, and killed to refresh the 
army, to which Ludlow and his friends now returned, and which had already 
possessed themselves of a fort that stood in the middle of the river Shannon, 
on the great Lax weir, where the ruins of the castle are yet to be seen. A 
small battery of two guns had been erected against the castle ; one of them 
was fired into a room, and breaking the leg of a soldier, so terrified the 
others that betaking themselves to their boats, they abandoned the place — 
which the Parliamentarians perceiving, fired so furiously on them, that all in 
the boats surrendered, notwithstanding which, some of them were put to the 
sword, by the merciless soldiery, whose hearts were steeled against humanity. 
They perpetrated a cold-blooded slaughter, which Ireton condemned, and 



174 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

demanded that the matter should be referred to a court martial. This was 
done, and Colonel Tuthill, who commanded, and his captain were cashiered. 
At length the besieging army reached the gates of Limerick, and sat down 
before the walls ; but aware of the strength of the city, and satisfied that it 
was well nigh impregnable, Ireton did not trust to the chances of arms, but 
tried what could be done by further exercise of that treachery, which had 
compelled Fennel to abandon the pass of Killaloe, and Kelly that of O'Brien's 
bridge, acts of treachery which gave an easy march to the Parliamentarians 
within the very shadow of the old walls of Limerick. 

From an entry in Dr. Thomas Arthur's diary, 23rd June, 1651, 1 it is 
apparent that the Parliamentarians in their attack on this occasion, made 
good their footing on the King's Island ; he states that he professionally 
attended Dominick PitzDavid Eice, who nobly and strenuously defended the 
city on the occasion of this invasion of the island by the Parliamentarian 
army, Mr. Eice having received a severe wound, which demanded amputa- 
tion of the lower part of the leg. He also saved the life of Doctor Credanus, 
who was struck by a shell, which lacerated his hands and tendons, and 
threatened gangrene. He gives the names of several who died of the 
pestilence which raged through the city, including in the list the names of 
many distinguished citizens. 

An immediate summons sent in by Ireton for the surrender of the city, 
w T as promptly rejected, though at the time, famine and pestilence were doing 
their deadly work with a greater facility, than shot and shell did subsequently. 
At this eventful period Edmund O'Dwyer, Terence Albert O'Brien and all the 
good men and true of the time, were congregated within the plague-stricken 
walls, and with the aid of the Brothers of St. Yincent de Paul who were then 
in Limerick, caused the citizens to be firm. Again the summons was 
rejected. 

Then came the question of a treaty — this was discussed; and six commis- 
sioners were appointed on each side, viz. : for cause of country and faith, 
Major-General Purcell, Mr. Stackpoole, the Eecorder, Colonel Butler, Jeffrey 
Barron, who had been one of the supreme council, Mr. Baggot, and Alder- 
man Panning. The commissioners nominated by Ireton were, Major-General 
Waller, Colonel Cranwell, Major Smith, Adjudant- General Allen, and another. 2 

They all met in a tent between the city and Ireton's camp, where for several 
days, they dined together and treated of conditions. But having in the 
meantime got great expectations of relief, either by the successes of the 
king in Scotland, or by the cessation of feuds and discords among the con- 
federates at home, who, if they joined in love, when their enemies joined in 
hate, would be far more able, more numerous and powerful than Ireton's army, 
insisted upon terms which Ireton's commissioners would not accede to. The 
result was the conference broke up without result, and preparations for the 
siege went on more vigorously than before. A fort, which Ireton had been 
preparing on one side of the city, and called to this day Ireton's fort, being 
almost finished, and materials being ready for building a bridge to be laid 
over the Shannon, to preserve the communication between the besieging 
forces on each side, a resolution was made by them, to reduce a castle which 
was occupied by the defenders beyond Thomond bridge. To effect this 
object, a battery was erected, and a breach having been made, Ireton 

i Arthur MSS. p. 78. 

a Ludlow does not give the name. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 175 

remembering the vigor of his troops in the action at Sir Dermot 
O'Shaughnessay's castle, desired that one man should be drawn out of each 
troop to be an example to the foot who were selected to storm. This was 
done. Armed with back, breast and head pieces, and furnished with hand 
grenades — a Mr. Hackett of the guards having been chcsen to lead them 
on — they did not number more than twenty in all — the design succeeded 
beyond expectation — the men having thrown in their grenades, rushed up 
to the breach, entered with Hackett at their head, and were followed by 
those who were ordered to support them. Hackett was successful — the 
place was evacuated ; and the confederate soldiers retired by the bridge into 
the city. The castle was then searched by Ireton ; and four or five barrels 
of powder were found in a vault ready to be fired by a lighted match which 
had been left there to blow up the Parliamentarian soldiers. Ireton having so 
far succeeded, having rewarded Hackett and his men, came to the determina- 
tion of possessing himself of the king's island, which then as now encom- 
passed by the Abbey river, was a position likely to suit his present purposes, 
and quicken the result of the siege. Boats were prepared, floats sufficient 
to transport three hundred men at once were placed in readiness, and orders 
were given to drop down the river about midnight. 

Three regiments of foot and one of horse were detailed for the service ; the 
first three hundred, which were foot, and commanded by Colonel "Walker, 
being landed on the island, rushed up to the breastwork of the defenders 
of Limerick, where they met an unexpectedly warm reception. Such was the 
valour with which they were repelled, that but two or three returned alive to 
Ireton' s camp to tell the tale of ruin ; the river was strewn with the carcases 
of the slain, who failed even to make good their footing. Then, the bridge 
having been finished, Ireton, with most part of the army, marched over to 
the other side of the river, where he marked out ground for three bodies of 
men to encamp separately, each to consist of about two thousand, giving 
orders for the fortification of the camp, assigning to each regiment its pro- 
portion and position, quartering the troops by brigades in the most convenient 
places he could, either to defend themselves, to relieve each other, or to 
annoy the forces opposed to them. The moment the great fort, on which 
were all the available men he had at his disposal, was finished, he drew off 
all his forces from that side of the river they had been, except a thousand 
foot and about three hundred horse, which he left on the island under the 
command of Sir Hardress Waller. 1 Nor were the Confederates outside the 

1 Sir Hardress Waller — " Waller of Castletown" — belonged to an ancient Kent family -which 
bore the shield of the Duke of Orleans pendent from their family crest, in memory of their having 
made that French Prince of the blood prisoner at the battle of Agincourt. To this family Sir 
William Waller, the distinguished Parliamentary General, and Edmund Waller, the well known 
poet, belonged. George Waller, father of Sir Hardress, was its chief (as is now Mr. Waller of 
Castletown), and marrying a daughter of the ancient family of Hardress, who took the opposite 
side to him in the civil wars, and obtained a Baronetcy from Charles I. in 1612 ; he was father 
of Sir Hardress. This gallant soldier was employed at the taking of Bristol ; and Cromwell 
says, in his dispatch to Speaker Lenthall, describing the successful assault on the nobly defended 
house of Basing, " Sir Hardress Waller, performing his duty with honor and diligence, was shot 
in the arm." He afterwards proceeded to Ireland, where he had long before acquired the Castle- 
town estate by marriage with Elizabeth, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir John Dowdall, 
knight of Kilfenny. Here he was made Major-General of the Horse, and was M.P. for the 
County of Limerick ; he also acquired large estates in the county by grant, which included 
Lickadoon Castle near Roxborough ; but being one of the judges at the trial of Charles I. he was 
tried for it at the Restoration. He pleaded guilty, and had not only the gift of his life, but 
permission to reside with his family. But all his property was forfeited, and granted with that 
of the other regicides, to the Duke of York, from whom, when Bang James II., it was again taken 
at the Revolution, and sold in lots to the Hollow Sword Blade Company and other persons. Lady 



176 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

walls idle ; they were aware of the vast advantage of retaining Limerick in 
their possession, and to achieve that object they spared no exertion. Lord 
Muskerry had brought together about 5000 horse and foot in the counties of 
Cork and Kerry, and David Eoche between two and three thousand men in 
Clare. Lord Broghill and Major Wallis were despatched to oppose Lord 
Muskerry, whilst General Ludlow, with a detachment, was sent to look after 
the other. Broghill encountered Muskerry, and defeated him. Ludlow 
crossed the river at Inchecroghnan, and had some difficulty in preventing 
the pass of that place falling into the hands of Eoche' s soldiery, who, however, 
retreated, and enabled Ludlow to return to Limerick, after having encoun- 
tered and overcome some severe obstructions before he relieved the garrison 
of Carrigaholt. He at length arrived at Limerick, where considerable 
progress had been made in the works, and where a reinforcement from 
England had landed nearly four thousand foot, to recruit an army which 
had been thinned by the climate, the change in food, the diseases to which 
they were subject, and the casualties of war. 

Ireton, nowithstanding this timely succour to his forces, began to tremble 
for the fate of the campaign. The plague was raging in the city. In 
every street the wild wail of sorrow was heard over the stark corpses of the 
victims of famine and the black sickness, which the want of air, the stench, 
and the awful circumstances of the place had caused. An hospital was 
erected by Ireton outside the walls, while the works was progressing for the 
siege. In the interim he visited Killaloe, where a garrison lay, and directed 
that a bridge should be built, or rather, we imagine repaired, for the better 
communication of the counties of Tipperary and Clare. Ludlow accom- 
panied him in this duty, and many horses were knocked up by the journey — 
so hard were they driven. The progress of Cromwell's army in England, 
while matters were going on thus in Ireland, was so successful, that he carried 
every thing in the field before him. The intelligence of these victories was 
heard within the city ; but it did not blanch the cheeks, or unnerve the hearts 
of the brave men who had sworn to defend their altars and their hearths with 
the last drop of their blood. It was a weary time for Ireton — a fatal one 
for his army, which in the gloom and mist of our climate, were daily dying in 
hundreds of fever and ague, and plague — who were suffering too from 
scarcity of provisions, and also were anxious that the siege should be raised, 
or that some event should occur to draw them out of their alarming difficulties. 

There was no sign of surrender made from within. Ireton could make no 
impression by cannon or by persuasion — he would have left if he could. 
He went with Ludlow into the neighbouring parts of Clare to look after the 
confederate soldiers who were there in numbers, to seek sustenance for his 
wasting army — but he could do nothing. Horses and cattle vanished, as if 
the earth had swallowed them ; men and arms disappeared as if by magic, the 
moment Ireton and Ludlow came near them. While Ireton and Ludlow were 
thus engaged, a sally was made by two thousand foot out of Limerick — so 
suddenly that they almost surprised the body-guard of Ireton ; they were 

Waller, however, whose family were of old Irish descent, and had secretly favoured the Stuarts 
in the civil war, was not interfered with in the possession of the Castletown estate which she had 
inherited from her ancestors, and which still belongs to her descendants. Her daughters had 
made marriages that gave the family some court influence at this time, and helped to keep his 
head on the shoulders of Sir Hardress. Elizabeth, Baroness Shelburne in her own right, married 
the able and powerful Sir William Petty. Bridget married Mr. Cadogan, and was mother of that 
gallant general, the first Earl of Cadogan ; whilst Anne married Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart. 
whose conduct in 1GG0 materially assisted in restoring Charles II. to bis father's throne. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 177 

driven back, but a destructive fire was opened upon the Cromwellians from 
the wall, under cover of which the forces that made the sally returned in safety 
within. Sir Hardress Waller endeavoured to persuade the garrison of Clare 
castle to surrender, but he was not able. Ludlow who was with him making 
the experiment, returned to the siege, and great numbers of the citizens en- 
deavoured to make their escape from the city, stricken with the plague, and 
spreading it among Ireton' s men. Ireton commanded them to return, threatened 
to shoot any who should attempt to come out for the future, and caused two 
or three of them to be hanged and others to be whipped back into the city ! 
The daughter of a poor man was among the number he sentenced to 
execution, — with piteous tears and lamentations the poor man desired they 
should spare the daughter and put him to death — but his request was refused. 
The butchers hanged the daughter, and whipped the wretched father back 
into the city ! To add to the horror, a gibbet was raised within view of 
the walls ; two persons were executed on it ; they were condemned for some- 
thing else — but they were put to death, to scare others from attempting to 
leave the city. The terrors of this frightful siege cannot be depicted in 
adequate language. Councils became divided within the walls. Death 
stalked through the streets, grim and ghastly, whilst the plague- victims lay 
on the foot-paths, spectacles for men to weep over. Ireton received hints that 
the strong were becoming weak — but, in this he was misled. The old Irish 
party remained firm against his advances, and the counsels of Terence O'Brien 
always dissipated doubt in the most alarming phases of the situation. 
The conduct indeed of the Bishop of Emly throughout the siege was of the 
most patriotic, noble and self-sacrificing character. He was offered an 
enormous sum of money — no less than forty thousand golden crowus, 1 and 
permission to retire wherever he would out of the kingdom, provided he 
ceased to exhort the people against surrender ; but his heroic soul spurned 
the temptation — lie had resolved to fight the good fight and win the 
crown that is promised to the just. When Ireton heard of the stern in- 
flexibility of the bishop, he resolved at once to except him from amnesty, 
and every other condition he proposed to the besieged. He swore too, that 
he would visit with the most woful consequences the citizens if they hesitated 
to bring to him the head of the bishop, together with those of the twenty 
men who had voted against giving the city into his hands. A council 
assembled — a debate ensued. Two hundred ecclesiastics now met, and 
with one voice they proclaimed their determination to interpose between 
Ireton and the twenty he had named for death — but in vain, for all ecclesi- 
astics were excepted. O'Daly throws out a dark hint, which is supposed to 
reflect on some of those who were engaged inside the walls at the time, and 
adds that the witnesses to the circumstances to which he alludes were in 
Lisbon at the moment he wrote. O'Brien offered to give himself up, so 
that the others should be saved — but his proposal was rejected by the 
ecclesiastics. There were some men, however, not to be trusted ; and they 
were as well known to Ireton as to those who were about to become his 
victims. Fennel was one who held an important post, and who had already 
manifested his treasonable designs. Stackpole, the Recorder faltered; others of 
the corporation wished there was an end to the siege and its horrors. Ireton 
fomented the divisions that had prevailed so long — he inveighed, by name, 
against the men who were firm, against one whom he called a soldier of fortune, 

1 O'Hevne quoted in the Hibernia Dominicana. 

13 



178 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

meaning O^Neill who lie said made a trade of war and did not value the lives 
of the people. Again the waverers demanded terms and compromises. The 
town council met — the meeting was stormy. O'Brien, Wolfe/ Higgins and 
Purcell, with those who sympathised with them, cautioned the trembling 
cravens as to what they were about. The Irish had a prophecy that the 
last battle would be at Knocknaclashy, and as it was there that Broghill 
met and defeated Muskerry, a few weeks before., they held to the belief that 
victory would certainly favor the English. Cox remarks how strange a thing 
it was that the e - Bridge-Barrels"''' of both armies were accidentally burnt at 
the commencement of the fight — but he adds that the soldiers on both sides 
never fought so bravely and so determinedly, " hacking and hewing with 
their swords, when they had spent their shot." Ireton was filled with joy 
at BroghilTs victory, for he, too, felt the effect of the prophecy, though, no 
doubt, he was unwilling to appear credulous, and he ordered a grand salute 
of three vollies to be fired in his camp in token of so signal a triumph — 
the news of which was brought inside the walls in a very short time. 
However, he had no means of taking the city by assault or storm, or the 
regular process of a siege. The stores were full of provisions, calcu- 
lated to last three months — the energy of the devoted portion of the 
citizens, headed by the bishops and clergy, would hear of no compromise. 
But there were mutinous and clamorous men for a cessation of arms, 
and false traitors, who wanted only the opportunity of handing over, bound 
hand and foot, bishops, clergy, and faithful citizens, to the remorseless 
rage of the tyrant ; but interdicts and excommunications were posted upon 
the cathedral doors and the other churches of the city against those who 
would dare to betray the gates to Ireton. 

So strong an impression was made, by the earnest party inside, that the 
treaty proposed by Ireton in which so many of the principal persons were 
excepted as to life, was rejected ; and force was again put in requisition. 
The great guns were landed from the ships — other guns were brought from 
adjoining garrisons — a battery was erected against that part of the wall which 
had no earth lining within, no counterscarp, no protection, and that weak 
defence had been also shown to Ireton by some hidden traitor. The battery 
being in order, and the storming regiments told off to their several posts, 
a fire was opened- — a breach was soon made — and a parley was beaten. The 
traitor Fennel had already seized on John's gate, and having been supplied with 
powder, 1 he threatened to give up the post to the enemy unless the garrison 
would consent to capitulate ! When the breach was made, and the parley beat, 
the resolution to surrender the city was taken in the treason for which prepa- 
rations had been made — the East gate was delivered up. 2 Ludlow states that 
this was the gate of the out-town or Irish-town, which was separated by a river, 

1 It is said by Cox that the powder was supplied by Creagh, the Mayor, and that he (Creagh) 
was aware of Fennell's intentions ; but this is not generally credited. 

a O'Daly states that the events which now impended were foreshadowed by three portentous 
signs which he enumerates: — The first, a most extraordinary phenomenon, witnessed on the 17th 
July, 1651, a little before midnight of the sacred day of St. Alexius ; six weeks had the soldiers 
been fortifying the walls, and repairing the circumvallations ; all was just completed, when, lo ! 
from the eastern side of the mountain which is north of Limerick, there arose a lucid globe, 
brighter than the moon and little inferior to the sun, which for two leagues and a half shed a 
vertical light upon the city, and then died into darkness over the camp of the enemy. The 
second was the apparition of the Blessed Mother of God at about three o'clock in the afternoon, 
on the summit of the Church dedicated to her. She was seen by some simple people at work in 
the fields, accompanied by St. Francis and St. Dominick and five other heavenly beings, who 
seemed to follow her to the Convent of the Dominicans and thence to the Church of St. Francis 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 179 

with a draw-bridge over it, from the English town. Ireton ordered all the 
arms and ammunition to be preserved, and the soldiers who were not of the 
city to be drawn up between it and the Parliamentary army, that such as 
desired might have convoys to conduct them to their respective parties; 
and that those who wished to return to their habitations should have passes to 
that effect. The governor of the city, Hugh O'Neil, met Ireton at the gate, 
where he presented him with the keys of the city and gave orders for the 
marching out of the soldiers who were not townsmen, according to the 
articles. These numbered about 2,500 men, not a few of whom, as they 
were going out, fell down dead of the plague. Several of them also lay 
stark dead and were buried in the church-yard. Ireton was shown the stores 
of arms, ammunition and gunpowder, the quantities of provisions, altogether 
a three months' supply. The fortifications were also shown — he was pointed 
out everything, and told, at the same time, that nine or ten of those who 
were excepted in the articles, threw themselves on his mercy, and were waiting 
his orders in a house which the governor (O'Neil) named. The illustrious 
Terence Albert O'Brien, bishop of Emly, was taken in the pest-house, where 
Father Wolfe and major-general Purcell were also at the moment. Geoffrey 
Barron and Sir Geoffrey Galway surrendered. Dominick Fanning, the lion- 
hearted, who had at all times bravely withstood whatever was contrary to 
principle and to faith, was taken in the church-yard of St. Francis, where he 
had secreted himself in the tomb of his ancestors 1 . It is computed that 
5000 people died in the city during the siege of the plague and of sickness, 
but notwithstanding this, the above number of soldiers marched out, and 
there still remained 4000 Irishmen within, capable of bearing arms. 

Two days after the surrender the mayor came to the place of worship (St. 
Mary's cathedral it is supposed) where the court-martial sat, and whether by 
words or actions he gave cause to those present to suspect who he was — he 
was arrested and committed to prison. O'Dwyer, the bishop, made his escape 
— it is alleged, in the dress of a soldier 2 . At the court-martial, O'Brien, 
the glorious bishop of Emly, and major-general Purcell appeared, and were 
questioned as to what they had to say why they should not suffer death. 
De Burgo gives from O'Heyne, who had been an eye-witness, a full account 
of the extraordinary manner in which this saintly prelate met his death 3 . 

within the -walls. O'Daly states that he narrates the circumstances as they were heard by Father 
James Dooly from those who witnessed them. The third was the birth of a monster a few days 
before the surrender of Limerick. This strange object, the mother of which was far from being 
correct, may be thus described : — Out of one trunk grew two bodies having all the members 
complete ; but what astonished every one was that whensoever the two faces indicated friendship 
or hostility, the shoulders of the twain might be observed to retreat, so that they never could 
join in cordial embrace. Father Meehan, the translator of O'Daly, remarks that it is not to be 
wondered at in such disastrous moments, a people who suffered every thing for religion, should 
conjure up visions, and take omens from a flash of lightning or some unusual meteoric appear- 
ance. Such has been the case with every people under heaven, particularly in time of war. The 
puritanisra of Parsons and Borlase were not proof against the cawing of crows on the top of 
Dublin Castle in the year 1662. — Meeharis Translation of O'Daly, p. 208. 

1 I give this fact on the authority of the writer of " Aphorismical Discovery of Faction" — a 
MS. in Trinity College Library — who throws the whole blame of the surrender of Limerick on 
the treachery and cowardice of Fennell. 

2 Ludlow .says that it was understood afterwards that he was of a more peaceable spirit than the 
rest ; and suspicion has been cast on the part he acted throughout. 

3 Father Terence Albert O'Brien, or O'Brian, Master of Sacred Theology, an alumnus of the 
Limerick Convent (of St. Saviour), Prior of the Province of Ireland, elected at Kilkenny in 
1643, as I have said elsewhere, and created in 1644 Bishop of Emly in Munster, under the 
Archbishop of Cashel, after the death of James O'Hurley, presently referred to, departed this 



180 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Purcell fell on his knees, and begged earnestly for his life, but this request 
was denied to him : at his execution, in order to support him, he was held 
up by two of Ireton's musqueteers. Father Wolfe met his death as his life 
declared he would — with spirit and vigour. 1 O^Neil and Geoffrey Barron were 

life for a better world an. 1651, being bung at Limerick for his defence of the Catholic faith on 
the vigil of All Saints. Of this truly Apostolic Prelate, worthy of the golden ages of the Church, 
consulting the brevity prescribed to me, I shall say nothing except what has been stated by his 
contemporaries — to wit, the Rev. the Master General de Marinis, and other Fathers of eminent 
wisdom members of the general Roman Chapter of 1656, lately referred to, who write in its 
transactions to the following effect : — 

" Here (in the province of Ireland) has arisen in prolific maturity a great harvest of those 
who have suffered grievous torments, especially in our time, for the Catholic faith, — a harvest 
garnered in heaven by handfuls, since out of forty-three convents, which the order possessed in 
this island, not one remains at this day, which the fury of the heretical persecutor has not burned 
or levelled to the ground, or secularised to his own profane uses. To the year 1646 were num- 
bered amongst them 600 fathers, more or less, of whom perhaps not one-fourth is now left, and, 
that exiled from their native country, the rest being either cut off by the martyrdom of their 
house, or having met a tedious death after a cruel banishment to the Islands of Barbadoes in 
the new world. 

" Amongst the priors most deserving of first mention, is the most illustrious and reverend Father 
Terence Albert O'Brien, a scion of the renowned stock of the ancient kings of Ireland, who 
having happily completed his studies in the province of Spain, returning to his country, did by 
his example and word wonderfully improve the vineyard of the Lord, having filled with good 
fruit the priorship of his native convent of Limerick twice and that of Lorrah once. As provin- 
cial he attended the General Chapter (Capitulem Generalissimem) held at Rome in 1644, where 
being honored with the degree of Master by the new General Master of the order, Brother 
Thomas Turkins, for the merits and zeal which he had intrepidly displayed in defending the 
unity of the order and just reverence for the supreme head, and being a short time afterwards 
appointed by Urban VIII. to the Bishoprick of Emly, he devoted his whole energies to it, so 
that he everywhere constantly united the inviolable maintenance of his order and institute with 
the dignity of a prelate, and everywhere indef atigably aided the church, which at that time was 
ever so much in need of such a head in Ireland, by his authority, counsel, and vigilance. And 
while thus employed, in the year 1651, in the city of Limerick, then pressed with a severe siege 
by Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Cromwell, and a genuine Cromwellian, proconsul (Procromullius 
of Ireland) set a noble example of integrity and firmness, for, being tempted privately by the 
above-named leader of the heretics by the offer of 40,000 golden crowns, and free leave to emi- 
grate wherever he might choose, provided only he left the city, magnanimously refused, 
preferring to assist even unto death his Catholic fellow citizens, than to make a figure elsewhere, 
by means of a safe conduct granted by heretics, or to pursue pleasure unmolested. Accordingly, 
when the city was at last taken, being arrested, bound, and dragged to the market place, he 
there gloriously finished his course, on the very day of the vigil of All Saints, being publicly 
executed on the gallows. 

" While he proceeded joyfully to the place of punishment, bowing with a serene countenance to 
the Catholics who inconsolably weeping had flocked around him, he spoke these last words, 
which penetrated the hearts of even the heretics themselves: — 'Preserve the faith,' said he, 
' keep the commandments ; do not complain of God's will, which, if you do, you will possess 
your souls ; and do not weep for me, but pray that, being firm and unbroken amidst this torment 
of death, I may happily finish my course.' The persecutor, Ireton (to whom Albert had expressly 
denounced the approaching vengeance of God), being a short time after dreadfully tortured with 
plague and phrenzy, openly confessed to the officers who stood by him, participators in his 
malice and aggression, that the murder of the innocent bishop was now at last fatal to himself. 
Then, turning his face to the wall, he kept privately muttering to himself, saying, ' I never gave 
the aid of my counsel towards the murder of that bishop ; never, never ; it was the council of 
war did it, it was the work of the council, let themselves look to it,' &c. ; and ' I wish I had 
never seen this popish bishop, or never seen him except at a distance.' Amidst such words, and 
the scourges of conscience, with deep groans, he delivered up his soul to the lower regions. The 
head of the martyr, fixed on a lofty stake, and placed on the top of the King's Fort (Arx Regius) 
was in times long after seen to drop, as it were, still fresh blood, with the face entire, the flesh, 
skin, and hair, in no respect changed, a certificate of incorruption, for the tradition is constant, 
that he lived to the last with virgin purity ; so that we may, even from this, conjecture that as 
Virgin, Doctor, Bishop, and Martyr, he is now distinguished in heaven by more than one crown. 
A more lengthened account of his life and conflict shall one day see the light." — Extract translated 
from the Hibernia Dominicana, pp. 448-9. 

1 In the same year (1651) and in the same city, the R. A. P. Fr. Woulfe, Preacher General, 
a venerable old man, suffered death for our Saviour Christ — he had with great sanctity performed 
the duties of Prior in several prioratea. - Being lung since become a confessor of Christ, during 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 181 

condemned also, but having been born abroad, O'Neil claimed exemption ; he 
and Barron were heard in their own defence. O'Neil, who had earned the 
wrath of Ireton for his magnificent defence of Cloninel, stated that the war 
had been long on foot when he came over; that he came on the invitation of his 
countrymen — that he had been always a fair enemy — that he had not encouraged 
resistance when there was no hope of their being able to hold out — and that 
therefore the articles did not apply to him when they condemned those who 
stated there should be no surrender. He declared that he faithfully delivered 
up the keys of the city, with all the arms, ammunition and provisions, without 
complaint, and his own person also to Ireton. All this did not appease 
the tyrant, but it moved the other members of the court so much, that 
they voted for his acquittal. 

Again O'lNFeil was tried, and again sentence of death was passed upon 
him ; but Ireton seeing the dissatisfaction of the officers more unequivocally 
expressed, he no longer adhered to his own opinion, and the matter being 
referred again to the consideration of the Court, they, by their third vote con- 
sented to save his life. Qeoffrey Barron, having the same questions put to 
him, he stated that it was not just to exclude him from mercy, because he had 
been engaged in the same cause that Ireton pretended, to fight for, which was 
for the liberty and religion of his country. Ireton replied that Ireland being 
a conquered country, England might with justice assert her rights of con- 
quest — that they had been treated by the late government far beyond their 
merit or the rules of reason, notwithstanding which they had barbarously 
murdered all the English who fell into their hands, robbed them of their 
goods, which they had gained by their industry, and taken away the lands 
which they had purchased with their money — that touching the point of 
religion there was a wide difference also between them, they contending for 
their right without imposing their opinions on others — whereas Geoffry 
Barron's party were not, as Ireton fiercely alleged, content without compelling 
all others to submit to their impositions upon pain of death ! The council of 
war, hearing these statements, adjudged death against Barron, and he was 
sentenced and died ; Eennel also, and four and twenty better men were led to 
the scaffold. 1 Ireton's death was an acknowledged divine vengeance. 2 
Sir Hardress Waller was now made governor of the city of Limerick. 

a tedious confinement, even to these last times of the persecutions he fulfilled the duties of his 
ministry, with indefatigable zeal, and stoutly opposed himself as a bulwark in defence of the 
authority of the Apostolic See. At length, being arrested at Limerick, about the very time 
of the oblation of the unbloody sacrifice, after some hours, having received sentence of death, 
he was brought into court, and having made a profession of the Catholic faith in the hearing 
of all, he exhorted the faithful to constancy in preserving the faith of their fathers. Placed 
on the upper step of a ladder, and presently about to be thrown off, he cheerfully excla'imed, 
" We have been made a show unto God, angels, and men — to God, may he himself grant, for 
glory — to angels, for joy — to men, for contempt" — after saying which, being immediately hung 
from the gibbet, he breathed his last. — From O'Heyne's Chronological Epilogue. 

1 Castlehaven says that no more than ordinary justice was done in this instance to Fennell ; 
he adds, " Some say he was carried to Cork, and there pleaded for his defence, not only the 
service he did Ireton in betraying Limerick, but how he had betrayed Castlehaven before Youghal ! 
However, (adds Castlehaven) his judges would not hear him on his merits, but bid him clear 
himself of the murders laid to his charge." No one can regret the fate of Fennell, terrible though 
it was. 

2 Ireton was called the " Scribe" from his skill in drawing up declarations, petitions and 
ordinances. His antagonists allow him to be an able, but not a virtuous statesman, indeed he 
appears to have been the most artful, designing and deliberate man of his party. He was buried 
in Henry VII's chapel Westminster, but his body, after the restoration, was exhumed, gibbeted 
and burnt at Tyburn. — Noble's Memoirs of the Cromwell Family. 



182 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

While the storm raged in all its fury, there were twenty thousand com- 
municants within the walls of Limerick. The whole city put on the garb of 
penitential sorrow in order to draw down the blessings of heaven on the 
suffering patriots who braved the bribe, the sword, famine and pestilence. 
Laws were established by the citizens against cursing and swearing; and 
crime of every kind was banished. 1 The plague daily felled its victims ; among 
them was O'Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who exposed his life, going among 
the dying poor, with the Yincentian Fathers consoling and relieving them. 
Many, after the surrender, were cruelly massacred, merely for their faith. 2 
Mr. Thomas Stritch, on terminating a spiritual retreat, had been elected 
mayor, and ever after proving himself a devoted friend to Ireland and her 
faith, on receiving the keys of the city he laid them at the feet of the 
Blessed Virgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection, 
whilst at the same time, as an act of homage, all public guilds marched with 
banners flying to the church. Stritch addressed the assembly, calling on 
them to be faithful to God, to the church, and to the king, and stated his 
readiness to accept the martyr's crown, which he received soon afterwards, 
together with three others who had been his companions on the spiritual 
retreat. 3 Sir Patrick Purcell, who is called by. Father Anthony Bruodin, in 
his Descriptio Begini Kihernice, " the most illustrious Yice-general of all 
Munster, a noble-hearted and most accomplished warrior, for in Germany, 
under Ferdinand, acquired an immortal renown, combating against Sweden 
and France/*' After his execution by the rope his head was cut off, and 
exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffrey Barron, who was envoy 
to the king of France for the Confederate Catholics, was beheaded and 
quartered, after he was hanged. We have already spoken of Dominick 
Fanning. Daniel O'Higgin, M.D., " a. wise and pious man," who also was 
led to the scaffold, and Father Laurence Walsh is spoken of as having 
likewise suffered. 4 

The disgraceful treaty on which the city was surrendered, is couched in 
these terms : — 

Articles agreed on the 27th day of October, 1651, between Henry Ireton, 
the Deputy General ; and Barth. Stackpoole, Eecorder of Limerick ; Alder- 
man Dominick White ; Nich. Haly, Esq. ; Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce Lacy, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Donough O'Brien, and John Baggot, Esq., Commis- 
sioners on behalf of the Mayor and Inhabitants. 

I. That the city and castle, and all places of strength, be delivered to the 
Deputy General on the 29th instant, by sunset, for the use of the Parlia- 
ment and Commonwealth of England, for performance whereof, the said 
Dominick White, Pierce Lacy, Donough O'Brien, and Nicholas Haly shall 
remain as hostages. 

i Abelly, p. 212. 

2 Abelly, p. 218. 

3 We perceive by the diary of Dr. Thomas Arthur, that he attended several respectable 
citizens, including some of his own name, who had been labouring under the plague. We find 
that he attended Colonel Henry Ingoldsby, who fared so well in consequence of these wars, for a 
scorbutic affection, and that he received a fee of £1 on the first occasion and £± afterwards. 

4 "An eye witness to the unheard of cruelties to which the prisoners were subjected," by 
Morison in his Phrenodia Hiberna Catholica (Oenoponti 1659) corroborates Bruodin as to these 
facts, many more of which could be adduced ; so many as to cause St. Vincent de Paul to cry 
out, " that the blood of these martyrs will not be forgotten before God, and sooner or later will 
produce an abundant harvest of Catholicity.''* 

* Abelly, p. 220. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 183 

II. In consideration of which, all persons now in the city shall have their 
lives and properties, except the following, who opposed and restrained the 
deluded people from accepting the conditions so often offered to them : — 

Major-General Hugh O'Neil, Governor, 

Major- General Purcell, 

Sir Geoffrey Galway, 

Lieut.-Colonel Lacy, 

Captain George Woulfe, 

Captain-Lieutenant Sexton, 

Edmund O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, 

Terence O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, 

John Quin, a Dominican Eriar, 

Captain Laurence Walsh, a Priest, 

Francis Woulfe, a Friar, 

Philip Dwyer, a Priest, 

Alderman Dominick Fanning, 

Alderman Thomas Stritch, 

Alderman Jordan Uoche, 

Edmund Eoche, Burgess, 

Sir Eichard Everard, 

Dr. Higgin, 

Maurice Baggot, Baggotstown, 

and Geoffry Barron. 
In addition were Evans, a Welsh soldier and another deserter. 

m. All officers, soldiers and other persons in the city, shall have liberty 
to remove themselves, their families and property to any part of Ireland. 

IY. All citizens and inhabitants shall have liberty to stay in the city, 
until they get warning to depart. 

V. All persons now in the city, except those mentioned in the third 
article, who desire to live peaceably and submit to the Parliament of Eng- 
land, shall be protected in any part of the kingdom. 

These indeed, were disgraceful articles to submit to, but where the blame 
lies, there let it be for ever branded in characters not to be erased ! 

1 Dr. Arthur mentions among those whom he professionally attended soon after the sur- 
render : — 

Edward Pyersy, Quarter-Master General of the horse 

Ditto, 30th November 

Ditto, 7th December 

Ditto, 1st January 
William Skinner 

Wallebey 

The above Skinner on several separate occasions afterwards, 

for which he received the same fee each time of ... 
Ensign Burnell 
Colonel Henry Ingoldsby 

The same again ; as the cure being for scorbutic disease 
Ensign Bendame ... ... ... ... ... 

Ensign Browne ... ... ... ... ... 

Lieutenant-Colonel John Woodman, wife very ill ... 

Lieutenant Kobert Cooke 

Lady Honora O'Brien, daughter of Henry Earl of Thomond 

Ensign Henry Moorethon 

Ensign Owington ... ... 

Major May ... 
Ensign Bently 



£ s. 


d. 


00 10 





00 10 





00 10 





00 10 





00 10 





00 10 00 


00 10 00 


00 10 00 


01 00 


04 





00 10 





00 10 





1 





16 





02 00 





00 10 


Q 


00 10 





01 2 





00 10 






184 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The town of Galway fell soon after the surrender of Limerick. Before these 
latter events Ludlow proceeded on an expedition to Clare, with £000 foot and 
1500 horse," arriving at Inchegronan, within fifteen miles of Limerick. Clare 
castle and Carrigaholt fell. He returned to Limerick by Burren, " of which it is 
said" (says Ludlow 1 ), "that it is a country where there is not water enough 
to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, or earth enough to bury him, which 
last is so scarce that the inhabitants steal it from one another, and yet their 
cattle is very fat, for the grass growing on the " tofts" of earth two or three 
feet square, that he between the rocks, which are on limestone, is very sweet 
and nourishing/'' 

On this occasion Ludlow visited Lemenagh castle, 2 and had an interview 
with Lady Honora O'Brien, daughter to the late Earl of Thomond — who, 
being accused of protecting the cattle of the neighbouring "people, was 
upbraided by Ireton, who said, " as much a cynic as I am, the tears of this 
woman moved me." 3 






CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CONFISCATION. — OPPRESSIVE TAXATION ON THE CITIZENS. — FEA11FUL 
BURDENS. FLEETWOOD. 

We pass for a while from the city and its concerns, to a view of events 
elsewhere. The Parliament of England now began to concert measures for 
"the final settlement and administration of Ireland." Lambert was ap- 
pointed successor to Ireton. Ultimately, however, Lambert resigned, and 
Fleetwood, who had married Ireton's widow, was appointed in his place. 
Two acts relative to Ireland were debated in Parliament — one for the confis- 
cation of all the lands of 'the rebels ;' another for adjusting the claims of 
adventurers, i.e. those Englishmen and others who had ventured money 
advances in the war. Among those specially excepted from life and estate, 
the Marquis of Ormond, who was unable to play the double game with the 
Parliamentarians, Lord Inchiquin, Bramhal, the Protestant Bishop of Derry, 
a man peculiarly obnoxious to the republicans, were distinctly named. 

Early in the Spring of 1652, an edict was issued that the Catholic clergy 
should quit the kingdom under capital penalties. By this nefarious enact- 
ment it was decreed, " that every Romish Priest was deemed guilty of 
rebellion, and sentenced to be hanged until he was half dead ; then to have 

Lieutenant Mason ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 

Major Whyttle ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 

Lieutenant Barethrowne (quere Barrington) ... ... 00 8 6 

Lieutenant Dingle ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 

Several similar entries are made in the Diary of Dr. Arthur, respecting his attendance on the 
Parliamentary officers, &c, all of whom appear to have paid him very liberally and punctually, 
and many of whom suffered not only from scurvy, but from cholera morbus, wounds, pestilence, 
&c. 

' Ludlow's Memoirs. 

2 To this day Lemenagh castle shows that it had been in the days when it was occupied by 
the O'Briens—a truly noble baronial residence, 

3 Ludlow's Memoirs. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 185 

his head cut off and his body divided in quarters ; his bowels to be drawn 
out and burnt, and his head fixed upon a pole in some public place. The 
punishment of those who entertained a Priest was by the same enactment, 
confiscation of their goods and chattels, and the ignominious death of the 
gallows." The same fine was set upon the head of a priest as upon the 
head of a wolf, (five pounds.) Morrison here quoted, declares that "neither 
the Israelites were more cruelly persecuted by Pharaoh, nor the innocent 
infants by Herod, nor the Christians by Nero, or any of the other Pagan 
tyrants, than were the Eoman Catholics at this fatal juncture." In Limer- 
ick this edict was promulgated by the local governors, who acted on behalf 
of the Commonwealth. So fierce an ukase had a direful effect as might be 
expected, on those Catholics who had remained in the city, and who hoped 
they could follow the profession of their faith without hindrance, as long as 
they did not interfere with the progress of the Puritans, who now filled every 
office. Bearing badly the tyrannical mandate, they requested Br. Arthur, 
whose influence was extensive with those in power, that he would place their 
deplorable case before the authorities in Dublin. They felt sore at heart to 
thmk that they should be without the ministrations of their Pastors. Dr. 
Arthur states, 1 that he undertook the duty with zeal and earnestness — he 
does not acquaint us with the result, no doubt he was unsuccessful ; he adds 
however, that he arrived in Dublin on the 6th of February, that he re- 
mained till the 15th of August, and that he received a sum of £82 15s. 
for professional services rendered while there. 

The money levies on the citizens, for the exigencies of the Puritan army 
and the requirements of the new government after the surrender, were literally 
enormous. They would be incredible if they were not vouched for by in- 
disputable data. 2 Under the new regime the citizens of Limerick had no 
reason indeed to congratulate themselves. 

» Arthur MSS. 

5 Dr. Arthur's account of what he was called upon to pay, and for what purpose, is in his own 
hand-writing (Arthur MSS.), from which I extract the following particulars : — 
Decembris, 1651, of the first cess levied after the surrender I payed 
Januarii, 1652, of the second levy I payed Thos. Fitzwm, Fanning 

Martii, 1652, for fyer to the gardes delivered to Ptk. Fitzjames Whyte ... 

For 1652, for fyer and candle light to the said gardes delivered to Thos. 

Fanning 
22nd Martii, 1652, for lodging moneys to the guarrizon delivered to Thos. Fanning 
Aprilis, 1652, for the Poore and losses of the bill to Thos. F ann ing 
Aprilis, 1652, for a leviye then made 

May, 1652, ... 

Junii, 1652, for a leviye then made 

7 Junii, 1652, for some arrears due of the said former leivye 

9° Julii, 1652, for a levy then made delivered to Thomas Woulfe 

3° Julii, 1652, for a levy then made and for fyer and candlelight 

3° Augustii, 1652, for fyer and candlelight 

o Augustii, 1652, for a levy then made and delivered to Thomas Woulfe 
Septembris, 1652, for a levy then made, delivered to Thomas "Woulfe .« 

Septembris, 1652, for fyer and candlelight 
Septembris, 1652, for skynnes recovered against the Corporation 
Octobris, 1652, for a levy then made, delivered to Thomas Woulfe 

Novembris, 1652, for stocks and skavengers ... ... ... ... 

Decembris, 1652, for the new gate of St. John's 

for fyer and candlelight to Clement Stackpol 
Januarii, 1653, for a levy then made and delivered to Wm. Meroney 

Januarii, 1653, for fyer and candlelight to the citadells for 3 months 

„ 1653, for that moneth's contribution to W T m. C. Meroney 

,, 1653, for that moneth's contribution, payed to Wm. Meroney 

„ 1653, for that moneth's C. payed to Win. Meroney 



£7 


10 





5 


10 


9 





02 


9 





06 





1 


06 


1 





10 


8 


5 


17 


6 





13 


4 


4 


02 








10 





4 


00 





2 


13 


4 





00 


4 


2 


13 


4 


4 


00 





4 


00 





3 


00 





3 


06 


8 





03 





1 











3 


4 


1 


3 


8 


2 


10 





1 


17 


6 


2 


02 


6 


1 


14 


H 



186 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

To increase the extreme rigor and misery of these terrible times of suffer- 
ing, corn and provisions of every description were scarce and high priced. 
The great market for corn in particular, was f Nenagh in Ormond,' to which 
such of the citizens of Limerick as possessed the means, were accustomed 
to go or to send their messengers, to purchase supplies for their house- 
hold and their workmen. At this time corn was about £2 a bushel in 
Ormond. It may be observed that in these times and before them, it 
was usual not only to pay the artisan and the labourer in cash, not 
quite so much, indeed as they are now paid, but to bake bread, to brew 
malt, to lay in store barrels of herrings and quantities of butter for their 
consumption, a long account of which we find set forth in the MSS. of Dr. 
Arthur during the comparatively lengthened period he was building a great 
" stone howse in Mongret-street, in the south suburb of the city of Limerick," 
which stone house he began in 1620, but which he had scarcely finished 
when Ireton was thundering at the gates. 1 Previous to the surrender, the 
impositions, though not so heavy, were severe. The levies were monthly. 
In addition, horse and foot were quartered on such of the citizens as could 
or could not bear the burden. 2 There were levies and applotments also 
for the ditches, outworks and fortifications, previous to the siege and sur- 

Warding the gate whyles the new gate was a making at se- 
veral nights to Owelane 
1653, payed for the savengers, town maior, & for fyre & candlelight 
1653, payed for that moneth's contribution to Win. Meroney 

payed for fyre and candlelight to the citadels for the 3 months 
past 

payed for that moneth's contribution, p. L. R. Tickett 
payed for the next moneth's contribution to come payed to 

T. Arthur 
To Thomas Gerrott Arthur, for Cess 
paid him for the citadell moneys 
paid him for the moneth's cess 
paid him for the moneth's cess 
lighting, to the guards ... ... ... 

On the opposite page Dr. Arthur enters : — 

Cess Moneyes. 
Octobris, 1653, I payed to Thomas Arthur a head bill for cess 

18° Novembris, I payed to Michael Stritch head bill for cess moneys 

10° Decembris, I payed him for cess moneys ... 

1 To shew the quantity and capacity of mere brewing materials in private houses in Limerick 
in these times I take the following from the Arthur MSS — 

" A note of what goods and household stuf Doctor Thomas Arthur Fitzwilliam left in the 
custodie of his wife in his mansion-house at Lymerick : — 

1. Bras kitle, weighing four hundred weight, able to contein a whole hogsed of liquor, with 
his parents' names thereuppon, and cost him twenty pounds sterling, being bought from them. 

2. Another bras kitle a little smaller than the former, both for brewing. 

3. 4. Brass destelling pots, whereof one is bigger than the other, with their hurdles, pipes, 
and necessarie accommodations. 

5. A deep large brass pan to boil meate in as a quarter of beeffe." 

[The list enumerates several other vessels of somewhat smaller dimensions.] 

" 8 big brass candlesticks, weighing 27£ lbs. of Holland fashion, and cost me 45s. and 6d. ster. 

A coper cauderon capable of a barrel 1 

Various ' Brass Mortars with iron pestills.' 

1 ould baltrey (quere paltry?) kitle in paune of Phillis Creagh's rent." 

The latter item, perhaps, might be omitted, but in hard times it is no wonder that rent was 
due. 

2 Dr. Arthur enters as follows : — 

" From the 2nd day of June to the 2nd of November, 1651, I payed to such horse and foot as 

the head bill, Wm. Morony, quartered uppon me, and for several others. 
More I payed to the said Wm. Moroney towards the English guarizon." 






12 


6 





16 





2 


03 


9 


2 


15 





1 


17 


6 


1 


12 


1| 


1 


12 





1 


12 





1 


12 





1 


12 








03 


2 


£35 


5 





30 


2 


5 


30 









HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 187 

render ; and for the money " lent to James Marquis of Ormond, Lieutenant 
General and General Governor of Ireland.-" 1 The pressure was intolerable. 

The surrender of Limerick and Galway, the latter under terms better by 
far than Limerick, 2 put an end to what has been conventionally termed the 
great rebellion. The only Castle in Munster that held out was Ross, in 
the lake of Killarney, which was thought impregnable, but Ludlow caused 
a small ship to be made, and carried over the mountains — this he floated in 
the Lough ; and the Irish were so astonished that they yielded up the fort on 
the 27th of June, 1652. 

About the same time Lord Westmeath, Lord Muskerry, O'Connor Eoe, 
Sir William Dungan, Sir Francis Talbot and others submitted upon conditions 
a that they should abide a trial for the murders committed in the beginning 
of the rebellion, and that those who assisted only in the war were to forfeit 
two-thirds of their estates and be banished. 3 Following out the fortunes of 
Inchiquin, who embarked for France from Galway with Lord Ormond, we 
find that being exempted from pardon by Cromwell, in 1652, he became a 
Lieutenant-General of the French army, and was appointed Yiceroy of Cata- 
lonia by the king ; serving afterwards in the Netherlands, and commanding 
the forces sent to assist the Portuguese, when they revolted from Spain, he 
was captured by a Sallee Eover or Algerine Corsair, with his family, and was 
obliged to pay a heavy ransom. He was created Earl of Inchiquin, and had 
a grant of £8000 from Charles II. as compensation for his losses. He lived 
a Catholic for fourteen years before his death, and died in Limerick ; his body 
was interred in 1674 in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, the cannon firing during 
his interment. 4 Execrations cling to his memory. 



CHAPTEE XXIX. 

THE HIGH COURT OF BUTCHERY — SAVAGE EXECUTIONS. — COURT OF 
ADVENTURERS. 

The first High Court of Justice to try those who were accused by the 
Cromwellians of " the barbarous murders committed in this rebellion," was 
held before Justice Donelan, President, Commissary General Eeyaolds and 
Justice Cooke, assistants, in Kilkenny on the 4th of October, and it sat in 
the house occupied by the Supreme Council of the confederates in 1642. 
Some, as we have already mentioned, were excluded from pardon altogether. 
The same Court at which Sir Phelim O'Neil was tried, condemned, and ordered 
to be hung, was held in Dublin, before Chief Justice Lowther. Sir Phelim 
confessed he had no commission from the late king Charles for the rebellion 
of 1641, that he took the seal from a patent he had found at Charlemont, 

1 For this purpose to H. Casy, Dr. Arthur paid ... ... ... ... £37 6 

" Besides this share of moneies lent to Prince Rupert" ... ... ... 3 11 

" And the double applotment of the weekly moneies for 6 weeks" ... ... 36 8 

All these sums and several others were paid by Dr. Arthur, and he was but one among the 
many severely taxed. 

2 Cox Hib. Anglicana, Vol. II. p. 69. 3 Ibid, p. 70. 
* Whites MSS. 



188 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and fixed it to a commission he caused to be written in the king's name, that 
Michael Harrisson, then present in court, and confessing the fact, was the 
person who stitched the cord or label of the seal with silk of the same 
colour. Lord Mayo was tried, and executed by being shot to death, for 
falling on the English, and killing among others the Protestant Bishop of 
Killala, and about eighty others, after the surrender of the Castle of Castle- 
bar. Lord Maguire, notwithstanding his vehement protest, was tried and 
sentenced in England, and was not permitted the ministration of a catholic 
priest in his dying moments ! Courts were held in Cork, Waterford, and 
other places, and about two hundred persons were sentenced to death at the 
hands of the common hangman. 

I will not dwell on the wholesale robberies which were perpetrated at this 
crisis under the name of law. The forfeited lands in Ulster, Leinster and 
Munster, were parcelled out in separate proportions, a part of which was 
divided among the soldiers and the English adventurers. The Church lands 
too were not spared. What remained of the forfeitures was left to the dis- 
posal of the Parliament. A large tract of barren land in Connaught, which 
by plague and war, had been well nigh depopulated and rendered a desert, 
was set apart for the Irish, for whom the alternative was ' Connaught or hell.' 
To such a state had the country been reduced that a proclamation was issued 
by Cromwell offering a reward to those who killed wolves by which the 
country was now overrun ; and by a lease which was made to Captain Edward 
Piers, on the 11th of March, 1652-3, of all the forfeited lands and tithes, 
in the Barony of Dunboyne in the County of Meath, only five miles north 
of Dublin, he was obliged to keep three wolfdogs, two English mastiffs, a 
pack of hounds of sixteen couple, three of them to hunt the wolf only, a 
knowing huntsman, two men and a boy, and an orderly hunt to take place 
thrice a month at least. 1 If Leinster, within a short distance of Dublin, was 
so fearfully reduced, what must we think of Connaught, to which the 
Catholics were driven wholesale ; and where many of them who had enjoyed 
large possessions in the most favored parts of Ireland before the war, had 
now no place whatever to receive them, though they were transferred to that 
province with an assurance that they would have sufficient. To show the 
general desolation of the country, even two years after these times, General 
Fleetwood writes to his friend Secretary Thurloe, on the 27th of June in 
that year from Dublin, " there hath scarce been a house left undemolished, 
fit for an Englishman to dwell in, out of walled towns in Ireland, nor any 
timber left, except in very few places, undestroyed." — (Thurloe's State 
Papers , ii. 404.) 

The Mayoralty of Limerick continued vacant for four years from the date 
of the surrender, the government of the city being vested in a governor 
appointed by Ireton. 

Some important occurences took place in this year : — writing under date 
May 7th, 1653, from Chester, he states that they shipped away in the 
Cardiff frigate £40,000 to Dublin, that Sir Hardress Waller is gone in the 
same ship ; that they proceeded to sea, with a fair wind, the day before, and 
that it was hoped it would bring them to their desired port speedily. 2 A 
letter from Tralee on the 19th of April, states that there came from Limerick 
two vessels with near six weeks' provisions of bread ( for the forces within 

1 See Proceedings of Kilkenny Arch. Societv, Vol. III. New Series, p. 77. 

2 State Papers, No. 2999. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 189 

this precinct, which is as reasonable a relief as we ever enjoyed. The Lord 
set it home upon our hearts, we find it not in vain to trust in him/ 1 

The Council of State from Whitehall, issued their orders respecting the 
satisfying of* the claims of adventurers who had advanced considerable sums 
of money by way of adventure for lands forfeited in Ireland, authorising a 
commission to sit and enquire into all men's claims, by comparing their 
receipts and assignments with the original books, c and directing that they shall 
cause an entry to be made in a book, fairly written and kept for that purpose, 
of all such sum and sums of money (in words not figures) as shall be by them 
allowed, as also the names of the first adventurers, as of the person or persons 
now claiming the same.'' Further directions are given on this subject, and 
apportionments on the several Provinces and Counties, viz. : 
Co. Waterford ... 20,000 King s County 



Co. Limerick 
Co. Tipperary 
East Meath 
West Meath 



40,000 
40,000 
15,000 
15,000 
15,000 



30,000 Queen's County 

60,000 Antrim ... 

55,000 Down 

65,000 Armagh ... 

The acres to be English measurement, and the Committee to receive Id. in 
the £1 of and for every adventurer, for so much land as he shall be entitled 
or lay claim to, towards defraying of all incidental charges, &c. 

The condition of the citizens of Limerick was exceedingly miserable 
throughout this period. Dr. Arthur writes as follows : — " On the ides of 
December, 1653, the citizens of Limerick, about to be enrolled'" [probably 
for enlistment purposes] " in the city, and having no settled dwelling place, 
requested me to plead their cause before the general of the army and 
the committee of the English Parliament [comitia] who were then at 
Dublin, that they would please to assign to them some certain place of 
habitation, on the northern side of the port of Limerick [in Clare] where 
they might dwell in security, lest, if they were straggling about, they might 
perish by exposure to insults and various perils of life and fortune; but 
having failed in the negociation, had them informed thereof by a messenger." 2 
So unpopular was the Parliamentary service, that the natives who attempted 
to enlist were compelled to apply for protection which they failed to obtain ! 
Among the minor notabilia we may mention that Charles Fleetwood, com- 
mander-in-chief of the Parliamentary army of England in Ireland, being subject 
to a painful disease by which he was periodically attacked, was attended by 
Dr. Arthur, who, at his request, wrote a treatise on the history, cause, 
progress and remedy of the distemper (He'miarani) 3 



1 State Papers. 2 Arthur's MSS. 3 Arthur's MSS. 



190 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTEB XXX. 

DEPARTURE OF THE IRISH EOR FOREIGN LANDS. — CROMWELl/s PARLIAMENT 
WHOLESALE CONFISCATIONS, &C. 

So desperately oppressed were the Irish now that they petitioned to 
transport themselves into foreign service, which several of them were allowed 
to do. On the 5th of May, 1653, articles of agreement were drawn up 
between Colonel Theophihis Jones and Colonel Philip Eeilly, on behalf of 
himself and gentry, by which they got liberty of transportation to Spain, leave 
to sell their goods, and enjoyment of personal estates, and satisfaction for 
their houses at reasonable rates ; priests were compelled to qnit the country 
within one month; prisoners of war were set at liberty within ten days, 
&C. 1 Colonel Fitzpatrick was allowed to go with his regiment into the ser- 
vice of the King of Spain. Colonel John O'Dwyer, commander-in-chief of 
the Irish in the counties of Waterford and Tipperary, followed the example. 
On his departure the celebrated song " John O'Dwyer of the Glen " was 
written, 2 and having entered into a treaty with Colonel Sahkey, he obtained 
leave to possess his estates, and those who submitted with him, received the 
same privilege, all under the required qualification. 3 The sickness prevailed 
greatly in several parts of Ireland, and particularly about Dublin. 4 Dal- 
rymple states 5 that Cromwell, in order to get free of his enemies, did not 
scruple to transport forty thousand Irish from their own country, to fill all 
the armies of Europe with complaints of his cruelty and admiration of their 
own valour ! Colonel Prittie, who did good service for the Parliamentary 
cause in several places at this crisis, as well as Captain Jacob at Dundrum, 
Colonel Abbott and other officers "by whom the Irish were reduced to great 
extremities, were also rewarded." An act was passed by Cromwell's Parlia- 
ment permitting the English adventurers, officers and soldiers to purchase 
the forfeited houses in Limerick, at six years' purchase, and that the city 
should have the same privileges, franchises and immunities with the city of 
Bristol in England, &c. The Parliament was summoned by the usurper out 
of England, Scotland and Ireland. Thirty members only were returned from 
Ireland, who under the pretext of avoiding the evils of election were ( selected' 
by commissioners appointed by the government. Sir Hardress Waller sat in 
this Parliament for the counties of Limerick, Kerry and Clare; and William 
Purefoy, Esq., for the city of Limerick and town of Kilmallock. The latter 
was succeeded in 1659 by Walter Waller, Esq.; these men, as may well be 
supposed, were the mere creatures of the government ; and for the more 
effectual strengthening of his own power, Cromwell dismissed the Irish com- 
missioners from their office, and constituted Fleetwood Deputy for three 
years. A short time afterwards he sent over his second son Henry, whom he 

i State Papers, No. 3103. 

2 Hardiman's Minstrelsy. 

3 State Papers, No. 3091. 

* On the 29th of June, 1653, it was stated that 1,800 Irish had transported themselves for 
Spain, over 5,000 more were ready to be transported, that many died, still more do die, both of 
the plague and famine. , 

5 Memoirs of Great Britain, vol. 1. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 191 

vested with the authority of Lord Lieutenant, having removed Fleetwood. 
Martial law with savage ferocity some time prevailed in all the fortified 
towns and cities. 

In the city of Limerick the government was military until 1656/ when by 
mandate from Cromwell the Puritan party elected twelve aldermen, who in 
the month of June in that year, elected Colonel Henry Ingoldsby Mayor. 2 

Large grants were made in the city and liberties of Limerick, and in par- 
ticular in the North Liberties, to Sir "William Petty, 3 surveyor-general, for 
the services performed in the celebrated Down Survey under which the 

1 The following is a list of the regiments established for the service in Ireland: — Eight 
regiments of horse — His Excellency General Crom-well's, General Fleetwood's, Lieutenant- General 
Ludlow's, Coru.-General Eeynolds', Sir Charles Coote, Colonel Henry Cromwell, Colonel Sankey ; 
Two regiments of Dragoons — viz. Colonel Abbott's, Colonel Ingoldsby ; Foot — twelve regiments, 
1,200 each — General Cromwell's, General Fleetwood's, Major-General "Waller's, Sir Charles Coote's, 
Colonel Heweston's, Colonel Venalle's, Colonel Stubber's, Colonel Axtel's, Colonel Laurence's, 
Colonel Phair's, Colonel Sadler's, and Colonel Clark's. — State Papers, No. 3111, 

2 Sir Henry Ingoldsby, M.P. for Limerick, -was son of Sir Richard Ingoldsby, knt. (by 
Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Oliver Cromwell, K.B.) and brother of Sir Richard Ingoldsby, K.B. 
an eminent general officer in the Parliamentary army. Sir Henry took a prominent, and, on 
many occasions, a very savage part in the Irish war, and was very instrumental in subjugating 
the South of Ireland to Cromwell's power ; but, on the death of the Protector, Ingoldsby, who 
was a Presbyterian in politics and religious views, like Sir Hardress Waller, whose daughter 
Anne he had married, plotted to overtbrow the independent party. He came over from Ireland, 
seized Windsor Castle, and held it for the party then led by Monk, who eventually restored 
Charles II. He had been created a Baronet by Cromwell in 1658 ; but Charles II. conferred the 
same title on him in 1660. It became extinct with his grandson in 1726, when part of the estates 
fell to the noble family of Massy. 

The Ingoldsbys fared well in the war. Major George Ingoldsby 's share of the spoil was large : — 
In the Parish of Ludden, or Luddenbeg he was granted Ballybricken, 404a. 2r. 16p. for 

£6 2s. 10^d. per an.— In North Ballyharden and Grange ... 20 2 12 

In other places in the same parish, and in other baronies, viz — Clan- 

william, Small County, &c 

or = 
For a total rent of 
And in Tipperary he obtained 

' or = 
for a total rent of 

The lands in Tipperary he sold to William Jesse, gent. — Enrolled 12tk August, 1666. 

s Sir William Petty by his employment in surveying the forfeited lands in Ireland after the 
rebellion of 1641, acquired an estate of £6000 a year, and could from Mangerton Mountain, in 
the Barony of Dunkerron, Co. Kerry, behold 50,000 acres of his own lands, which large acqui- 
sition brought such an odium on him that he published a book to show the unreasonableness 
thereof, entituled " reflections upon some persons and things in Ireland," wherein he demonstrates 
that he might have acquired as large a fortune, without ever meddling with surveys. " In the 
year 1649, (says he), I proceeded 1LD., after the charge whereof, and my admission into the 
College of London, I had left about £60. From that time till about August, 1652, by my prac- 
tice, fellowship at Gresham and at Brazen Nose College, and by my anatomy lectures at Oxford, 
I had made that £60 to be near £500 ; from August, 1652, when I went into Ireland, to December, 
1654, when I began to survey, and other public engagements, with £100 advance money, and 
£365 a year of well paid salary, as physician-general to the army, as also by my practice among 
the chiefs, in a chief city of a nation, I made my said £500 above £1600 ; for a year in Ire- 
land could not be less than £200, which with £550 for another year's salary and practice — viz. 
until the lands were set out in October, 1655, would have increased my stock to £2,550, with 
£2,000 whereof I could have bought £8,000 debentures, which could have then purchased me 
15,000 acres of land, viz. as much as I am now accused to have ; these 15,000 could not yield 
me less than 2s. per acre, £1,500 per annum, especially receiving the rents of May day preced- 
ing. This year's rent, with £550 for my salary and practice, &c, till December, 1656, would 
have bought me, even then (debentures growing dearer) £6,000 in debentures, whereof the 
5-7ths then paid would have been about £4,000 neat, for which must have had about 8,000 
acres more, being as much almost as I conceive is due to me. The rent for 15,000 acres and 
8,000 acres, for three years, could not have been less than £7,000, which, with the same three 
years' salary, viz. £1,650, would have been near £9,000 estate in money, above the before 
mentioned £2,500 per annum in lands. The which, whether it be more or less than what I 
now have, I leave to all the world to examine and judge. This estate I must have got without 



1241 2 


2 (plant.) 


2611 


(stat.) 


£18 7s. 


H 


711a. Ik. 


14p. (plant.) 


1152 1 


(stat. 


£10 16s. 


0M.' 



192 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

forfeited estates were parcelled out, which caused a blush to mantle his 
own cheek, and for which he endeavoured to apologise. The enormous 

ever meddling with surveys, much less with the more fatal distribution of lands after they were 
surveyed, and without meddling with the Clerkship of the Council, or being Secretary to the 
L. L. [Henry Cromwell, Lord Lieutenant], all which, I had been so happy as to have declined, 
then I had preserved an universal favor and interest with all men, instead of the odium and per- 
secution I now endure." — Smith's History of Kerry, pp. 90-91. 

Sir William Petty, Knt. also got Farranshone, alias Castleblacke, 170a. (275a. lr. 20p. stat.) 

£2 lis. 7^-d Ballynantybegg, 48a. (77a. 3r. lp. stat.) 14s. 7.d — Farrinagowane, 130a. 

(210a. 2r. 13p. stat.) £1 19s. 6d — Killrush, 80a. (129a. 2r. 13p. stat.) £1 0s. ll£d Moolish. 

46a. 3r. (75a. 2r. 13p. stat.) 14s. 2d£. — Shanabooly and Farranaconarra, 91a. 2r. (148a. 35p. 

stat. £1 Is. 5d.— Clonmackanbegg, 6la. 2r. (99a. 2r. 20p. stat.) 18s. 8d Ballygranane, 158a. 

(255a. 3r. 30p. stat.) £2 8s — Cloncanane, 189a. 2r. (306a. 3r. 34p. stat.) £2 10s. 3|d.— 
Conagh (part) or Clonagh, 58a. 3r. (95a. & 27p. stat.) 17 10£ — North Liberties of the city 

of Limerick Enrolled 10th of August, 1666. Besides many other grants elsewhere. 

The following are other grants at this period in the City and County of Limerick : — 
Sir Richard Ingoldsby, Knt. of the Bath, and Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart., got St. Mary's 
Abbey in Limerick, &c. &c. &c — Unrolled do. 

Sir Randal Clayton — Large grants in Williamstowne and Rochestown (except Dr. Arthur's 
part in both) 216a. 2r. 29p. (350a. 3r, 39p. stat.) £3 5s. 9^.— Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick. — 
Enrolled 29th August, 1666. 

Sir Ralph Wilson, Knt., In Rathhane, 159a. and several other grants in the South Liberties 

of Limerick. Total quantity, 513a. plant. (830a. 3r. 39p Enrolled 28th December, 1666. 

Captain John Winckworthe — North Rathurd alias Rathure, 114a. &c. &c. &c. South 
Liberties of the County of the City of Limerick — Enrolled 1th August, 1666. 
Samuel Wade obtained grants, ditto. 
Robert Pasly, ditto. 

William Yarwell, Esq. obtained 505a. lr. 26p. stat. — Enrolled 21st May, 1667. 
Captain Thomas Wallcott, obtained grants in the County of the City of Limerick, total 
quantity, 1148a. & 7p. plant. (1801a. lr. 12p. stat.) Total rent, £16 17s. 8fd.— Enrolled 21th 
April, 1666. 

Henry Abbott, John Fletcher, and John Garrett, ditto. 

Mary, daughter and heir of Richard Francis — Part of Knockanantye and Ballyvollin, and 
the Commons thereto belonging, 110a. 3r. lOp. plant. (179a. 2r. stat.) £1 13s. 8d. — Liberties 

of the City of Limerick Enrolled Ath Februaiy, 1666. 

Daniel Bowman, and Martha his wife, and Nathl. Westen, son and heir of Captain 
Richard Westen, obtained grants in St. John's Parish, St. Nicholas' Parish, in St. Lawrence's 
Parish, in St. Michael's Parish, and townlands in the South Liberties of Limerick. Total 
quantity, 317a. 2r. 4p. stat. Total rent, £2 19s. 6|d. 

Wentworth, Earl of Roscommon, and Roger Earl of Orrery, obtained grants in St. Nicholas' 
Parish, and an immense quantity of other property ; all in the City of Limerick. Note, by 
letters from Whitehall, date 2nd December, 1661, and 17th December, 1663, the King directed 
their arrears for service before the 5th of June, 1649, to be satisfied by a grant of several houses 
in Limerick, as they should chuse. — 15e. 3d. p. d. r. 11. 

Liedt.-Colonel Francis Rowlston — Grants in Liberties of the City of Limerick — En- 
rolled September 28th, 1668. 

David and Henry Bindon and Patrick Vantry — Cloughkeaton, 185a., £2 16s. 2|d. 

to David. — Cloghcoky, 182a. part of, 67a. In part of, £2 15s. 3^d. to Henry South Liberties 

of the City of Limerick. In Islandoan and Corbally, 72a. 2r. 16p. £1 2s. 0£. To Vantry— 
Liberties of same. — Enrolled 18th July, 1668. 

Francis, Lord Bishop of Limerick— Several houses in the City of Limerick. 
John Smith, A.M. Minister of St. Munchin's Parish— ditto. 
John Sowden, A.M. Minister of St. John's Parish — ditto. 

Nicholas Bourke, Esq. — Total quantity of grants, 2494a. plant. (4039a. 2r. 7p. stat.) 
total rent, £37 17s. 2|d.— Enrolled 18th February, 1668. 

Richard Waller, Esq. — Several grants in the Liberties of the City of Limerick — Enrolled 
January 11th, 1669. 

Sir Oliver St. George, in the Barony of Costlea— Total quantity, 3,112a. 3r. plant. (5042a. 
and 24p. stat.) Total rent, £47 5s. 5f d. 

Chidley Coote, the Elder, Esq., Ardovelane, 238a. £3 12s. 3|d. Bahernevottery, 42a. 12s. 9d. 
Milltowne, 121a. £1 16s. 9d. Flemingstowne, 106a. £1 12s. 2£d. Ballingaddybegg, 54a. 
16s. 4|d. Ballingaddymore, 104a. £1 lis. 7d. Owlort, 104a. prof. 17a. 3r. 3p. unprof. 
£1 14s. 7£d. Aulanstowne, 190a. prof. 5a. unprof. £2 17s. 8|d. Garrykettinea, 33a. 10s. £d. 
Carreagarruffe, 35a. 10s. 7|d. Comes, 61a. prof. 3a. unprof. 18s. 6^d. Ballinehord, 472a. 
prof. 8a. unprof. £6 9s. 7^d. Ballingawsey, with the unprof. lands, 782a. 3r. prof. 148a. unprof. 
£11 17 8|d. Killgnosey, or Killguosey, with the unprof. lands, 17a. lr. 5s. 3d. Ballywodane, 
173a. £2 12s. 6£d. Graige, 10a. 3s. 0£d. Garrifooke and Glandannon, 219a. £3 6s. 64d. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 193 

grants given to Sir William Petty, &c. are now held by his descendant, the 
Marquis of Lansdowne. 

Jamestowne, with the unprof. lands, 181a. £2 14s. 11 fd. Clyshagh, 57a. 17s 3|d. Ballin- 
carruna, 112a. £1 14s. |d. Rathnecritagh, 153a. £2 6s. 5fd. Hyarrycuonas, 183a. £2 15s. 7d. 
Ballyreshauboy, with the unprof. lands, 317a. £4 16s. 3|d. Ardpatrick, with the unprof. lands 
thereof, 71a. £1 Is. 6fd. Bar. Costlea, Co. Limerick. 

Sir Stephen White, Knt.— Total quantity, 1,333a. lr. 13p. plant. (2,159a. 3r. 4p. stat) 
Bar. Connelloe, Co. Limerick Date, 14th Nov. 19th year. Inrolled 5th December, 1667. 

John Odell, Thomas Boone, and John Gardiner, gents. — Total quantity (including grants in 
Cork, 1679a. 3r. 12p. stat.) Date, 28th Nov. 19th year Inrolled 24th December, 1667. 

Dame Anne, relict of Sir Nicholas Crispe, John and Thomas Crispe, their sons, several grants 
of land in the barony of Conneloe, Co. Limerick Inrolled 23th December, 1668. 

Colonel Randall Clayton and Lady Jane Sterling got grants of various houses, tenements, &c. 
in the town of Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. 

Thomas, Earl of Ossory, Richard, Earl of Arran, and Sir Arthur Gore, Knt. got grants in 
Kilmallock, and immense grants of houses, lands, &c, in Tipperary County, particularly in 
Fethard, and Clonmell, and in Clare. Total quantity, 3,169a. lr. 20p. plant. (5,133a. 3r. 18p. 
stat.) Total rent, £48 2s. 7£d. Date, 17th December, 19th year. Inrolled 19th Dec. 1667. 

Margaret, Anne, Mary, Susan, and Mabell, daughters of Richard Grice, deceased, of Fans- 
towne, obtained large grants Co. Limerick, in Kilmallock, &c. 

Richard Lord Coloony, and Henry Temple, Esq., obtained large grants of houses, plotts of 
ground, &c, in Kilmallock, in the Barony of Clanwilliam. 

Captain John Frend obtained a grant of 756a. lr. stat. in the Barony of Clanwilliam. 
Dr. Richard Boyle, Bishop of Femes and Leighlin, his heirs and assignees, 356a. 5p. stat. 
c. £3 6s. 9ird. in same barony. 
Captain Humphrey Hartwell, 877a. 3r. 32p. stat. £8 4d. 7jd. in ditto. 
John Mathews and John Snow, 320a. and lip. stat. £3. 
Captain Ingram obtained a total of 990a lr. lp. stat. in same barony. 

Sir Thomas Southwell, Bart, obtained grants of Killcullen, alias Kilconleene, 310a, in this 
barony, and in Cahreene, Bar. Coshma, 100. Total, 664a. and 21p. stat. rent £6 4s. 6fd. 

Sir William King, Knt. was granted the castle, town, and lands of Killpeakan and Kilmor- 
rismore, 481a. 2r. 19p. stat. £9 4s. fd. (Bar. Small Co). The castle, town, and lands of East 
Caherelly, Boherduffe, Ballysallagh, and Knockcarragh, 696a. an island adjoining, 34a. The 
castle, town and lands of West Caherelly, 402, Ballyblacker, part of Ballybricken, 40a. (Bar. 
Clanwilliam). Total quantity 1898a. lr. 39p. stat. Total rent, £17 15s. ll^d. In Kilfrush, 
301a. lr. 6p. stat. £2 16s. 6d. (Bar. Small County). South, North, and East Ballyhindon 
and Graige, 157a. 3r. 26p. Ballygymoe, and several other denominations, making a total of 
1466a. and 34p. stat. Total rent, £13 4s. lid. Park and Rebouge, 258a. lip. In Carnarry 
130a. South Liberties of Limerick. Total quantity, 808a. lr. 8p. statute. Total rent, 
£7 Us. 6£d. 

Samuel Mollyneux, Esq., obtained several grants in Clanwilliam. Total 1085a. 12r. 25p. stat. 
Inrolled 5th of October, 1666. 

John Maunsell, Esq., of Bally vorneene, obtained grants in this barony. Total, 1205a. and 
19p. Inrolled 7th of May, 1667. 

Murrough, Earl of Inchiquin obtained grants in this barony, in Ballynegalhagh, 110a. and a 
malt-house, seven tenements and gardens called Peter's Cell, in the city of Limerick. 

Ullysses Burgh obtained grants in Drombane, part of Castleurkine and Garryglasse. Total 
174a. 3r. 13p. 

Edmond Allen, son and heir of Edmond Allen, deceased, obtained a grant of 77a. in this 
barony. 

Colonel Daniel Abbott, grants of Synode, 143a. plat. (231a. 2r 32p. stat.) £2 3s. 5£d. 
Colonel Carey Dillon and Captain James Stopford, a moiety of Drumkeene, the ancient patri- 
mony of the Burkes, 323a. 2r. 24p. stat. Inrolled 27th Sept. 1669. 

Oliver Ormsby, Esq , great grants in the barony of Small County. Inrolled 10th July, 1666, 
Captain Robert Morgan, ditto. £3 5s. 3f d. Inrolled 14th December, 1666. 
Captain Francis Follett, ditto. Inrolled 15th February, 1666. 

John Bullingbrooke— In Kilfrush and Ballylaroney, 570a. lr. 39p. prof. 90a. unprof. plant. 
(924a. and 17p. stat.) £8 13s. 3d. Inrolled, 2nd March, 1666. 

Anthony Raymond, gent. Caherguillamore, 195a. 2r. lOp. £2 19s. 4|d. Inrolled 24th June, 
1667. 

Captain Thomas Newburgh, Kilfrush (part), 100a. and 11a. (plant.) 162a. lip. stat. 
£1 10s. 4^d. Inrolled 7th February, 1666. 

Michael Boyle, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, and Lord Chancellor, obtained grants of the four 
ploughlands of Carrigogunell and Newtown, &c. &c. bar. Pobbel Brien. Inrolled 2nd July, 1666. 
Sir Arthur Ingram, Knt. in same barony (of Pobbel Brien) a total quantitv of 1790a. and 
39p. stat. 

14 



194 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Among the grants in Limerick, was a house purchased by act of Parlia- 
ment, set out as annexed to this see for ever, for the Protestant bishop. 1 

After the general survey of the kingdom, the highest value given was 
only 4s. an acre, and for some acres only one penny. It was Lord Broughill 
who proposed that the whole kingdom might be surveyed, and the number of 

Richard Sweete, gent, a total grant in same barony of 795a. lr. 3p. stat. Inrolled 19th of 
April, 1667. 

James. Duke of York, obtained grants of Castle Troy, 350a., Anghacotta, Newcastle, Kilbane, 
Kilmurry, Kerryship, Ballinglasseene, Ballynagh, Ballydoe, Knockingaule, Lislane, and Medine- 
dally ; Ballysamon, Tolton, Sheadfeackle, Scrylane, Lyslane, Bally-Kinucke, Killowtiane, and 
Garryglasse, 2150a. One parcele of Killkenan, called Seaven Stang, with five-eighth parts of 
the net fishing on the south side of the Shannon, from the Blackwater to the island point of 
Rebogue, with one whole and two half fishing weares upon the Shannon, and one upon the Mus- 
kerne (Mulkaire), Co. of the City of Limerick. Liscadowne, Boherloyde, Ballymacree, Labana- 
muck, Ardemonacamore, Ar dm onicab egg, Lysmelanbegg, Caher-Joolly, and Lismakelly, Whitts- 
towne Ballyagag, Carrigmasteene, Colereagh, 2117 acres, Bar. Clanwilliam ; Bally-Coughlane 
and Ardlagh, with the fishing weares, &c. 653a. 2r. 32p. prof. 200a. unprof. The Castle and 
six ploughlands of Ballyglaghane, Clourkelly, Tyne-Kelly, Gartane, Dowgart, Ballygogh, Kil- 
leene, Shanballymore, Gortgloghan, the houses and lands of Curragh, Ballynemoney, Ballardicke, 
1990a. prof. 84a. and 14p. unprof. Pallice, Castle Pallice, Shane Pallice, Knocklershane, 
283a. lr. 18p. Forrenstowne (part) 20a. The 600th part of the weares in the libertie and 
island of Oniseclene ; Killenane, Clonkelly, and Ballyerahane, 409a. Ballynehane, part of Lis- 
coclany, with Newcastle and Ballykunicke, the horse island in Limerick, part of Castletowne, 
called Island, 190a. part of Castletowne, Ballymartin, in Ballyclarone, 200a. same co. 

The Duke of York's estate (the unfortunate James II.) was granted to Henry Guy, Robert 
Rochfort, and Mathew Hutton, Esqs., by letters patent dated 1st of June, 1693, and enrolled 
24th following July (anno 5° Guil. III. 

Captain Arthur Ormsby — Total quantity (including in Cork County easterly part of Mahowna, 
alias Bohowna, 1040a., in Lysbyalat, 13a. 2r. 4s. Id. ; bar. of East Carbury, Co. Cork) 3,746a. 
2r. plant. (6068a. 2r. 39p. stat.) 

George Evans — Total quantity (including grants in Owneybeg and Cosmasane, and in Owny 
and Arra, Co. Tip.), 1467a. and 13p. plant. (2,376a. lr. 32p. stat.) 

William White, of Lyme-Regis, merchant— Total quantity 197a. 3r. 23p. plant. (320a. 2r. 
27p. stat.) Inrolled 22nd February, 1666. 

Ahasuerius Regimort, Mary and Martha Fowler, same grants. Inrolled 17th March, 1666. 

William Barker, Esq. In Meolicke and Ballyeightra, 215a. 2r. 16p. £3 5s. 6d. Craggane 
alias Cragane Farrenowney, Coolengore and Knockbracke, 146a. 2r. £2 4s. 7|d. Corkaghanarron, 
alias Corkanarrow, part of Knockbracke, 40a. lr. 8p. 12s. 2|d. Inch-Dromard, alias Inish- 
Dromard, Barnard, Ballyfadny, alias Ballyfadine, Cahirnor and Ballybeg, 184a. 15s. 10^d. — 
more of the same, 14a. 4s. 2|d. Upper Meelicke, 64a. and 16p. 19s. 4£d. Ballynevine, 83a. 3r. 
24p. £1 5s. 5^d. Leacorrowmore, 11a. and 16p. 3s. 4|d. Leacorrowbeg, 14a. 2r. 16p. 4s. 4fd. 
Cragg-beg, 132a. and 16p. 2s. 3^d. Killtemplaine, f plow. 123a. and lip. £1 17 4|d. Liscoulta, 
46a. 2r. 32p. 14s. l|d. Killcoulman, i plow. 50a. lr. 8p. 15s. 3^d. Commons of Killcoullman, 
Killcoulta, and Broska-Briankeigh or bragh, 22a. 2r. 6s. 9|d. Clounabegg, £ plow. 246a. lr. 
£3 14s. 9d. Lissdoffee, 179a. 3r. 8p. £2 14s. 7|d. Lisnemore, alias Lisceleenmore, 73a. 3r. 8p. 
£1 2s. 4£d. Clounanana, or Clounana, (part) 54a. lr. 8p. 16s. 5|d. Commons of the same, 36a. 
2r. 8p. lis. Id. Ballycarrane, part of ye 4, plow, of Clounanetemple, 98a. and 32p. £1 9s. 9£d. 
Ballinroge, ailas Ballinemernoge (part), 34a. 3r. 14p. 10s. 7?d. Cloughtackabegg, 21a. 3r. 24p. 
6s. 7^d. Commons to ye Cloghterkas, 17a. 2r. 5s. 3^d. South Cloughterka, 50a. lr. 24p. 
15s. 3|d. Glascloyne, alias Glasfoyne, part of Cloughterka, 30a. 9s. l|d. Cloughtecka, alias North 
Cloughtecka, 72a. and 32p. £1 Is. 10^d. bar. Poplebrien, Co. Limerick. Total quantity, 2,064a. 
2r. 22p. plant. (3,344a. lr. 14p. stat.) Total rent, £31 7s. |d. Date, 11th May, 19th year. 
Inrolled, 17th May, 1667. 

This gentleman was ancestor to William Ponsonby Barker, Esq. D.L., of Kilcooly Abbey, Co. 
Tipper ary, who holds these estates now. 

1 The house chosen by "John Lord Bishop of Limerick," in the City of Limerick, and set out 
to him for seven years, according to the Act of Settlement, together with that small waste plott 
of ground, and 4 ruinous tenements therein, which he rents at £20 per annum, lying on the 
back side of the said dwelling-house, equal with the part thereof, &c. &c. &c. — enacted to be 
annexed unto the See of Limerick for ever, and to be the mansion-house of the Bishop and his 
successors. — Meritori's Abridgment of the Act of Settlement, c. xli. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



195 



acres taken, and the quality of them/ and then all the soldiers to bring in 
their arrears, and thus, to give every man, by lot, as many acres, as might 
answer the value of the arrears. The names of all that were in arrear were 
taken accordingly, and lots were drawn, as to what part of the kingdom their 
portion should be. In this manner, the whole kingdom was divided among 
the conquerors and the money adventurers. It was also agreed, that the 
Irish should be transplanted from the south to the north, and so to the con- 
trary, " which did break and shatter that nation in such a manner, that they 
never could make head afterwards/' 2 Orrery states that Broughill knew 
more about what he did than himself; but as his Lordship's papers were burned 
at the conflagration of Lord Orrery's house at Charleville, by the Irish, they 
never came to light. 

At this crisis the well known body of Quakers, who had already settled in 
Limerick, did not escape the persecution of Cromwell, as the following letter 
manifests : — 

To Colonel Ingoldsby. 

Sir, — The Council being credibly informed that there are at present in the 
city of Limerick divers persons, commonly called Quakers, who have repaired 
thither out of England and other places, making it their practice to wander 
up and down, seducing divers honest people, neglecting and impoverishing 
their families, troubling the public peace of the nation, disturbing the con- 
gregations of sober Christians in the worship of God, and with railing 
accusations aspersing and discouraging divers of the godly ministers of the 
gospel in their faithful labours, and thereby bringing into contempt the ordi- 
nances of God, and encouraging evil-minded persons to looseness and pro- 



1 Quantity according to the Down Survey made under Sir William Petty of the severa 
Counties of Ireland:— 



LEINSTER. 


Acres. 


ULSTER. 


Acres. 


1 Wicklow 


252,410 


1 Louth 


111,180 


2 Wexford 


315,396 


2 Down 


344,558 


3 Carlow 


116,900 


3 Antrim 


170,620 


4 Kilkenny 


287,650 


4 Armagh . 


170,640 


6 Queen's County 


238,415 


5 Monaghan • 


170,090 


6 King's County 


257,510 


6 Cavan 


274,800 


7 Kildare . 


228,590 


7 Fermanagh 


224,807 


8 Dublin . 


123,784 


8 Tyrone . 


387,157 


9 Westmeath 


249,943 


9 Donegal . 


630,157 


10 Meath . 


320,480 


10 Londonderry . 


251,511 


11 Longford 


134,700 












Total in Ulster 


2,735,517 






Total in Leinster 


. 2,526,778 






MUNSTER. 




CONNAUGHT. 




1 Cork 


991,010 


1 Sligo 


241,550 


2 Kerry 


636,905 


2 Mayo 


524,640 


3 Limerick. 


375,320 


3 Galway . 


775,527 


4 Clare 


428,187 


4 Roscommon 


324,370 


5 Waterford 


259,010 


5 Leitrim . 


206,830 


6 Tipperary 


599,500 










Total in Connaught . 


2,072,915 


Total in Munster 


. 3,289,932 






al in Ireland exclusive 


of Bogs and Loughs 




10,625,142 


gh Neagh as surveyed 


by P. Leahy, Esq. C. 


E. 1812* '.'.'. 


60,051 



3 Orrery's State Letters, Vol. I. p. 39. 

* This eminent Civil Engineer, who afterwards held the office of County Surveyor of Cork, 
East, -while one of his sons held that of Cork, West, was father of the Most Rev. Patrick 
Leahy, D.D., Lord Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. 



196 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

faneness : — Out of a due sense whereof, their Lordships have commanded 
me to signify unto you their dislike of such pernicious practices, and that 
they do (from good grounds) apprehend, that persons committing such mis- 
demeanours do (under colour of such their wild carriage and proceedings) 
advance some designs which may he of dangerous consequence to the public 
good and safety, if not seasonably looked into and prevented ; and do, there- 
fore, desire you to inquire into the truth thereof, and to take speedy and 
effectual course that such persons as are come thither upon that account be 
excluded the garrison, and not permitted to return or reside there. And if 
any of the inhabitants profess themselves such, and shall at any time disturb 
the congregations when assembled for the service and worship of God, or 
otherwise break the public peace, you are then to secure such persons, and 
take care they be proceeded with according to due course of law in such 
cases provided, having due regard to preserve (by all good ways and means) 
the good government of that place, and timely to discountenance and sup- 
press all disorders. 

[Thomas Herbert, Clk. Council.] 
Council Chamber, Dublin, 25th November, 1656. l 

The Quakers suffered in consequence a very severe persecution in Limerick, 2 
where several of them suffered imprisonment, and were scourged. Barbara 
Blagdon, a Quakeress, was banished by Colonel Henry Ingoldsby, Governor 
of Limerick. He was aided by Lieut.-Colonel Hurd and Major Ealph 
Wilson in his violence to the Quakers, who first settled in the city two years 
before the above letter was written, and who in 1671 built a meeting-house 
in Creagh Lane. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

DEATH OF CROMWELL ACCESSION OF CHARLES II. DISAPPOINTMENT OF 

CATHOLICS. REWARDS OF THE REGICIDES AND ADVENTURERS. GRANTS. 

TRADESMEN'S TOKENS. GRANT OF FISHERIES TO SIR GEORGE PRESTON. 

LORD ORRERY. — CORPORATION DOINGS, &C. &C. 

" A heavy blow and a great discouragement" now awaited the Crom- 
wellians in the death of their darling, who " was hurried to his woe" in 1657, 
bequeathing a title which did not long survive him, to his son Richard 
Cromwell, who wanted the sagacity, the talent, the unscrupulousness, and the 
daring of his father to support a position which demanded at this time more 
even of those qualities than the Protector could lay claim to, to retain his 
hold of power. With the exception of Ludlow and Sir Hardress Waller, 
there were few others who were either able or willing to sustain a tottering 
dominion. Broughill, Coote, Monk, Lambert, and others, who had raised 
themselves to fortune, if not to fame, on the Protectorate, now began 
to desert a cause which, in more prosperous seasons, had been dear to them. 

1 Entries of Letters, &c, A. 30, p. 212. 

a See Fuller's Account of the persecutions of the Quakers, &c. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 197 

Limerick, Galway, ClonmeL, Carlow, Athlone, and many other cities and 
towns, now in the possession of the Royalists, through the operations of 
Coote and Broughill, only awaited the sign, to pronounce openly in favor of 
Charles II., who was speedily proclaimed king, and presented, not only a loyal 
address, but a present of twenty thousand pounds, with four thousand to the < 
Duke of York, and two thousand to the Duke of Gloucester. The Crom- 
wellian confiscations, however, laid the foundation of many families in the 
city and county of Limerick, to whom immense grants of land and houses 
were given, which were afterwards confirmed to them by the monarch whose 
father some of them helped to bring to the scaffold, and who now, with a 
weakness and treachery unparalleled in history, betrayed and ruined those 
who fought and bled, and lost all because of their attachment to his cause. 1 
It was thus that those were caressed who had enlisted under the banners of 
the usurper ; whilst the Catholics, who expected to see justice done them, 
were compelled to mourn over disappointed hopes, and to bewail the folly of 
placing faith in princes. Whilst the rebellious regicides were confirmed in 
their broad lands, the ancient possessors were hunted to the fastnesses of 
Connaught, and forced to remain withiif the Mile End, that is, at the distance 
of a mile from the Shannon, to which they were confined by the Act of 
Settlement ! Broughill was created Earl of Orrery, Coote, Earl of Mount- 
rath; Sir Maurice Eustace, the old friend of the Marquis of Ormond, 
was made Lord High Chancellor ; and Ormond himself who had surmounted 
all his difficulties and dangers, and now basked in the full effulgence of royal 

' I have given in the preceding chapter a list of some of those who obtained grants at this 
period, which grants were subsequently confirmed by Act of Charles II. I annex a few others : — 

William Pope obtained large grants in the Liberties of the City of Limerick, amounting in all 
to 900 acres. 

Grant to Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery, (enrolled under the Act of Settlement, Nov. 6th, 1666) 
comprised the lands of the manor of Tough, viz. Killaragh, Dromalty, Glauragh, and Tounteriffe 
(part), 788a. Dromsally, 180a. Moybegan, Portenard, Glassragh, and Eyceagh, 304a. Cregan 
and part Cregan, 120a. Cullinagh, and part of do., 725a. Annagh, 788a. Tobergariffe (part), 
225a. Lohenbagh (part), 27a. Corastprecoone, or Carantirocoan, 301a. Caporenat Shenagh, 
or Capienahene, 31 0a. Tearaff and Cullenaghshiffe, or Terehiss and Cullenacliffe, 328a. Clough- 
loghin, 27a. Barony Outhneybeg, Co. Limerick, &c. 

" Grants under the Commission of Grace." Printed folio. 

1684. To Digby Foulkes of various lands in Limerick and Cork. Ps. 5 and 6. 

Grant to John Crips, of estates in the Co. of Limerick, and within the liberties. Id. p. 6. 

Do. to Thomas Maunsell in this County. Id. p. 6. 

Do. to George and Simon Purdon of lands here and in Clare Co. Id. p. 7. 

Do. to Joseph Stepney of lands in Co. Limerick. Id. p. 7. 

Do. to Thady Quin of lands in Clare and Limerick, including weirs and fisheries. Id. p. 8. 

Do. to Joseph Ormsby. Id. p. 8. 

Do. to Thomas Power. Id. p 9. 

Do. to Kobert Nayley. Id. p. 9. 

Do. to Edward Rice of lands in the Barony of Conello, Id. p. 12. 

Do. to Henry Widdenham. Id. p. 17. 

Do. to Brooke Briges. Id. 18. 

Do. to Patrick Sarsfield. Id. 18. 

1685. To Laurence Clayton, in Cork Co., and in Limerick Co. and City. Id. 34. 

Do. in the City of Limerick to Doctor Jeremy Hall. Id. 36. 

Do. to Samuel Burton. Id. 36. 

Do. in Cork and Limerick, to Nicholas Lysaght. Id. 36. 

Do. in the liberties of Limerick and Kilmallock. Id. 37. 

Do. within the City of Limerick, very extensively, to Archbishop Michael Boyle. Id.p.37-8 

Do. to Dame Mabell Tynte and to Henry Tynte. Id. p. 41. 

1686. Grant of a small portion of lands in this Co., with extensive possessions in Mayo and 
Shgo. Id. 46-7. 

■ Do. to Daniel Webb. Id. 47. 



198 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



sunshine, was raised to a Dukedom, and the Yiceroyalty of Ireland, and given 
territories in eight counties. 1 

Thus the cup of hope which had been presented to the lips of the Irish 
Catholics, was rudely dashed from it by hands from which better treatment was 



' Lands granted to the Duke of Ormonde by the Act of Settlement and Court of Claims. — 
Carte's Ormond, Vol 21. p. 132. 



Counties. 


Lands. 


Old Proprietors. 


Galway 


Moate, &c. 


. Mr. Kelly 


TTilrlflrA 


Rathcoffy, &c. 


. Mr Nicholas Wogan 


Jvilaare ^ Kilrush, &c. 


. Morris Fitzgerald 


Meath 


Dunboyne, &c. 


. Lord Dunboyne 


Dublin 


[Balcony, &c. 
[ Kilnure, &c. 


. George Blackney 




. Patrick Walsh 


Waterford 


Carrigbeg, &c. 


. James Butler 




( Milhill, &c. 


. Ulick Wall 


Catherlogh 


<Kilcorle, &c. 


. Edm. Birne 




(Balliceally, &c. 


. Gerald Nolan 




Balligowen, alias Si 
and New-ChuTcl 


nith'stown*| WalterWalsh 


Kilkenny 


Rathana, &c. 


* . . Mr. Archer 


1 


Rathardmore 


. Pierce Shortall 




^Tubrid, &c. 


. Robert Shortall 




"Ballynoran . 


. Pierce Butler 




Myler's-town 


. John White 




Hussey's-town 


. Edward Butler 




Fleming's- town 


. Edmond Prendergast 




Moore-town, &c. 


. David Walsh 




Borrinduffe, &c. 


. Nicholas Whyte 




Rothloose, &c. 


. Thomas Whyte 




Knocklosty, &c. 


. N . Theo. Butler 




Bathcastin 


. Tho. Butler 




James-town 


. Solomon Whyte 




Orchard's-town 


. Edmond Bray 




Loghlohery 


. Morris Keating 




Deregrath, &c. 


. Richard Keating 




Boytonrath 


. Edmond Butler 




Castle-Moyle, &c. 


. Walter Butler 




Shanbally Duffe . 


. . Pierce Butler 




Ballinree- 


. Walter Butler 




Rathconne . 


. Sir Richard Everard 


Tipperary 


Brechindowne, &c 
Miler's-town 


(Thomas Butler 

(James Butler 

. Walter Hackett 




Ballihomuck© 


. Richard Birmingham 




Tyllacaslane 


. Piers Butler 




Ballinadlea 


. William Butler 




Balliowen, &c. 


. Simon Salt 




Bulliknocke 


. Redmond Magrath 




Cloran 


. Robert Shee 




Miltown 


. Lord Dunboyne 




Tullaghmaine, &c. 


. Richard Comin 




Coolenagon 


. Edmond Hogan 




Toburbryen 


. Dan Ryan 




Lislin Franca 


. W. Burke 




Moinarde 


. Edm. Heyden 




Archer's-town 


. James Archer 




Cloghmartin 


. James Butler 




Tullomain James. 


. Lord Ikerryn 




Moynetemple 


. Edmond Heyden 




Boresoleigh 


. Richard Bourke 




Ballinneny 


( W. Kennedy 
I Philip Glissan. 



* Smith's-town contained 834 acres, and New-Church 116 acres, two roods and eight poles, 
and was granted by the Duke to Robert Walsh and his heirs male, for the rent of £5 a year. 



I 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 199 

expected. They were told, when they presented their claims in London, to 
desist from further applications, because one of their agents was Sir Nicholas 
Purcell, who was alleged to have subscribed a document by which the agents of 
the Supreme Council of the Confederates were empowered to make an offer of 
the sovereignty of Ireland to the Pope, or any Catholic prince, provided they 
received essential assistance in the recovery of their civil and religious 
privileges. 

What must we think of him who, described by Sir Robert Southwell, is 
said to be " the true standard of his own office, regenerating therein those 
pillars of a Church that do at the same time adorn as well as support the 
Holy Fabric,'" — whilst he (Ormond) in reference to his own anomalous 
position, observes, in writing of the Earl of Orrery's letters and despatches : 
" I know well and so does he, that I am born with some disadvantages as to 
the present juncture, besides my natural weakness and infirmities, and such 
as I can no more free myself from than they from me. My father and 
mother lived and died Papists, and bred all their children so, and I, by God's 
merciful Providence was educated in the true Protestant religion, from which 
I never swerved towards either extreme, not when it was most dangerous to 
profess it, and most advantageous to quit it. My brothers and sisters, though 
they were not many, were very fruitful and very obstinate (they call it con- 
stant) in their way ; their fruitfulness has spread into a large alliance, and 
their obstinacy has made it altogether Popish. It would be no small comfort 
to me, had it pleased God it had been otherwise, that I might have enlarged 
my industry to do them good and serve them, more effectually to them, and 
more safely to myself; but as it is I am taught by nature, and also by instruc- 
tion, that difference of opinion in matters of religion dissolves not the obliga- 
tions of nature, and in conformity to this principle, I own not only what I 
have done, but that I will do my relations of that or any other persuasion 
all the good I can, but I confess at the same time, that if I find any of them 
who are nearest to me acting or conspiring rebellion, or against the govern- 
ment, and the religion established among us, I will endeavour to bring them 
to punishment sooner than the remotest stranger of my blood. I know 
professions of this nature are easily made, and therefore, sometimes little 
credited ; but I claim some belief from my known practice, for I have been 
so unfortunate as to have had kinsmen in rebellion, and so fortunate as to 
see some of them fall when I commanded-in-chief: those that remain, have I 
hope, changed their principles as to rebellion ; if they have not, I am sure 
they will find I have not changed mine.'" 1 Well indeed was he designated 
the unkind Deserter of loyal men and true friends ! 

At this period manufactures were so flourishing in the province of Munster, 
and particularly in Limerick, that Lord Orrery, writing on the 8th of 
December, 1661, to the Duke of Ormond, states " that he could get the 
Munster clothiers to clothe the soldiers there on the credit of the Subsidy 
Bill," and states " it was the least of his thoughts that others should be 
clothed and those in the province not/'' 2 

It must be admitted too, that the Duke of Ormond exerted himself with 
very great success to introduce manufactures, particularly of woollens, into 
Carrick-on-Suir and Kilkenny, where they flourished for a long period, and 
where, notwithstanding every impediment, they have not totally ceased to 
this day. 

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the South-well MSS. 2 Orrery's State Letters. 



200 , HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In Cromwell's time and subsequently, up to 1679, trademen's tokens 
were issued in Limerick. At first they were permitted to circulate owing to 
the absence of sterling coin. In reference to these coins, I find that at a 
meeting of the Corporation, held in 1673, 1 it was ordered that the Corpor- 
ation farthings, stamped in 1658, should pass current in the City and 
Liberties, at the rate of 20s. for 18s. There are not many of these coins 
now in existence. 2 On the 23rd of October, 1673, these farthings were 
called in by the Corporation and reissued at par. 

So strong was the impression made in France, and throughout Europe 
generally, by the unspeakable injustices which were flagrantly perpetrated 
against the too confiding Catholics of Ireland, by Charles II., and his 
advisers Lord Clarendon and the Duke of Ormond, that His Most Christian 
Majesty, the King of France, addressed a remonstrance to Charles II. on the 
subject, in which he reminded him of the way in which he (the King of France) 
had treated the Huguenots, whom he himself had treated with perfect impar- 
tiality when their claims were brought before him, taking occasion at the same 
time to acquaint Charles with the feelings, which prevailed universally on the 
subject of the persecution of the Irish people on account of their religion. 5 

In this year, during the Mayoralty of Henry Bindon, Sir George Preston 
got a patent for the great Lax weir and fishery of the Shannon 4 from its 

1 The Corporation Book containing the entry is in the British Museum. 

2 I am indebted to Aquilla Smith, Esq. M.D. of Baggot-street, Dublin, for a full list of the 
Tradesmen's Tokens, &c., issued in Limerick between the years 1658 and 1679 : — 

1. Obv. " Limerick" in the centre. — A Castle. Rev " Clare." — Three towers. 

2. Obv. " Citty of Limerick" — A Castle. Rev. " Change and Charity" — 1658. 

3. Obv. " Limerick Butchers"— A paschal lamb. Rev. " Halfpenny, 1679"— The Butchers' 
Arms. 

4. Obv. " Anthony Bartlett, 1671"— Arms— three fishes fretted in triangle. Rev. " Of Lymrick 
Merchant" — Three Castles, Id. 

5. Another similar, but smaller and without Id. 

6. Obv. " John Bell, Mercht." Rev. " In Limrick." 

7. Obv. "John Bennet, Merc." Eev. "Lymrick Penny"— 1668. 

8. Obv. "Edward Clarke"— E.C. Id. Rev. "Of Lymerick, 1670"— A cock. 

9. Obv. " Edward Clarke"— A cock. Rev. " Of Lymerick, 1670"— E. C. £. 

10. Obv. " Rowland Creagh." Rev. " Lymrick, Mercht." 

11. Obv. "Of Limerick"— B. C. Rev. "Near Key Lane"— 1688. 

12. Obv. "Tho. Linch of Limrick"— Crest of the Butchers' Company, a winged bull. Rev. 
"His Halfpeny Token, 1679"— A harp. 

1 3. Obv. " Thomas Marten, 1669"— Three castles, two and one. Rev. " Merchant in Lym- 
rick"— T. M. 

14. Obv. " Richard Pearce of" — A mortar and pestle. Rev. " Limrick, Apothecar"— R.M.P. 
1668. 

15. Obv. " William Rimpland" — A man dipping candles. Rev. " In Limbricke His half" — 
" Peny, 1679." 

16. Obv. " Ed. Wight of Limbrik"— Three castles. Rev. " His Half Peny, 1677"— A ship. 

17. Another similar but of rude workmanship. 

A variety of No. 2 has " City" instead of '• Citty" in Ferrar's plate, fig. 3. 
Dr. Smith has also a small variety of No. 14, and three varieties of No. 1, none of them are 
in good preservation. 

In Dr. Smith's Cabinet : — 

No. 1. Three varieties — two of them engraved in Ferrar's Limerick. 

2 13 

3 14 

4 15 

5 16 
12 

I have some of the above coins ; but my collection is not by any means so perfect as that of 
Dr. Smith, who stands deservedly high as an authority on all matters relating to Irish coins. 

3 This letter appears in the " Recit Exact et Fidele, &c," published in Paris, 1696. 

4 The Letters Patent to him bear date 27th July, 13° Chas. II. ; in these letters it is set forth 
that " divers fishings of salmon and pike and other fish, and also eels and eel weirs, and divers 



GO 



- 

3. 






n 
* 
^ 

^ 




HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 201 

source to the sea. After very lengthened disputes and litigation, a com- 
promise was effected in 1677, when the Corporation gave a sum of £1,500 
to Sir John Preston, who surrendered his patent in consequence. 

The litigation in reference to Sir George Preston's patent was, as I have 
said, carried on for a long period ; and matters came to light, which if now 
thoroughly known, might cause some changes for the benefit of the public in 
connection with this great fishery. In the British Museum, there is a 
minute book of the Corporation of Limerick, from the year 1672 to 1685, 

mills in and upon the Kiver Shannon, as well belonging to Corporations as other Proprietors, 
&c. &c. &c, are devolved and fallen to us by the delinquency, forfeiture, attainder, or rebellion, 
of the several proprietor and proprietors of the said mills and fishings * * * * 

and whereas we retain a gracious sense of the many services performed to us by our trusty and 
well-beloved subject, Sir George Preston, Knight, and also of his great sufferings in our service," 
&c. * * The grant is then formally given and set forth of the fishing of pike and salmon 
in the great salmon weir, called the Lax weir, and all other fishings in the River Shannon. 

The fisheries of Limerick have been for many ages invested with an extraordinary amount of 
interest, which has not ceased in the slightest degree up to the present moment. We have seen 
(p. 48), that on the 12th of January, 1200, King John granted to William De Braosa the honor 
of Limerick, &c, retaining among other things, in waters and mills, in fish-ponds, and fisheries 
and ponds, in ways and pathways, and in all other places and things to that honor partaining, 
&c. We have seen (page 54) the grant was made to Edmund Bishop of Limerick ; and (pp. 56-61 
and 62) the commission to Geoffrey de Genvylle, and extracts from the Pipe Rolls rendering 
several accounts in relation thereto — down to the year 1344. 

I will now summarise the several other important grants, charters, inquisitions, &c, which 
constitute the title to the Fishery of Limerick. A letter of which the following is an extract was 
addressed, 6th Edward the 1st, to the Chancellor, by Robert Saint Edmund : — 

" Be it known to Sir Robert Burnel, by the Grace of God, Bishop of ( ) Chancellor 

of our Lord the King of England, his serjeant, Robert de Seynt Emun, who has been dwelling in 
the service of our Lord the King in Ireland for sixteen years, as has been witnesssd by the 
Justiciaries and by the people who have been of the Council of our Lord the King, and still are, 
that is to say, from the time Sir James de Hardeleye, who passed into Ireland with the Justiciary, 
and brought the aforesaid Robert with him, and retained him in the service of our Lord the King, 
for one Hundred pence by the year and two Robes, — of which the aforesaid Robert received in the 
time of Sir James the two Robes, and nothing of the one Hundred pence." 

The letter goes on to state that having shewn the King at Dover the services he rendered, he 
prayed that he might have the weirs and the fisheries in the water of Limerick, for so much rent 
by the year as they could be valued at. That the King complied, and that the Justiciary having 
received the Royal Command, the Treasurer delivered the weirs to Robert, without having Inquest 
taken or extent made. That said Robert paid 20 marks yearly, for that an Inquest had been 
made when that was ascertained to be the value, but that he was charged ,£25 by the year, and 
therefore, that the difference may be remitted. 

13th Edward 1st., 20th June — The King issued a mandate, that said Edmund should be 
exonerated from any sum over 20 marks. 

Other grants were made by Edward the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, to different parties for short terms, 
subject to certain rents. 

1st Henry 5th, 1414, January. — On this day the King regranted what had been granted by 
Kings John and Edward, and among other emoluments the profit of a certain fishery, which is 
called Lex weir, with its appurtenances, to the mayor and commonalty and then successors, for 
ever. 

2nd Henry 6th, 1423, 12th December — By charter of this date, Henry 6th conferred the 
foregoing charter. 

1576, 2nd March, 19th Elizabeth — The Queen granted a grant for a lease to Edmond Molyneux, 
gentleman, of the weirs commonly called the Fisher's Stent, near the City of Limerick, which do 
lie from the Lax weir, or common weir in the east part, until the river nigh Castle Donel in the 
west part, with all the customs, duties, profits, commodities, and emoluments to them, and every 
of them pertaining and belonging, &c, parcel of her Majesty's inheritance and of long time concealed 

To hold for 21 years, at 53s. and 4d. Irish Currency. 

1582, 19th March, 25th Elizabeth. — On this day the Queen granted an extensive charter to 
the citizens of Limerick, and the fisheries as follows : — " Moreover, we of our special Grace, 
" certain knowledge, and mere motion, do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant to the 
11 said mayor, bailiff, and citizens of the said city, and their successors for ever, all those weirs 
" and pools in the waters of Shannon within the liberties of said city, '* called the Lex weirs and 
" Fisher's Stent, with all and singular, their profits, members, rights and appurtenances, and to 
" have, hold and enjoy all and singular the said franchises, jurisdictions, privileges, perambulations, 



202 history of limerick. 

from which, among other items of important intelligence, I learn, that on 
the 2nd of October, 1675, Sir George Preston presented a petition to the 
Common Council, when it was declared that " from time immemorial there 
has been a passage for boats and cots through the Lax weir.-" This is now 
a startling fact ; and goes to show at all events, that when in years after- 
wards, this same Corporation well nigh stopped up the usual gap altogether, 
and when afterwards, they were compelled to open it — they invented and 
employed every possible expedient, to render the gap inoperative for its 
proper purposes, and thus perpetrated an outrage of flagrant injustice, robbing 
the fishermen, in the assumption of a power to which it could lay no claim. 
In the following year were seen too blazing stars — the plague soon came — 
then fire and bloody wars, as White quaintly expresses it. 1 About this time 
a branch of the Brown family settled in the parish of Kilpeacon, within a 
short distant of the city, on a marriage with a daughter of the Knight of 
Glen. Of this historic race the genealogy will be found in the note. 2 

" grounds and waste pieces of land, called the new Stent, or new extent, called Lex weirs and 
" Gurgites, Fisher's Stent, &c," yielding yearly to us, our heirs, and successors, for and out of 
the said weirs on the said water of Shannon, called Fisher's Stent aforesaid, 6s. 8d. 

1600, 3rd March, 6th James 1st. — By this charter previous patents were confirmed, granting 
also admiralty Jurisdiction and Royal fish. 

1615, 18th March, 12th James 1st. — An inquisition was taken at Limerick, whereby it was 
ascertained that half a plough land lay in Castle Donel, alias Cratellaghmore. It was by this 
inquisition the western boundary of the Fisher's Stent was ascertained, on the trial of Gabbett a. 
Clancy and Dwyer, at Summer assizes 1841, and Spring assizes 1842, at Limerick, and again in 
the case of Malcomson a. O'Dea, in the Queen's Bench in 1858, when there was a verdict for the 
petitioner, which was affirmed hj the House of Lords in 1863. 

(I give this important inquisition at pp. 138, 139, 140.) 

1662, 27th July, 13th Charles 2nd.— The King granted unto Sir George Preston, knight, the 
fishing of pike and salmon, &c, in the great salmon weir called Lax weir, for ever, at £5 a-year. 

During the Commonwealth the citizens were obliged to assume a rent of £165 for the fishery, 
for which they were returned in arrear, but as appears by an enrolment of the Communia Roll, 
(1665) they presented their case to the Equity side of the Court of Exchequer, setting forth 
their different charters, and Sir William Domville, the Attorney General appearing on behalf of 
the Crown and admitting the facts, by an order of the date on margin, the arrears were 
discharged Trinity Term, 1665. 

1669, 29th May, 21st Charles 2nd. — By letters patent of this date, after reciting of the 13th 
Charles II. the King regrants to Sir George Preston all the aforesaid weir, called Lex weir, &c. 
A great deal of litigation took place between Sir George Preston and the Corporation in the Court 
of Chancery, in which his right was disputed. 

29th. The King in order to give Sir George a better claim, gave him another patent of the 
date 1677, 9th February, Charles 2nd. 

A compromise was subsequently entered into between the litigants, by which, in consideration 
of £1500 paid Sir George, the Corporation acquired such interest as he possessed. 

i White's MSS. 

2 In a MS. of the O'Lynnin's, Lynegar or Linacre, quoted in Hardiman's History of Galway, 
(p. 10,) the following account of the Brown family is given : — " The genealogies of the Brownes 
of Ely or Ballyalcain, in the County of Wexford, and partly of the Browns of Galway, Limerick 
and Waterford," — Christopher and Richard Browne were the sons of Sir Mathew Browne of 
Ballyawcane, by his first wife Anne, the daughter of Sir John Redmond, who lived near Bag 
and Bun, in the County of Wexford. By his second wife Cordula, daughter of Sir John Hoare, 
of Shenakill, near Dungarvan, in the County of Waterford, he had issue six sons — 1st, 
Christopher. — 2nd, John, who went for Connaught and settled himself at the Neale where he 
married Mor ny Maille, daughter and heiress of Donal O'Maille, Lord of Um Maille, in the 
County of Mayo — whose issue still remain, and one called Bounach na heille. — 3rd, Walter, who 
went to the County of Limerick, and settled in Kilpeacon, near Limerick ; he married Catherine, 
daughter and heiress of Sir John Fitzgerald, Knight of the Glen. — 4th, Edward Browne, who 
settled at Kilmeadan near Waterford, and married Anne Power, daughter and heiress of John 

Power 5th, Sir John Browne, settled near Galway, and married Bevawn ny Flahertie, daughter 

of Murrough O'Flahertie of West Connaught, from whom is descended Sir Dominick Browne, 
whose issue now inherit a considerable estate in and about Galway, and in the County of Mayo. 
The Browne family of Aney are a different family. Queen Elizabeth granted the Hospital of 
Aney to Sir Valentine Browne, who built a noble Castle at Hospital, which Castle is now in ruins. 
Sir Valentine's son, Sir Thomas, married Mary eldest daughter and co-heiress of William Apsley 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 203 

In 1664, Roger Boyle was made Governor of Limerick, and constable 
of the Castle of Limerick. Richard Earl of Cork, created Lord Baron of 
Broghill, the 28th of February, in the 2nd year of Charles I. and Earl of 
Orrery the 25th of March in the 12th of Charles II. was famous for his 
literary acquirements, and the author of Mustapha, said to have been one of 
the best plays written in the 17th century : was President of Munster in 
1660. In 1663 he obtained a patent for markets and fairs, to be held 
for ever in his two villages of Rothgogran and Ballymartra — and afterwards 
procured the two places to be raised into boroughs which returned four 
Members to the Parliament of Ireland, with the nomination of Recorders, 
Town Clerks, Clerks of the Markets and other officers, to him and his heirs 
for ever. 1 Soon after the re-appointment of the Duke of Ormonde to the Lord 
Lieutenancy, Lord Orrery was enabled to supply him with information of a 
conspiracy which had been discovered amongst the military, to seize the Castle 
of Dublin, in consequence of which order the Magistrates of Limerick, as 
well as of other cities of Munster, were commanded to clear these localities 
of " fanatics" and of suspected, or as they were styled " needless papists;" 
when Lord Orrery, following up the cautious policy of securing the strong- 
holds, addressed a particular correspondence to the Lord Lieutenant on the 
condition and requirements of the city and garrison of Limerick. 2 

It appears intelligence was received from that Holland, General Ludlow was 
expected to take the command, and Limerick was to be seized by one Captain 
Walcott, who by a bribe of £300 had secured the co-operation of one of the 
Serjeants in the castle. In consequence of these troubles, Lord Ormond 
made an expedition to Munster to examine the coast defences, which were 
expected to be soon required to resist an invasion of the Erench, and the 
militia were called out. The Duke of Ormond in his progress visited Limerick, 
which he praised as a most important place ; and here he was received with 
unusual pomp and splendour — the Mayor, Sir William King, to whom he had 
assigned such immense grants of land, being very ostentatious in his display 
of good will to his benefactor and the Earl of Barrymore carrying the sword of 
state before him. Soon after this juncture Lord Orrery, in 1666, wrote to 
the duke, setting forth that as governor of his majesty's castle and City of 
Limerick, the pay was £10 by the year, but there was a perquisite belonging 

of Limerick, by his wife Annabella Browne, eldest daughter of John Browne, Master of Aney, 
and Catherine O'Ryan, his wife. Joan, the sister of Mary, was the first wife of Richard Boyle, 
the first Earl of Cork. The walls of the Ancient Church yet remain, and in a niche on the 
north side of the high altar, is a rudely shaped statue of a Knight in alto relievo, in sword and 
buckler, which is said to be that of the founder. Kenmare Castle is near the village. 

1 Aaron Crossly's Peerage of Ireland, p. 57. " 

2 In one of his letters he states, that his majesty's " store house" and magazine in the castle 
of Limerick is capable of retaining all requisite arms, with a small train fit for a little army, 
although represented by his Lordship, as "so hugely out of repair," that if not speedily repaired, 
it was apprehended that it might fall and do much mischief. The two towers which made the 
gate house of his majesty's castle, and which had been floored and roofed by " the usurpers," 
are described by him, as having at that time fallen very much to decay, and the guard-house 
which had been made by the same usurpers, was so much out of order, that the soldiers within 
were wetted by every shower. Two houses in the castle, one for officers' quarters, and the other 
intended to accommodate thirty soldiers, which were built by the same usurpers, are also specified 
as being much out of repair. Fourteen pounds his Lordship deems sufficient to repair the side 
walls, forming the avenue to the castle gate, and to construct at their extremity a small ravelin 
of sawed palisadoes, which he states would be a great security to the place which had no pro- 
tection, and was consequently liable to be surprised, both on the side of Thomond gate and that 
of the city. He states that " St. John's citadel is in pretty good condition, and the new 
bulwark in the king's castle which is filled up with earth, and which is next to the city, three 
pounds will repair ; of forty guns, great and small, which are at Limerick, there are but three 
mounted as they should be, two of -which are small brass guns." 



204 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

to the constable of the castle which is the profit of the king's part of the 
island. He states that the city stands upon the west part of the island ; the 
east part is kept for the grazing of the town cattle, and a little spot of it 
enclosed and made a bowling green. He alleges that he gives the perquisites 
to his own deputy governor, and lets the green for £10 a-year, and the grazing 
one year with another amounts to £28.* His lordship proceeds — " If by 
your Grace's favor his majesty would give me a lease of his share of the 
island for ninety-nine years, I would build on it, which would be an enlarge- 
ment, beautify and strengthen the city, and after some years an advantage 
to me and my son, — but that whosoever succeeds in the government may be 
no loser by my grant, I shall willingly submit to pay to the crown, or to the 
constable for the time being, during my lease of ninety-nine years £38 a-year 
after my decease, which is as much as unbuilt it now yields. The crown will be 
no loser for ninety-nine years. The crown will for ever have the benefit of 
my building. The city also will thereby be much enlarged, beautified, and 
strengthened." 

Ireland at this time was in a miserable condition, 2 being deprived of the 
usual trade with England, by prohibitory duties, and disabled from carrying 
on any abroad, not only on account of want of shipping, but of the war 
with France and Holland. Limerick suffered terribly. A bill for prohibit- 
ing Irish cattle, which was opposed by the Protestant Bishop of Limerick, 
Dr. W. Fuller, by the Honourable Mr. Eobert Boyle, by Sir W. Petty, Sir 
Eobert Southwell, who attended the committee, but who were refused a 
copy or notes of the bill, passed the House of Commons with indecent 
haste, by a majority of thirteen, though the king was opposed to it; 
but as his majesty was greatly in want of money he dared not disoblige his 
faithful Commons. The Lords, however, were not in such a hurry to pass 
it; the Duke of York and the Lord Chancellor spoke against it, and the 
king declared publicly more than once, that his conscience would not allow 
him to give that bill the royal assent. 3 

The result was, that the report of the committee appointed to consider the 
act was delayed until the parliament was prorogued. In the meantime, such 
was the dangerous condition of the kingdom that Ormonde believed it im- 
perative on him to use every means to counteract their operations. For this 
purpose he spared no expense to procure proper intelligence to assist him to 
provide for the defence of the kingdom, and with this view he sent Captain 
Arthur and Captain James Archer to France and the Low Countries, to get 
intelligence of the negociations carried on with those powers by the disaffected. 
From these agents he learned that there was no disposition on the part of 
the King of France or his ministers to hearken to the solicitations of the 
persecuted Irish, who had endeavored to induce them to make a descent 
upon Ireland — which it appears was exactly the view that Orrery took of it, 
though he did think it likely that the French would send a small force with 
a good supply of arms and ammunition, to secure some position near the sea, 
from which the Irish could be supplied with munitions of war. It was 
Orrery's own intention, directly he had heard of the French landing, to seize 
and burn all the boats from Limerick to Loop Head, in order to cut off 
communication between the Irish of Clare and Connaught with the rest. 
In a letter addressed to Ormond, 1 May 28, 1666, after describing the prin- 

> Orrery's State Letters, 1 p., 276 ' Carte's Ormond, 2 vol., 2 p., 323. 

8 Carte, vol. 2, 322. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 205 

cipal military positions between Cork and Limerick, he states his intention 
to place strong parties in Mallow and Limerick, a precantion on which, added 
to the arrest of the chiefs of " the fanatics and western Irish/" he relied for 
the prevention of the enemies' designs. 

In the June of the same year, he announces to the Duke that Myles Reilly, 
with seven or eight hundred Irish, had run into rebellion, which he says he 
does not suppose he would have been so mad as to do if he were not sure of 
succours from abroad or from home. 2 In consequence of this intelligence, he 
ordered the mayors and governors of Limerick and Cork, as the two chief 
fortresses of the province, to seize on all the arms in the hands of Catholics 
within these garrisons, and to adopt the same course towards "the fanatics.'" 
He also issued orders to expel such persons from both cities, crowds of 
whom, he says, had come into them, to the endangering of the fortresses, 
taking advantage of the license granted to such of the Irish as traded by 
sea, or were otherwise " needful or civil men.-" 3 

At this time Orrery received a seasonable and welcome assurance from 
Colonel Daniel O'Bryan of Clare, that he was ready to suppress any rising 
of the Irish that might take place in that County, in which the Colonel 
informed him there were many ill inclined Irish. 4 It was in the same year, 
1666, that a plot was disclosed to the Duke of Ormonde by Captain 
Oliver, a gentleman of the County Limerick, the alleged object of which 
was the removal of the King and Lords, the restoration of the Long 
Parliament, several of whose members were said to be implicated, and the 
substitution of a " sober ministry for bishops."" The conspirators, it was 
added, expected assistance. 5 They were of course Cromwellians. 

I have already referred to Ormondes exertions to introduce the woollen 
manufacture into Ireland, in which he was successful, as also the manufacture 
of linen : 6 this was in 1667, a year rendered still further remarkable by the 
occurrence of a most violent storm and a spring tide, which did not ebb for 
fourteen hours, and which, according to White's MSS. rose to the Court- 
house in Quay Lane, forced up one of the arches of Ball's Bridge, over- 
flowing the shops and houses thereon, carrying away entire houses and quan- 
tities of corn, levelling the banks of the river and wrecking several vessels. 

The sequel of these events has been thus chronicled in the homely doggrel 
of Davis's MSS.— 

" A drought excessive came, it was so great, 
The Shannon from the city did retreat ; 
The Mayor and many more upon dry ground, 
Outside the walls on foot did walk around." 

i Orrery's Letters. 2 rtri<l # 

8 In a letter addressed to the same from Charleville, and dated June 6th, 1666, Lord Orrery 
announces the receipt of important intelligence from the Bishop of Meath, confirming information 
which he had previously received from some of the natives. The intelligence refers to a great 
meeting of the Irish Clergy on the arrival of the Jesuit Father Harris, stated to have been sent 
by the Catholic Primate Reilly from France, and to considerable meetings, which it was alleged 
were to be held in that month, to hear the Jesuit's message and advice, and to be assured by him 
of the speedy arrival of forces, arms, and ammunition, with money in the west, as well as several 
other things of a similar character. The meeting place appointed for Munster he says was 
Macroimpe (Macroom), where he intended to have one of his people present ; and to show the 
strenuous efforts made by the clergy to raise money for insurrectionary purposes, he says that 
under the cloak of pious uses, many great sums had been raised by them, especially in the west 
of Munster, " insomuch that poor servants had been compelled to pay their shillings and six- 
pences." The object of these contributions, namely, the raising of a rebellion, he surmises were 
deemed " pious uses." 

* Orrery's State Letters, Vol. II. pp. 7 & 8. * Orrerv's State Letters, Vol. I. p. 131-2. 

• Carte's Ormond, Vol. II. p. 343. 



206 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

A similar occurrence, we may add, happened in the Shannon at Athlone 
some years ago, when the waters were driven back from their channel, and 
the bottom exposed, on which occasion many curious antiquarian remains 
were found; and more recently still, in the summer of 1864, the bed of the 
Shannon at Killaloe became quite dry for the length of the day during a high 
gale of wind, when trout and salmon were taken in abundance as they lay 
without water. 

Throughout this unfortunate reign, the discontent and dissatisfaction of 
the people throughout Ireland, and particularly in Limerick, were extreme : 
as we proceed, it will be seen that terrible persecution was suffered by those 
who expected freedom of conscience at least from the government, but who 
were trampled upon in the most outrageous manner, by those who deceived, 
betrayed and persecuted them with unrelenting vengeance. 

The proceedings of the Corporation at this period (1670), show how ill 
at ease that body was. An application was made to King Charles II. for a 
renewal of the Charter of James, and for a further extension of the privi- 
leges which were thereby conferred on the citizens. A reference was made 
to the Irish Master of the Eolls to report to the king on the matter ; the 
report was made to the Lord Lieutenant; and in it the contents of the 
Charter of James were set forth, and the attention of the Viceroy was 
directed to the " New Eules and Orders for the Eegulation of Corporations 
in Ireland/'' then recently introduced. The report further prayed the Lord 
Lieutenant's directions as to which of said " New Eules and Directions," 
were to be inserted in the proposed new Charter to Limerick — " such as 
might best consist with His Majesty's service and the good of the said Cor- 
poration." This report, which is dated the 13th February, 1671, was imme- 
diately followed by a proclamation of the New Eules for the government of 
the Corporation. By the first of these rules, the approbation of the Lord 
Lieutenant and Council was made necessary to the appointment of the cor- 
porate officers of Mayor, Sheriffs, Eecorder and Town Clerk, within ten days 
after their election. By the second, the oath of supremacy was required 
from all such corporate officers. By the third, the election of all corporate 
officers was taken away from the body of freemen and vested in the common 
council, and nothing was permitted to be discussed in the general assembly 
of freemen, or court of D'Oyer Hundred, which had not previously passed 
the common council; and this under pain of disfranchisement. By the 
fourth, the admission of Protestant settlers in the city of Limerick to the 
freedom of the Corporation was provided for, as in the other corporate towns 
in Ireland. 

Another attempt was made in 1674, to obtain a new Charter, for which a 
sum of money was subscribed by those interested. Agents too were employed, 
but the attempt failed. In 1671, it should be stated, a proclamation for 
restoring all banished merchants to their ancient freedoms in all corporations 
in Ireland, was made in Limerick ; and in the following year, a custom 
which is rarely observed now a days is noticed, viz. that of John Bourin, 
the Mayor of Limerick, having gathered all the boys of the city, and brought 
them two days with him to show them the city bounds, and point out the 
extent of the county of the city. In this year also, John Halpin having been 
chosen Sheriff, he continued in office 27 days ; but because he would not 
take the oath of supremacy he was deposed. He disputed the point in 
Dublin, before the Lord Lieutenant, but to no purpose, for he was obliged 
to yield and lay down his office. 1 James Arthur, born at Limerick, who had 

I White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 207 

become a Dominican at Salamanca, "where lie studied, and was subsequently 
professor of Divinity in Coinibra, died this year in Lisbon ; he "wrote " Com- 
mentaria in Totam fere Sti Thomse Summam," published in two vols ., folio, 
in 1665. He "was preparing ten vols, more for the press "when he died. 
Another James Arthur, also a Dominican, died in 1689. 1 

As showing how the Corporation got on at this period, the following items 
are of interest : 2 — 2 October, 1672, Maurice "Wall, shoe-maker, admitted free 
on payment of 2s. 6d. tine. The beadles -were allowed £3 each for previous 
year, and £4 each for present year in "which also it "was 

" Resolved and ordered, upon the petition of Edmund Pery, Esq., to be 
admitted a member of this Council of this city, in like manner as his pre- 
decessors, in right of St. Mary's House, enjoyed such privilege as a mayor's 
peere ; that it be referred to the Eecorder to consider of his demand, right, 
and report. The mayor was authorised to nominate the comptroller for the 
vear. 

11 October, 1672— The petty customs of In Gate and Out Gate at St. 
John's Gate let for one vear, for £100 10s.. These customs are set forth: — 

A Pack of Wool 3d. 

Bag of Hops ... ... ... ... 3d. 

Pack of Cloth 3d. 

Firkin of Butter Id. 

fee., &c. 

Hogg |d. 

Sheepe ... ... ... ... ... id. 

Aquavitae-Pot ... ... ... ... 3d. 

&c, &c. 
Same customs at Kev Gate, let for £20. 
At Thomond Gate, £70 10s. 

The net fishing let for one year, from March 1, 1673, for £60 10s., over 
and above all duties payable to mayor. 

A (foreign?) Protestant stranger made free on payment of 20s. 
Aliens, Denizens, and Ereemen paid different rates of customs — thus, for a 
hogshead of salmon they paid respectively 8d., 6d., 4d. 

The mayor having in 1671 made persons free, the Corporation declared 4 
December, 1672, that "such act is destructive of the power of this Corpo- 
ration/'' and voted such freemen to be no freemen. 

Edmund Pery "was elected common councillor 30 June, 1673, but "with no 
reference to his previous claim. 

1673 — The gallows ordered to be removed to the accustomed place on 
Farrandcroghy. 

Salaries — Sword-bearer ... ... ... £15 

Serjeant-at-arms ... ... 3 

Beadles 3 

c j c n. -u f for Clock ) (was this to little 

Sexton of Church | Bm J 3 j^ Barrington?) 

Keep of 2 Clock 8 

Water Bailiff 2 

In 1673 this year, William York, a Dutchman, and ancestor of the 
Stamers of Camelry, County Clare, being mayor, began to build the 
Exchange ; and York being again chosen mayor, it is said that he finished it 

1 White's MSS. 2 From Corporation Book in British Museum. 



208 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

at his own cost and bestowed^it on the city ; and that he greatly contri- 
buted towards remaking the ring of bells in St. Mary's Cathedral, which 
were this year recast, and that he likewise set up the chimes. 1 On the 
]4th March, 1673, peace being proclaimed in Limerick between the 
English -and Dutch, the new bells of the cathedral first rang on the occasion, 
while the Mayor and Corporation in their robes rode through the city, the 
militia marched under arms, and great rejoicings ensued. The Earl of Essex 
had previously sent down the "New Bules" for the regulation of the Corpora- 
tion, and it was under these that William York was elected Mayor for the 
second time as above referred to. 

Thomond Bridge and Ball's Bridge had been so much decayed, that the 
Corporation, by the advice of the Mayor, determined that freemen should be 
deprived for one year of their exemption from toll, so as to aid in the cost of 
the repairs; 2 and hence the commemoration of the event in the couplet 
quoted below. 

The Market, which ever since the surrender of the city to Ireton had been 
held outside John's Gate, was this year removed into the city. This market 
was at the Eastern extremity of Mungret-street, and was taken down in 
October, 1801. 3 

So many proclamations were issued out in 1678 against the Catholics, and 
so many priests and friars were transported to Erance and Spain, that any 
thing like it was never known before. It was this year that the Eev. 
Jaspar White, Parish Priest of St. John's, was taken at the altar by a 
lieutenant of foot, in his vestments, whilst saying mass, and was in that 
posture brought through the streets to the guard-house, where he was kept 
two hours, until he was released by the Governor, Sir William King. To 
increase the feeling against the Catholics, they reported that King Charles 
was " poisoned by the papists." The continued persecutions of the Catholics 
in England and Ireland made many of them fly the kingdom, and seek shelter 
in Erance and Spain, and many fled to Maryland. 4 

Edward Pery, Esq., at the Common Council, held 25th June, 1677, claimed 
in right of St. Mary's house to vote next to the mayor, and to have two 
voices. It was decided that the Protestant Bishop (who was present) should, 
as a peer, vote before him. But his other claims were agreed to. So he 
voted before Sir H. Ingoldsby, Bart., Sir Wm. King, Knt., and Sir George 
Ingoldsby, Knt. 5 

13th October, 1677. The customs of St. John's, and the other southern 
gates, let for a year at £172. 

1 The weight of these six hells, says White (MSS.) are as follows: — 

<rwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. 

First bell weighs ... 7 1 14 Fourth bell weighs 14 1 

Second bell „ 9 1 Fifth bell „ 21 3 9 

Third bell ., 10 2 4 Sixth bell „ 7 3 7 

2 He (York), had the following inscription cut on a stone and placed over Thomond Gate, 
which was a castellated solid stone building at the Thomond side of the Bridge, and the draw- 
bridge -was placed between it and the stone or ancient bridge, as appears by a map of the city 
taken in 1641 : — 

The Freeman's Libertys, without tax or rate, 
Repaired this Place — the Thomond Bridge and Gate. 
Alderman York, Mayor. 
» White's MSS. and Dr. Young's note. < Ibid. 

5 17th Ma}', 1675, Robert Johnston appointed Mayor's Cook, on the accustomed stipend of 
£10 per annum, and a linen cloak yearly. The judge's lodgings this assizes cost £lb. The 
usual assizes only £0. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 209 

After long disputes with Sir Gk Preston, the Lax-weir being finally made 
over to the Corporation, they let the fishings, 29th Jan., 1679, for £284 5s. 
a-year, " all members of this council to have a salmon or more to eat in the 
weir-house castle at any time for nothing." All freemen were to have as 
many salmon as they could eat in the castle, at 9d. each. 1 

William Yorke, dying in office, a new election was made, 2nd April, 1679, 
when Mr. Pery gave a double vote, which the Judges of Assize decided to 
be illegal, and Sir Samuel Poxon voted for himself. The votes were equal ; 
but by striking off Sir Samuel's, and one of Mr. Pery's, (given to him) Sir 
William King was declared elected. 

Trade was kept very much in the hands of the freemen. A Waterford 
merchant bought a cargo of wheat in Sligo — it was driven to Limerick by 
stress of weather, and sold to one who was not a freeman — so the mayor 
seized it as " foreign bought and foreign sold •" and it was only restored on 
the purchaser agreeing to sell one Limerick barrel to every one who would 
buy it, at the price at which he had bought it wholesale. 3 

There being a great vacancy of resident aldermen and burgesses in this year, 
William Gribble and Anthony Bartlett were elected aldermen by the Council 
on the 6th of October. 

Standish Hartstonge, Eecorder, being made Baron of the Exchequer in 
1680, Henry Turner, Esq., nephew to the Lord Chancellor, was elected, on 
his recommendation, in his place on the 13th March, 1680. Hartstonge 
had held the office since the Eestoration. 4 

Bigotry and fanatical hatred of Catholicity were now raging throughout the 
city. On the 29th of June, 1679, being Ascension day, the Pope's picture 
was dragged up and down the river Shannon in a boat, and afterwards, with 
great shoutings was publicly burned in Limerick. This was during the 
mayoralty of Sir William King, who was the first mayor who quartered all the 
soldiers on the Catholics without putting any on the Protestants, and that 
out of prejudice, because the Catholics disputed in law for their freedom. 5 

On the 3rd of November, 1683, the greatest frost that had ever been 
previously known in Ireland began, and it continued until the 9th of February ; 
the frost was seven or eight feet thick on the river Shannon ; all the lakes 
and rivers of Ireland were in like manner frozen ; men, women, cattle and 
carriages went over the rivers on the ice; people frequently walked on it from 
the King's Island to Parteen. In the following year William Gribble being 
mayor, he went to Scattery Island, to exercise his jurisdiction among the 
herring boats for the city duties, which were 1000 herrings and 1000 oysters 
out of each boat (a most exorbitant tax). This he reduced to 500 a piece. 6 

The death of King Charles II. occurred in London on the 6th of February, 
1684; he was a prince who in his exile acknowledged great obligations to 
the Irish ; on his accession to the throne the Irish reasonably expected to be 
restored to their estates, which they forfeited for fighting for him and his 
father, but he followed the pernicious advices of Clarendon, viz. to make 
friends of his enemies by gratifying them, and that he could always make 
sure of his old friends. Adopting this advice he left the Cromwellians in 

1 Corporation Minute Book in the British Museum. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. Mem. — That 

freemen of Bristol pay no inward or outward tolls in Limerick. 3rd April, 1680. 

4 Standish Hartstonge Esq., of Bruff, one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, was 
created a Baronet in 1681. The Baronetcy eventually descended to Sir Henry, who, dying 
without issue, the Bruff estate devolved on (the daughter of his sister) Mary Ormsby, wife of 
the first Earl of Limerick. 

* White's MSS. c Ibid. 

15 



210 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

possession of the estates, and the betrayed Irish who were fools to part with 
an inch of ground for him or one of his family. Though he was a Catholic 
in his heart and died one, yet he countenanced the most violent persecutions 
against those of that profession, and his whole reign was a scene of plots, 
persecutions, and executions of the poorer Catholics, as well of holy prelates, 
priests, and friars, and of Catholic gentlemen, &c. &c. He had great wit 
and penetration, but his debauched life did not permit him to utilise either. 
It was justly said of him that he never said a foolish thing, nor ever did a 
wise thing. 1 In his reign the glorious martyr Archbishop Plunkett of 
Armagh suffered a most cruel and ignominious death. 

On the day King Charles II. died, his brother James Duke of York and 
Albany was proclaimed king in London. On the 11th he was proclaimed in 
Dublin; on the 13th being Sunday he was proclaimed king in Limerick. 
The Mayor, Richard Smith, the Sheriffs, the Governor, Sir William King, the 
Protestant Bishop and Clergy in their surplices and robes, and all the Cor- 
poration in their robes were all on horseback. The trades and militia walked 
with their colours, and great rejoicings were shown on the occasion. This 
king publicly professed the Catholic faith. 2 

Robert Smith being Mayor in 1685, he flagged the City Court-house, 
made the jury-room at the east end of it, and framed in the place of judi- 
cature ; he newly built the King's Island gate and tower, and with his own 
hands he cut on the stone fixed over the gate at the island side these words, 
' ' Reedificata 1° Jacobi 2 di Eoberto Smith Pretore, sumptibus civium.'" He 
also, at his own cost, set up in the Exchange, a brass table standing on a 
short pillar, and himself engraved this inscription on it : " Ex dono Eoberti 
Smith majoris Limericencibus embus." It was afterwards placed in the new 
Exchange, and was called " The Nail/'' being intended for a public place for 
paying down money on, though not applied to that use. 3 

On the 1st of August, same year, Lieut.-Colonel Anthony Hamilton 4 came 
to Limerick as Governor, in place of Sir William King, who was deposed. 
Hamilton was the first Governor who for 35 years before publicly went to 
Mass. On the 21st of September Lord Clarendon, who was Lord Lieutenant 
of Ireland, arrived in Limerick ; for an entire month before ten troops of 
horse were quartered on the inhabitants ; they were the first army who, for 
forty years before went publicly to Mass. Mass was publicly said in the 
yard of the King's Castle, and in the citadel near St. John's gate for the 
army who every Sunday went to hear it, marching thither in order with their 
drums and hautboys. The Lord Lieutenant remained in Limerick but two 
nights and one day. 5 

' White's MSS. a Ibid. 

3 White's MSS. This nail or brass table is now in the Town Hall of Limerick. 

4 Anthony Hamilton, Esq., was appointed Governor of Limerick after Sir William King — 
he is set down among the general officers of King James's army — his brother, John, was killed 
at Aughrim. Richard behaved with great spirit at the battle of the Boyne. One of his sisters 
was married to Sir Donough O'Brien, ancestor of Lord Inchiquin. The Duchess of Berwick, one 
of whose sisters, Charlotte, was married to Lord Clare, ancestor of the Marquis of Thomond, 
which Lord Clare was killed at the battle of Ramelies, wa$ his particular friend. His mother 
was daughter of Lord Thurles, sister of James Duke of Ormond. Anthony Hamilton was born 
at Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, about 1G46, or three or four years earlier. In that year Owen O'Neile 
took Roscrea, and put every soul to death, as Carte says, except Sir Geo. Hamilton's lady, sister 
to the Marquis of Ormond, and some few gentlemen whom he kept prisoners. Lady Hamilton 
died in August, 1C80, as appears from an interesting and affecting letter of her brother, the Duke 
of Ormond, dated Carriole, August 25th. He had lost his noble son, Lord Ossory, three weeks 
before. Sir George Hamilton was a Catholic. 

6 White's MSS. The citadel was afterwards converted into an hospital and is now the Fever 
Hospital of St. John's. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 211 

The 12th of February, 1686, John Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnell, was sworn 
Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was the first Lord Deputy who went publicly 
to Mass since Queen Mary's time, and all over Ireland there were the greatest 
rejoicings among the Irish on that account ; but he was hated by the Pro- 
testants. 1 On the 18th of March twelve of the Eoman Catholic merchants 
of Limerick were made free of the Common Council ; and on the 2nd of the 
same month William Turner, Eecorder of Limerick, became a Eoman Ca- 
tholic, and as he was exasperated with the Corporation, he procured from 
the Lord Lieutenant, Tyrconnell, that the Protestant Mayor, Geo. Eoche and 
his Sheriffs should be deposed ; and in their places he got named for the rest 
of the year Mr. Eobert Hannon, a Catholic, as Mayor, and Thomas Harold, 
a Catholic, as Sheriff, with Peter Monsell, a Protestant. The Corporation 
would not accept of Hannon as Mayor, or the others as Sheriffs until the 
Assizes, when the Lord Chief Baron Stephen Eice refused holding the As- 
sizes until Hannon was admitted. The Common Council thereupon elected 
Hannon Mayor, and Harold and Monsell Sheriffs, and on the 8th of April, 
1687, the rod, sword and mace were delivered up to Mr. Hannon. Sir John 
Fitzgerald was at this time Governor of Limerick, so that the Governor, 
Mayor, Eecorder, and one of the Sheriffs went publicly to Mass, the first 
occurrence of the kind for forty years. 2 

On the 4th of October, 1687, being St. Francis's day, the Franciscan friars 
possessed themselves of their own Church in the Abbey ; it was consecrated 
by the Eight Eev. John Moloney, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, who had the 
adrninistration of Killaloe, there being no Catholic Bishop of Killaloe. The 
Bishop said first Mass in it, and the Eev. Jasper White said the second Mass. 
The friars now rented this Church from the Englishman who held it, viz. 
John Pery, Lieutenant of a Foot Company. He was ancestor to the Lords 
Pery and Glentworth. 3 

In the next year was finished the Church which the Capuchins built in the 
Irish-town, afterwards called the Infirmary inPalmerstown. The first who said 
Mass therein was one Father Maurice White, a Capuchin friar from Clonmel. 
It is said that Father Jasper White was security for the money, which he 
was afterwards obliged to pay. 4 

On 10th of June the same year, Charles Ignatius James, Prince of Wales, 
was born ; his godfathers were the Pope's Nuncio and the Queen's brother ; 
the godmothers were the Queen-Do wager of King Charles II. and the 
Duchess of Pembroke. He was the first Prince in England who had been 
baptized by a priest for two hundred years. Upon this account Eobert 
Hannon, Mayor of Limerick, made great rejoicings, and " let three hogsheads 
of wine run" among the populace. 5 

In the following year Sir Thomas Southwell and three hundred other Pro- 
testants, who fought under King James, were taken prisoners in the County 
of Galway; and on the 3rd of October Eichard White, Eobert Woulfe, 
Pierce Moroney, Doctor Wale, and James England, were made free of the 
Council of Limerick, Thomas Harold being Mayor. 

The country was now rapidly hastening towards those great conflicts and 
changes which develop their proportions as we proceed. 

1 White's MSS. 2 ibid. 3 ibid. 

* White's MSS. This Church was taken down in the month of March, 1797, so that in a 
short time the site of it was forgotten. It lay about the middle of the street on the western 
side of it — Dr. Young's note. 

» White's MSS. 



212 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

IMPORTANT EVENTS — SCHONBEEG LANDS AT CARMCKEERGUS KING JAMES 

ARRIVES IN KINSALE, AND PROCEEDS TO DUBLIN LANDING OP KING 

WILLIAM THE BATTLE OP THE BOYNE — PLIGHT OP JAMES TO PRANCE 

THE MARCH OP WILLIAM TO LIMERICK. 

I have briefly sketched in the foregoing chapter the rapid progress of 
events which preceded the grand crisis at which we have arrived, and which 
was to decide for ages the fate of a country that had trembled so long in the 
balance. Eroin whatever canse arising, King James did not afford to his 
supporters that confidence which he might have inspired among men who 
had bled for their principles, and who had hoped, when he came to the throne, 
that their rights and liberties would receive a becoming recognition. On the 
other hand, the Protestant party, which for so long a period had enjoyed 
immunity and protection for their most revolting excesses, -which had ob- 
tained the possessions of the Irish proprietors, who had been driven forth 
with unheard-of cruelty, from their lands, were now resolved to hold what 
they had obtained, and to resist opposition from whatever quarter it might 
arrive. William had already, an immense following in England; and 
strengthened by a powerful party, he resolved to measure weapons with his 
father-in-law, King James, and to make Ireland the battle-ground on which 
the mighty issue was to be decided. On the 12th of March, 1689, James 
landed at Kinsale from Erance, having about 1800 men with him. He pro- 
ceeded immediately from Cork to Dublin, where Lord Tyrconnell, whom he 
had constituted Lord Lieutenant, and the entire Catholic people, received 
him with open arms as the friend and deliverer, in whom they hoped to find 
a king equal to the tremendous emergency that had arisen. 1 He entered 
Dublin on Palm Sunday the 24th, amid the most extraordinary display of 
joy — the streets were lined with soldiers, and the windows were hung 
with tapestry — the King on horseback. Whilst active, energetic, and 
powerful preparations were making on this side of the Channel, to sus- 
tain the legitimate king, and vindicate the rights of a nation which had so 
long and so grievously suffered, eighteen regiments of foot and four or five 
of horse were raised in England for the service of the Prince of Orange in 
Ireland. The levies were made with very great speed ; for in five or six 
weeks the regiments were completed. In the Tower of London, however, 
there were not sufficient arms, which had to be sent for to Holland to supply 
the soldiery that were destined for this country. 2 The army thus raised, 
after marching to Chester, and encamping at Neston, embarked on the 8th 
of August, under the command of the Duke Schonberg, General of all the 
forces of William and Mary ; Count Solmes, General of the Foot, and several 
great officers more, with ten thousand foot and horse : they set sail at High 
Lake, and landed on Tuesday, the 13th, in the afternoon about three o'clock, 
within a miie and a-half of Carrickfergus. It is a strange circumstance that 

1 The Duke of Berwick states that the people showed an extraordinary enthusiasm for him. 

2 Storey's Impartial History. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 213 

in giving a detail of the voyage, the first object which Storey states struck 
his vision was the Mourne mountains, in Down, on which he remarks a famous 
monastery was placed on the top of one of the very highest of them in times 
of old ; and that, throughout his History, he appears to dwell with a pleasure- 
able interest on the antiquities of a country to which he and his friends came 
to exterminate the ancient race which had fostered and protected monasteries 
and churches, until the oppressor and devastator arrived with sword and fire. 
Schonberg garrisoned Carrickfergus, burned the suburbs, marched to Belfast, 
again to Carrickfergus, where the garrison surrendered, back to Belfast, 
where he returned unopened a letter sent to him by the Duke of Berwick, 
because itwas notdirected to the "Duke" Schonberg. Newry was next burned, 
— the people ran in terror from their homes, which they left a prey in the 
hands of the spoiler. 1 They then marched to Dundalk, where they encamped, 
and where, wandering abroad, some of them met their death at the hands of 
certain Eapparees, who were numerous in the neighbourhood. 2 King Jameses 
army, 20,000 strong, lay in Drogheda at this time, where they were within 
a short distance of their enemy, and where they supplied themselves with a 
sufficiency of forage and corn. The army (James's) subsequently encamped 
at the bridge of Slane, whilst William's began their entrenchments, and 
Major-General Kirk's fierce battalion greatly misnomered, " Lambs/' was 
ordered to march on Monday, the 16th, into the trenches. 

William's army now amounted to thirty thousand men ; and in addition 
to these, early in March, 1690, four hundred Danes arrived at Belfast, 
anxious to take part in any warfare against those to whom they had ever 
shown themselves rapacious enemies — the Irish. On the fourteenth of that 
month, five thousand French Infantry landed at Kinsale, with General Count 
Lauzun and the Marquis de Lery ; King James having sent back Major- 
General Macarthy and as many Irish. Indeed it was observed with pain 
that James was hastening his own ruin, and disgusting his Irish officers by 
an unjust preference of Frenchmen in the promotions he daily made. On 
the 4th of June a French Regiment marched into Limerick to garrison it for 
King James, against the forces of William, which at this juncture were 
hourly expecting the arrival from England of their darling, an event which 
took place at Carrickfergus on the 14th of the same month, when he came 
with an enormous force, in addition to that which had been previously at his 
service in Ireland. William was congratulated by the Protestant clergy of 
the country, who were then in Ulster. At Belfast he stated that he had 
come to Ireland not to let the grass grow under his feet, and he made good 
his words, for the whole army got immediate orders to march into the field. 
He and Prince George, the Duke of Ormonde, and all the principal officers, 
went to the camp at Loughbrickland, and instead of allowing the soldiers to 
pass him in review, he at once went amongst them, examined each regiment 
critically, and gave such directions as he thought needful under the circum- 
stances — he at once, by this means, won the confidence of the men. 

He carried with him for his own use and the use of Prince George, movie g 

1 " I went abroad, where I found all the houses deserted for several miles ; most of them that 
I observed had crosses on the inside, above the doors, upon the thatch, some made of wood and 
others of straw or rushes, finely wrought ; some houses had more and some less." — Storey's 
Impartial History. 

2 Rapparee signifies a half stick or broken beam, like a half pike ; and for the last three or 
four years the priests would not allow an Irishman to come to Mass, unless he brought his 
rapparee along with him.— Ibid. 



214 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

houses made of wood,, so convenient that they could be set up in an hour's 
time, and he never while in Ireland lay out in camp. 1 The battle of the 
Boyne, in which King James's army was defeated, and the Duke of Schonberg, 
William's general was killed, was fought on the 1st of July. James had 
previously gone to Derry, in order to protect his Protestant subjects from the 
vengeance of the Catholics of the North ; but he was fired at for his pains 
from the walls of Derry — in fact the conduct of King James was already 
arraigned as that of a Catholic in religion, and a Protestant in politics. 2 
There was no blame that did not already attach to James ; among others he 
was accused of having spent the campaign of 1689 without advantage — he 
was aspersed because energetic measures were not taken by the Duke of 
Tyrconnell and his other ministers to prevent the Castle of Charlemont, the 
only fortress in Ulster, falling into the hands of Schonberg. 3 James, however, 
has been vindicated by Mac Pherson and other writers, from the serious 
charges which have been preferred against him on these heads ; but never- 
theless, his proceedings throughout manifested a desire to conciliate a foe 
which had thoroughly contemned his advances. 

On his arrival in Dublin, after the defeat of the Boyne, he made a speech 
which speaks badly for his sentiments towards his Irish subjects ; 4 and had he 
reserved what he had to say till after he had witnessed all that Irish chivalry 
and honour had done for him in Limerick and elsewhere, it is certain he 
would have done more justice to those who poured out their blood like water 
for him on many an eventful field : — 

" Gentlemen, I had a very good army in England, and when I had the 
greatest occasion for them, they deserted me, and went to the enemy ; and 
finding a total defection against me there, I retired and went to Prance, 
where I was kindly received by that King, and had all the assurances 
imaginable from him to re-establish me on my Throne. In some time after I 
came to this kingdom, and found my Eoman Catholic subjects here as well 
equiped and prepared to defend my cause as their abilities could bear ; and 
though I have often been told, that when it came to the touch they would 
never bear the brunt of a battle, I never could credit the same ; till now ; 
when having a good army and all preparations fit to engage any foreign 
invader, I found the total truth, of which I have been so often cautioned. 
And though the army did not desert me here as they did in England, yet 
when it came to a tryal, they basely fled the field, and left the spoil to 
my enemies ; nor could they be prevailed upon to rally, though the loss in the 
whole defeat was but inconsiderable : So that henceforward I never more 
determine to head an Irish army, and do now resolve to shift for myself, and 
so, gentlemen, must you. It has been often debated, in case such a revolu- 
tion should happen, whether upon deserting the city of Dublin, the same 
ought to be fired? I therefore charge you, on your allegiance, that you 
neither rifle the city by plunder, nor destroy it by fire, which in all king- 
doms will be judged very barbarous, and must be believed to be done by my 
orders ; and if done there will be but little mercy expected from an enemy 
thus enraged. He told them, though he quitted Dublin, he did not quit his 
interest in it. He told his menial servants that he should now have no 
farther occasion to keep such a court, as he had done ; and that therefore 

1 Storey. 2 Leslie's Answer to King. 

3 See notes to O'Callaghan's Macariae Excidium, p. 331. 

* Dr. Molleneux's Three Months' Royal Campaign in Ireland. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



215 



they were at liberty to dispose of themselves ; and so with two or three in 
company, he went to Bray, and along by the sea to TTaterford; having 
appointed his carriages to meet him another way. 'Tis said he did not sleep 
till he got on ship-board; the vessel was the Lausun, a Malouin of 28 guns, 
which lay at Duncannon, from which he sailed to Kinsale where he remained 
a short time and then sailed for France. - " l 

When Athlone was summoned to surrender by Douglas, the fiery Governor, 
Colonel Grace, the younger son of Eobert Grace, Baron of Courtstown, 
county Kilkenny, the descendant of the great Raymond le Gros, fired 

1 The folio-wing is a list of King James' Army taken April 9th, 1690 : — 



Regiments of Horse. 
Duke of Tyrconnell 
Lord Galmoy 
Colonel Sarsfield 
Col. Sutherland 
Lord Abercorn 
Col. Henry Luttrell 
Col. John Parker 
Col. Nicholas Purcell 



^ 9 troops in a regi- 
>■ ment, 53 men in 
3 a troop. 



Six troops in a 
regiment, 53 men 
each. 



Horse Guards. 

Troop of Grenadiers. 
Col. Butler's— 60 



Lord Dungan 
Sir Neal O'Neal 
Col. Simon Lutterel 



Dragoons. 

~\ Eight troops in a 
>- regiment, 60 men 
) each. 



Col. Robert Clifford 
Sir James Cotton 
Col. Thos. Maxwell 
Lord Clare 



/Six troops in a 
> regiment, 60 men 
V each. 



Regiments of Foot. 
Royal Regiment, 22 Companies— 90 men each. 
Earl of Clancarty 
Col. Henry Fitzjames 
Colonel John Hambleton 
Earl of Clanrickard 
Earl of Antrim 
Earl of Tyrone 
Lord Gormanstown 
Lord Slane 
Lord Galloway 
Lord Duleek 
Lord Kilmallock 
Lord Kenmare 
Sir John Fitzgerald 
Sir Maurice Eustace 
Colonel Nugent 
Colonel Henry Dillon 
Colonel John Grace 
Colonel Edward Butler 
Colonel Thomas Butler 
Lord Pophin 



Colonel Charles Moore 
Colonel Cormac O'Neil 
Colonel Arthur MacMahon 
Earl of Westmeath 
Colonel Cavanagh 
Colonel Usborough 
Colonel MacCarthy More 
Colonel Gordon O'Neil 
Colonel John Barrett 
Colonel Charles O'Bryan 
Colonel Donovan 
Colonel Nicholas Browne 
Colonel O'Gara 
Sir Michael Creagh* 
Colonel Dom. Browne* 
Col. Bagnal 
Colonel MacEligott 
Lord Inniskillen 
Colonel Hugh MacMahon 
Colonel "Walter Bourke 
Colonel Felix O'Neil 
Lord Iveagh 
Colonel O'Keyly. 

Regiments from France. 
The Red Regiment 
The Blue Regiment 

Two White Regiments, each divided into 
several battalions, being in all 5000 men. 

Regiments that were sent to France in Exchange. 

Lord Mountcashel's 

Colonel Richard Butler's 

Colonel Daniel O'Bryan's 

Colonel Richard Fielding's 

Colonel Arthur Dillon's. 

Regiments that were raised and never taken into 

pay, but were disbanded. 
Lord Castleconnel 
Colonel Roger O'Connor 
Colonel Charles Geoghegan 
Colonel John Brown 
Colonel James Butler 
Colonel Manus O'Donnell 
Colonel O'Cahan 
Colonel Edward Nugent 
Colonel Charles Kelly 
Colonel Brien Mac Dermot 
Colonel James Talbot. 



Storey states that these last-mentioned " were meer IiHsh, and good for little, so no wonder 
they were broke." James had other forces in garrison throughout the country. Twenty-seven 
thousand men fought for him at the Boyne. 

* Limerick men, 



216 HISTORY OF LIMfiRIClC. 

a pistol at the drummer who was sent to him to surrender the fortress. 
" These are my terms/'' exclaimed Grace ; " these only will I give or receive ; 
and when my provisions are consumed I will defend it till I eat my boots/ ' 
hoisting a bloody flag at the moment, and beating back a detachment of 3,000 
horse and foot that attempted to cross the Shannon, killing Douglas's best 
gunner, and compelling the enemy to retreat more rapidly than they had 
advanced. After this defeat before Athlone, Douglas, with the remnant of his 
forces made an effort to join King Williain at Limerick. In doing so he was 
hourly afraid of falling into the hands of Sarsfield, who, he was aware would 
make short work of his troops if but the opportunity was thrown in his way. 
Instead, therefore, of taking the direct route to Limerick, he pursued the road 
by Ballymore and Ballyboy, avoiding Banagher, where he had heard that 
Sarsfield awaited him; and, passing through Eoscrea, he proceeded by 
Thurles which he sacked and burned, and Holycross, till he reached the camp 
at Cullen, where he did not arrive before the 8th of August. When he passed 
Eoscrea, he encamped on the north side of the hill of Eathnavaigue, near 
Dunkerrin, where the army spent a few days at rest. At the Devil's Bit 
mountain a message was received by Douglas from William, to hasten his 
march, the rapparees every where giving him more than enough to think of. The 
country people brought quantities of poultry and other provisions to the camp, all 
of which were paid for; and here an incident occurred which I have heard from 
the great grandson of the individual who then lived at Kyleanna, near Clona- 
kenny, in the neighbourhood. This gentleman rode to the camp with several 
others, having been attracted thither by curiosity. He saw that the grenadiers 
wore four bells on their waist belts for the purpose of frightening away cavalry; 
and it was here the following melancholy occurrence took place : — A soldier 
who had strayed across the hill to look at the country, sat down to rest, and 
soon afterwards fell asleep, probably from fatigue; some labourers were 
working near the spot digging a ditch, and their children who were with them, 
gathered around the sleeping soldier, and commenced playing with the bells ; 
the noise awoke him suddenly, when he ran off to where his firelock lay, a 
short distance ; the labourers thinking that he took the musket to fire at the 
children, one of them (the workmen) threw a stone at the soldier, which hit 
him on the head and knocked him senseless — the others dispatched him with 
their spades, and buried him on the spot where the occurrence took place. 
This was not known to the army, which passed on without making inquiries 
after the missing man. A foraging party of the same army was sent down 
from the camp towards Emmil, where they fell in with a large body of the 
followers of O'Carroll — long Anthony O'Carroll who had held the Castle of 
Nenagh — a conflict ensued — not one of the foraging party, about twelve in 
number escaped — and to this day the place where this occurred is called the 
" Bloody Togher" — it lies between Moneygall and Emmil — all in the King's 
County. 

The advice which it is alleged that King James gave his Colonels when he 
was taking leave of them — namely, that they should make the best terms for 
themselves and desert their duty, appears to be a calumny on his memory, 
because, according to the Memoirs of the Duke of Berwick, when he was 
proceeding from Kinsale for France, he wrote to Lord Tyrconnel that having 
left for that country on the recommendation of Lausun and others of his 
Mends, he hoped to send them considerable succours, and gave them in the 
mean time fifty-thousand pistoles which was all the money he had. While 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 217 

Duke of York, by land and by sea, the unfortunate James showed wonderful 
courage; but there can be no doubt when at the Boyne, he cried "Oh! spare 
my English subjects;" and when after his rapid flight from Dublin, he 
made the speech already quoted, and forthwith ran for France, he did not 
bequeath to his supporters a reputation on which they can ever take occasion 
to congratulate themselves, whilst his enemies even at the moment he was 
sparing them, were using every exertion to prove the contempt and hatred 
they entertained for him and the Irish. Lord Wharton boasted that he sung 
King James out of Ireland by a song, which became so popular with the 
Williamites that it was heard every where throughout the land that they had 
a footing. 1 

Of this doggrel and the use made of it at the Boyne and afterwards at 
Limerick, it is quite unnecessary to write ; but in Limerick it had no other 
effect than that of nerving the arm of the defenders to fight for native hearths 
and native altars and to conquer. 

Boisseleau was now the Governor of Limerick. Lausun and other French 

1 It is said that the Philippics of Demosthenes and Cicero had not a greater effect in Greece and 
Rome as those verses had in producing among the Protestants the revolt against James II. As 
many of my readers have never seen those verses, I shall here give them for their edification, as 
a demonstration of the utter recklessness of the anti-national and anti-Catholic party, and of 
their vindictive spirit towards the Irish and their faith. I have to apologise for giving the ballad 
in its integrity, as it contains a certain quantity of blasphemy and profanity, in which the army 
of William and the Orangemen generally indulged to their hearts' content The reader of Tristram 
Shandy will remember how uncle Toby (the type of Sterne's father, who served before Limerick), 
is described as whistling this air : — 

LILIBURLERO BULLEN-A-LA.* 
Sung to the modern air — " Protestant Boys." 

Ho ! broder Teague, dost hear de decree ? 

Lilli burlero, bull en a-la. 
Dat we shall have a new deputie, 

Lilli burlero, bullen a-la. 

Lero lero, lilli burlero, lero lero, bullen a-la, 
Lero lero, lilli burlero, lero lero, bullen a-la. 

Ho ! by shaint Tyburn, it is de Talbote ; Lilli, &c. 
And he will cut de Englishmen's troate ; Lilli, &c. 

Dough by my shoul de English do praat, Lilli, &c. 
De law's on dare side, and knows what, Lilli, &c. 

But if dispence do come from de Pope ; Lilli, &c. 

We'll hang Magna Charta, and dem in a rope ; Lilli, &c. 

For de good Talbot is made a lord; Lilli, &c. 
And with brave lads is coming aboard ; Lilli, &c. 

Who all in France have taken a sware ; Lilli, &c. 
Dat dey will have no Protestant heir ; Lilli, &c. 

Ara ! but why does he stay behind ? Lilli, &c. 
Ho ! by my shoul 'tis a Protestant wind, Lilli, &c. 

But see de Tyrconnel is now come ashore, Lilli, &c. 
And we shall have commissions gillore ; Lilli, &c. 

And he dat will not go to de mass, Lilli, &c. 
Shall be turned out, and look like an ass, Lilli, &c. 

Now, now de hereticks all go down, Lilli, &c. 

By C— t and Shaint Patrick, de nation's our own ; Lilli, &:. 

* Bullen-a-la, is a corruption of the Irish phrase " Baffin a laimh" i.e. " a loaf in (he hand." 



218 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Generals were in the city, but some of them speedily evacuated it; 1 they 
had no desire to fight for Ireland ; when Lausun saw Limerick first he pro- 
nounced that it could not be defended; 2 he who had been at Valenciennes 

Dare was an old prophecy found in a bog ; Lilli, &c. 
" Ireland shall be rul'd by an ass and a dog ;" Lilli, &c. 

And now dis prophecy is come to pass, Lilli, &c 
For Talbot's de dog, and James is de ass, Lilli, &c. 

Percy's Reliques of Ancient Poetry. 

Lillibullero was written, or at least republished, on the eve of Tyrconnell's going a second 
time to Ireland in October, 1688. Perhaps it is unnecessary to mention, that General Richard 
Talbot, newly created earl of Tyrconnell, had been nominated by King James II. to the lieu- 
tenancy of Ireland in 1686, on account of his being a decided Catholic, who had recommended 
himself to his master by his treatment of the Protestants in the preceding year, when only 
lieutenant-general, and whose subsequent conduct fully justified the King's expectations, and, we 
shall not add, their fears, because, after all, Tyrconnell was not strictly true to the old cause. 

1 I am indebted to Mr. Patrick Lynch, a very intelligent Head Constable of Police, for the 
following unpublished Irish Poem, written soon after the departure of King James from France, 
and the disastrous events which in the subsequent year followed, which Mr. Lynch has also 
translated: — 

1 t)o i'w\c ft]5 SeAtnuf cU5A]t)n 50 J)-6j7te, 
Re t)A bftos 5aII&a 'x n© ha by.07> 5aoIac ; 
Cojn At) a&aji) bui&e bA lejTjeAb roAjt pay bujnt), 
bjoc a cejc pT^jr A3 3AllA]b 17 a b-Girunn, 

*S o'c ! ocon ! 

2 lA rp^tinn CuAcrijU]0 bA cfiUA5 At) t5&Al &■> 

'5 An t)A n&Aojne UAjfle a 5-cuAtj a &-c|iaocca, 
'Nuaiti cA]i)ic AijUAr ojiTv* rsuAin atj beATiU, 
t>o tujri At) TIUA75 A]]t cuaIIacc SfyeArouir, 

'S o'c ! ocon ! 

3 1r jom&A &AO]ne UAirle £407 clocui&e beATiSA, 
FA07 clocuj&e UAicije 't clocuj&e sotinjA, 
2l5ur rAi5&7U]n rjnsil XA 5M)a a^ a 5UAlA7nt), 
"Do cuai& 50 cojse UIa& 'r nAft fl^ da a cu-Ainirs, 

9 S o'c ! ocon ! 

4 fc'jmcis ah rrnAl A]ti h-AlluiJe tuimneAc, 

'5 A77t ah tn-buibjn tijAnlA bioc nATi 5-cu7beAccA, 
, Sin e Uu67tA75e or cjonu 5AC \0w5e aco, 

'5 GonncAb An cuil bujbe cati ejr a noccA75ce, 
f S o'c I ocon I 

5 t)'7ttjq8 An T")Al A7lt bAb At) caIajc, 
'S ca CeAnn c-SAile lAn &o bAncAib, 
3AbA75 leAr-cAll CU75 bujcce An "bhAtt7tA73» 
CAjb nA p07|tc ttAobcA if Cjtte A5 BAllAjb, 

*S 6c ! ocon I 

6 $Ab roe hat* At) rllAb ro Am AonAtt, 
'5 seAbAb m© niATt a TM'r ^Ar 7^70771, 
G'Ajtnbeojn A n-AbtlA7& bobA75 At) beATllA, 
t)ei& i)A cttf riiseAcc ro 'txTr A5 SeAtnur, 

*S o'c ! ocon ! 

7 Wac A7C At) Ajc 't)ATl £A3bA& A JtAojtt Tint), 
2litx btiUAc t)A cttA5A 3An fJAice bon eAbAC, 
CA t)A loit)57r A5 rt)Att) »r A7t ronA A3 56ATI-50I, 
S* mo cuj5 ceAb flAt) 50 b^Ac leAcrA Gjfte, 

'S 6c ! ocon I 

8 1f 70it)&A VA7i.nu7tte jrAbA P70t)t) 31^73701, 
t)o CUA7& cati fA7le a t}-&]\n) K75 SeAmuf, 
t5o cAbtaAb a rcAc A7fi cAiTtcft) 5eA7t b^e, 
Ho A77% beoc FA7ttrjt)5 b'u7r5e t)A l)-eittiot)t), 

'S o'c ! ocoi) ! 

2 M'Ge-^ghegan's History of Ireland, p, 594. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 219 

and Phillipsburgh laughed when he saw those grey old walls, which he 
fancied would crumble to dust beneath the first shot, and exclaimed with 
an oath : " It is unnecessary for the English to bring cannon against such a 
place as this. What you call ramparts might be battered down with roasted 
apples. " He declared that " at all events he was determined not to throw 
away in a hopeless resistance the lives of the brave men who had been en- 
trusted to his care by his master." 1 This may not have been his real opinion 

LITERAL TRANSLATION. 

1 King James came orer to Ireland, 
Wearing an English shoe and an Irish brogue, 
And to coin into money for our pay, 

The bottoms of the brass cauldrons used by the English. 

2 The day of the conflict at Thomond [Bridge] was a woeful one, 
When our brave men were doomed to destruction, 

Being overpowered by the English-speaking hordes, 
Who routed the forces of James. 

3 Many nobles who wore scarlet cloaks, 
Blue cloaks and green ones ; 

And private soldiers with their guns on their shoulders, 
Marched into Ulster, and have not returned. 

4 The halls of Limerick are rendered desolate, 
And the fair ladies who kept us company ; 
Body is now in command of the fleet, 

And Donocha* of the yellow hair is stripped of his territories. 

5 The Passage ferry-boat is distressed, 
And Kinsale harbour is full of shipping ; 

You had better march round by Barry's country, 

The fortresses are taken, and Ireland is in the hands of the enemy, 

6 I travelled alone this mountain westwards, 
And I shall if possible again return ; 

And despite of what those English-speaking churls boast of, 
King James shall yet reign over these three kingdoms. 

7 What wretched quarters were last night allowed us, 
On the sea-shore, without any clothing to cover us ; 

The ships are going to sail, and our wives most bitterly weeping, 
And my five hundred farewells for ever be with you, Erin. 

8 Many tall fair-haired comely men, 

Who crossed the sea3 in King James' army, 

Who would give their estates for a pot of sour beer, 

Or for a drink of Erin's water. 

No. 1. refers to King James' pro-English sympathy as expressed on Donore hill and elsewhere ; 
also to his Brass Money. 

No. 2. refers to the disaster on Thomond Bridge immediately upon the Capitulation. 

No. 3. refers to the defeat of Lord Mountcashel at Newtown Butler in 1689. 

No. 4. I know nothing of Body, but Donocha was the last Earl of the MacCarthys of Blarney 
Castle. 

No. 6. probably refers to the intention of the soldiers of the Irish Brigade to return and regain 
what they had lost at the Boyne and Aughrim. 

No. 7. refers to the ill-treatment experienced by King James' Army previous to their sailing 
for France. I have heard that some of the soldiers' wives waded into the water as far as the 
boats, and that the English soldiers in charge of the transport vessels cut off their fingers with 
their swords when they clung to the sides of the boats to enter. 

No. 8. most feelingly refers to the longing for home of the members of the Irish Brigade. 

1 Colonel O'Kelly's Macariae Excidium; MGeoghegan's History of Ireland. Life of James 
II., 420, &c. 

* O'Sullivan Beare, in his Hisloriae Catholicce, speaks of a learned and hospitable man named 
Donogh M'Grath, or Donogh an t-Sneachta ; so called from his white locks of hair, who was 
treacherously hanged in Cork by the English to which he had been favorable. 



220 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

of the strength of Limerick. Lord Macaulay says 1 " The truth is that the 
judgment of the brilliant and adventurous Frenchman was biassed by his 
inclinations. He and his companions were sick of Ireland. They were ready 
to face death with courage, nay with gaiety on a field of battle." Macaulay 
proceeds to regard the case from the Anglo-Saxon point of view ; and says : 
" But the dull, squalid, barbarous life which they (the French) had been now 
leading during several months was more than they could bear. They were 
as much out of the civilized world as if they had been banished to Dahomey 
or Spitzbergen. The climate affected their health and spirits. In that un- 
happy country, wasted by years of predatory warfare, hospitality could offer 
little more than a couch of straw, a trencher of meat half raw, half burned, 
and a draught of sour milk. 2 A crust of bread, a pint of wine could hardly 
be purchased for money. A year of such hardship seemed a century to men, 
who had been always accustomed to carry with them to the camp the luxuries 
of Paris, soft bedding, rich tapestry, sideboards of plate, hampers of Cham- 
pagne, opera dancers, cooks and musicians. Better to be a prisoner in the 
Bastille, better to be a recluse at La Trappe, than to be generalissimo of the 
half-naked savages who burrowed in the dreary swamps of Munster. Any 
plea was welcome which would serve as an excuse for returning from that 
miserable exile to the land of corn fields and vineyards, of gilded coaches and 
laced cravats." 3 A vile plea for men who called themselves soldiers ! 

Tyrconnell had already sent away his wife (Frances Jennings, elder sister of 
the famous Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough) to France, and his own wealth 
as well as the King's treasure. Among those who shared the fortune of 
James, was the Eight Eev. Dr. John Moloney (of the Kiltanon family, in the 
County of Clare) Bishop of Limerick and administrator of Killaloe. He was 
in Paris at this period (1690), an envoy to the Court of Louis, to negotiate 
assistance for Ireland. His remains were interred in the College of the 
Lombards, where his tomb bears the following inscription : — 



Illustris et Eeverendissimus Ecclesiae presul, Johannes O'Malony, 
Ex antiquissima familia inter Hibemos ortus, Parisi ab adolescentia educatus, 
et Sacrae facultatis Parisi Doctor, ex Canonico Rothomagensi, f actus primum 
Episcopus Laonensis, sui nominis et familise tertius ; deinde Episcopus Lim- 
ericensis et Administrator Laonensis, Catholicse religionis et patriae ardens 
Zelator, propterea ab Hereticis sepe ad necem Quaesitus, Tandem Parisi 
redux exul et collegio in nsum Sacerdotum Hibernorum trecentas libellas, 
Tuorensis anui reditus donavit, preter mille ducentas libellas in construct- 
ionem hujus Sacelli semel donatas obiit die tertia Septembris anno suae 
aetatis 78, et in anno Domini 1702.4 



' • Lord Macaulay's History of England, vol. 3, p. 664:. 

2 This was not the case at a more distant period, because we find by the inquisition in the 
reign of Henry VIII., and held in Limerick in the thirty-third year of that reign, that wine 
was imported in immense quantities, and that merchants complained of the fraudulent impositions 
to which their property was subjected by the old chieftains between Carrigaholt and Carrigo- 
gunnell, who boarded the ships and took booty by way of tax from them. The inquisition 
has been given in a preceding chapter. 

3 The impatience of Lauzun and his countrymen to get away from Ireland is mentioned in a 
letter of Oct. 21, 1690, quoted in the Memoirs of James II. 420. 

4 The Right Rev. John O'Moloney descended from one of the most ancient families^ in 
Ireland, studied in Paris from his youth, where he acquired the degree of Doctor of Divinity, 
and after accomplishing his studies he returned to his native country, and was made Bishop of 
Killaloe, the third of his name and family, as Bishop in that diocese. In the course of some 
time afterwards he was appointed Bishop of the diocese of Limerick and Administrator of Killaloe. 
He remained in Paris after the fall of James, where he contributed to the erection of the Irish 
College, and built the chapel attached to it at his own expense. — Besides, he established three 



HISTORY OF LIMLRICK. 



221 



Tyrconnell had but little hope. No doubt our country had been "brayed 
in a mortar" during the wars of Elizabeth, and subsequently during the great 
rebellion, &c. Sir William Petty, in his Political Anatomy of Ireland (Tracts, 
p. 313.), says that between October 23, 1611, and the same day, 1652, "If 
Ireland had continued in peace for the said eleven years, then the 1,466,000 
(population in 1611) had increased by generation in that time to 73,000 
more, making in all 1,539,000, which were by the said wars brought, anno 
1652, to 850,000, so that there were lost 689,000 souls, for whose blood 
somebody should answer both to God and the King." And forty years after 
Sir "William Petty wrote this the Irish were in a more terrible position than 
when he wrote; yet they made a stand within Limerick for all they 
cherished as most dear ! As to the civilization of the Irish, even before this 
period, I will quote again from Sir William Petty : " The diet, and housing, 
and clothes is much the same as in England ; nor is the French elegance 
unknown to many of them, nor the French and Latin tongues. The latter 
amongst the poorest Irish, and chiefly in Kerry, most remote from Dublin, 
where it is very freely spoken." — Political Anatomy of Ireland (Tracts, 
p. 351). What an answer to Lord Macaulay. 

Gloomy indeed is the picture of Limerick at this period • not certainly 
congenial to the luxurious refinement of the French. It is by no means en- 
couraging as regards our notions of their self-abnegation, and that respect 
which they ought to cherish for a nation which had placed unbounded con- 



Burses for the use and benefit of the O'Molony family to the exclusion of strangers, on which 
many members of his family studied, namely, the Very Rev. Matthew Molony, V.G. and P.P. 
of Tomevara, his brother, Rev. Miles Molony, P.P. of Borrisokane, and also the Very Rev. 
Daniel Molony Murphy, formerly PP. of Xenagh, who was the last of the family who enjoyed 
these Burses, with the exception of the Rev. Patrick Molony Ryan, P.P. of Cappamore in the 
Archdiocese of Cashel, who has been proved, he stares, before three magistrates to be the legal 
claimant to this ecclesiastical hereditary property, and his claim has been confirmed by the 
Minister of Interior, in Paris, and the Public Tribunals. 
A tombstone in Kilquane bears the following inscription : — 



Broken off 



Here lieth ye Body 

of Doctor Mathew 

Moloxy who was 

Vicar General of E 

ye Diecess of Limerick 

and Killalowe for 

32 years Parish 



Broken off 



Close to the tomb of Doctor Mathew Molony there is another tombstone of nearly the same 
dimensions, with the following inscription, which I give here : — 



This tomb was erected 

by ye Parishnrs. of Kilquane 

and Munchins in memory 

of ye Rev. Father Francis 

Nolan in the Parish 

for 

departed this life 
ye 4th day of 
.January, 1768 
aged 64 years. 



In Kilquane there had been several ancient tombstones with inscriptions in the Irish character ; 
there are few if any traces of them now. Some of them were shattered several years ago by 
soldiery from the garrison of Limerick. 



222 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

fidence in the good faith they professed to right the wrongs that had reduced 
Ireland to the unhappy condition in which she was at this period — torn on all 
sides — a victim above all to her blind devotion to a King, who quitted her 
shores in the moment of danger. 

It is certain that William, who had set out on his march to Limerick on 
the 9th of July, made several delays, and spoke of returning to England, in 
the hope that he might be able to induce Tyrconnell to enter into a satisfac- 
tory negociation. In his progress he was accompanied by the Duke of 
Ormonde, with whom he dined at his castle of Kilkenny, where, no doubt, he 
admired the magnificent gallery of paintings, which included portraits of the 
unfortunate Earl of Strafford in his younger days and towards the close of his 
puzzling career. 1 Erom Kilkenny, on Sunday the 20th, they marched six miles 
farther, to Mr. Read's, of Rossenara, where they encamped ; on the following 
day, they reached Carrick-on-Suir, where also they encamped, and viewed the 
residence of the Duke of Ormonde, whose ancestor, Edward Boteler, or Butler, 
in the reign of Edward II. obtained the honor of Earl of Carrick, which the 
Duke now enjoyed. While in camp near Carrick-on-Suir, I believe at a place 
called Deer Park, a few miles on the Clonmel road, William, who had heard 
that Thomas Otway, Protestant Bishop of Ossory, refused to pray for him, 
directed his secretary, Sir William Southwell, to write to the Bishop, sus- 
pending him till further orders. William now summoned Waterford, which 
surrendered ; and here again he spoke of going to England, but did not do 
so, and joined the army on the 2nd of August at Golden Bridge. 

While William was at Golden Bridge, he was waited on by the Mayor 
and Corporation of Cashel, who presented him with a petition on the subject 
of their displacement by James, and he gave them a letter restoring them 
to their ancient rights and privileges, and naming Mayor, Aldermen, and 
Officers of the Corporation. 2 

On the 6th he reached Sallywood, having sent a party of horse the 
day before towards Limerick. In the army of William were several 
refugee Protestant clergymen, who accompanied him on his march, and 
among them was Ulysses Burgh, Dean of Emly. On the 8th of August 
William entered the county of Limerick, marching to Caherconlish, within a 
short distance of Dromkeen, the ancient patrimony and residence of the 
Burghs of Dromkeen. 3 Burgh visited his house, which he found standing, 

I The epitaph on Strafford's tomb shows what was thought of him : — 
" Here his wise and valiant dust 

Huddled up 'twixt fit and just : 

Strafford who was hurried hence, 

'Twixt treason and convenience. 

He spent his time here in a mist, 

A Papist, yet a Calvinist ; 

His Prince's nearest joy and grief 

He had, yet wanted, all relief : 

The proposed ruin of the State, 

The People's violent love and hate, 

Are in extremes loved and abhorred. 

Riddles lie here, and in a word, 

Here lies , and let it be 

Speechless still and never crie — BushveWs Knights of the Garter. 
3 Report of the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland. James If. granted a 
Charter to Cashel, dated 20th October, 5th of his reign, by which he made a seizure of the 
Franchises of the city into the King's hands by a judgment of his Exchequer. 

3 Burgh of Dromkeen. Lodge tells us that John, eldest son of Walter Bourke (who was 
Mc William Oughter and chief of his Sept, and died in 1440), assisted James, Earl of Ormonde 
against the O'Briens, but eventually marrying their sister, obtained with her the greater part of 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 223 

but " rifled to extremity/'' The Dean's local knowledge, and his influence 
in procuring provisions from the country people, proved of great service to 
William, who promised him preferment on the success of his arms. But 
so many others had received similar promises, that William found it difficult 

the Barony of Coshma, -which he exchanged with the Bourkes of Castle Connell, for the third part 
of that of Clanwilliam ; and that he -was governor of Dromkeen the year he died. His eldest son, 
"William Duffe, was father of Meyler Bourke of Dromkeen, whose descendants were styled " Sloght 
Meyler," to distinguish them from the Castle Connell family. His grandson, Richard Oge Burke, 
was found by Inquisition taken at Kilmallock, 18 October, 1522, to have died in 1596, seized of 
Dromkeen, Drumrask, Rathkipp, Pallasbeg and other lands. This Richard Oge was father of 
Meyler, grand-father of Ulick, and great grand-father of Richard, who becoming the male heir of 
the family, inherited Dromkeen and the other entailed estates in 1640. He was in Holy Orders 
of the Protestant Church, and anglicised his name into Burgh, a common practice in those days 
with those who adhered to the English interest. For the same fashionable reason at that time, he 
called his eldest son Ulysses instead of Ulick — Ulick was an Irish corruption of William, or "William 
Oge, and was first given to Sir William Bourke, ancestor of the Marquesses of Clanrickarde ; but 
had no more real connection with Ulysses than the classic Cornelius had with the Celtic Connor, 
for which it has been substituted. 

This Ulysses Burgh of Dromkeen, was, like his father, a Protestant clergyman. He improved 
his interest by marrying a lady of illustrious descent, Mary Kingsmill, daughter of William Kings- 
mill, M.P. for Mallow, and grand-daughter of Sir "Warham St. Leger, by Ursula, daughter of 
George Lord Abergavenny, and grand-daughter of the ill-fated Edward Stafford, Duke of 
Buckingham. She -was consequently very nearly related to the house of Plantagenet. Ulysses 
Burgh obtained his first preferment in the district where the estates of his family gave him con- 
siderable influence, and in 1672 we find him Rector of Kilteely and of Grean. In 1685 he 
obtained the Deanery of Emly, with a house and some preferment in the City of Cashel. But in 
three years more Ireland became the scene of civil war. The Dean of Emly was obliged to fly — 
and we next find him in London. He accompanied William III. to Ireland. However, in 1692, 
Dean Burgh was named Bishop of Ardagh ; and as this see was a very poor see, and before and 
since has only been held with another Bishopric, the King promised Dr. Burgh speedy promotion, 
and gave the Deanery of Emly, which he was vacating, to his son-in-law, Dr. Thomas Smyth,* 
afterwards Bishop of Limerick. The new Bishop of Ardagh, however, never received the promised 
advancement, for he died in less than six months after obtaining the mitre. He was ancestor of 
that gallant soldier — Sir Ulysses Burgh, Lord Downes, G.C.B., general in the army, and aid-de- 
camp to the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War ; and also of that eminent lawyer and 
statesman — Chief Baron Hussey Burgh ; whose grand-son now holds part of the Dromkeen estate. 

• The family of Smyth is the largest in the British isles, and exists in the highest as well as 
the humblest ranks. The name is written in many forms, of which Sihth is the earliest. About 
the time of Henry VIII. it was frequently written Smyth, by adding the mute e then commonly 
used, or Smtjth, by making two dots over the y in the simpler form. Smithsox appears to be 
only a modification of this name, though the Dukes of Northumberland, who belong to this family, 
derive the name from the lands of Smethtojt. 

Of these different modes of spelling, the first was adopted by the extinct Lords Carrington, 
and by the family, in no way related to them, of the present Lord Carrington ; though he himself, 
like Lord Lyveden and some other noble members of the Smith family, has exchanged that for a 
less common name. Lord Strangford's family, an ancient and eminent one, spells the name 
Smythe, whilst an Essex Boronet adheres to the strange orthography of Smijth. 

The Smyths who, for some generations, took so leading a part in Limerick, were originally 
seated at Rossdale, in Yorkshire, but they settled in the reign of Queen Elizabeth at Dundrum, 
in Downshire, and afterwards in Lisburn, in Antrim. At an early date, they became connected 
with the Protestant episcopate, by the marriage of one of their family, Mary Smyth of Dundrum, 
with Henry Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh. This prelate, who died 1613, had, when Archdeacon 
of Dublin, taken the chief part in persuading Elizabeth to grant its charter to the University of 
Dublin, of which he was the first Fellow ; and several members of his wife's family, adopting a 
University life, discovered in the College which he had helped to found, a road to the episcopal 
bench. 

Thomas Smyth, Bishop of Limerick, born at Dundrum in 1654. was connected with many of 
the old Irish families through his mother, one of the Dowdalls of Glasspistel, in Louth, a family 
then of great eminence in the Pale, but subsequently ruined by Cromwell's forfeitures. He was 
brought up at the University of Dublin, where his nephew, Edward Smyth, and his cousin, 
William Smyth, also received their education. All three obtained Fellowships there ; and all three 
held Irish Bishopricks in the same year, 1699. 

William, Bishop of Killala, and afterwards of Kilmore, was ancestor of the families of 
Gaybrook and Drumcree, and of the Smythes, of Barbavilla, Co. Westmeath. Edward was 
Dean of St. Patrick's, and afterwards Bishop of Down and Connor. He died in 1720 ; leaving two 



224 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

to keep them. Burgh, however, was fortunate enough to obtain the Bishop- 
ric of Ardagh; and his son-in-law Thomas Smith, afterwards Bishop of 
Limerick, the Deanery of Emly. Among other places visited on his march 
to the city, was Cahernorry, where William is said to have slept, and 
which was then, as it had been up to a recent period, in possession of the 
Cripps family. 1 The Eev. Mr. Cripps obtained the grant of Cahernorry, not 

sons, of whom the elder was ancestor of the Smyths of Mount Henry, in the Queen's County, and 
the younger was father of the Right Honourable Sir Skeffington Smyth, M.P., created a Baronet 
in 1776, whose heir married the first Lord Dunsandale. 

Thomas Smyth, with whom we are chiefly concerned, was elected a Fellow of Trinity College 
in 1677 ; and for twelve years he enjoyed the studious calmness of a University life. But civil 
war breaking out, he fled to England in 1689, thus forfeiting his fellowship; and then became 
curate of St. Martin's in the Fields, an important parish in London, under the celebrated Doctor 
Tennison, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. Here he married Dorothea, daughter of Ulysses 
Burgh of Dromkeen, Dean of Emly, and like him a refugee from Ireland, both being partizans of 
the Prince of Orange. When the Dean of Emly was made Bishop of Ardagh in 1692, he obtained 
the King's permission for his son-in-law, Dr. Smyth, to succeed him in his Deanery : and on the 
see of Limerick becoming vacant three years later, Queen Mary, on the special recommendation 
of his old friend, Archbishop Tennison, obtained it for him ; and Dr. Smyth was accordingly 
consecrated in Trinity College, 8 December, 1695. 

He was a man of great learning, and indefatigable in the performance of his duties ; but his 
cold and haughty manners were ill-suited to preserve his favor at Court, after Queen Mary's 
death ; so that in an age when translations were the rule, he was never removed to a wealthier 
preferment, the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Dublin being only an honorary appoint- 
ment. He died on the 4th May, 1725, and was buried at St. Munchin's, leaving £600 to the 
poor of Limerick, and settling the landed property on his two sons in succession. He had besides 
three daughters, of whom one died young. The eldest married twice. Her first husband was 
Sir Nicholas Osborne, of Knockmoane, the fifth Baronet of that ancient family, by whom she had 
a daughter and eventual heir, who married Mr. Vereker, of Roxborough.* Lady Osborne married 
secondly Colonel Ramsa} r , and had another daughter Mary, who married Mr. Bochfort, brother of 
Lord Belvidere. Dorothea, the youngest daughter of the Bishop, marrying Mr. Tucker, of Cavan, 
was grand-mother of the late gallant sailor, Admiral Sir Edward Tucker, G.C.B., who died in 
1864. 

Of the Bishop's numerous sons, William was Dean of Ardfert ; John, Chancellor of Connor ; 
Henry, Archdeacon of Glendalough; and George, M.P. and a Baron of the Exchequer. Arthur, 
the eighth son, after being made Dean of Derry in 1744, became successively Bishop of Clonfert, 
Down, Meath, and Archbishop of Dublin, the latter in 1766. Dying in 1772, he was buried in 
St. Patrick's Cathedral, where the beautiful monument erected to his memory, has been lately 
restored, with the rest of that venerable pile, by the liberal taste of Mr. Guinness, who is connected 
with the family of the Archbishop through the Lees. 

Edward, ninth son of the Bishop of Limerick, was an eminent physician, and a considerable 
benefactor to the poor of Limerick and Dublin ; whilst James, the youngest of this numerous 
family, was Collector of Limerick, Sheriff of the City in 1741, and Mayor in 1751. He was 
grand-father of the late Chief Baron O'Grady ; and also of Carew Smyth, the last Recorder of 
Limerick. 

Charles Smyth, for so many years M.P. for the city, was the Bishop's second son. — But he out- 
lived all his brothers, and saw five Bishops succeed his father. His public career sufficiently 
appears in the course of this history. Called to the Irish Bar in 1725, he married, three years 
later, Elizabeth Prendergast, Lady Hamon, a young widow of considerable fortune, which was 
eventually largly increased. For her brother, the Eight Honourable Sir Thomas Prendergast, the 
last Baronet of that family, for many years M.P. for Clonmell, in the Irish Parliament, and for 
Chichester in that of England, died whilst a patent was preparing to create him Viscount Clonmell, 
and left no issue ; and her eldest sister, the Countess of Meath also dying childless, all the 

1 This family is now represented by John Gleeson, Esq., Solicitor, Limerick, who married 
Miss Cripps, daughter of the late Alderman John Cripps, the last male representative of the 



* The family of Vereker first settled near Limerick in the reign of Queen Anne, when Connel 
Vereker of Douglas and Grange, in the County of Cork, (a gentleman paternally of Dutch descent, 
but whose mother was heir to a branch of the Celtic O'Connells), purchased the estate of Rox- 
borough from the Hollow-Sword-Blade Company, and erected a mansion, which still exists, in a 
park laid out with canals, terraces, and hedges, in the stiff Dutch fashion, all long since removed. 
He served as High Sheriff for the County of Limerick in 1729, and died in 1733. Henry, his 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 225 

from William, but from King Charles II., to whose interest he was attached ; 
but he showed hospitality to William, and as a token of his Majesty's good 

Prendergast estates devolved on John, the youngest son of Charles Smyth and lady Hamon, who 
thereupon took the name of Prendergast only. 

Charles Smyth died in 1784, leaving a daughter, who married her cousin Thomas Vereker, of 
Roxborough, and two surviving sons, Thomas and John. For his second son, Charles Lennon, 
Colonel of the celebrated Irish Regiment, the Green Horse, (which was raised in 1685, and after 
a glorious career as the 2nd Horse, bas been styled the 5th Dragoon Guards since 1788), bad died 
unmarried, two years previously, when on his passage to Bordeaux, and within sight of that city, 
which was then popular as. a sanatorium, but which was soon to prove equally fatal to his elder 
brother Thomas. 

This estimable gentleman served as High Sheriff of the County in 1770; as Mayor of Limerick 
in 1765 and 1776 ; and as M.P. from the latter year to his death. He was an ardent lover of 
his native city — introduced many improvements in the management of the corporate income — 
was a warm friend of the Volunteer movement, and Colonel of the Limerick Regiment — and in 
fine, took the greatest interest in the prosperity of Limerick. Being compelled by ill health to 
sail for Lisbon, he was driven into Bordeaux by stress of weather, and died there, having specially 
desired his body to be brought back to Limerick, where he was interred at St. Munchin's with 
solemnity, on the 7th April, 1785. 

By his death, the family influence in the Corporation and City devolved on his brother, John 
Prendergast, Esq., of Gort, then M.P. for Carlow. He had served in the Royal Irish Dragoons, 
and was then Lieutenant-Colonel of the Limerick Independents, and afterwards Colonel of the 
Limerick City Militia. On inheriting the Smyth estates he took that name after Prendergast, 
and was eventually created Viscount Gort, with remainder to his nephew, the Right Honourable 
Charles Vereker, who succeeded him ; and was father of John Prendergast, present and third 
Viscount ; who, like his predecessors in the title, has served as M.P. for Limerick, and as Colonel 
of the City Regiment of Militia, the Smyth and Vereker families having occupied the former post 
for 87 consecutive years; and the latter since the first enrolment of the Regiment, 14 April, 1793 
— now (1864) 71 years. 

eldest son, married Anne, daughter and heir of Sir Nicholas Osborne, the fifth Baronet, of Knock- 
moane, in Waterford, was father of Thomas, Sheriff of Limerick in 1762, and Mayor in 1767; 
who, marrying his cousin, Juliana Smyth, died 16 November, 1801. 

He was succeeded in the Roxborough estate by his eldest surviving son, Charles, afterwards 
Viscount Gort. He was born in 1768, the year of his father's mayoralty, when that civic office 
had been distinguished by unusual hospitality and splendour. Charles Vereker entered the navy 
in 1781, and served in her H.M.S. Alexander at the spirited relief of Gibraltar in the following 
year. But the preliminaries of peace being signed within two months after the return of the 
Fleet to England, he then left the navy, and obtained in 1785, a commission in the 1st Royals. 
He served with them until his marriage in 1789, with Mrs. Stamer, daughter of Mr. Westropp, 
of Attyflin ; a lady whose premature death in 1798 was much regretted, and deservedly so, if we 
can trust the contemporary journals ; for the Limerick Chronicle in April, 1782, when recording 
her first marriage, describes her as " the very amiable Miss Westropp, daughter of Ralph 
"Westropp, Esq., of Attyflin, with an immense fortune;" and again on reporting her second 
marriage, calls her " a young lady possessed of every amiable qualification to render the married 
state happy," 

The year after his marriage Mr. Vereker was elected M.P. for Limerick ; and became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the City Militia in 1793, commanding that Regiment on its first march to Birr, on the 
19th July in that month. At its head he fought the battle of Coloony, which shall be referred to 
hereafter, which, occuring immediately after the notorious "Races of Castlebar," was important 
in its effects. These are well described in the patent by which George III. granted him 
supporters to his arms, for " the great ability and courage manifested by him, the said Charles 
Vereker, when, with a detachment of 300 of our said militia he engaged the whole of the French 
and Rebel forces at Coloony, in Ireland, on the 5th day of September, 1798, by which bold and 
gallant exertion the enemy were prevented from taking possession of the town of Sligo, and were 
so effectually embarrassed and delayed, that our forces were enabled to come up with, and to 
entirely defeat them." 

Colonel Vereker continued to serve with his Regiment until it was disembodied after the Battle 
of Waterloo. For man} r years M.P. for Limerick, a Privy Councillor, Lord of the Irish Treasury, 
Governor of the City of Limerick, and the last to hold the ancient feudal office of Constable of its 
Castle, he eventually succeeded his uncle as Viscount Gort, and became an Irish representative 
Peer ; but his political life is too recent and well known to render further details necessary. 

John Vereker, Sheriff of Limerick in 1763, and Mayor in 1769, was the third son of Connel 
Vereker, of Roxborough 

Amos Vereker, who was Sheriff of Limerick in 1778, was the second son of the above John, 
and father of Dr. Vereker of Limerick. 

16 



226 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

will, lie bestowed upon the Kev. gentleman a gold ring, with a beautifully 
executed miniature portrait of the King — a perfect masterpiece of art — set 
in crystal. 1 

At one in the morning of the eighth, King William sent out nine hundred 
horse and two hundred foot, detached out of the Regiments of Oxon, Tre- 
lawney, Cuts, Lanier, Loyd, and Danes, under the command of Herr Ben- 
tinck, Earl of Portland, and Brigadier Stewart, &c, who advanced within 
cannon-shot of the city, notwithstanding the opposition made by three 
regiments of the Irish foot, one of horse, and another of dragoons, who stood 
but one volley, though they had the cover of the hedges through which they 
fired. About four hours after, the detachment returned to the camp, and 
gave William an account of the position of the Irish. About seven o'clock, 
p.m., William himself proceeded with a fresh party of 200 select horse, being 
accompanied by Prince George, Major-General Ginkle, the Herr Overkirke, 
and other great officers, and approached within two miles of the city. 2 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE SIEGE OE 1690 — MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT OE BRIGADIER SARSFIELD, 

&C. THE BLACK BATTERY — HEROIC DEVOTION AND BRAVERY OF THE 

WOMEN OF LIMERICK — OVERTHROW OF WILLIAM. 

Eorty days after the battle of the Boyne, William appeared before 
Limerick, not indeed without a trembling apprehension of the consequences 
— because, though he had been made aware of the existence of divided coun- 
cils within, and though a large portion of the French army had already gone 
to Galway to take shipping for Erance, the advice of Sarsfield and the majority 
of the Irish officers had prevailed to defend the city to the last. Boisseleau had 
been left in command of twenty thousand Irish soldiers, not one half of 
whom had been armed. 3 Three thousand five hundred horsemen were en- 
camped, in addition, within five miles of Limerick, beyond the river Shannon, 
and kept up a free communication with the city. 

Limerick, at this period, was not the Limerick of to-day. Within the time, 
no city in Ireland or England has undergone so extensive a change, and such 
wonderful improvement. The city was then confined within the walls of the 
Englishtown and the Irishtown, but both were distinct ; whilst forty or fifty 
years before, as we learn from Dr. Thomas Arthur's MSS., portions of the 
Irishtown were a suburb — the south suburb of the city. The chief houses 
of business, the dwellings of the gentry and nobility, the Cathedral, the 
churches, the gaol, and the Courthouse, were in the Englishtown. It was 
here that the Lord of Brittas, the Earl of Thomond, &c. &c, had their resi- 
dences. The bright river washed the walls which ran in a hue with King John's 
Castle, where the Castle Barracks now are, and with the ground on which 
the City Gaol and the City and County Court House now stand, down by 

1 This heir-loom has been preserved with a tender care for over 170 years in the Cripps 
family. The ring is for the little finger, but massive and of the finest gold — and the setting is 
as fresh and as faultless as if it had come from the hands of the goldsmith. "We know nothing 
more interesting as a token of regard from a Royal hand to one who had done him a service. 

2 The enemy were come so near, with some of their outguards, that Molleneux says they could 
hear them " talk with their damnd Irish brogue on their tongues, but they were separated from 
us," he adds, " by a bog, which was very deep, and so situated that we could not possibly 
attack them." 

3 Memoirs of King James, quoted in O'Callaghan's Mac arise Excidium. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 227 

Merchant's Quay, George's Quay, &c, till they met at Ball's Bridge. The 
wall then went round by the Island and the Abbey, meeting at St. Munchin's 
Church, and joining Thomond Bridge, where also there was a gate. The old 
maps and plans of the city show that, though it was confined within com- 
paratively narrow Kmits at this time, it was handsome and regular, particu- 
larly when viewed from the river, to which it showed a noble frontage west- 
ward, old St. Mary's Cathedral, with its towers, then, as now, a prominent 
object in the foreground. The New Town, now the finest portion of the city, 
and the great centre of its trade, was not built for seventy years afterwards. 
Meadows and corcasses then occupied the grounds down to the water's edge. 
Captain Creagh, an old and highly respectable gentleman, who died 
some years ago in Cashel, informed me in 1851, that he remembered 
shooting snipe in Patrick- street, on the ground on which the houses of which 
the office of the Reporter and Vindicator, is one, are built ! — that the ground 
in question was a marsh which the tide covered, and that it was deemed 
unfit for building on when he was a boy. The walls in the Irishtown were 
of recent construction as compared with the Englishtown — that is, they were 
built at intervals of time, commencing in the fourteenth century ; they were 
occasionally repaired, and they were not extended throughout until the early 
part of the seventeenth century. 

The streets in the Englishtown, at this time, were " the Great Street," 
now Mary-street and Nicholas-street, which bisected the town, and from 
which ran Fish-lane, Prison-lane, Change-lane, Stag-lane, Bishop's-lane, 
Merritt's-lane, Whitehouse-lane, Eed Lion-lane, Flag-lane, Broad-lane 
which joined St. Munchin's Church ; and lower down on the same side was 
Meetinghouse-lane; at the other side, where the Cathedral stands, were 
Creagh, 1 first called Crevaagh-lane, Quay-lane, Bow-lane, (perhaps originally 
Bough-lane or Creagh-lane;) Newgate-lane, near the Castle, with Castle-street 
leading to Thomond Bridge. The small lane which divides the large house 
said to have been Sir Geoffrey Gallway's Castle, from the Exchange, was 
called afterwards, Churchyard-lane, and then Gridiron-lane. The English 
Town was surrounded by a wall, which had Fish Gate, Prison Gate, Abbey 
Gate, Little Island Gate, Barrack Gate, Island Gate, and a bastion near St. 
Munchin's. At the other, or river side, there were Creagh Gate and the 
Castle Gate. The streets in the Irishtown were, Mungret-street, Palmers- 
town-street, and the various intersecting lanes, with Broad-street and 
John-street, to John's Church. A wall ran around the entire of the Irish- 
town ; and the gates were East and West Water Gate, Mungret Gate, and 
John's Gate. An imaginative writer describes the city at this period as 
very like a spider, whose narrow waist might be said to be Ball's Bridge, 
which, in our memory, had houses on each side of it, and was so narrow that 
even two cars could not pass at the same time. Subsequently, the houses 
on the east side were thrown down. 2 

1 Creagh, (or Crevaagh) the Irish for bough. The name of an ancient and respectable family 
in Limerick descended from the O'Neils, who wore green boughs in their caps during a victory 
over the Danes. 

2 A plan of Limerick in the British Museum gives a description of the city soon after this time ; 
it shows that the English Town stands upon the highest ground in the Island on which the city 
is built ; the Great Street runs along the summit, and it falls gradually upon each side, but 
rather more considerably on the West. From the Castle to Ball's Bridge descends every way, 60 
as not at first to be perceived. From Ball's Bridge to John's Gate the ascent is next to a flat, 
but it grows greater out of the Gate, and continues so for 340 yards from the Wall. The ascent 
from the Bridge to Mungret Gate is rather more, and without sides as far as the outworks 
extends, is more considerable than anywhere else ; but farms on it seem to be on a flat. The 



228 HISTORY OF LIMERICK* 

It was now resolved at a Council of war, at which William presided in 
person, to march towards the city in order of battle, for they were aware 
that the country being very close, the Irish soldiers lined the hedges, 
and had determined to fight it out with undiminished valor. As they moved 
from the height of Park through the boggy ground towards the citadel, two 
great guns, which were mounted on the Abbey of the Canons Regular of St. 
Augustin near Ball's Bridge, 1 did much mischief to them. Between six 
and seven in the evening William ordered a trumpeter to be sent with a 
summons to the city, as a deserter had previously informed them, a great 
part of the garrison, with some of the officers, were for capitulating ; but 
Monsieur Boisseleau, the Governor, the Duke of Berwick, and Colonel Sarsfield, 
&c. resolutely opposed it, telling the garrison of the great divisions that were 
in England; upon which 50,000 French had made a descent they said; and the 
Prince of Orange would be obliged to draw off his army in a few days, to 
defend the kingdom of England, and thereupon prevailed upon them to 
stand to their arms. The trumpeter was sent back with this answer from 
Monsieur Boisseleau, the Governor, that as King James had entrusted him 
with the garrison, he would recommend himself to the Prince of Orange by 
a vigorous defence. About eight at night William went to his camp a short 
mile from the city, having been on horseback from four in the morning, 
giving the necessary orders, and exposing himself amidst dangers, in which 
the Prince of Denmark everywhere accompanied him. The cannon ceased 
not all the time to play from the city, several of the shot coming over 
William's tent and falling near it. 2 The same evening a party of the Royal 

ground between the Shannon and the Road to the Lime Kiln is no higher than that which Irish 
Town stands upon : and between Dublin Road and the River to the East, chiefly a Morass. The 
country being between those roads round the town, is somewhat higher than that which the 
works are built upon. The country that lies west of the city, on the Thomond side, commands 
the town more than anywhere else, except that which lies east of the English Town, but the 
breadth of the Shannon in the first, and the branch of the River at the Morass in the second, 
pretty well secure both from any attempt. There are near forty yards of the Wall in a very bad 
state below Ball's Bridge. The Wall round the English Town is chiefly in a very bad condition, 
but that round the Irish Town is much better. Where the houses join the Wall, or are built 
upon it, they are coloured with a faint red in the map. The Ramparts were continued formerly 
farther towards west Water Gate. There are mills and breweries, a fort in ruins, outworks in ruins. 

• White's MSS. 

2 This tent was situated in Singland, where the " pillar standard," on which William raised his 
flag, may yet be seen. 

In this parish of Singland, or St. Patrick's, there are some remarkable relics of the siege ; one 
is " this Standard Pillar " of King William (so called), and is pointed out by the inhabitants as 
the pillar on which the Royal Ensign of William was raised during the siege of 1690. It is 
on the high road which leads to Singland House, and is sometimes called " the Pillar " simply by 
the people ; but every one in the parish, or at least iu that portion of it, in which the pillar 
may be seen, tells it was there the King had his standard, as it was in the same spot, most likely, 
he had bis tent, and was encompassed by his staff. It is built of "ashlar" masonry, thirteen feet 
high and about three feet in diameter ; the stones are rather large, and in most instances they 
are roughly chissled ; it is situated on a rise in the road, about 100 yards from Singland House. 
A short wall or butress is built up against it to the N.W., and appears to be contemporaneous in 
structure with the pillar itself ;a few cabins to the S.E. are just close up by the pillar on that side, 
and even the children there say that the pillar had something to do with " the war." About a 
thousand yards distance to the N., in a direct line, is New Castle House, in which it is asserted 
King William spent some of his time during the siege. The other object here of interest 
connected with the siege is " King William's Well," which is about 100 yards from the pillar, and 
in a field about 50 yards from the high road, and nearly opposite Singland House, on the other 
side of the road. A stream of pure water runs to the road from the well, and joins another 
stream from the well of Shesharee, which is some distance off, on another road. King William's 
well is deep, but covered with a thick coating of leaves and greenish, weedy, deposit, which 
conceal its waters from the view — at least so it was on the beautiful evening I visited the locality. 
Tradition says that a large Azg or standard lies buried in a field near the well. There are other 
evidence- hereabouts, that it was the site of a cam]); and the well is said to have supplied 



HISTORY. OF LIMERICK. 229 

Begiment, and other dragoons, were sent to view the ford of Annaghbeg, 1 
of which William was informed, and which he proceeded to visit him- 
self, a place about two miles above the city, where six of King James's 
regiments, three of horse, and two of dragoons commanded by Berwick 
and Lutterell, were posted at the other side of the river, with a breast-work 
to cover them ; these all fired upon the soldiers of William, but apparently 
with little effect, as few were killed or wounded. It was expected by the 
Williamites that they would meet with great difficulties and dangers in the 
passage of the river — first, because the troops of the besieged were so 
advantageously placed — and secondly, because the river at this season of 
the year was particularly swollen and rapid ; but they did not. Tradition 
states that the ford or pass, through which the hostile army passed 
over to the Clare side of the river, was betrayed by one MacAdam, who is 
said to have lived by fishing on the Shannon, and that his knowledge of the 
fords of the river was consequently very good. He is said to have conveyed 
private information as to the place where the army of William might pass 
with safety ; and in order, if possible, to escape the odium of having been 
supposed voluntarily to sell the pass, he feigned sickness on the approach of 
the besieging army, whilst all the other fishermen ran off to the woods of 
Cratloe and the Clare mountains, as well to avoid being present as in fear of 
their lives from the cruelty of William's soldiers. As the army approached, 
a block and hatchet and a keg of gold were placed outside the door of the 
betrayer, who was accompanied by a boy of the neighbourhood, who had rowed a 
boat. The rich lands adjoining were pointed out to him. He was asked which 
he selected — the gold and the lands, or the hatchet and death. The tradition 
goes on to say that as he had already determined, he at once proceeded to point 
out to the enquirers the only place in that portion of the river which they 
could pass in the manner they desired. A rock was near the river bank, 
some few perches above the old churchyard of Kilquane, and to this rock, 
ever since called Carrig-a-Clouragh, or Chain-rock, were attached chains, which 
are said to have crossed the river from Corbally, nearly opposite Corbally House 
on the Limerick side. A bridge of boats, or a pontoon bridge, was thus con- 
structed by the engineers. The rock appears to have been cut umbrella-like, 
or of mushroom shape, in order the more securely to hold the chains. Eor 
many years it was an object of singular curiosity : men of science, archaeo- 
logists, historians, enquirers, and patriots from all parts of Europe were in 
the habit of visiting it in the course of their tours to Limerick. — There were 
shallow holes in the top of Carrig-a-Clouragh, and when rain fell, the holes, 
thus filled with water, appeared as if saturated with blood, the stone being 
of a reddish colour. About twenty years ago Captain Hamilton Jackson, 
the then proprietor of this land, the portion of which in question has since, 
and within the last few years, been purchased by a prosperous land holder of 
the neighbourhood, 2 ordered a servant, named Connell, to blast the rock; but 

William's troops with water during both sieges. I have never in any place met people more 
ready than they are in this particular locality, at the traditions connected with the siege, and 
in showing where the well, the standard pillar, &c, are placed. They say too that it is here the 
great war for the deliverance of Ireland, which is looked forward to with so longing a desire by 
the people, is to begin and end — a circumstance referred to by O'Donovan in one of his notes to 
the Annals of the Four Masters. 

1 Samuel Foxon, a Dutch merchant, who had been mayor of Limerick in 1666, and at one 
time a tenant of the fisheries, owned the land3 of Annaghbeg at this time, on which he built a 
large brick house, the ruins of which were visible in 1785. He was knighted by William for 
certain services. 
• 2 Mr. Robert Holme? of Athlunkard. 



230 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



the act was but partly accomplished, and Carrig-a-Clouragh yet remains 
to fix the spot where William made his successful passage. Townsfolk for a 
long period, and up to the last few years, were in the habit of going out to 
Kilquane on Sundays, and heaping every indignity on the grave of the alleged 
traitor. A couplet was also cut on the tombstone, and, as a specimen of 
the spirit of the poet and of the times, it deserves to be recorded : — 

" Here lies the body of Philip the traitor. 
Lived a fisherman and died a deceiver." 

Several portions of the tombstone, which lies within the old churchyard of 
Kilquane, and of the present appearance, of which the following is an exact 
sketch, have been broken in fragments : — ■ 



[Broken] 
[Broken] 



Arms a Cock. 
AM DECEASCED 



[Broken] 
H B 



29 Aged 33 YEA 
BY WHOS DERECTION THIS 

TOMB WAS ERECTED IN 

Memory Of HIS FATHER 

PHILIP McADAM DECEASED 

NOVbr 26 1700 AND HIS 

MOTHER ELENOR M'ADAM 



DECEASED June X 1708 
[Broken] 



/ 



[Broken] 



The stone lies flat on the ground, the head close up to the wall of the old 
church. The letters are rudely cut on a plain slab, and in the orthography 
there are some errors, whilst the quaint method of joining letters, or making 
one letter a portion of another, is observable in more than one instance. 1 

Simon Digby, Protestant Bishop of Limerick, in an autograph letter to 
Sir Eobert Southwell, at the Camp, dated Dublin, July 22nd, 1690, now stated 
that " he has already had one house plundered by the Irish. The Lord 
Tyrconnell had taken up his quarters in the Bishop's house at Limerick, in 
which were all the books and papers belonging to the diocese, fearing the 
house, on the entering of the English forces, would be plundered on Tyr- 
eonnelTs account, and therefore entreats some officer may be entrusted with 
the order to save it/" 2 

And now the great achievement of the siege was being developed. A terrific 
hand to hand struggle was to be made to test the prowess of the Irish and the 
Williamites. The roar and thunder of the guns were now heard in every 
direction, when a French deserter from William's camp having made his way 
into the city, gave information of the state of the Williamite artillery, which 

1 It is but justice to state that the highly respectable family of MacAdam, of Black-water House, 
near the scene of the pass, utterly deny the truth of this tradition, which, as an impartial historian, 
I am bound to give. Major Thomas Stannard MacAdam, J.P., of Black-water House, has shown 
the Author documents, which go to establish the fact that his ancestors were in possession of the 
lands which the}' now have, some years before the events here detailed ; that they rented them 
from the Earl of Thomond, and that they did not obtain them by any act of treachery. 

2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. Digby had a taste for painting — there are some 
cf his miniatures at Sherbourne Castle. See Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, Vol. III., p. 356. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 231 

had not as yet come up in full force, but which was on its way from Waterford; 
while at the same time Manus O'Brien, a country gentleman, proceeded 
to William's camp and told that Sarsfield had passed the river with a body of 
horse, and that he designed something extraordinary. Simaltaneously a 
cornet of the Irish army had gone over to William, and reported that a great 
number in the city were resolved to surrender, but were prevented by Sarsfield 
and Boisseleau. It is quite true that this Erench deserter visited William's 
camp, and reported that William in despair of taking the city, which Count 
Lauzun, when first he beheld it, declared might be taken with roasted apples, 
had sent for a more powerful battering train, a vast quantity of ammunition, tin 
boats, and abundant war materials for a vigorous siege. The deserter said, 
that the artillery, &c, were on their way under an escort of a few troops of 
Villiers's horse. And no doubt they were on the road from Cashel. And now 
having called together his faithful staff, Sarsfield made every preparation to 
prevent the advance of the approaching train. In the first instance he 
selected five or six hundred horse and dragoons, whose swords were sharp to 
execute vengeance, and whose souls were nerved for the occasion. He was 
thoroughly aware of the advantages to be obtained by the presence, in the 
expedition, of " Galloping" Hogan, a well educated, popular man, and a brave 
raparee. Hogan knew every pass and defile — was familiar with every track 
and roadway — with every ford and bog — and in a critical juncture like the 
present, was the best man that could be obtained to give effectual assistance 
to the grand exploit of the dashing, dauntless Irish general. 

Sarsfield, thus equipped and accompanied, left Limerick on the night of 
Sunday, the 10th of August, for Killaloe. His route lay through Harold's 
Cross, near Blackwater; a sweet and romantic spot, which to this day is 
invested with picturesque charms which are universally admired. A 
fine harvest moon lent light to the landscape. He could not venture over 
O'Brien's Bridge ; for that old pass between Clare and Tipperary, of which so 
much has been said in the time of the Eighth Henry, was jealously guarded 
by the soldiers of William, prepared to meet any attack that might be made 
upon them. The cavalcade passed through Bridgetown and Ballycorney, 
the Shannon being all the time on their right. At Ballycorney Bridge a family 
whose name was Cecil resided — a Protestant family. 1 The party called on a 
young man, a son of Cecil's, requiring that he should go with them. Eefusal 
was vain ; and he at once prepared to accompany the squadron, which went 
on till they had reached Killaloe ; and here, passing down by Law's Eields, at 
the back of the town, they dashed on with gallant, yet cautious resolution ; and 
before suspicion could be aroused, the entire party had passed and were at 
the Tipperary side of the river; having gone up beyond the bridge, they 
crossed the ford between the Pier Head and Ballyvalley. This was one of the 
only two fords which were on the Shannon, about Killaloe at this period — ■ 
the other ford was at Clarisford. 2 An old road ran to the Keeper mountains 
through the village of Ballina. The bridge was occupied by Williamite 
troops who guarded the pass, but never witnessed the masterly movement 
of Sarsfield, who, it is certain, was well able to force the passage; but this 
was not his aim. It was his object not to create alarm or awaken suspicion. 
The party then proceeded across the country between Ballina and Boher, 

1 Those statements are given from popular tradition. 

2 ^Within the last thirty years some changes have heen made in the fall river by tlic Com- 
missioners of the Shannon Navigation, and the ford at Ballyvalley is somewhat altered. 



232 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

coming out on the Boher road, near Labadhy Bridge. When at this bridge, 
the party, who were conducted by Galloping Hogan, were startled by a 
curious incident. Sarsfield discovered, near Labadhy Bridge, a number of 
men on his left, whose presence excited alarm. He ordered the horse to halt, 
apprehensive that he had been betrayed by Hogan. But the delusion was 
dispelled in a instant ; the men whose presence caused so much alarm were a 
body of Eaparees who had a den or hiding place here, in which they were 
accustomed to conceal whatever provisions they had taken in their predatory 
excursions throughout the district. The party passed on through Morrisey's 
Bogs. 1 , and continued on their route through Killoskully, until they reached 
Keeper Hill, where in the fastnesses of the mountain, they encamped for the 
night, and where, among many others, Sarsfield it is said was visited by one 
of the old O'Byans of that country, who offered him hospitality. On the 
following morning videttes were sent to watch the advance of the expected 
artillery train of William, and to report progress. In a short time it was 
intimated to Sarsfield that the guns and ammunition were on their way to 
Limerick, and that the English forces were to encamp for the night near the 
hill of Ballyneety, a remarkable conical eminence which maybe seen from a great 
distance, somewhat near JDerk. 2 Sarsfield went next night and arriving near 
the hill, he halted. And here lay a principal difficulty, namely, how to 
discover the watchword of the Williamites. An accident obtained the desired 
information. One of Sarsfield'' s troopers, whose horse got lame, fell into the 
rere of his party: he met the wife of one of William's soldiers who had 
remained behind the Williamites on their march, and taking compassion on 
her, he enabled her to proceed on her journey. By this means the trooper 
obtained the watchword of the English. The word was " Sarsfield." Pro- 
ceeding on, he joined Sarsfield who was in the greatest anxiety for the watch- 
word, but the difficulty was speedily dissipated. Now everything was in 
readiness to make the grand stroke on which Sarsfield had set his heart, and 
which was to decide the fate of the campaign, as he had anticipated it would, 
and as the result, in the judgment of all military men, proved it really did. 
The convoy lay asleep under their guns, their horses were at rest; the encamp- 
ment was still as death; no danger appeared; all were in imaginary security, 
free from the slightest suspicion of the blows that were about coming thick and 
heavy upon them. 

It was moonlight, with occasionally flitting clouds. No time was lost in 
making everything ready. When the clouds gathered heavily for a few 
moments, Sarsfield, at the head of his men, accompanied by Galloping 
Hogan, with Cecil near him, cautiously proceeded down the hill,. As the first 
. sentinel was approached, the challenge was given, and was replied to by the 
watchword " Sarsfield.'" Inspired with vengeance and determination, Sars- 
field's men who had resolved to revenge the wrongs inflicted on their country, 
on those whom they had within their grasp, entered within the encampment, 
when a second sentinel gave the challenge — and " Sarsfield"" again was the 
reply, adding, u Sarsfield is the watchword — Sarsfield is the man" — at the 
same moment shooting down the sentinel, which was the signal to the cavalcade 
to execute the work which they had so bravely volunteered to perform. In a 

1 This was about three hundred yards of Ballina Cottage, the late residence of the Rev. Thomas 
P. Maher, some time ago the respected P.P. of that parish, now of Loughmoe, Co. Tipperary. 
" Labadhy" signifies " the bed of the Rogues." 

3 Ballyneety or White's town is about 14 miles from Limerick, Oola is the next railway station. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 233 

moment the Irish soldiers fell on the astonished and half sleeping Williamites, 
who knew not where they were, or what was the canse of the terrible calamity 
they so suddenly and unexpectedly witnessed. 1 

Scarcely any resistance was offered. The men were sabred and shot to 
death where they lay. Then Sarsfield had their cannon loaded to the muzzle, 
sunk in the earth and discharged, with an explosion which was heard even in 
the city itself. 

The principal occupation of these foreign tToops was hanging all un- 
fortunate Irishmen who came in their way, under pretence that they were 
raparees, really because they were true to the cause of country and creed. It 
is no wonder that the Irish should have revenged such horrors. 

One of the principal guns which .Sarsfield had in Limerick was called 
Sheela Buoy, or Yellow Sheela; which is erroneously said to have been taken 
on this occasion, when all the guns were destroyed. After this magnificent 
achievement he returned to the camp at Limerick by another route — not, as 
Dr. Mulleneux says, by Athlone 3 — and lost not a moment in gathering together 
the tired men who had accompanied h im in the expedition, and knowing that 
"William would adopt every stratagem to prevent his return to the besieged city, 
he went back to Limerick by Banagher, where he crossed the bridge, one of the 
arches of which he blew up, in order to stop the pursuit of the English horse, 
which were close upon him. Nothing could equal the intense joy and satisfac- 
tion with which the garrison within the walls heard of this signal advantage. 
According to King James's memoirs " the garrison was hugely encouraged" — 
and when Sarsfield safely returned with his brave band of faithful raparees and 
Dragoons, the rejoicings that ensued chased away every apprehension, and eveiy 
one felt confident of success in the issue of the siege. William, however, 
was not to be overthrown by this discomfiture — he always threw heart and 
soul into the cause he espoused. His constant saying not only at Limerick, 
but throughout the campaign was, "this is a country worth fighting for," a 
saying which Cromwell before him is said to have often used. Had James 
been actuated by a proper spirit at the Boyne, the battle would not have been 
lost, nor need the unfortunate monarch have made a precipitate flight from 
Ireland, where the desertion and irregularities of the Trench under Lauzun, at 

1 Captain Robert Parker says (Memoirs, p. 23) : " The enemy" (the Irish) u having had a 
particular account of their route, detached Sarsfield with a good body of Horse and Dragoons to 
intercept it ; and he passed the Shannon at Killaloe, came up -with the train in the night between 
the 1 1th and 12th of August, as they lay encamped at Cullen (near Ballyneety) about eleven 
miles from our camp : and falling suddenly on them -when all were asleep, they burned and 
destroyed everything that could be of any use to us. They burst the cannon by overloading 
them, and putting their muzzles in ground, then setting fire to them, they went off without the 
loss of a man. " This was a well conducted affair," (adds Captain Parker) " and much to Sarsfield's 
honour" — but he remarks, " had there not been so much cruelty in the execution of it : for they put 
man. woman and child to the sword, though there was not much opposition made. However," ex- 
claims Captain Parker, " we cannot suppose that so gallant a man as Sarsfield ceetalstlt was, could 
be guilty of giving such orders ; it is rather to be presumed that in such a juncture he could not 
restrain the natural barbarity of his men." 

2 The Duke of Berwick, in his memoirs, says that it was this coup that defeated the projectors 
of the siege. " Limerick was weak of itself and ill fortified — and besieged by the army of the 
Prince of Orange. Limerick being open on several quarters, bore many assaults ; but Count 
Sarsfield, with a body of six hundred horse and dragoons, having taken and blown up the enemy's 
artillery, as it was on the road from Kilkenny to their camp before Limerick, the Prince of 
Orange was forced to raise the siege of that place, after having suffered a considerable loss." — 
Life of the Duke of Berwick, pp. 39, 40. 

3 Molleneux and Storey fully sustain this account of the magnificent achievement of Sarsfield. 
and indeed all the writers of the time and since agree in declaring that there never was a nobler 
or a bolder instance of successful strategy at any period, or under any combination of circum- 
stances. 



234 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

a moment when their aid was most essential, had been producing their fatal 
results on the army, and on the councils of all the generals with two excep- 
tions — viz. Sarsfield and Boisseleau. This achievement at Ballyneety was 
infinitely servicable, only Major James Fitzgerald and fifteen others were killed 
by Sir Albert Cunningham's Dragoons, in their pursuit of the returning Irish. 

And here we find a character introduced on the stage who had not made 
his appearance previously — no less a personage than the celebrated Balclearg 
(XDonnell, who had made his escape from Spain, contrary to the will of 
Austria, then in league with England. He having come by a circuitous route by 
which he was enabled to visit Turkey, and arriving at Kinsale just as James 
had quitted Ireland for France, thousands of the Irish soldiery thronged 
around him ; Bishops and Priests hailed his advent with ten thousand 
welcomes ; he made a pompous entrance into Limerick, where his appearance 
created a tremendous sensation in favor of the cause among the defenders of 
the city. There were many prophecies afloat that an " O^Donnell with a 
red mark was to be the Liberator of his country — that he was to gain a 
battle under the walls of Limerick. - ''' Here then was Baldearg O'Donnell 
face to face with the enemy. 1 

On the remarkable day when the disastrous news reached William's camp, 
an expedition was sent against Castleconnell, that famous old fortress of 
the powerful De Burgos, which had sustained the national cause through many 
vicissitudes. The besieged submitted, and to the number of 120 were 
brought prisoners to William's camp. Castleconnell was retained in the 
hands of William till the siege was raised, and then it was blown up. 2 

Prom the moment when the earth shook beneath the volcano at Bal- 
lineety, William well knew that the game was up — that the day was lost. 
Eive days had elapsed before William or his Generals could make a manoeuvre 
to repair the injuries which this stunning blow had inflicted. 

The extent of the battery train destroyed by Sarsfield consisted of six 24 
and two 18 pounders, with five mortars, 155 waggons of artillery ammuni- 
tion, 12 carts of biscuit, 18 tin pontoons, 400 draught horses, 100 fully 
accoutred horses. In the midst of his disasters, William thoughtfully issued a 
proclamation ordering tithes to be paid to the Protestant clergy, in the 
north of Ireland. 3 

1 Lord Mellfort, King James's Ambassador at Rome, writing to his correspondent, Mr. Nelson, 
Sept. 9th, 1690, says, " There is new life come amongst the Irishmen upon the arrivall of the old 
heir of the family of Tyrconnell, O'Donald, of whom they pretend or prophecy that he is to 
obtain a victory of the English near Limerick. So far the people are led by this fancy, that the 
very fryars, and some of the Bishops, have taken arms to follow him, but I am affrayed that they 
will forget all when the danger draws near." — Macarice Excidium (O'Callaghan's, p. 430.) 

Storey says, " It's incredible how fast the vulgar Irish flocked to him at his first coming, so 
that he had got in a small time seven or eight thousand Bapparees, and such like people, together, 
and begun to make a figure ; but after a while the business cooled, and they were weary of one 
another : and he is now only a Colonel in Limerick. They have another prophecy also, that he 
should come to the field above Cromwell's Fort, where stands an old church, where, on a stone 
hard by, we should pitch our utmost colours, and afterwards be undone, with a thousand such 
like fopperies not worth naming." He was called Bealdarrig Rhoe O'Donnell, and was born and 
educated in Spain. 

2 Dean Storey got a grant of £200 for powder to blow up Castleconnell — a large sum in those 
times for such a purpose ; and no small portion of which was expended in the work of devasta- 
tion, as the ruins of that proud and magnificent castle show even at this day — lying as they do 
in enormous confused masses strewed about, and covered as they are with the litchen, 
through which the national shamrock struggles into growth in perennial beauty, as if vindicating 
the soil from the pollution with which it was covered by the ruthless savagery of the followers 
of the Prince of Orange in 1690. 

3 Storey. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 235 

It was on the 17th— six days after the glorious achievement at Ballyneety — 
that the Williamites began to recover from the crushing blow given by the 
strong arm of Sarsfield. William was determined to proceed with the siege. 
He sent to Waterford for another train of artillery, and on the 17th opened 
the trenches before the city. The high towers were soon levelled to the 
ground by his great guns — the besiegers who fired into the trenches, took two 
redoubts and a strong fort, but not without loss, because the garrison disputed 
every inch of ground with all the valour and resolution imaginable. On the 
20th the besieged army made a vigorous sally, which retarded the enemy's 
works, and were not repulsed until after they had made a regular 
slaughter of the besiegers, who never ceased all the time throwing red-hot 
bullets and bombs into the city, a species of missile with which the citizens had 
been unacquainted, but which did not dishearten them. They had generously 
resolved to co-operate with the troops, to suffer and die rather than fall into 
the hands of the cruel and remorseless enemy which approached them. It was 
now that the troops of "William manifested their insatiable hatred. They 
put nearly every Irishman that came in their way to the sword — others they 
subjected to torture. William was everywhere. As he was proceeding 
towards Cromwell's fort, he suddenly stopped his horse to speak to an 
officer, when a twenty-four pound ball grazed the side of the gap where he 
was going to enter, which certainly must have dashed him to pieces, " had 
not," says the historian of the campaign, " the commanding God of Heaven 
prevented it, who still reserves him for greater matters." 1 If William had 
been killed at this spot, as fate was so near having it, the political conse- 
quences would have been momentous, both in England and Ireland, and the 
dynasty of the Stuarts might have had a more protracted tenure. 

Vigorous was the work, energetic and determined the efforts on both sides 
at this crisis. The Devil's Tower, which ran at right angles from St. John's 
Gate, and which was mounted with three guns, was put into a state of 
complete defence by Sarsfield; from this a galling fire was constantly directed 
against the enemy ; and every attempt on it was met with such tremendous 
resistance, that there were no means of approaching it. This tower was 
very near where the lane to Garry owen now runs by the magnificent Catholic 
Cathedral of St. John — not far from the Black Battery. Every other portion 
of the defences was put in order with equal energy and skill. The Citadel, 
which was close by the same spot within the walls, on which St. John's 
Eever Hospital has been since built, and nearly facing Pennywell, was placed 
in the best condition to resist the besiegers. Hour by hour the sappers and 
miners of William were pushing their trenches nearer the wall ; but not a 
moment was lost within the walls in preparations to give such a reception to 
those without, as the indignation and hatred of citizens suggested and sup- 
plied. Let the reader imagine the city as it was at that moment — and as 
we have already described it — limited in circumference — the principal streets, 
the Great street of St. Mary's parish — now Nicholas street and Mary street 
— the streets in John's Parish — Thorn Corr Castle which was yet standing, 
which had been built over two hundred years before, not by Thomas Kildare 
as Eerrar ignorantly says, but by Corr, or Currey, surnamed De Balbeyn, a 
celebrated merchant of Limerick, who bequeathed to the citizens his castle. 2 

1 " This I saw, being then upon the Fort, as I did that other accident at the Boyne before." — 
Storey. 

2 3rd Hen. IV., 28th Mar. 1401. — Thomas Balbeyn, surnamed Cor, senator of Limerick, left by 
will to the commonality of Limerick, the Castle called Thom-Cor which he built in the middle of 



236 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- 

John's Church was small — and was the only building near the walls in that 
direction, except the numerous cabins outside in which just before a large 
thriving population devoted to industry had dwelt, but many of which were now 
levelled by the Danes, who here as at the Boyne formed a part of William's 
army, and who delighted in their devilish work, rejoicing when they saw the 
old forts of their ancestors in the hands of William. The streets in this 
quarter were Mungret- street, Palmerstown, and what the French in their 
maps and plans of the city called u La Haute Ene," or the High-street. 
It is said that the "Brazen Head" still in John-street, was then built. 
In St. Mary's parish the principal citizens dwelt — the nobility had their 
houses in the Great street, in the Island there were several fine resi- 
dences — a wall surrounded the entire, and from this wall belched forth the 

the southern suburbs, on this condition, if they should pray for his soul, and if his brother Henry 
Balbeyn, of the City of Bristol, should not live at Limerick. Peter Loftus, Mayor, John 
Budston, John Robert Creagh, Bailiffs. — Arthur MSS. Balbeyn, who appears to have incurred 
the displeasure for a time of Henry IV. was pardoned, and settled down in Limerick. The 
Arthur MSS. contain a copy of his pardon, an inventory of his goods, his will, &c. 

His pardon was witnessed by " James Botiller, Count of Ormond, our Justiciary of Ireland, at 
Waterford, on the second day of July, in the fifth year of our reign. 

By petition endorsed by the Justiciary, and signed with his seal, and by twenty marks paid in 
Hanaper." " Everdon." 

" Sworn and delivered before John Lombard, Secondary Justiciary of our Lord, at the Court of 
Common Pleas of our Lord the King, assigned to be held at Kilkenny on the sixth day of August, 
in the fifth year of King Henry the Fourth [of that name ?] after the conquest of England." 

By his will among other bequests he gives, as it appears, to his brother Henry Balbeyn, if he • 
shall come here from England, his Castle, which he built in the suburbs of Limerick ; otherwise 
he wills that the Castle aforesaid revert to the commonality of Limerick, and let them pray for his 
soul ; he says " I also bequeath to Thomas Ilroose one tenement in the city aforesaid, near the 
Custom House of the same city, the aforesaid messuage to be had and holden, with its appur- 
tenances, by the said Thomas, his heirs and assigns for ever ; I also bequeath to Robert Arthur 
one tenement in the suburbs of the city aforesaid, said tenement with its appurtenances, to be had 
and holden by the aforesaid Robert, his heirs and assigns for ever ; I also give and bequeath to 
Nicholas Stretch, my chapel which I built in the southern part of the Church of St Mary by per- 
mission of the reverend father in Christ, Richard Wale, Bishop of Limerick, the Dean and Chapter 
of the same, dedicated to St. James, the aforesaid chapel to be had and held with its appurtenances 
by the said Nicholas, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath to the Vicar of 
the Church of St. Mary my house of residence to be had and held by himself and his successors 
for ever so that they pray for my soul." The following is added : — 

" This will was proven and enrolled before us, Cornelius, by the Grace of God, Bishop of 
Limerick, on the first Monday after the Feast of All Saints, 1403, and the administration of all 
the goods of the said Thomas, deceased, was granted unto the executors sworn in legal form, viz., 
to make f af thf ul administration and render account, and to save us from all indemnities as to all 
things in the said will contained." 

" David Roche, Mayor ; Thomas Roche, and John Stackpol, Sheriffs of the city of Limerick to 
all the faithful of Christ, who shall see or hear of the present writing, greeting, eternal salvation 
in Christ. You well know that we have inspected the will of Thomas Belbeyn, of happy memory, 
the tenor of which is as above mentioned ; and at the request of Robert Arthur and Richard 
, Long, citizens of the said city, in order to give faithful testimony to this copy of the aforesaid 
will we have caused to be attached the seal of our Mayoralty. Given at Limerick on the 26th 
day of the month of August, a.d. 1499, in the fifteenth year of the reign of King Henry the 
Seventh." 

To show how very little Ferrar, on the authority he quotes (Davis MSS.) knew of the builder 
of Thomcore Castle, or of the facts detailed about him, I quote the following paragraph from 
Ferrar's History of Limerick, p. 105 : — 

1401. Thomas Kildare, Mayor. 
" This mayor did Thomcore castle free bestow 
On the corporation, a precedent to shew 
To his successors ; — none like him we see, 
'Tis strange, 'till sixteen hundred, seventy-three. 

(Thomcore Castle stood where the old market was, in John-street.) 

There is not a word in Ferrar as to Thomas Cor or Balbeyn or as to the prayers for the soul of 
the donor, or to one or other of the particulars mentioned in his will. It is a question whether it 
was not after this citizen that Corry's or Cuny's lane was called — it is near where the Castle 
stood. It was not Thomas Kildare but Balbeyn that bestowed the Castle on the Corporation. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 237 

brazen-throated engines of war on the Williamites, as they were pushing 
the siege to the most memorable crisis that occurred all through the cam- 
paign. 

The shelling was constant and terrible. 1 Inside, nothing daunted, encou- 
raged rather than dismayed, the defenders redoubled their energies, making 
good what had been injured, and guided by the ablest engineers, stirred by 
the example of Sarsfield, and resting faithfully on those ancient prophecies 
by which even the English were as much as, if not more, influenced than the 
Irish, who assured themselves of a glorious victory despite of every disad- 
vantage. Though the Duke of Berwick asserts in his memoirs that the 
weather was not rainy, we are inclined, however much we respect his tes- 
timony, to agree with those who state that it was wet during this period of 
the siege. 2 

On the 23rd in the morning one of Galmoy's troopers went over to 
William, and brought with him a boy, and four very good horses. About 
noon two captains, a lieutenant, a priest, and seventy common soldiers of the 
Irish, were brought in prisoners from Nenagh, whither General Ginkle marched 
with tivo thousand horse, six hundred dragoons, a regiment of foot, and two 
guns, the castle enduring a siege of twenty-four hours, and then surrendered 
at discretion. 3 That afternoon two Frenchmen went over, and brought with 
them two as good horses as any in their army ; they gave an account that 
" the rogues in the city are in a miserable condition for the want of bread 
and drink, but that meat is plenty among them." That night about seven 
in the evening, the besiegers played furiously into the town in several places. 
One shell fell into the great magazine of hay, which was consumed, and 
several houses were burned, the fire lasting there about six hours ; another 
set fire to a place near the Church, which was not consumed till five the next 
morning, and as that was extinguished they fired another place, which was 
blown up by the besieged. 

I have shown what has been said by English writers of our countrymen at 
this extraordinary crisis of their fortunes ; ancientand modern Limerick have 
suffered equally in their description, yet neither Harris, the biographer of 
William, nor Lord Macaulay who dilates upon the "glaring red brick of the 
houses/'' and the u showy shops with their shawls and china/'' could tell the 
position of the grave of Tyrconnell, whose coffin was concealed beneath the 
pavement of St. Mary's until certain repairs of the Cathedral which were 
executed a few years ago revealed it. 5 

1 I have one of those enormous shells in my possession — it is 18 inches in diameter — weighs 
200 lbs., and is as formidable an engine of destruction as can well be imagined ! 

2 We have the fact on the authority of three eye-witnesses — namely, Storey, Molleneux, and 
Dumont, whose MSS. are quoted by Lord Macaulay, p. 675, vol. 3, in support of it. Mr. 
Lawless, in his History of Ireland, believes with the Duke of Berwick that it was not rainy 
during the siege, and that it is a mere pretence and excuse on the part of the Williamite writers 
when they say that it was. 

3 Dean Storey, in reference to this event (Dean Storey's Impartial History of the Affairs of 
Ireland, p. 127) has the following: — "This afternoon was eighty-four prisoners brought to the 
Camp, from a Castle some twelve or fourteen miles off, called Nighagh Round : these kept out the 
Castle for twenty-four hours against Major General Ginkell, and his party of about 1500 Horse 
and Dragoons ; they killed us fourteen men ; but seeing two cannon come, and the soldiers very 
busie in bringing Faggets for a Battery, tbey submitted to Mercy. Their Commander was one 
Captain 0' Bryan." In the same paragraph he goes on to state that the same " afternoon, also, 
one of Colonel Leveson's Dragoons was hanged for deserting," and that " in the evening our 
Bombs and Red-hot balls began to fly, which set part of the Town on Fire, which burnt all that 
night, destroying a great quantit}' of Hay, with several Houses. I remember we were all as well 
pleased to see the Town flaming as could be, which made me reflect on our Profession of Soldiery, 
not to be over-charg'd with good nature." 

4 Lord Macaulay's History of England, Vol. 3, p. 

5 Tradition states that the house in which Tyrconnell lived during his residence in Limerick, 



238 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

It is unquestionable, however, that in the face of fortune, regardless of 
overpowering difficulties, with a King who showed no active sympathies, with 
soldiers unpaid except in the brass money, £30 worth of which was made to 
represent at least £1000, officers and men and citizens arose in the emergency 
with a purpose never surpassed, and stood up so nobly, that until the last 
moment heroic Limerick and purest patriotism will be ever associated 
together and honored by all who value greatness struggling against over- 
powering difficulties. 

As the shot and shell of the enemy poured in and uprooted the pavement 
of the streets, multitudes of women and children were provided with a refuge 
in the King's Island, which remained in the hands of the defenders, though 
many fruitless attacks had been made upon it. Tents made up of whatever 
was available, were pitched where Ireton had been forty years before ; many 
too found refuge beyond Thomond Bridge. It was here that many of the 
state records were kept, that the principal judges of the land, including Sir 
Stephen Eice, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and one of the Lords Com- 
missioners of the Treasury, dwelt during the occasion; 1 as well as the Arch- 
bishop of Cashel, and several of the highest personages, civil and ecclesiastical. 

" Swine herds/'' " cow boys," " Irish cut throats," 2 was the common name 
by which the native Irish were designated ; but the epithets were far more 
applicable to those who so freely used them than to the natives. 

While the chivalrous Patrick Sarsfleld had a command in the cavalry, the 
already suspected traitor, Henry Luttrell, of whom more hereafter, held the 
same position, whilst Simon Luttrell, who stood true throughout, held a 
similar commission, that of Colonel in the Dragoons. There were fifty- three 
Eegiments of Eoot — constituting in all, on their first embodiment, a native 
force of 40,000 men, capable of holding their ground in any field, against all 
odds, as such portions of the army, about 15,000 in number, as were in Lim- 
erick, proved when it was put upon them to vindicate their race from the 
calumnies, the reproaches, the insults, and the injuries of which they had been 
so long the victims. Shot and shell poured into the city from the 17th to the 
25th — and the walls which had borne the assault throughout with unexpected 
strength, were at length beginning to crumble, in some parts, beneath the con- 
centrated fire of the Wilhamite artillery, which was replied to shot by shot 
from the citadel and its approaches, and from every other available point. 
Hunger was now beginning to do its work on the beleaguered garrison. 
Supplies from Clare, which were frequent in the commencement, were failing 
as the siege progressed. The long promised and long expected aid that the 

and in which tradition also states that he was afterwards " poisoned," (though written and 
printed authorities state the contrary), was situated near the Church of St. Munchin's, within 
very few yards of that Church at the Castle-street side of it. Within the last sixty years the 
house has been removed, and on a site nearer to the roadway, are houses in which a humble 
class of persons now dwell. 

J He had been a member of the Limerick Corporation ; and it was he who first declared, when a 
lawyer, that he would drive a coach and six through any act of settlement ! Another of the 
family was collector at Limerick. Indeed, even at this period, the Rice family ?was provided for 
largely by high public employment. Mr. John Rice was at the time collector of Kinsale. 
County Limerick M.PJ's in James ll.'s Parliament, 1th May, 1689: — 

County — Sir John Fitzgerald, Bart. Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq., commonly called Knight of 
the Glynn. 

Kilmallock — Sir William Hurly, Bart. John Lacy, Esq. 

Askmlon — John Bourke, Esq., of Cahirmoyle. Edward Kice, Esq. 

City of Limerick — Nicholas Arthur, Alderman. Thomas Harold, Alderman. 

Manor and Borough of Jiathcormiuk, Co. Cork — James Barry, Esq. Edward Powell, Esq. 

2 Memoirs of Ireland, p. 223. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 239 

French fleet, which commanded the seas, should have brought, was not appear- 
ing. A dry crust, a little oatmeal, a few beans, were luxuries which at this crisis 
were all that could be looked for by soldiers who had pledged their lives on the 
issue. Londonderry has had the annalists of its bitter days of trial; but 
Limerick, on its own side, has never before had one to tell the story of the daily 
sufferings of its inhabitants, while they withstood the might of William's power. 
The soul of the defenders was Patrick Sarsfield ; he cheered the faint-hearted, 
infused spirit into, and gave hope to all. His object at this juncture was to 
give orders to his engineers to have masked batteries placed and mines pre- 
pared near wherever a breach might be made in the walls, in order if an entry 
were attempted, that the most destructive agencies should be ready to repel 
the attack. While the thunders of the Williamite guns were thus directed 
from Singland against the citadel, knocking splinters off the towers, tearing 
away the stones, or burying themselves in the circumjacent ground, the 
sappers within were at their silent and certain work. William it is said lived 
for some part of the time at New Castle, the ruins of which may be seen 
within two miles of the city, where he kept up a constant succession of 
drinking parties — a notorious lover of spirits, even the Irish usquebaugh 
was not an unwelcome beverage to him ! Sarsfield was every where giving 
further evidence of his military genius. 1 

Sacred to every lover of national honor and religion is the spot from 
which the picked soldiers of William were hurled by the intrepidity of the 
soldiers and citizens of Limerick. The outside wall of the citadel bears at 
this moment unmistakeable evidence of a fierce cannonade; splinters are off, 
indentations are visible, stones displaced ; everything indicates even at this 

1 The town gate of the citadel is at present the entrance gate to the yard of St. John's Hospital ; 
the wall is seven feet thick at this place, and wall-flowers in season bloom above the gate, 
and all along the wall until it meets the newly built enclosure of the Hospital on the western 
side. The country or outer gate of the citadel is the western portion of the Hospital, of which it 
forms what we may call a wing — and the lower part of the gateway is now used as a store- 
house for the convenience of the Hospital : the wall is extremely strong, thick, and is fitted 
with a groove through which the heavy door was raised or let down by chains. The 
ground in front is considerably raised, and reaches so high as to cover the greater part of the 
trunk of an old pear tree, which is spoken of as having furnished fruit for King William 
III. and often for Sarsfield. The remnant of the Black Battery is at the eastern corner of the 
hospital, and faces Keeper Hill and the old Slieve Pheliin mountains in Tipperary. The view 
from it is really enchanting. A masked battery, concealed by wool-bags, sand, timber, and 
whatever was available, was placed at what is now the extreme corner of Curry's Lane, near 
the same locality, exactly opposite the breach. The ancient wall of the citadel ran several feet 
out from the present enclosure of the hospital, and is now level with the roadway ; but on the 
foundations of it skulls and bones were found in abundance on a recent occasion, as laborers 
were laying down gas-pipes. 

On the wall of the hospital is an ancient tablet which was picked up from the ruins about, 
and which was placed in its present position by, I believe, W. J. Geary, Esq. M.D., J.P. when 
the Fever Hospital was undergoing enlargement. The tablet contains the following legend : — 

JOHN CREAGH Mayor 

1st of MAY 1650 

DAVID ROCHFORT and 

JAMES BONFIELD Sheriffs 

citie freely bestowed 
[Broken] 

two hundred pounds 

[Broken] OUTWORKS of/ 

the 



240 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

hour the wonderful efforts that were made to demolish the walls and citadel. 
We need not say what were the capacity and conduct — what the watchfulness 
and care of Sarsfield, when the decisive moment was drawing nigh. Whilst 
the besiegers were pushing on their works with activity, the besieged were 
equally wakeful — they not only kept their ground, but they placed their mines 
within a short distance of the covert- way, where it was almost certain the 
Williamite grenadiers and Brandenburgers would lodge themselves. There 
was no sufficient precaution taken by them ; nor was the terrible cannonade 
of the Williamites able to silence the guns that continued to roar from the 
old grey walls. As happened before, and will again happen, the engineers 
of William made a mistake which it was not in their power to remedy : they 
made their attack at a point which they imagined the weakest, but which in 
fact was the best covered and the most artfully contrived for defence of any 
other throughout the walls ; here a mine was made by the direction of 
Sarsfleld, who showed in this instance also his able generalship. No less 
than three hundred shot had been discharged against the walls; but 
although the trenches were pushed within thirty yards of the ditch, the Wil- 
liamites dared not attempt to storm the counterscarp. 1 

These three hundred shot, accompanied by shells and "carcasses,'" at length 
made a partial breach in the wall near the citadel : which breach may be seen 
at this moment; it measures twelve yards — and was loosely built up between 
the first and second sieges under the orders of Sarsfleld. All the stones of 
the wall, except at the breach, are u grouted - " — but the breach is repaired by 
mortar hastily made of clay. It was at this crisis that the endurance and 
courage of the soldiers and citizens, the genius and authority of the com- 
manders were tested to the utmost, and above all, that the admitted and 
world-renowned courage of the women of Limerick was conspicuous above 
all that was done by others. The street leading to the citadel is in the same 
position to-day as it then was, though the houses were fewer in number and 
did not approach the walls so closely as afterwards and now. 

On the 26th the Williamites widened the breach which they had made the 
day before in the wall of the town, and beat down part of the Irish palli- 
sados on the counterscarp. That night they set fire to the town again, 
which burnt very vehemently. Captain Peter Drake, of Drakerath, in the 
county of Meath, who was in Limerick during the siege, has mentioned in 
connection with the battery and bombardment of the city, by the formidable 
artillery of William — a curious instance of the interposition of Divine 
Providence in his behalf, by which he adds, " I have been so often times 
rescued from calamity and the jaws of death. "There was/'' he says "between 
our house and the town wall a large building. The besiegers ordered two 
pieces of ordnance to be levelled at this building, and several shots passed 
through and hit at the gable end, within which was the apartment wherein I 
slept, w T ith one Captain Plunkett, of my lord Gorinanstown's regiment ; this 
gentleman was to mount guard that day, and going out early left me a-bed. 
About two hours after I went out to one of the servants to get me a clean 
shirt, and before I had time to return, a ball had beat down the wall, a great 

1 " But notwithstanding all the opposition which the besieged were able to make, the enemy had 
finished their battery of thirty pieces of cannon on the 24th, and in two days more had advanced 
their trenches within thirty paces of the ditch ; there was at this time a great breach in the wall, 
near St. John's Gate, and part of the palisadoes beaten down by the Counterscarp, &c." — King 
James's Memoirs, #c. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 241 

part of which had fallen on, and "demolished the bed. It then passed 
through my father's bed-chamber, broke the posts of the bed where he and 
my mother were asleep, but thank heaven, had no more effect than putting 
the family in a consternation." 1 

A deserter gave them an account, " that Colonel Dodrington, Colonel Garret 
Moore, Sir Maurice Eustace, and Colonel Lutterel were killed in the sally." 
Eustace was not killed ,• and it is equally certain that Colonel Henry Lutterel 
was not killed then or during the war; but that he did meet a violent 
death, in the streets of Dublin, some years afterwards, will appear hereafter. 
King William was everywhere at this particular juncture: balls and shot 
flying about him, he braved danger defiantly, and seemed to value life far less 
than success in those efforts, the issue of which he looked forward to as the 
means of affording him a more secure footing than he had hitherto 
possessed. Harris says 2 that the engineers assured King William that the 
breach was sufficiently large, but "could not be enlarged for want of bullets/' 
The walls, therefore, which at first could be taken, according to Lauzun, with 
roasted apples, gave way but a few yards in breadth before the fire that had 
been so long poured upon them. William complained bitterly of his men. 3 

The breach not being sufficiently wide to admit a formidable body of assail- 
ants — and it was by mines, according to Harris, 4 that William had resolved 
to take the city — counter-mining as a consequence became absolutely neces- 
sary with Sarsfield, who, always wakeful and wary, was thoroughly acquainted 
with the stratagetic movements and proceedings of the enemy. Everywhere 
didhemeet them with a ready wit and genius, which even his foes freely acknow- 
ledged wherever they spoke or wrote of his military ability. All the night of 
the 26th, within the walls, was occupied hour by hour, in making preparations 
for the eventful morrow. The masked battery which had been so well planned 
at the corner of Curry's Lane, was contrived to deceive the vigilant and 
cautious engineers of William, who did not dream that death-dealing missiles 
or gaping guns were concealed within. A formidable mine also was run 
underneath the Black Battery, which was reserved for a duty which it soon 
afterwards performed against theBrandenburgh Regiment. It had beenresolved 
long before this to remove all the women and children from the city ; but 
even the adverse historians avow that very large numbers of women could 
not be induced to abandon the post of danger. Attached to the sacred 
cause, and maddened with rage against the invaders, they mingled with hus- 
bands, sons, and brothers, in the streets. They appeared on the walls during the 
hottest cannonade; they supplied the gunners with ammunition; they attended 
the sick; removed the disabled; bound up the limbs of the wounded. The 
duty in which they were engaged was the most delightful that could devolve 
upon them, and they went through it with extraordinary spirit and devotion. 

' Macariae Excidium. 2 Harris's Life of William III., p. 288. 

3 For instance, when " Manus O'Brien, a substantial country gentleman, came to the Camp, 
and gave notice that Sarsfield had passed the Shannon in the night at Killaloe, with a body of 
five or six hundred Horse and Dragoons, and designed something extraordinary, though several 
concurring circumstances, and Sarsfield's activity and resolution, which fitted him for any gallant 
enterprise, rendered O'Brien's story at least probable, yet little regard was paid to it at first ; and 
a great officer, instead of enquiring particularly into the matter, interrogated O'Brien concerning 
a prey of Cattle in the neighbourhood, of which he complained, saying, " He was sorry to see 
General Officers mind Cattle more than the King's Honour ; (Harris's Life of William III. p. 286) and 
it was not until he was brought before the King, that His Majesty ordered Sir John Lanier, with 
500 horse, after much delay and confusion, to meet the train." These, and similar circumstances, 
weighed so heavily on William, that he had not confidence in his officers. 

* Harris's Life of William III. p. 287. 

17 



242 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

Like tlie matrons of Sparta, they infused life into the drooping spirits of those 
who fought for their country — and in tones not to be misunderstood, conjured 
them to make ramparts of their bodies rather than return from the walls, 
except amid shouts of victory ! The morning of the 27th of August dawned 
cloudily ; a mist was dense on Keeper Hill and on Cratloe Woods ; rain 
had fallen in abundance during the previous night — the ground near the 
camp was almost untenable from the water. 1 Lord Macaulay 2 admits that 
all about the city at this period was a swamp — the view from the towers of 
St. Mary's, he says, did not stretch over smiling meadows and waving fields 
of corn — all was bog and water. Between Newcastle and Singland there was 
a marsh, whilst between Groody and the river, it was impossible to make an 
approach by infantry or cavalry, owing to the swampy nature of the ground. 
Monabraher, or the Friar's Bog, was beyond the water, and it was well nigh 
impassable. Within the walls all night, there was deep silence allied to the 
most resolute and sleepless determination and activity on the part of soldiers 
and citizens. And now came the eventful moment of the attack, as day 
broke through the thick rain which continued to fall. The attack was com- 
menced, according to Storey 3 by a detachment of nine companies of Grenadiers, 
supported by a hundred French (Huguenot) officers and volunteers. The 
Grenadiers were armed with hand-grenades, which they cast away from them 
with tremendous velocity, hideously shouting in the jargon of their country. 
The bells with which their waist belts were furnished made a tinkling, 
clanking noise, such as may be imagined from the jarring and jingling of so 
many of them together as the men leaped and ran in hot haste to the covered 
way and the two forts near John's Gate, which they were ordered to occupy. 
A hand to hand, desperate encounter now took place between the assailants 
and defenders at this point ; but such were the numbers, the violence, the 
strength, and impetuosity of the Grenadiers and their supporters that the 
soldiers of the Irish army gave way ! Here too, the tact and foresight of 
Sarsfield were manifest. Had not the Irish given way and retreated when 
they found it impossible wholly to repel the assault, they would have permitted 
the Williamites to make a lodgement at this important point — and nothing 
could have prevented its permanent occupation by the enemy in that event, 
and most likely the reduction of the city within a much shorter time than 
even William anticipated, flushed as he already was with the assured hope of 
complete success. Such at least was the thought that possessed the souls of 
the grim Grenadiers, and the fierce Huguenots at this moment. "The 
Grenadiers," says Dr. Molleneux, 4 " were seconded by other detachments, 
who went on with that heat and courage, that having gained the counterscarp, 
and a fort which the Irish had under the walls, they, instead of lodging them- 
selves there, as they were ordered to do, and not to advance any further, 
mounted the counterscarp, following the Irish that fled that way, but these 
being entrenched behind the breach and having planted cannon against it," 
(this was the masked battery at Curry's Lane) " they were cut off" ! It 
must be added, that the moment the retreat of the Irish soldiery was dis- 
cerned by their comrades in the streets, and above all by the women, it is 
impossible to describe the sudden, overwhelming reaction which at once took 
place. Every feeling that could arm citizens and soldiers, with vengeance, 

t So at least, say the "Williamite historians. 

2 History of England, Vol. III. p. 287. 

3 Storey's Continuation. 

•* Dr. MoUeneux's Diary of the Siege of Limerick, p. 2G. 



HISTOIiY OF LIMERICK. 243 

and brave, defiant, death-scorning women, was aronsed within their souls. 
Grenades flew thick and heavy abont them, shot and shell swept the walls, 
but they faltered not ; the Grenadiers followed now by several detachments, 
were fighting within the very streets. John Street, Broad Street, Mungret 
Street, every street of the Irishtown down to Ball's Bridge, were crowded 
with those detested freebooters and vagabonds — the ruffian rabble soldiers of 
the bloody-minded contriver of the massacre of Glencoe ! Burning with 
insatiable revenge, the women, forgetting then nature, called aloud on hus- 
bands, sons, and brothers to rally — and showed the example themselves. 
The ranks that had been broken were re-formed in order to beat back with 
irresistible force the tide of sanguinary foreign cut-throats which poured 
across the walls, and which even the battery above referred to was not able 
sufficiently to resist, though it continued to make lanes in the legions of the 
Dutchmen and to strew the pavement with their bodies. The brave Wau- 
chop, a Scotch officer of considerable ability, commanded seventeen hundred 
Irish soldiers chosen for the duty. The contest was the fiercest ever yet 
remembered. The fight raged, the women, in front and centre urged 
on the soldiers by word and example. Half the Earl of Drogheda's Gren- 
adiers were actually on the rampart, says Harris, 1 while others, still more 
eager, pushed into the very town. Captain Cadogan, of William's army, raised 
his sword in triumph as his men were on the breach. Sarsfield, Eon-like, 
went through the streets, ascended the walls — was everywhere. By an exhi- 
bition of personal courage and daring never yet surpassed, he proclaimed 
aloud the imperative duty which every Irishman owed to his country in the 
crisis. 2 

Elated with this success the Irish ventured again upon the breach, and the 
resolution of the women was so great, they pelted the besiegers with 
stones, and so inspired the men by their example, that after three hours 
unequal fighting, the Williamites were forced to retire to their trenches. In 
the assault the besieged used whatever weapons came first to hand — stones 
not the least useful. Dr. Davies, Dean of Cork, then present in William's 
army, states in his journal, 27th August, ' 1690 — after describing the 
assault he says : — " It was a very hot service, both great and small shot 
firing continually on both sides — we lost many men, and had more wounded, 
and of them the Lord Charlemont was bruised with stones. The Earl of 
Meath was bruised with a stone on the shoulder, &c. &c/" 3 Here the fact 
is proclaimed, trumpet-tongued to the entire world, that it was the heroines 
of Limerick who nobly repelled the savage invaders, that endeavoured 
to obtain a firm footing within the walls ! Let us picture to ourselves the 
heterogeneous battalions of William bristling with all the latest appliances 
and weapons of aggressive war^ — stung by the miseries of a protracted siege; 
resolved on a death or glory" — making their way blindly over the counter- 
scarp, through the breach, enfiladed by the fire from the ambuscade, 
from which the Irish soldiers had not been driven at any time — like 
famished wolves, hungry for their prey — and at leugth, within the precincts 

1 Harris's Life of William III. p. 288. 

2 Harris tells us, " This action would have been decisive had the Engineers made a lodgement 
in time, or the Counts Zolmes and Nassau suffered the detachment, appointed to second the 
Grenadiers, to advance beyond the counterscarp. For the Irish were running over the -walls 
over the Bridge into the English Town ; but observing that few of the English had entered the 
town, they rallied and killed many of them." 

3 See Camden Society's Publications. 



244 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

of the coveted city, the capture of which was to place the crown per- 
manently on the head of William, who in person commanded the besieg- 
ing host ! Picture the garrison — worn out by constant watching — pinched 
by irremediable hunger — the victim to every species of privation; subject to 
treachery within — swayed, however, by the never flinching courage of Sars- 
field, and holding out against all odds ! Imagine the wan and wasted 
figures of those maids and matrons who, forgetful of the gentler influences 
which reign predominant in the female breast, lost for the moment the 
amenities of their nature, wild with the excitement of battle — and nerving 
their arms to hurl death on the heads of the most odious foemen that ever 
challenged an oppressed and outraged people to combat. On, on the 
crowds rushed from every contiguous lane and alley — from Palmerstown, 
from Mungret Lane, from Curry's Lane, across Ball's Bridge from all the 
streets and lanes ; from Emly Lane, Barrack Street, Tumbling Lane, &c. of 
the English town, which had never, even in Ireton's cruel time, been witness 
to a scene so bloody and so awful as that which was enacted on the ever 
memorable evening of the 27th of August, 1690. . Creagh Lane, Pish 
Lane, and Churchyard Lane ; the " Great Street/'' and every other street, 
gave out their crowds of enraged heroines, who, armed with whatever 
weapon fury supplied, swelled the ranks of the Irish soldiers, who now fully 
restored to nerve and vigour, and with the cry, which in a few years, after- 
wards, made the English pale in the fields of Eontenoy and Cremona, of 
Steenkirke and Dettingen they drove terror into the coward hearts of the 
retreating Dutchmen, Huguenots, and Danes, as they endeavoured to run 
from the streets over the walls, through the breach back to their trenches ! 
Broken bottles was a favorite weapon with the women. But few, compara- 
tively few of William's army lived to make their escape from the city. — 
William, all the time, was viewing from Cromwell's fort, the events of that 
to him, most disastrous evening ! The afternoon had cleared up ; the sun, 
in the west, invested with a crimson glory, gave a delightful tinge 
to the foliage of the old woods of Cratloe. The scene beyond the city was 
one calculated to challenge the admiration of the painter, whilst the ruin 
and havoc of war blended with those elements of tranquil rural attract- 
iveness which nature profusely shed over the more distant outlines of the 
landscape, constituting a picture to which Claude Lorraine only could do 
justice. A shout of victory arose from the besieged, as they hurled from 
the walls the last remnant of the beaten Dutch battalions. But there was 
more yet to be done. Those mines which Sarsfield had planned had not as 
yet been set to work — but the opportunity was speedily to arrive ! Dr. 
Molleneux says that "they sprung a mine in the Ditch with but little effect/'' 
Dean Storey does not say a syllable about the Ditch or anywhere else. — l 
Harris more truthful — tells us, that " during the heat of the engagement 
a detachment of the Brandenburgh regiment got on the enemy's Black 
Battery, the powder by accident took fire, and blew up numbers." 2 No. 
There was no accident : It was all intended in the well-weighed and 
artistically planned calculations of Sarsfield. Molleneux admits that there 
was a " mine in the ditch :" no doubt of it ; and there were mines, in 
numbers, wherever it was imagined that one could be of use. 3 

1 Story, Ibid. 

a Harris's Life of William III., p. 288. 

3 Rapin, who was with King William at the siege and was wounded, gives a most favorable 



HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. 245 

Attached to the fortunes of William, whose countrymen the soldiers of 
the Brandenburgh regiment were, they attempted what no other regiment 
dreamt of effecting. Like a cloud of vultures they swarmed about the Black 
Battery, little dreaming of the volcano that slumbered beneath their feet. 
They were allowed to crowd in all their strength on the walls, and well- 
nigh to dream that they might win back what had gone so far against them, 
when, in an instant, the ground beneath their feet began to rock and to 
tremble — to sway to this side and to that — to form chasms into whose widen- 
ing jaws many a Brandenburgian fell helplessly — never to see daylight more 
— and at length, with a terrific outburst of all the explosive elements that 
were concealed within the chamber of the mine, to blow high into the air, 
amid the sunset of that glorious evening, the ruthless barbarians whose 
very name smelt horribly in the nostrils of the people ! " When our men 
drew off (says Dean Storey), 1 some were brought up dead, and some without 
a leg ; others wanted arms, and some were blind with powder ; especially 
many of the poor Brandenburghers looked like furies with the misfortune of 
gunpowder; one Mr. Upton got into the town among the Irish, and surren- 
dered himself to the governor. Bedloe, a deserter from the Irish army, in 
which he was a captain, went over to William, and obtained equal rank in 
that army." 2 This event has been so often and so variously told — it has 
been the theme of so many a pen, and so long the boast of Limerick, 
that to dwell longer on it would seem supererogatory. But too much can- 
not be said of an event which had so decisive an effect on the determination 
of William that he saw in an instant the game was up. That night he slept 
uneasily on his pillow at Singland. Dreams disturbed his soul — he had not 
retired before he drenched himself thoroughly with those strong drinks 
which he loved so dearly. He cursed the fate which brought him to Limer- 
ick to witness a defeat unparalleled in the annals of warfare. None of his 
generals dare approach him — tortured and maddened he cast blame on all 
about him — and as he weighed the advantages of the Boyne with the losses 
and disgrace at Limerick, he groaned in spirit. It was a splendid victory. 3 

picture of the siege, but also says the action would have been decisive if Counts Somes and 
Nassau would have suffered the detachment, that was to second the Grenadiers, to go farther than 
the counterscarp. Storey, too, admits the truth. " The Irish then ventured upon the Breach 
again, and from the walls and every place so pestered us upon the counterscarp, that after nigh 
three hours' resisting, bullets, stones, (broken bottles from the very women, who boldly stood in 
the breach, and were nearer our men than their own) and whatever ways could be thought on to 
destroy us, our ammunition being spent, it was judged safest to return to our trenches." — Dean 
Storey's Impartial History of the A fairs of Ireland, p. 129. He adds, " that the Danes were not 
idle all this while, but fired upon the enemy with all imaginable fury, and had several killed ; but 
the mischief was, we had but one breach, and all towards the left it was impossible to get into 
the town when the gates were shut, if there had been no enemy to oppose us, without a great 
many scaling ladders, which we had not. From half-an-hour after three till Dear seven, there 
was one continued fire of both great and small shot, without any intermission; insomuch that 
the smoke that went from the town reached in one, continued cloud to the top of a mountain 
at least six miles off." This was Keeper Hill. 

1 Dean Storey's Impartial History of the Affairs of Ireland, p. 130. 2 j^ 

* Dalrymple (Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 503) says u that the inhabitants of Limerick, eager to give 
that defeat to King William which those of Londonderry had given to King James, animated 
the garrison. Even the women, from the same emulation, filled the places which the soldiers 
had quitted. The garrison rallied, more troops poured into the town from the country behind ; 
and after a dispute of three hours, William was obliged to desist, with the loss of 500 of his 
English troops killed, and 1000 wounded, besides the loss of the foreigners, which was probably 
so great, because in the attack they were equal in numbers to the English. He raised the siege 
soon after, and the same day set off for England, leaving Count Solmes to command the army. 
But Solmes leaving it likewise soon after, General Ginkle, a Dutchman, was put in his place," 



246 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Meetings were held within the walls, and in the camp of the enemy on the 
following morning, which broke over a scene as terrible and as bloody, as 
ever battle-field exhibited after fierce contention in the deadly struggle. The 
streets were flowing with blood — the blood of friends and foes — the latter 
greatly predominating. The uniforms of the Brandenburghers and of Dro- 
gheda's horse were easily discernible among the heaps of slain that made a 
mount in John- street, and up from Ball's Bridge to the very mouth of the 
breach. About the Devil's Tower, too, there was an awful appearance of 
carnage — here many a Dutchman was made to bite the dust in unavailing- 
agony, as he strove to master a position which defied the united strength of 
William's trained and well-equipped veterans. In several other places 
about the walls, the helmets of horsemen and the curiously formed hats of 
infantry, all headless, showed that their owners were sleeping the long sleep 
from which there is no waking ; and, as the event proved, the killed, miss- 
ing, and wounded of the enemy numbered some thousands, though Storey, 
and his copyist in this respect, Harris, are unwilling to admit that they 
amounted to more than eighteen hundred I 1 Not a few of the fair forms of 
those heroines to whom all William's historians attribute the success of the 
repulse, lay stretched in death, their pure features smiling in the rigid still- 
ness of the grave, on the victory which they had aided in winning. Wives 
looked among the slain for husbands and sons ; and as they found them, the 
salvoes of triumph which thundered from the walls, were mingled with the 
heart-piercing wail of sorrow, which ascended from the voices of those who 
w r ere deprived by the ruthless invader of the prop and stay of many a cheerful 
homestead, before the hour that William appeared before those walls, which 
not only roasted apples did not take, but which stood firm against the 

1 A more absurd untruth never was uttered, when the fact is admitted by Storey and Harris, 
that no less than nearly two thousand men were killed, or placed beyond harm's reach, during 
the attempt to storm the city. The official return between killed and wounded, as given in 
Appendix LI., p. lxix., Harris's Life of Wm. III., is as follows : — 

A List of the Slain and Wounded in the Attack made on Limerick on the 26th of August, 1690, trans- 
mitted by the Secretary at War to the Earl of Nottingham : — 



Regiments. 


Field 
Officers 


Field 
Officers 


&<6 


.5 ® 

41 


■2 ti 
S j2 






as ^ 

.11 


.2 <» 
2 5 


2-g 




killed. 


wounded. 


6 s 




•£% 




£ 13 


l| 


"3 13 

02 


*! 


Second Battalion of Guards 








5 




4 




8 


42 


148 


Third Battalion of Guards 








2 




1 






10 


31 


Belcastles's 


Lt.Col. 






4 


"i 


7 


"3 


*8 


27 


60 


Cambon's 


... 


Col. and 






3 


10 


2 


10 


10 


63 


Stuart's 


... 


Major. 
Colonel 


2 


7 


1 


5 




2 


44 


96 


Cutt's 




Lt. Col. 


1 


3 




4 


1 




46 


74 


Douglass's 


Major 


Major. 




6 


"i 


5 


2 


2 


30 


146 


Lisburne's 






2 


2 




2 


1 


1 


28 


62 


Meath's 








2 


"i 


4 


1 


2 


29 


101 


Danes. Guards, and Hanmer's") 
Grenadiers ... J 


Colonel 


3 Majors 




8 


1 


5 




6 


135 


280 


Gustavus Hamilton's Grenadiers 




... 




1 










5 


15 


Drogbeda's Grenadiers 




1 














8 


18 


Mitchelburnc's Grenadiers 


... 




"i 












1 


23 


3 


9 


6 


40 


9 


47 


10 


34 


414 


1117 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 247 

cannon shot and scientific engineering of the most accomplished artillerists in 
Europe at the time ! Molleneux, with a judicious eye to the consequences, 
tells the world that but 700 were killed on his side 1 " since the beginning 
of the siege \" 

King William took a view of the havoc that was made, and sighed as he 
beheld the effects of that power which is stronger than fire — the power of 
freemen fighting against slavery — for a cause immeasurably dearer than life. 
Kirk's regiment acted throughout with their usual savagery. 2 

A Council of War being called, where, as is said, the following reasons 
among others being urged, William thought fit to give the order for raising 
the siege : 3 — 

First, "That the rain that had fallen, and in all probability ioas likely to 
fall, would in a little time so moisten the ground about Lymerick, that it 
would be impossible to draw off the cannon and heavy baggage. 

Secondly, " That the river Shannon began so to sivell, that if they did not 
suddenly pass the same, the communication with the other part of the army 
would be cut off. 

Thirdly, " The watery season would undoubtedly bring the country distemper 
on our army, and so more dye of it than by the hand of the enemy ; in the 
same manner they did the last campaign of Dundalk. 

Fourthly, " That the garrison of Lymerick being very numerous, if they 
abide any assault (which on account of the weather must be made with great 
disadvantage), we should lose a great many men." 

The soldiers were in hopes that William would give orders for a second 
attack, and seemed resolved to have the city, or lose all their lives ; but this 
was too great a risk to run at one place ; and they did not know how his 
ammunition was gone, especially by the former day's work. They continued 
however their batteries ; and then a storm of rain and other bad weather began 
to threaten, which fell on Friday the 29th in good earnest; upon which 
William calling another Council of War, concluded the safest way was to quit 
the siege, without which they could not have secured their heavy cannon, 
which they drew off from the batteries by degrees, and found much difficulty 
in marching them five miles next day. Sunday the last of August, all the 
army drew off; most of the Protestants that lived in that part of the country 
taking the opportunity of removing further from Limerick with the army ; 
and " would rather leave their estates and all their substance in the enemies' 
hands, than trust their persons any more in their power." 4 Harris, too, 
speaks of the wet season and a scarcity of ammunition, as the occasion of 
the raising of the siege. The heavy baggage and cannon were sent off, and 
the next day the army decamped, and marched towards Clonmel. The apo- 
logists of William have endeavoured to throw the cause of the failure on the 
weather, not on the bravery of the soldiers, citizens and women of Limerick. 

The Duke of Berwick in his memoirs states that the enemy lost two 
thousand men in the assault. There were ten thousand of William's picked 
soldiers, including the Brandenburghers, the Danes, &c. engaged in it ; because 

1 Molleneux's Diary of the Siege of Limerick, p. 26. 

2 Kirk's cruelty was proverbial. His soldiers were called Kirk's Lambs — he had been engaged 
in long and sanguinary wars in Africa ; and his soldiers were ever ready to execute his bloody 
orders. Graham in his History of Ireland states that Kirk's regiment — the 2nd regiment of 
foot — had the device of a lamb, which it bears to this day, and that the soldiers were called 
lambs long before the period in question. 

3 Storey. * This is a calumny of the Williamite writers. 



248 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 



according to Dalrymple, William, in coming to Ireland, did not repose faith 
in his English soldiers to fight against King James, and hence he supplied 
his army with an enormons number of Danes, who Storey says, " looked 
lusty fellows/'' — Brandenburghers, and mercenaries who were ready to enlist 
for the highest pay, and fight against the liberties of a nation with which 
they had no sympathy. 1 Brigadier Talbot displayed great courage and address 
in the assistance he gave Sarsfield in repelling the assault. Though it is 
stated by Storey that houses were set on fire, and tremendous damage done 
to the city during the siege, nevertheless, from the examination of John 
Eider, referred to in O'Callaghan's Macarise Excidium, " there were but few 
houses and a little hay demolished in Lymerick during the siege, they," adds 
he, " having covered their hay with raw hides. " Eider bore arms in the 
city during the siege. Harris, the historian of William, is candid enough to 
add to the numbers given by the Duke of Berwick, and to say, that on that 
eventful 20th of August, 1690, there were twelve field officers, 46 captains, 
100 subalterns, and 1531 soldiers of William's army killed and wounded ! 2 
There never yet was a more signal or a more glorious victory on the part 
of the Irish. A ray of hope appeared to dissipate the deadly gloom that 



1 Dalrymple (Memoirs, p. 474) says, " The forces which sailed with William, or joined him in 
Ireland, amounted to 66,000 men. But distrusting English soldiers to fight against one who 
had been lately King of England, he took care that more than one-half of his army should con- 
sist of foreigners. For he had 10,000 Danes, 7,000 Dutch and Brandenburghers, and 2,000 
Erench Protestant Refugees, and superiority in general officers, three-fourths of whom had been 
foreigners or Dutch officers, was still greater. He carried with him the Prince of Denmark, mor 
from a fear of leaving him behind, and to lessen the odium of going to fight against his wife's 
father, by dividing that odium, than to do honour to the prince, (Duchess of Marlborough') whom 
he would not permit to go in a coach with him. For a similar precaution he carried with him a 
number of English nobility and men of fashion as volunteers, or rather as hostages. But Claren- 
don's son, Lord Canterbury, who was in the Prince of Denmark's service, refused to attend his 
master, (Clarendon's Diary) under pretence that he could not with honour serve in a country, 
where he must have run to see that Begiment which the King had taken from him, commanded 
by another ; but in reality to expose the King for not showing that delicacy to James, which he, 
who was more distantly allied to him, seemed to feel. But though the Duke of Ormond had the 
same excuse of honour, to plead from the station of his former Regiment, he attended the King, 
perhaps to conceal the defection which he already meditated." 

2 Dean Storey (Impartial History of the Affairs of Ireland, pp. 129-130) estimates the killed at 
500, and the wounded at 1000, and gives the following list of the officers killed and wounded at 
he attack, in the five English Regiments that were on duty, as it was taken exactly the next day : 



In Lieut. -General Douglas's Regiment. 
Wounded. 
Sir Charles Fielding. 
Captain Rose, mortally wounded. 
Captain Guy. 
Captain Trevor. 
Captain Rose, junior. 
Captain Wainsborough 
Lieut. Wild, mortally wounded. 
Lieutenant Wybrants. 
Lieutenant Lacoch. 
Lieutenant Rapine. 
Lieutenant Loyd. 
Ensign Goodxoin. 
Ensign Burk. 

KilVd. 
Major Uumbleton. 
Lieutenant Ennis. 
Lieutenant Morrison. 
Ensign Tapp. 
Ensign ruisent. 



In Colonel Cutts' Regiment. 



Colonel Cutis. 
Captain Newton. 
Captain Foxon. 
Captain Masham 
Lieutenant Lewis. 
Lieutenant Barroch. 
Lieutenant Cary. 
Lieutenant Trenchard. 
The Adjutant. 
Mr. Haws, a Volunteer. 

Kill'd. 
Captain Hudson. 
Ensign Mead. 

In the Earl of Meath's Regiment. 
Wounded. 
The Earl of Meath. 

Lieut.-Colonel Newcomb, mortally wounded. 
Lieutenant Blakeney. 
Lieutenant Hubbkthorn. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



249 



hung upon the fortunes of Ireland; and the name of Sarsfield became 
synonymous with everything that was agreeable to the heart of the nation. 1 
De Burgho relates that William, in his haste to decamp, left a vast number 
of men sick and disabled in hospital. He was asked by such of the generals 
as dared to approach him, what was to be done with the sick and wounded. 
De Burgho gives the reply — with fury in his eyes, and rage consuming him, 
roaring out, he said, " Let them be burned/-' — " let them be set fire to -" 2 and 
forthwith the hospital was enveloped in flames. 



Lieutenant Latham. 
Ensign Smith. 



Killed. 



Kill'd. 

Captain Lindon. 
Captain Farlow. 
Lieutenant Russell. 

In my Lord Lisburn's Regiment. 
Wounded. 
Major Allen. 
Captain Adair. 
Captain Eoldrich. 
Captain Hubbart. 
Lieutenant Eillton. 
Lieutenant Goodwin. 
Ensign Hook. 

KilTd. 
Captain Wallace. 
Captain West. 
Ensign Ogle. 



In Brigadier Stuart's Regiment. 
Wounded. 
Brigadier Stuart. 
Major Cornwall. 
Captain Pallfery. 
Captain Galbreth. 
Captain Stuart. 
Captain Casseen. 
Lieutenant Stuart. 
Lieutenant Cornwall. 
Lieutenant Carey. 
Ensign Stuart. 

1 The following verses by Thomas Stanley Tracey, Esq., A.B., Sch. T.C.D., contain an allusion 

to the locality, as well as to the principal events of the Siege : 

SARSFIELD'S DEFENCE OF LIMERICK. 
There's a deathless tree on the ancient lines 

Where the old Black Battery stood ; 
With leaves still bright as the fame of the fight 

That dyed them once in blood. 
The heroes are dead, but the tree still lives ; 

And still, as the night-wind grieves, 
Immortal memories wake again, 

That slept beueath its leaves. 

And warriors' ghosts from the battered walls 

Cry forth in Fancy's ear — 
For ever curs'd be these foreign dogs, 

What demon brought them here ? 
But we drove them out in the olden time, 

And we'll drive them out again ; 
Listen to how your father's fought 

When Sarsfield led our men. 

The blood rushed back to many a heart 

On that eventful day ; 
When Sarsfield from the hills returned, — 

The lion from his prey ; 
Little the slumbering foe had dreamed 

The Shannon's fords were passed, — 
But bloodhounds staunch were Sarsfield's dogs, 

And dragged them down at last. 

Quick as the lightning flash reveals 

The ravage of the storm, 
His eye had scanned the patriot band, 

And seen their ranks reform ; — 
11 Now pay them back, my boys," he cried, 

" In honest Irish coin, 
The long-due debt that Ireland owes 

These braggarts of the Boyne ! 



" Sword, shot, and shell are best to tell 

The wrongs of injured men — 
No craven King, no traitor friends, 

Shall spoil our sport again ; — 
Up with your strong and bloody hands, 

O'Brien and O'Neill, 
And dig the graves of these foreign slaves 

With a shower of Irish hail." 

A thousand iron mouths of death 

Their fierce replies combined, — 
And the stormers reeled from the fiery breach 

Like chaff before the wind ; 
To the trenches driven, with ranks all riven, 

In the sweep of that deadly shower, — 
Sarsfield hath wished on a foreign field, 

He had died in that glorious hour. 

The green flag streamed, the death-shower 
teemed, — 
The fatal bridge was passed ; 
There was hardly one in that fierce sortie 

But had crossed it for the last : 
Red ran the flood with women's blood, 

Who fought with Limerick's sons, 
Their glorious names shall never die, 
While ever that river runs. 

Three times the furious foe came on, 

But met and beaten still, 
Their souls went down to their last parade, 

With their friends of Keeper Hill. 
The sun set on two bleeding hosts, 

And red with a soldier's shame, 
King William with two thousand ghosts, 

Left Limerick to its fame ! 



2 De Burgho's Hibernia Dominicana. 



250 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- 

The citizens and garrison treated such Protestants as remained within the 
walls, after the discomfiture of William, with consideration and clemency ; 
they permitted them to betake themselves, in such numbers as they chose, 
to such places outside as they might select for their residences. The want 
of provisions within the city, the enormous rates which were charged for the 
ordinary necessaries of life, and the absence of supplies commensurate with 
the wants of the garrison and of the citizens, rendered it essential that the 
number inside should be reduced as much as possible, and for this reason, if 
for no other, the Protestants were allowed to depart. The money in circu- 
lation was the inferior brass or gun money of James; and £10 in that coin 
was the cost of a barrel of wheat; £9 a barrel of malt; £3 a quart of 
brandy; 2s. 6d. a quart of ale; salt £1 per quart; 30s. a pair for men's 
shoes ; and everything else in proportion. 1 Storey admits that things were 
not so bad as they were reported ; but that they were bad enough is indis- 
putable. 

During the time he spent in camp before Limerick, William fared right well. 2 

About the fourteenth of September, Sarsfield, with a part of the Irish 
army, marched over the Shannon at Banagher bridge, and besieged the 
castle of Birr — the marks of the balls may yet be seen in the castle of that 
town — which was ably defended by a company of Colonel Tiffin's foot. But 
Major General Kirk marching towards it with a party of William's army, 
Sarsfield raised the siege and marched off. 3 

Count Solmes, who commanded in chief, was in Cashel at this time, where 
he received a letter by a trumpeter from the Duke of Berwick, then at Lim- 
erick, complaining that they had heard of a design of William, to transport the 
prisoners who had been taken at .several places, to become slaves in the 
foreign plantations ; and withal, threatening them with the French galleys. 
This was said to be a feint or stratagem of the Irish officers, to prevent their 
soldiers deserting, making them believe there was a contract to sell them all 
to Mons. Perara a Jew for so much bread. Count Solmes sent a reply to 
the Duke's letter, in which he denied the allegation, but threatened repri- 
sals if wrong were done to the prisoners in the hands of the Irish. Soon 
after this Solmes went to England, and Ginkle was made Lieutenant-General, 
and Commander-in-Chief of the army, who went to his head quarters at 
Kilkenny. 

During these events the castle of Nenagh was taken, and the town set on 
fire, notwithstanding a determined resistance on the part of the defenders 
and the people. During the siege Colonel Evans commanded the County of 
Limerick regiment of militia, and his life was saved by the merest accident. 

1 Storey's Impartial History. 

2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. (page 513) gives a curious letter said to have been 
written by one Captain Robert Taylor, and dated August 20, 1690, which tells what sort was 
the bill of fare which William was presented -withal by the gallant Captain, and which was 
" all that this poor country can afford, and all that is left worth his Majesty's eating." Taylor 
doubtless had a keen eye to his own interests ; but we are strongly of opinion that no French 
cuisinier could provide a daintier feast for Royalty than did Captain Taylor, under the circum- 
stances, provide for William III. while he lay before Limerick. Here is the letter : — 

Letter of Captain Robert Taylor, August 20th, who sends to the Camp near Limerick, " all 
that this poor country can afford, and all that is left worth his Majesty's eating." The Captain 
and his wife appear to have been a most loyal pair ; the viands they sent for the King's table 
were " one veale, 10 fatte weathers, 12 chickinges, 2 dussen of fresh butter, a thick cheese and a 
thinn one ; 10 loaves of bread, a dussen and a half of pidgeons ; 12 bottles of ale, halfe a barrelle 
of small ale, some Kidnie beanes." 

3 Cooke's History of Farsonstown gives a very good account of this siege. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 251 

A rapid retreat was now the order of the day with William. ^ On Sunday 
the 31st of August, his soldiers decamped, blowing up a quantity of bombs 
and hand-grenades, which they could not carry with them ; the next day he 
remained at Cahirconlish, and thence onwards to Waterford where he took 
shipping for England. Meantime Boisseleau gave vent to his feelings of 
jealousy by prophesying that when next William attacked Limerick he 
would be successful! 



CHAPTEE XXXIV. 

EFFECT OF THE DEFEAT AT LIMEEICK ON WILLIAM. — EFFORTS TO REPAIR HIS 

LOSSES. RENEWED EXERTIONS OF THE DEFENDERS. ANOTHER MILITARY 

EXPEDITION SENT TO IRELAND. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. THE 

CAMPAIGN OF 1691. — LIMERICK AGAIN BESIEGED. — THE SURRENDER. — 
THE TREATY. 

Having lost his hold on the country worth fighting for, William did not 
despair. He knew the agencies which were at work in every direction. 
Vacillation and treachery, he was conscious, would effect more for his purpose 
than great guns and the sword. On these, however, he placed no small share 
of reliance. He at once dispatched a powerful armed force to Ireland, 
including his own regiment of Fusileers, Brigadier Trelawney's, Princess 
Anne's, Colonel Hastings', Colonel Hale's, Sir David Collier's, Colonel Pitz- 
patrick's, one hundred of the Duke of Bolton's, and two hundred of the 
Earl of Monmouth's, with the marine regiments of Lord Torrington and 
Lord Pembroke. This force effected a landing at Cork on the 22nd of 
September. Cork fell, not being effective for defence since the invention of 
gunpowder. 1 Kinsale also submitted, the garrison, 1200 strong, being 
allowed to march out with arms and baggage, having a party of horse to 
conduct them to Limerick. 2 It was made a matter of imputation on Prance 
that Kinsale was not strengthened rather than Limerick, as by so doing one 
of the finest harbours in the world could be secured against England, and 
her trade with the western world damaged if not ruined. 3 But in whatever 
light this may be viewed, it is indisputable that the Irish commanders had 
an intuitive knowledge that Prance was not faithful in the emergency, and 
that the course that had been pursued by her was not consistent with true 
friendship. The Irish now did what was possible for themselves. Limerick 
was put in a complete state of defence. Sarsfield employed the ablest en- 
gineering skill to repair what had been injured, and to strengthen every weak 
place. To this day evidences of his energy and skill, may be seen about 
those parts of the old walls against which William's cannon had vainly been 
directed, and which were again about to receive a fire not less concentrated, 
but equally ineffective. Where the breach had been made was set to rights 
by masonry, which is even now easily discernible. The walls were lined with 
enormous earth-coatings which made them completely bomb-broof. 4 Mean- 
while a Privy Council was appointed by William's Government, early in 

1 Windele's Guide to the South of Ireland. The year before Macgillicuddy, the Governor of 
Cork, made an ineffective resistance to William's troops. 

* Storey. 3 ibid. 

* Storey admits that the defences were made by the very ablest engineers. 



252 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

December ; new Commissions were given out to the judges, who did not 
spare the mere Irish. Nefarious laws were enacted. On the 16th of De- 
cember, Brigadier Dorrington of the Irish army issued a proclamation from 
Limerick, in which he stated that all needful accommodation was in readiness 
for those who chose to transport themselves to France. 1 In this proclama- 
tion, the Brigadier inveighed vehemently against William and his government, 
and the conduct altogether of William's partizans everywhere during this 
crisis. One of William's very first acts on his arrival in London was to open 
the Session of Parliament with a speech from the throne, in which he not 
only spoke of the sticcesses (?) which his arms had in Ireland, notwithstanding 
the want of pay which his soldiers had endured, but of his relations towards 
Erance, the raising of a million of money on the credits of the forfeited 
estates in Ireland, the maintenance of a force of 67,636 men, a strong navy, 
new ships, &c. It was also suggested that a return should be given of the 
names of all those who had been in " rebellion'" in England and in Ireland, 
in order to the confiscation of their estates, and the applying the proceeds to 
bear the charges of the war ! Here we have a key to the purpose and the policy 
of William. He proceeded against his father-in-law, James II. in open 
" rebellion" — and declared those to be rebels who drew the sword against his 
usurpation. The question of the forfeited estates was not so easily adjusted, 
though ultimately it prevailed. The matter was held over for another session, 
on the recommendation of the House of Lords. William did not feel at ease 
with his friends ; they were exacting, and he was willing, but he could not 
do all with the desired haste. In disgust he went to Holland, where he 
arrived after an unpropitious voyage. New " Popish plots" were discovered. 
Catholics of high position and influence were assassinated under the cover of 
law. Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton were tried and condemned in England, 
because they were favorable to James. Never was hatred more insatiate in 
the darkest days that had gone by. In Limerick, Waterford, Cork, and 
Tipperary, several brisk actions took place between the Williamite troops 
and the rapparees. Towards Nenagh a sharp fight occurred between the 
rapparees and Lieutenant-Colonel Lillington, who first secured a bridge 
about half a mile from the town, sent a detachment to occupy a pass towards 
Limerick, while the rest of his freebooters entering Nenagh — the Irish flying 
to the Castle for security — he set fire to the houses, together with stores of 
malt, and meal, and plundered 300 head of black cattle. Forty or fifty 
Irish fell in this foray of Lillington. Hacking, hunting, and butchering 
was the course of the Williamites. 2 People began to tire and sicken of this 
wearisome warfare. A defeat at the moat of Grange, and a scarcity of pro- 
visions which now began to be sensibly felt in Limerick, contributed in no 
small degree to unnerve and cause dismay to the people. Succours were 
hourly looked for from Erance ; but days and weeks were passing amid hope 
deferred, and the good time after all did not come. However, Tyrconnell, 
in January, 1691, returned from Erance to Limerick with three frigates laden 
with provisions, clothing, arms, and ammunition, and about £8000 in money. 
Tyrconnell was accompanied by Sir Eichard Nagle and Sir Stephen Eice, in 
whose hands James had lodged the administration of civil affairs up to the 
present. 

A considerable number of French officers arrived in Limerick towards the 
end of April ; they brought an account that General St. Euth, a brave and 

1 Storey. 2 Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LlMEillCK, 253 

gallant soldier, who had won reputation on foreign fields, would soon follow 
from Trance, with clothing and other necessaries for 25,000 men, and that 
he would place himself at the head of the army. Confidence now gained 
ground ; and Limerick was put in a complete state of defence. The walls were 
so widened, particularly towards the south, John's, gate, &c, that they 
afforded an excellent walk in after years for the citizens, and White 
pleasantly observes when he wrote : — <c those are the walls we now walk 
on I" 1 About the 20th of May, a large arrival of war material took place 
in the bay of Dublin for "William's army, with 500 gun carriage horses, 
together with Lieutenant-General Scravemoor, Major-General Mackay, and 
Major-General Ruvigni, and a train of artillery, consisting of 30 pieces of 
cannon, 6 mortars, and 12 field pieces, which marched from Dublin towards 
Mullingar on the 26th; Lieutenant-General Ginkle, and the other general 
officers intending to follow in a few days after. The arms also, which were 
lately sent froinEngland, were distributed among the Protestants of Ireland 
—a practice, which has not even in our own day been abandoned whenever 
the Orange interest requires support. The Irish supplied themselves with 
arms also ; and if even according to Captain Eobert Parker, they behaved 
with wonderful resolution the year before at the Boyne, and with unpar- 
alleled bravery at Limerick, they were now determined to fight for native 
homes and free altars, with more than quondam valour. The campaign 
quicked into vigorous activity in every quarter. Militia were posted by 
William's officers wherever their presence might avail. Tipperary and Cork 
were almost altogether confided to the militia. A strong WiUiamite garri- 
son was placed in Clonmel. Sir "William Cox, who had the command of 
the irhlitia, advised that a flying camp should be formed at Michelstown, 
which would so cover the country from all incursions from Limerick, that 
they could spare troops for the army. It was apprehended that an attack 
would be made on Waterford by the Irish, because that city was weak in 
the absence of the guns, which had been withdrawn to other places. 
Piogers, an expert engineer, reported what was necessary to strengthen 
Waterford for William; and what he recommended was done. Many of 
the Irish leaders were summarily seized and disposed of by an order from 
the Council Board of William's government. Everywhere throughout the 
country the utmost activity prevailed on every side ; but all eyes were 
turned towards Limerick. 

Towards the end of May, Major-General Tahnash, who was sent over by 
William, arrived in Dublin ; he was accompanied by Sir Martin Beckman, 
chief of the corps of Engineers. In a day or two they proceeded towards 
the camp, where the soldiers had been occupied in hanging such of the poor 
Irish as came in their way. Storey states that on one occasion thirty-five 
were killed, and six were "fairly''' hanged. 2 Orders were issued to all sellers 
of ale and other liquors to dispose of none, but good brewed ale and 
genuine liquors to the soldiers in camp, in order to prevent diseases ; sellers 
were directed to procure licenses from Dublin. The latter portion of the 
order was withdrawn sometime after, not being found convenient to any of 
the parties interested. On the 30th of May, Ginkle, in chief command, 
travelled from Dublin, and slept that night at Tycroghan. Next day he 
reached the camp at Mullingar, where he found Kirk's, Lord Meath's, Lord 
Lisburn's, Lord Cutts', Colonel Eoulkes', Colonel Brewer's, Lord George 

» White's MSS. 2 Storey's Continuation, &c. 



254 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Hamilton's, and Colonel Earle's regiment of foot, — Sir John Lanier's, 
Brigadier Villiers's, Colonel Longstone's, Eeydepell's, Eoncour's, and Mono- 
povillon's horse, with Colonel Leveson's Dragoons, who before his coming 
over to Ireland was made a Brigadier by William. The army and militia 
got new clothes for the campaign; the colour was generally of grey, for, as 
yet, the red had not been introduced in the British army. The Irish wore 
green, French grey, white, &c. The army of the WiUiamites was now 
concentrated in a great measure — but in some places stray parties of militia 
and regulars appeared at a distance from the camp ; and it was among one 
of these that Ensign Storey, the brother of the Dean, was met by the 
chivalrous galloping Hogan at Corolanty, near Congort in Lower Ormond. 
This occurrence, fatal to young Storey, who was a gallant soldier, took place 
on the 1st of June. Drogheda's regiment kept garrison at Corolanty where 
the news of the capture of Congort had arrived. Storey, with youthful ardor, 
not believing the intelligence that Congort had fallen into the hands of the 
Irish, resolved to prevent its capture, and to take care that it should not be 
burned. He went out with his party, but was surprised and killed. The 
Irish, however, not only buried him with the honors of war, but the 
humanity they manifested, is freely admitted by the brother of the Ensign, 
who was the Historian of William's campaigns. 

At Mullingar Ginkle gave certain directions as to the contraction of the 
works that had been made the winter before for the sucurity of that place. 
The design of passing the Shannon at Meelck or Banagher, appeared to be 
the most plausible to Ginkle while he lay at Mullingar ; and he sent the 
Eev. Mr. Trench, who at an earlier period had done service to the cause, 1 
to the Duke of Wirtemberg, then at Ballyboy, to encamp thereabouts until 
the rest of the army had joined him, or if he could, to surprise a passage 
over the Shannon while the Irish army which were watching the other 
portion of the English. Mr. Trench, with a party of thirty horse, got to his 
destination, though surrounded by the Irish ; knowing the passes, and the 
by-ways, he reached Boscrea where the Duke was encamped. For certain 
causes, however, an express was sent to Athlone directing that the Duke 
should march forward in order to join the army at Athlone. This was done 
— and matters proceeded in a regular course of operation on both sides. 
One of the principal wants of the Irish army was an efficient cavalry. Storey 
tells a very curious tale in reference to the manner in which this want was 
supplied by the Irish Generals. On a certain day they sent directions that 
all the gentlemen volunteers and yeomen in the neighbourhood of Limerick 
should appear on the King's Island with their best horses and arms. They 
appeared accordingly, when the majority of them were ordered to dismount 
and deliver up their horses for the use of the army. In a few days after 
this occurrence the whole body of Irish moved on towards Athlone, 
whither they had been informed, by spies and outscouts, the army of the 
Williamites designed to march. Ginkle, meantime, left nine twenty-four 
pounders, one eighteen pounder, and three mortars at Mullingar, and marched 
on Saturday the 6th of June, to Eathcondra about six miles between Meers 
Court and Cairus Castle. He was joined by several general officers and their 
regiments and troops, at the head of whom was Lieutenant General 
Douglas, General MlLo Burke was Governor of Athlone. He spurned the 

l Storey states that he had heen very forward in their Majesties' Service. This reverend 
gentleman was ancestor of Lord Ashtown, and of the present Protestant Archbishop of Dublin. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 255 

attempt of Ginkle, who sent him this summons to deliver up that important 
position : — 

" Since the Governour desires to see in Writing the Message which I just 
now sent him by word of mouth, he may know, That if he Surrenders the Fort 
of Ballymore to me within two hours, I will give him and his Garrison their 
lives, and make them Prisoners of War ; if not, neither he nor they shall 
have any Quarter, nor another opportunity for saving themselves. However, 
if in that time their Women and Children will go out, they will have my leave, 
"Given at the Camp this 8th day of June, 1691, at 8 a Clock in the 
Morning. 

"Bar Be GINCKEL. 

From Athlone he wrote several letters to the neighbouring noblity and 
gentry, calling upon them to use their best endeavours to aid him. Among 
those to whom he wrote was the first Earl of Granard. 1 

Athlone, however surrendered ; and the battle of Aughrim, where St. Euth 
met with so sudden an end to a glorious career, and where success must have 
crowned the Irish army with glory, were it not for jealousies and divided 
councils, followed. 

The word now was Limerick, which was destined to endure a second siege 
within twelve months. 

Never perhaps in the chequered history of our country was there a time 
in which more intense excitement appeared on the part of both of the 
armies which were now destined to fight for the mastery before and within 
the walls of Limerick. The die was cast. The resolution was taken. The 
issue was tremendous. Taking a short retrospect of the stirring events of 
the past eighteen months, we have seen compressed within that space of 
time, matters of momentous importance to the destinies of Ireland. Now 
was the moment in which the result, for good or for evil, was to be developed. 

Ginkle was conversant with the strength of the city, which he had 
resolved to beleaguer. Skill and industry, courage and patriotism, urged 
the Irish generals and the citizens to make a rally unprecedented in energy 
and power. An army which had been driven, as it were, to bay, now occupied 
the garrison, and defended a position which was impregnable if strong arms 
and equally strong hearts could render it so. Ginkle' s soldiers were fatigued 
and harassed. Superstitious beyond belief, they reposed faith in every idle 
prophecy which was noised abroad by the busy tongues of those whose wishes 

1 Copy of a Letter addressed by General de GincTcel, first Earl of Athlone, to the first Earl of Granard. 

Camp at Athlone, July 6th, 1691. 
My Lokd, — I have your Lordship's of yesterday, and am very glad your Lordship has ordered 
the militia to pursue the rebels of Lansborough. I hope by this that Ballisharman has fur- 
nish'd men to secure Sligo, for orders have been already sent for that purpose. As for provisions 
from hence for the new garrisons, it is impossible to send them ; but if your Lordship, for the 
present necessity, will send to Molengar, I have ordered the commissaries of provisions to deliver 
what your Lordship judges necessary for them. But being to march farther off, I desire your 
Lordship to let the Lords Justices have an account of it, and they will give directions for their 
supply. 

I send your Lordship some of the Lords Justices Proclamations, which you will please to have 
dispers'd as far as may be : your Lordship sees what clemency their Majesties shew, and the 
people that come in may be assur'd it will be made good to them, and besides will have such 
liberty of their religion as their Majesties promise in their declaration of 1688. 

I am, my Lord, 
Your Lordship's most humble servant, 
(Signed) Bar. Dk Ginckel. 



256 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

were father to their thoughts. They had but little bread. The people fled 
from them in all directions, except at Shallee and the Silvermines, where it 
is said the inhabitants aided the progress of Ginkle's artillery, and where 
certain returns were given to parties for services they rendered. They 
encamped on the 12th at Tulla, 1 and here some deserters from Limerick 
informed them of what was passing. It was here it was mentioned to Ginkle 
that Lord Tyrconnell had taken dangerously ill, and that no hopes were 
entertained of his recovery. Ginkle sent several proclamations among the 
deserters, and contrived that some copies of them should obtain circulation 
in the city. On the 24th they marched to Caherconlish ; and from that 
place, on the day after, Ginkle, with the principal officers, went with a party 
within two miles of Limerick, near which three Irish scouts were posted 
on the top of a high hill on the left, two of whom deserted to the Wilhamites. 
On the morning of the 15th, at an earlyhour, Major General Buvigny, 
at the head of 1500 horse and dragoons, and 1000 detached foot, as a 
reserve in case of danger, under the Prince of Hesse, with six field pieces, 
were ordered to march to Limerick. They were accompanied by General 
Ginkle and all the chief officers, in order to view the city. The Irish army 
were vigilant and active. As the Williamite soldiery approached they got 
a hot reception from firing parties, by which the hedges were lined. Several 
brisk skirmishes ensued, in which men bit the dust on both sides. A recon- 
naisance, however, was made, by which Ginkle judged of the formidable 
preparations that had been made to defend the city. He saw that Ireton's 
fort had been repaired, and that a new fort had been built. He saw that a 
third fort had been begun, with a line of communication from one to the 
other, but that it had not been as yet finished. He also saw that there were 
two field pieces at Ireton's fort, which, however, were not fired, and which 
were drawn off to the city next day. He was now told that Lord Tyrconnell 
had died the day previous, and the intelligence was imparted by a Captain 
Hagan who deserted, a drummer having gone before him. There is no 
doubt that Lord Tyrconnell was in a very anomalous position throughout, 
and that but little confidence was reposed in him by thelrish. It is said he 
was slighted to such a degree, that while the Irish camp was at Athlone, 
Lieut.-Colonel Connor went to his lordship's tent, and told him to quit the 
camp or he would cut his tent cords. 2 Were we to judge of the feelings 
entertained of Tyrconnell by the Williamites, by the manner in which their 
historians write of him, it is indisputable that they held him in no bad odour. 
On the contrary, they manifested a favorable disposition to him, and rather 
dwelt on the circumstances of his position with sympathy. Ginkle next day 
seized a quantity of bread carts, which were coming from Tipperary, under a 
convoy of militia, horse and dragoons, whom he sent home again. 

Securing the approaches on every side, on the morning of the 27th, an 
expedition, with five pieces of cannon, and 700 horse and dragoons, was 
sent to Castle Connell to complete the work of destruction which had been 
but partially effected the year before. The castle was now utterly de- 
molished, and 250 men of the Irish army who garrisoned it were driven 
out, and many of them killed. On the same day General Scravemore 
proceeded with another party and four guns to Carrigogunnel, a strong 

> The residence of the late Lieut. -General Sir William Parker Carroll, and of his son Captain 
Carroll. 
* Storey. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 257 

castle, of which, in the wars during the reign of Henry VIII., we have 
already written : this was also blown up, and 150, men who composed the 
garrison were made prisoners of war. There were a few other castles also 
destroyed on this occasion ; Ginkle was afraid of allowing any one of them 
to stand, " for, to give the Irish their due, they can defend stone walls very 
handsomely/'' 1 In the afternoon eighteen ships came up the river with war 
material and provisions ; as they passed Cratloe they fired into the Horse 
Camp of the Irish army, which was stationed there ; and the fact itself of 
the ships approaching the city, gave cause for further alarm, as it was sup- 
posed that the river had been well guarded by the French fleet, which was 
looked for before this. Further provision ships were ordered by Ginkle to 
sail from Kinsale to the Shannon. The prisoners also, who had been taken in 
Castle Connell and Carrigoguimel, were forwarded to Clonmel accompanied 
by escorts of horse and dragoons. In the evening the line of circumvallation 
was finished by the engineers, and other works were brought to a state of 
perfection, the Irish cannon all the while playing furiously on the enemy 
from the King's Castle and three other batteries which Sarsfield had con- 
structed, and which Ginkle had seen when he took his view of the city. 
On the 31st of August, Captain Morice, of Sir Donald O'Neill's regiment, 
deserted from the Irish, and informed Ginkle of the apprehensions and fears 
which prevailed as to the probability of his army crossing the river. The 
ford had been seen by William very soon after his approach to Limerick. 
Ginkle, therefore, was well acquainted with it, and he had already a battery 
of ten guns and seven mortars to play on Thomond Bridge and the houses 
on that side of Limerick ; and this battery had done considerable damage. 
Sarsfield was everywhere at his post, and replied effectively to the thunders 
of the enemy. Ginkle now, on the representation of Morice, directed a new 
battery to be raised ; this was done nearer to the city, and to the right of 
the former battery, by four out of each troop of horse and dragoons, who 
were told off for the duty, which they executed before next morning. The 
duty was irksome to the cavalry, but the exigencies of the position, and the 
harassing work in which the infantry regiments were constantly engaged, 
made it imperative. The colours of William were not displayed on the 
battery, in order to deceive the Irish as to the rapidity with which the work 
was gone through. Parties were now sent out to Kerry to reduce and terrify 
the people ; and the quickness and intelligence displayed by the peasantry, 
caused surprise to the soldiers who were despatched against them. 2 These 
preparations having been advanced, a few days more were occupied in per- 
fecting them. General Sarsfield was employed in earnest and energetic 
efforts in every direction, and had his plans steadily advanced. The 
weather was wet and stormy, the ground heavy ; but nothing could daunt 
the spirits of the citizens and the army. 

The whole body of Ginkle's army had marched through Borrisokane, where 
there had been a pretty English plantation, which was burned down the 
previous winter by the garrison of Birr, because they had no wish to have 
rapparees in such close proximity. 3 They had passed through Birr, where 
they left 400 sick, &c. in hospital. 4 On the 6th they proceeded to JNTenagh, 
where they remained four days, for want of bread and other necessaries. The 
country was desolate, extreme difficulties were experienced in obtaining 

1 Storey. 2 Storey states that the Cow-boys in Kerry spoke Latin. 

* Ibid. 4 Cooke's History of Parsunatown. 

18 



258 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

supplies for a marching army, which was compelled to carry everything on 
the axle-tree. 1 On the 8th an expedition of horse and dragoons with 
pioneers, were despatched towards the Silver Mines to mend the roads for 
Ginkle' s heavy carriages ; and a second party went on to the pass at Killaloe 
to keep a close watch in that quarter. On this occasion seven or eight 
prisoners were taken ; and Ginkle was informed by deserters, consisting of a 
brigadier of guards and two horsemen, that the Irish army were encamped 
at or near Caherconlish ; that the Irish foot regiments were armed anew out 
of the stores of Limerick, and that they spoke of giving the Williamite army 
battle before they should approach the city. On the same day a Mr. 
Eichards appeared in the general's camp where he remained a few days ; 
he was the bearer of a message from Baldearg O'Donnell, whose conduct as 
represented by Storey and the Williamite writers was of the most treacherous 
nature, and whom ltichards, according to these authorities, represented as 
anxious to sell his country for a mess of pottage to its enemies. 2 Eichards 
proceeded immediately after this interview with Ginkle, to Manders, where 
William was at this time, in order to inform him of the progress of events. 
While at Nenagh Ginkle issued a proclamation offering pardon and employ- 
ment to such of the people as would come in, and surrender themselves to 
him ; he gave the most liberal promises to such Irish officers and soldiers as 
would desert their colours, and give him leave to enrol them under the banner 
of Orange. The entire army then continued their march towards Limerick, 
meeting with no great opposition, with the exception of some slight 
skirmishing between the advance guards and the Irish, who were posted 
outside the walls. The approaches were made in the same manner as they 
had been by William, only, says Storey, " we drew more to the left, 
and nearer the Shannon, but fixed our camp further from the town.-" Two 
regiments of foot and one of horse had been left until the arrival of the 
cannon on the next day. When the larger part of Ginkle's men had got up, 
a detached body of foot, commanded by Lieut.-General Mackey, was ordered 
to attack Ireton's fort, and the old Church fort, where it was thought by 
Ginkle that the Irish had lodged a party — a line was made by Ginkle's men 
across the fields, and these were sustained by several full regiments of foot, 
and a body of horse. An immediate advance was made towards both forts at 
the same moment — the Church fort had been deserted, and Ireton's fort was 
now evacuated, and its occupants retired to a small stone fort near the out- 
works of the city, when the attacking party came within gun-shot. In the 
afternoon Count Nassau with a party attacked Cromwell's fort, in which 
there were of the Irish 600 soldiers, from which they were dislodged, and in a 

» Storey. 

2 His business was to assure the General of Baldearg's affections to their Majesties service, 
and that if he might have the men he brought over with him admitted into pay in order to 
serve his Majesty in Flanders or elsewhere, he himself made Earl of Tyrconnel, to which he pre- 
tended a title from his ancestors, and have two thousand pounds given him for his expenses, he 
would then come over, and bring a considerable body of the Irish along with him. — Storey. 

[It is onlj r right to state that all this matter respecting the treason to Ireland of Baldearg 
O'Donnell has been since denied and refuted in a series of admirable articles in Duffy's 
Hibernian Magazine by the late Professor John O'Donovan.] 

See the account of the O'Donnells in Sir William Betham's Irish Antiquarian Researches. It 
is strange that he makes no mention of Baldearg, whose appearance in Ireland is the most 
extraordinary event in the whole history of the race. See also Storey's Impartial History ; 
Macarise Excidium, and Mr. O'Callaghan's note ; Life of James II. 434 ; the Letter of O'Donnell 
to Avaux, and the Memorial entitled " Meraoire donn£e par un homme du Comte O'Donnel a M. 
D'Avaux," 



HISTORY 0? LIMERICK. 259 

short time the fort was in the possession of the Williainites. 1 There were 
about ten of the Irish and three of Ginkle's men killed in this encounter. 

Approaching nearer to the walls Ginkle perceived that a man had been 
hanged, who, he was told, was an officer in the Irish army, who, having 
meditated desertion, was treated with summaiy justice. He ordered that 
every man should sleep at his horse's head, for he apprehended a vigorous 
sally ; and on this occasion Colonel Donep, a Dane, who had commanded an 
advance party of horse, was killed by a random shot from the Irish. On the 
following day the battering train came up, as also a great many carriages 
with bombs, balls, shovels, pickaxes, and about 800 barrels of powder. On 
the same night Ginkle completed his arrangements. 

In the evening of the 15th of September, four hundred grenadiers, as soon 
as it was dark, were ordered to parade at the head of Major General Kirk's 
regiment, from whence they marched at 9 o'Clock, p.m. being joined by six 
hundred workmen, with the tin boats, and sustained by five regiments of 
foot commanded by Major-General Tahnash, and a body of horse and dra- 
goods under Major-General Scravemore, with six field pieces. 2 They marched 
to a part of the Shannon two miles beyond the WiHiamite camp, and by 
twelve o'clock at night began to lay the boats over. In the meantime the 
grenadiers commanded by Sir David Collier, with Captain Ketchmay of Sir 
John Hannier's, Captain Almat of Lord Drogheda's, Captain Parker 3 of 
Sir Gustavus Hamilton's regiment, another captain and eight more officers, 
were wafted by the tin boats into an island eastward 4 where a bridge was 
laying also, and from whence it was fordable to the other side. They were 
occasionally interrupted, but they succeeded in the enterprise ; and on the 
16th, the bridge being completed, Colonel Mathew's dragoons began to pass 
into the island. Brigadier Clifford, who was posted just at the spot by 
Sarsfield,to guard against a surprise, betrayed his duty in the most flagrant 
manner, scarcely made a show of resistance, and permitted the passage to 
be made, though he could have prevented it by a little exertion. His dragoons, 
who came down on foot, were ridiculed by Ginkle's soldiers. Major- 
General Talmash immediately commanded the grenadiers to wade through : 
this done they possessed themselves of an old house and a hedge or two, 
about a hundred yards from the Irish ; and were commanded not to be lavish 
of their shot, but receive the fire of the Irish until the dragoons and some 
horse had got over. Then the Irish endeavoured to flank the dragoons on 
the right. The Major-General commanded a detachment of Colonel Mathew's 
to beat them from that post. This was effected, and a good party soon got 
over. Talmash then ordered the grenadiers to advance, being sustained by 
Tiffin and Bristow, a party of dragoons, and a party of Coy's horse. This 
too was done, and after some faint resistance, the Irish ran towards Mona- 
braher, and a wood which was in their rear, throwing away their grenadoes, 

1 Oliver Cromwell, in the former wars of Ireland, never went farther than Clonmel ; for there 
receiving orders from the Parliament to proceed to England, he entrusted the management of the 
army to Ireton ; who, at the besieging of Limerick, built several forts ; two of the most remark- 
able, bearing the names of Ireton s and Cromwell's,were by Ginkle ordered to be called Mackey's and 
Nassau's Forts, because gained under these commanders ; and by these names we shall call them 
for the future, when there is occasion to mention them. It is true that they have long since 
ceased to be called by the names of William's generals ; and that to this day they are known by 
the names given to them in Cromwell's time. 

2 Storey. 

3 This individual was a native of the county Cork, and wrote an account of the siege in his 
Military Memoirs of Ireland and Flanders. 

4 This island is above Athlunkard Bridge, and is called in Ivih Illainarone. 



260 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

their muskets, and everything that proved cumbersome. Ginkle's men 
pursued them, and killed several upon the bog, taking a French Lieutenant- 
Colonel, a Captain, and some more prisoners. His advance party received 
orders not to move till all had got over, and then march to the left up towards 
the Irish camp. Bat by this time the news of the passing of the river had got 
to the Irish horse and also to the city. The disorganisation and panic con- 
sequent on these disastrous events, which were totally unexpected, are 
indiscribable. 

Clifford, it is certain, was aided by Henry Lutterel in the work of treachery, 
both having agreed as to what was to be done. It is impossible to depict 
the dismay and consternation into which these successful movements of the 
enemy threw the Irish army and the citizens. Sarsfield could have easily- 
prevented the passage of the river; but he had heard nothing until all was 
over. He had been at the horse camp, and it was too late, when he became 
acquainted with the disastrous result. The Irish now broke down the bridge, 
which had been erected by EitzAndrew Creagh some forty or fifty years before ; 
this movement however was not attended with any advantage. An 
attempt was made to seize the records, the chief personages of the Irish 
government, the treasure, and the ladies who occupied a house about a mile 
from Thomond bridge ; but this did not succeed. 1 At the Castle on the 
Salmon Weir, an ensign and twenty men were posted ; these were made 
prisoners. A small garrison on St. Thomas's Island submitted, and 
two brass field pieces were taken. It had been made a matter of boast 
that the English lost but one sergeant, and that there were but twenty 
of theirs men wounded throughout the day. Captain Taaff, another deserter, 
reported to Giukle that the city was almost without breacl, and that 
the shell and shot had done mischief to an extraordinary extent. Ginkle at 
this juncture issued a proclamation in the names of William and Mary, offering 
" Pardon of their offences, Restitution of their Estates, Eeward of their 
Services, and all the Benefits promised by the Lords Justices in their Pro- 
clamation of the 7th of July/' if they submitted within eight days, " from 
which they are not debarred by any Act of Parliament, as they are falsely- 
made to believe by some persons who live by sacrificing their country to the 
Tyranny and Ambition of France, and ought for that reason be excluded 
from Mercy by both sides/' The Irish leaders spurned the proposal. 

St. Mary's cathedral, during the siege, as it had been during Ireton's siege, 
was an object at which most of the power of Ginkle's artillery was brought 
to bear for a time, though it is said he did not wish to destroy it, being an 
Ornament to the city. 2 It served as a store in which most of the provisions 
for the Irish army were placed, and furthermore from its mitred towers guns 
were directed against the besiegers. 3 



1 H There is a small White House about half a mile from the town on the TJwumond side, nigh 
which two squadrons of the Enemies horse were drawn up, and about a Regiment of Foot posted 
in the hedges, to secure their Lords Justices, the Records, all their chief Ladies and Treasure, 
which all Avere there, and had been, as then, no difficult, though a very good Prize. But after 
some of our Parties had seen them go off in the greatest confusion that could be, we set two or 
three houses on fire ; and staying on that side till about Two o'clock in the afternoon, we had 
orders to return, leaving a guard in the Fort newly cast up on the other side to secure the Bridge ; 
whereas it's not improbable, had we pursued our good Fortune, the Irish Horse had been routed, 
and the Town delivered upon our own Terms." — Storey's Continuation, tyc. 
Storey. 

3 It is said in popular tradition, that it was a gun fired by Burke, a clever artillerist, from the 
towrs of the Cathedral, which was so near being the death of William in 1690. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 261 

Still fears filled the minds of the besiegers, and parties were constantly 
sent out to harass the country. Ballingarry and Bruree were burned, and 
Captain John O'Dell 1 was posted at Athlacca with militia and dragoons. It 
was quite well known in William's camp that unless this stratagetic move- 
ment was successfully effected, it would be impossible to make a decisive 
attack upon the city, though shot and shell were vehemently and constantly 
poured into it from the guns and mortars of the besiegers. So hard pushed 
had been the besiegers, that it was disputed in William's camp whether the 
siege should be raised and a blockade instituted. Eor a time it was carried in 
favor of raising the siege, and of abandoning the strong and obstinate old city ; 
but as an engineer was proceeding to Kilmallock, for the purpose of fortifying 
it as a place of retreat or for winter quarters, in the event of the abandon- 
ment of Limerick, he was countermanded ; and on the 18th of September, orders 
were sent to the men of war and other English vessels in the river, to set some 
men on shore in the county of Clare, to destroy all the forage, as it was 
harvest time. Ginkle's war materials was literally enormous. 2 

A second great passage of the river by Ginkle himself, the Duke of 
Wurtemburg, Scravemore, " with all our horse and dragoons, commanded 
by Major-General Huvigny, (except Colonel Coy's horse, and fifty out of each 
regiment of dragoons), with ten regiments of foot and fourteen guns, viz., 
ten three-pounders and four twelve-pounders, taking also seven days' pro- 
vision along, was made over our bridge of boats into the county of Clare, 
leaving Major-General Mackay and Major-General Talmash to command on 
this side." 3 Great difficulty was experienced in this movement ; the forts 
and batteries played upon the moving columns with tremendous precision. 
At twelve o'clock, however, on the 22nd of September, they all passed the 
river, 4 and they must have been compelled to retreat, had it not been that 
they were so well sustained. Some small firings continued about four o'clock, 

1 Smith's MSS. in R.I.A. contains " some account of the O'Dells of Ballingarry, a family of 
which this Officer was the ancestor. They were related by intermarriage to the Knights of 
Kerry, the Hunts of Glangoole, Co. Tipperary, &c. &c. 

2 " Three hundred cars, with Bullets, Bombs, and other necessaries, come from Dublin, and 
our guns play still from the great battery." That there might be no want of stores of war to 
reduce the rebellious town, the Commissioners of the Ordnance had some time before loaded on 
board a vessel, and consigned to Waterford, 1000 barrels of corn-powder, 2000 twenty-four- 
pounders, 4000 culverin round shot, 4000 twelve-pounders, 20 tons of musquet shot, 5 tons of 
carbine shot, and 5 tons of pistol ball, together with other necessaries. — Storey. 

3 Storey. 

4 In Storey's Map of this the Second Siege, he fixes the exact place where the English troops 
passed the river, and to which tradition has constantly pointed. We have so fully described it 
in Chapter XXXIII. that it is needless here more particularly to refer to it. The spot where 
CA|tA]5 t)& SUbjtAise, or Rock of Chains, stood before it was blown up by Captain H. Jackson's 
servant, Connell, may be seen in the large field on the Clare side of the river, opposite Corbally. 
Storey's Map describes " fishing weirs" near the spot. These weirs now form the mill-race of 
Corbally Mills, the property of Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons. St. Thomas's Island is a short 
distance to the west. Illainarone is to the east. In 1864, while building a wall around, 
and making other improvements in the old historic church-yard of Kilquane, another tomb- 
stone which deserves notice, and which had been concealed for many years under the earth, 
was turned up: — 



I.H.S. 

THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY 

MARY KIRBY IN MEMORY OF HER SON 

THE REV. CORNELIUS KIRBY, PARISH 

PRIEST OF PARTEEN, WHO DEPARTED THIS 

LIFE 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1769, 
AGED 33 YEARS. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. 



262 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and the Irish retiring until they had got under their cannon. Then all 
Ginkle's grenadiers commanded by Tiffin, Hudson, and Major Noble., sustained 
by Kirk's, Tiffins's, St. John's, and Lord George Hamilton's regiments, were 
commanded to advance, and attack the works that covered Thomond bridge, 
being one fort to the right above musket shot from the bridge, another on 
the left somewhat nearer, besides several natural fortifications of stone 
quarries and gravel pits, in all which the Irish had posted a detachment out 
of eighteen regiments, of about eight hundred men each. The dispute was 
hot at first, the cannon playing from the King's Castle, and two or three 
more batteries, as also small shot from the walls ; the attack seemed hazard- 
ous, when the English were ordered not to approach so near the city 
as they did afterwards. / However, the Irish being now pressed upon by the 
grenadiers, quitted their first posts, and were then reinforced by other de- 
tachments ; but the grenadiers pushed onwards. Thomond Gate was held 
by about 850 Irish; these were driven out and across the bridge, when a 
Erench major in command at the drawbridge, ordered it to be raised, and 
left his friends exposed to the fury of their enemies. Colonels Skelton, 
Hurley, and Dempsey, Major Neville (Aid Major of Limerick) Major French, 
2£ officers and 97 men were made prisoners; but all the rest slain, 154 being 
drowned, and the others killed on the bridge, where the dead were in heaps 
higher than the parapets. 1 Harris 2 gives a letter of Lord Westmeath, 
vindicating Colonel Lutterel from the charge of having betrayed his duty 
at Limerick, with notes of his own showing that Lutterel must have done 
some great favor to William III. from the demands he afterwards made, 
and which were complied with. 3 

1 Before killing was over they were laid in heaps upon the hridge higher than the ledges of it ; 
so that they were all either killed or taken, except about a hundred and twenty that got into Town 
before the Bridge was drawn up, and many of those cut and slashed to the purpose. The number 
of dead is said to be six hundred, amongst whom we may reckon one hundred and sixty-four 
that were drowned in being forced over the fall of the Draw-Bridge, and reckoned afterwards cast 
upon the shore" — Storey. 

2 Harris's William III. p. 348. 

3 " No doubt Lutterel was blamed for his conduct at Limerick and Aughrim, and notwithstand- 
ing the denial of Lord Westmeath, not without good grounds. He ought to have been honest, 
but he was a thorough traitor. Capt. Parker was never forgiven for making a candid 
statement of this patent fact ; and his " Memoirs" were suppressed wherever they could be found ; 
hence the scarcity of his book. This Lutterel was Henry, the second son of Thomas, of 
Luttrelstown, co. Dublin, who was restored to his estates in fee by the Act of Settlement, and 
died so seized in August, 1674. He was one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to King 
Charles 11, and married a daughter of Wm. Segrave, Esq., of the county Dublin. Simon was 
the eldest son of Thomas ; Henry, of whom we are speaking, the second ; Thomas, the third, who 
was attainted of high treason in 1688, and died Avithout issue ; and Robert. Simon, the eldest, 
was also attainted of high treason in 1688, but being in France when the articles of Limerick 
were agitated, it was thereby provided that in case he returned to Ireland in eight months, and 
submitted to the government of King William and Queen Mary, he should have the benefit of the 
said articles, and " General Ginkle did at the same time, under his hand, agree with his brother, 
Henry Lutterel, that he, the said Henry, should have the estate of his family ; and the said 
Simon not returning and being outlawed, King William, in performance of the said General Ginkle's 
promise, granted to Henry, first, custodiam, and afterwards letters patent, of all the said Simon's 
title, by virtue of the said outlawry, either by descent, purchase or otherwise, to Walter Delawar, 
Esq, and his heirs in trust for the said Henry, held from October, 1698" (Decree in Chancery 
quoted in Archdall's Lodge's Peerage, vol III, pp 410 414). 

Henry Lutterel was Governor of Sligo, Knight of the Shire for the county ofCarlow, Colonel 
of a regiment of horse, and a Brigadier General before the revolution. Immediately before the 
battle of Aughrim every possible imputation was cast upon him by the Irish, and subsequently 
for his imputed treachery at Limerick. We find that almost after the siege he rose in high favour 
in the estimation of the English — "in 1702 he was appointed a Major General in the Dutch 
army with a Kegiment ; and nominated to command on a military enterprise of importance." 
But on the death of King William he " retired to his seat at Lutterelstown, where he chiefly 
resided until he was assassinated in his sedan chair by a band of ruffians in the city of Dublin, 
22nd of October, 1717, and died the next day, October 23."* A letter of William Wogan, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 263 

This was the most disastrous and fearful incident of the siege. Lacey was 
the Commander of the party from the city, who made the sortie at the King's 
Castle over Thomond Bridge. The incident tended to increase the feeling of 
distrust which prevailed among the Irish soldiery towards the French. 

There would have been another story to tell had it not been for those 
causes which have so clearly manifested themselves throughout. The anger 
and indignation by which the citizens and the Irish soldiers were now seized,, 
may be better imagined than described. No longer was there confidence 
in the professions or the good faith of French officers, who appeared, no matter 
the consequence, bent on the resolve to put an end to the war. The crossing 
of the Shannon by Ginkle, of which Bartholeinew Yan Homrigh, 2 who appears 
to have been Commissary-General of William's army in Ireland, was a witness, 
has been described by that fortunate adventurer in glowing terms. He admits 
that the action of Thomond Bridge was the crowning event on the part of 
the Williamites ; it secured a position for the English which they could not 
have anticipated. According to Van Homrigh it "led to the capture of Lim- 
erick ;" and he indeed, makes a boast which is not warranted in truth, when 
he writes that, " not one was lost in the action, that they had taken two 
pieces of cannon, the Standard of Maxwell, a great part of the accoutrements 
of their horse, a lieutenant-colonel, and other officers prisoners, and drove 
their troops to the mountains and bogs.-" 3 This is not the fact. Harris 
admits that there were ninety of the English killed on the occasion. 

In the pocket of Colonel Skelton who died soon after this event, of his 
wounds, was found a curious paper, which contained the representation of a 
spear's head, or a wound, and which was looked upon with the utmost 
interest, even by those of the English who prpfessed to scoff at it. 4 

tutor to Edward Southwell, Esq., M.P. for Bristol, dated October 24, 1717, says " Colonel 
Lutterel was shot in his chair the other night, and died this morning ; the murderer made his 
escape ;" and on the 26th he writes, " A person is taken on suspicion for the murder of Colonel 
Lutterel, who was the Col.'s Fowler."f Henry Laws Lutterel became Earl of Carhampton by 
creation of George III. on the 23rd June, 1785 ; and after the treason and abnegation of Henry, 
the family became thoroughly imbued with the principles of " the Revolution," and several of 
them served abroad in the navy and army, supporters of the English. 

Mr. O' Callaghan, in his notes to Colonel O'Kelly's Macarise Excidium, quotes official MSS. for 
the pension £500 granted to Henry Lutterel. Baldearg 0' Donnell is also said to have received a 
pension. This has been questioned and contradicted, however, by Mr O'Donovan in his History 
of the O'Donnells, already referred to, in the Hibernian Magazine. (The direct line of the 
Lutterels became extinct by the death of Henry's grandson, John Lutterel Olmius, third Baron 
Turnham and Carhampton ; and Lutterelstown passed into the hands, by purchase of Luke 
White, Esq. Lord Annally Luke White's son recently raised to the Peerage, enjoys the property ; 
it is now called Woodlands.N 

2 This Yan Homrigh feathered his nest very comfortably : in 1697, he was Lord Mayor of 
Dublin ; and it was at his request the year afterwards that King William granted the collar of 
S.S. " to be worn by the Lord Mayors of that city in everlasting memory of the delivery from 
Popery and slavery of Ireland."! [The unfortunate Miss Vanhomrigh, Swift's " Vanessa," 
belonged to this branch of the Vanhomrighs.] 

3 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

* The following is a copy of a paper which was found in Skelton's pocket ; it contained the 
representation of a spear's head or a wound, and the following words were written about 
it:— 

" This is the measure of the Wounds of the side of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which was brought 
from Constantinople to the Emperor Charlemaine in a coffin ofgoulde, and is a most precious Eelique, 
to the end that he or she who carried the same about him, no fire, nor water, no wind, tempest, hnaif'e, 
Lance or sword, nor the Deul cannot hurt him ; and the woman with child the day she seeth the same 

measure, shall not diy a sudden Death, but shall be delivered by , and if any man carrie the 

same about him with good devotion, shall have the honour and victory of his Enimy. The day that any 
doth read the sam or heard it read, shall not dey an evil Death. — Amen." 
Animoz Scriptoris in manu Saluatoris. 
* Archdall's Lodge's, vol. III., p. 411. 
f Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MS, p. 621. 



264 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

With, fraud, corruption, and overpowering numbers, with Henry Lutterel 
and Clifford, who had bid for their reward, and who awaited the moment to 
obtain it ; with infamous traitors of this stamp in his own camp, Lutterel 
and Clifford, who were now in prison, awaiting a Court-Martial for their 
treachery and abandonment of every sacred duty which they owed their 
country in this tremendous crisis of its fortune, Sarsfield and those true men, 
who had thought and acted with him, came to the conclusion that they were 
fighting against odds ; and though the cannon yet poured its raking fire from 
the King's Castle and the batteries about the bridge on the Williamite 
soldiery, and though many more of them, than has been admitted, fell 
beneath the shot and shell of the Irish, yet the position of affairs was suffi- 
ciently discouraging in the estimation of the Irish commanders. Other 
deserters went over to Ginkle, among whom was Colonel Corbet, who 
promised that TyrconnelPs and Gahnoy's regiments were prepared to 
join him. This must have been a calumny on the brave soldiers of these 
distinguished regiments, which as active contingents of the celebrated Irish 
Brigade abroad afterwards, made the name of Ireland respected on foreign 
fields, and won for themselves enduring fame and glory. For six long 
weeks, the siege had been now proceeding, but without the most distant 
chance of success to Ginkle and his myrmidons, had treason, on the one 
side and want of confidence and union on the other, done the work of 
Ireland's enemies. /Rain had been falling in torrents for some time; a 
high wind had accompanied it. However, on the night of the 23rd of Sep- 
tember, two nights after the fatal event at Thomond Bridge, a parley was 
beaten by the Irish drummers as well in the English-town as in the Irish- 
town. The rain and wind now ceased, — and as if the lull of the elements 
was the forerunner of a truce, at least in the strife which had raged so 
furiously for so long a time, Wauchop and Sarsfield, who were beyond the 
river at this time, proceeded to Ginkle, who was at the same place also ;/ 
Colonel Euth had previously gone towards Mackey's fort, where Lord 
Drogheda's horse were posted ; but Talmash referred him to Scravemore and 
the Marquis De Euvigny. /A cessation was that night concluded ; but though 
it was, the Williamites entertained no idea that they could possess themselves 
of the city ; but divided councils, treason, English gold and all artful con- 
trivances, which' have left Ireland a prey to disastrous fate at all times, had 
now nearly done their work; and it only remained for Sarsfield and his 
adherents to make the best terms they could with a faithless foe which had 
never yet observed honor in its dealings with the Irish. If in 1690, William 
• in person had been beaten back from the walls of Limerick, and had been 
forced to fly from a city which in its then wretched plight was able to withstand 
his picked guards and legions, surely Ginkle should have had the same tale 
to tell, if not a worse one, had not Lutterel and Clifford, and the French Major, 
and all the other traitors perjured themselves in the face of every high principle. 
i On the following day, the 24th, it was mutually agreed, that the cessation 
should continue for three days more, in order ostensibly that Sarsfield should 
send to Clare for the horse to be included in the capitulation, which was now all 
but an accomplished fact. These horse had been commanded by Sheldon, 
who, when he discovered the treason of Clifford, made a masterly retreat, 
and kept in the direction of Cratloe and Six-Mile-Bridge. 1 

' Numbers of King James's half-crown pieces have been recently discovered on the spot near 
which the Horse Camp was in 1690 ar.d 1691. They appear to have been scarcely ever used. 
A poor man sold several of them in 18G3 which he dug out of a field. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 265 

'Storey states that at this time there were no less than £40 odd prisoners 
of the English army and militia in the hands of the Irish, and these were 
delivered up on the same evening to the English between Mackey's fort and 
the city. Whilst these proceedings were taking place galloping Hogan was 
busy in his department with his untiring rapparees, cutting off supplies 
from the English wherever he had the opportunity, particularly in the neigh- 
bourhood of Cullen and Ballyneety. 1 But his " labour of love" was destined 
soon to be brought to a close ! and the stirring and great events which have 
so long occupied us. Negociations were now proceeding with wonderful 
rapidity. /Amongst the exalted personages who were with the Irish com- 
manders throughout the siege, were Dr. Maguire, the Catholic Lord Primate 
of all Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, the Catholic Lord Bishop of 
Cashel, and other high dignitaries of the Ancient Church of Ireland. Dr. 
Molony, Bishop of Limerick, was in Erance with King James. Lieut.-Gen. 
Sheldon, Lord Galmoy, Lord Westmeath, Lord Dillon, Lord Trimblestown, 
Sir Theobald Butler, and several more Irish officers, came on the next day, 
the 25th, from the horse camp, where they had been, and dined with General 
Sarsfield. 2 

On the following day Wauchop and Sarsfield dined with Ginkle. Such is 
war — the most conflicting enemies think no more of what has passed — they 
sup and are cheery over the red graves of the fallen ! It was agreed that 
hostages should be exchanged, in order to a further treaty ,- and accordingly, 
Lord Cutts, Sir David Collier, Colonel Tiffin, and Colonel Piper were sent into 
the city ; Lords Westmeath, Iveagh, Trimblestown and Louth were sent out. 3 

On the 27th the Irish forwarded their Proposals, which were : 4 — 

e< 1st. That their Majesties will by an Act of Indemnity pardon all past 
Crimes and Offences whatsoever. 

" 2dly. To restore all Irish Catholics to the Estates, of which they were 
seized or possessed before the late Revolution. 

"3rdly. To allow a free Liberty of Worship, and one Priest to each 
Parish/ as well in Towns and Cities, as in the Country. 

" 4thly. Irish Catholics to be capable of bearing Employments, Military 
and Civil, and to exercise Professions, Trades, Callings, of what Nature soever. 

" 5thly. The Irish Army to be kept on Foot, paid, &c. as the rest of their 
Majesties Eorces, in case they be willing to serve their Majesties against 
Erance, or any other Enemy. 

" 6thly. The Irish Catholics to be allowed to live in Towns Corporate 
and Cities, to be Members of Corporations, to exercise all sorts and manners 
of Trades, and to be equal with their Eellow-Protestant Subjects in all Pri- 
vileges, Advantages and Immunities accruing in or by the said Corporations. 

" 7thly. An Act of Parliament to be passed for ratifying and confirming 
the said Conditions/' 

1 At his favourite rendevous, near Cullen, he took off with him seventy-one horses and care 
which were "corning in that direction to the English Camp ; but Storey, very naively, says " he 
durst not stay to do any further mischief ," as if the taking of seventy-one horses in the sight of 
the enemy was not mischief enough for one experiment. 

2 Storey says that " they went afterwards into the town in a boat ro-wed by French seamen 
(" there being then three vessels drawn within the key, and one of them sunk across it. to prevent 
our coming up the river at night by way of surprise.") " As they rid by the end of the Bridge 
towards the Boat, a party of their own men were burying the dead killed in the last action ; 
they stopped and enquired for several people, whom they there found dead : and the cessation 
was continued next day at ten o'clock." 

3 Storey. * Ibid. 



266 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

These proposals were all rejected, though strongly pressed on Ginkle's 
attention by the Archbishop of Cashel and others. So difficult was it to come 
to an arrangement, that at one time it was considered probable that the battle 
should be fought over again ; even the batteries were making ready for that 
purpose, but the treaty was at length determined on; and on the 28th, 
Sarsfield, Wauchop, Baron Purcell of Loughmore, the Archbishop of Cashel, 
Sir Garret Dillon, Sir Theobald Butler, and Colonel Brown, (the three last 
mentioned counsellors-at-law), with several officers and Commissioners, pro- 
ceeded to Ginkle's quarters ; where after a protracted debate, articles were agreed 
to, not only for the city of Limerick, but for all the forts and castles of the 
kingdom, then in possession of the Irish, such as Eoss, Clare, &c. &c. On 
the same evening an order was signed, directing a portion of the transport 
ships to sail from Cork to the Shannon, in order to take some of the Irish 
forces on board ; and Ginkle despatched a letter to Sir Ralph Delavall, who, 
he understood, was upon the coast, with a squadron of English ships of war, 
cautioning him not to prevent the transport ships of France from arriving in 
the Shannon, nor the remainder of the French fleet from entering the bay of 
Dingle. On the following day (the 29th) the horse and dragoons, com- 
manded by the Marquis de Euvigny, proceeded to encamp beyond Six-Mile- 
Bridge, for the convenience of forage. On this occasion the soldiers of both 
armies became on friendly terms, and mutually visited each other's camps. 
' On the 30th, the Duke of Wirtemberg entertained nearly all the Irish general 
officers at dinner, no other movement having been contemplated until the 
expected arrival of the Lords Justices, who were sent for to confirm the 
civil and military articles. Sarsfield next clay complained that certain 
of the English began to plunder and strip his soldiers according as they had 
the opportunity. Ginkle thereupon gave orders that none of his men should 
go beyond their own works. The Irish made huts in the King's Island, to 
which several regiments were drawn. The gates were kept fast locked, as it 
was apprehended that many would endeavour to escape on the intelligence 
of their having to go to France — a service for which, according to Storey, 
they entertained no particular affection, but which they preferred after all, 
as the result soon proved, to the English service. 

At nine o'clock on the evening of the 1st of October, the Lords Justices 
arrived at Ginkle's camp ; on the 2nd, about two o'clock, p.m. Sarsfield, 
Wauchop, and the principal generals and public functionaries of Ireland, 
civil, military, and ecclesiastical, proceeded also to Ginkle's camp ; the 
French generals kept out of the way, pretending indisposition. 1 Lord Merrion 
and Lord Brittas had now come from Kerry ; their party was included in the 
Articles ; but new debates arose respecting the Eapparees, which occupied 
the meeting till an advanced hour in the night. On the 3rd, however, the 
Irish officers again dined with the Duke of Wirtemberg, when the Articles 
were interchangeably signed. 2 The first about the Surrender of the city 
was signed by the Generals : and the other about the Privileges granted to 

1 Storey — Their names however are signed to the first article. 

2 Articles agreed upon between the Baron De Ginckle, Lieutenant-General and 
Commander-in-Chief of the English army, on the one side ; and the Lieutenant Generals De 
Ussoon and De Tessee, Commanders-in-Chief of the Irish army, on the other ; and the General 
Officers hereunto subscribing. 

I — That all persons, without any exceptions of what quality or condition soever, that are 
willing to leave the kingdom of Ireland, shall have free liberty to go to any country beyond the 
seas, (England and Scotland excepted), where they think fit, with their families, household stuff, 
plate and jewels. 



HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 267 

the Irish, by General Ginkle and Lords Justices jointly, being afterwards 
ratified by their Majesties' Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England in 
the forms given in full in the note. Storey designates both the articles "civil." ., 

II — That all General Officers, colonels, and generally all other Officers of horse, dragoons and 
foot guards, troopers, dragooners, soldiers of all kinds that are in garrison, place, or post, now in 
the hands of the Irish, or encamped in the countries of Cork, Clare, and Kerry, as also those called 
Rapparees, or volunteers, that are willing to go beyond seas aforesaid, shall have free leave to 
embark themselves wherever the ships are that are appointed to transport them, and to come in 
whole bodies as they are now composed, or in parties, companies, or otherwise, without having 
any impediment, directly or indirectly. 

Ill — That all persons above mentioned, that are willing to leave Ireland and go into France, 
shall have leave to declare it at the times and places hereafter mentioned, viz : the troops in 
Limerick, on Tuesday next in Limerick ; the horse at their camp, on Wednesday, and the other 
forces that are dispersed in the counties of Clare, Kerry, and Cork' on the 8th inst, and on none 
other, before Monsieur Tameron, the French intendant, and Colonel Withers ; and after such decla- 
ration is made, the troops that will go into France must remain under the command and discipline 
of their Officers that are to conduct them thither ; and deserters of each side shall be given up, 
and punished accordingly. 

IV — That all English and Scotch Officers that serve now in Ireland, shall be included in this 
capitulation, as well for the security of their estates and goods in England, Scotland, and Ireland 
(if they are willing to remain here), as for passing freely into France or any other country to 
serve. 

V — That all the general French Officers, the intendant engineer, the engineers, the commissaries 
of war, and the artillery, the treasurer, and other French Officers, strangers, and all others what- 
soever, that are in Sligo, Koss, Clare, or in the army, or that do trade or commerce, or are other- 
ways employed in any kind of station or condition, shall have free leave to pass into France, or 
any other country, and shall have leave to ship themselves with all their horses, equipage, plate, 
papers, and all their effects whatever ; and that General Ginckle will order passports for them, 
convoys, and carriages by land and water, to carry them safe from Limerick to the ships where 
they shall be embarked, without paying anything for the said carriages, or to those that are 
employed therein, with their horses, cars, boats, and shallops. 

VI — That if any of the aforesaid equipages, merchandize, horses, money, plate, or other 
moveables or household stuff belonging to the said Irish troops, or to the French Officers, or other 
particular yjersons whatsoever, be robbed, destroyed, or taken away by the troops of the said 
general, the said general will order them to be restored, or payment to be made according to the 
value that is given in upon oath by the person so robbed or plundered ; and the said Irish troops to 
be transported as aforesaid ; and all other persons, belonging to them, are to observe good order 
in their march and quarters, and shall restore whatever they shall take from the country, or make 
restitution for the same. 

VII — That to facilitate the transporting the said troops, the general will furnish fifty ships, 
each ship's burthen two hundred tons ; for which, the persons to be transported shall not be obliged 
to pay, and twenty more, if there shall be occasion, without their paying for them ; and if any 
of the said ships shall be of lesser burthen, he will furnish more in number to countervail ; 
and also give two men of war to embark the principal officers, and serve for a convoy to the 
vessels of burthen. 

VIII — That a commissary shall be immediately sent to Cork to visit the transport ships, and 
what condition they are in for sailing ; and that as soon as they are ready, the troops to be 
transported shall march with all convenient speed, the nearest way, in order to embark there ; 
and if there shall be any more men to be transported than can be carried off in the said fifty 
ships, the rest shall quit the English town of Limerick, and march to such quarters as shall be 
appointed for them, convenient for their transportation, where they shall remain till the other 
twenty ships be ready, which may come in a month ; and may embark on any French ship that 
may come in the meantime. 

IX — That the said ships shall be furnished with forage for horses, and all necessary provisions 
to subsist the officers, troops, dragoons and soldiers, and all other persons that are shipped to be 
transported into France ; which provisions shall be paid for as soon as all are disembarked at 
Brest or Nantz, upon the coast of Britany, or any other part of France they can make. 

X — And to secure the return of the said ships (the danger of the seas excepted) and payment 
for the said provisions, sufficient hostage shall be given. 

XI — That the garrisons of Clare-castle, Ross, and all other foot that are in garrisons in the 
counties of Clare, Cork, and Kerry, shall have the advantage of the present capitulation ; and 
such part of these garrisons as design to go beyond the seas, shall march out with their arms, 
baggage, drums beating, ball in mouth, match lighted at both ends, and colours flying, with all 
the provisions, and half ammunition that is in the said garrisons, and join the horse that march 
to be transported ; or if then there is not shipping enough for the body of foot that is next to 
be transported after the horse, General Ginckle will order that they be furnished with carriages 
for the purpose, and what provisions they shall want in their march, they paying for the said 
provisions, or else that they may take it out of their own magazines. 



268 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Ginkle's army had orders to march into the Irishtown on that night ; but 
as it was after sunset when the Articles were signed, Talmash, who was ap- 

XII — That all the troops of horse and dragoons that are in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and 
Clare, shall also have the benefit of this capitulation ; and that such as will pass into France, 
shall have quarters given them in the counties of Clare and Kerry, apart from the troops that 
are commanded by General Ginckle, until they can be shipped ; and within their quarters they 
shall pay for everything, except forage and' pasture for their horses, which shall be furnished 
gratis. 

XIII — Those of the garrison of Sligo that are joined to the Irish army, shall have the benefit 
of this capitulation ; and orders shall be sent to them that are to convey them up, to bring them 
hither to Limerick the shortest way. 

XIV — The Irish may have liberty to transport nine hundred horse, including horses for the 
officers which shall be transported gratis ; and as for the troopers that stay behind, they shall 
dispose of themselves as they shall think fit, giving up their horses and arms to such persons as 
the general shall appoint. 

XV — It shall be permitted to those that are appointed to take care for the subsistence of the 
horses that are willing to go into France, to buy hay and corn at the king's rates, wherever they 
can find it, in the quarters that are assigned for them, without any let or molestation, and to 
carry all necessary provisions out of the city of Limerick ; and for this purpose the general will 
furnish convenient carriages for them to the places where they shall be embarked. 

XVI — That it shall be lawful to make use of the hay preserved in the stores of the county 
Kerry, for the horses that shall be embarked ; and if there be not enough, it shall be lawful to 
buy hay and oats wherever it shall be found at the king's rates. 

XVII — That all prisoners of war, that were in Ireland the 28th of September ."shall be set at 
liberty on both sides ; and the general promises to use his endeavours, that those that are in 
England and Flanders shall be set at liberty also. 

XVIII — The general will cause provisions and medicines to be furnished to the sick and 
wounded officers, troopers, dragoons, and soldiers of the Irish army that cannot pass into France 
at the first embarkment : and after they are cured, will order them ships to pass into France, if 
they are willing to go. 

XIX — That at the signing hereof the general will send a ship express to France ; and that 
besides he will furnish two small ships of those that are now in the river of Limerick to transport 
two persons into France that are to be sent to give notice of this treaty ; and that the commanders 
of the said ships shall have orders to put ashore at the next port of France where they shall make. 

XX — That all those of the said troops, Officers, and others, of what character soever, that 
would pass into France, shall not be stopped upon the account of debt, or any other pretext. 

XXI — If after signing this present treaty, and before the arrival of the fleet, a French packet 
boat, or other transport ship, shall arrive from France in any other part of Ireland, the general 
will order a passport, not only for such as must go on board the said ships, but to the ships to 
come to the nearest port to the place where the troops to be transported shall be quartered. 

XXII — That after the arrival of the said fleet, there shall be free communication and passage 
between it and the quarters of the above said troops ; and especially for all those that have passes 
from the chief commanders of the said fleet, or from Monsieur Tameron, the intendant. 

XXIII — In consideration of the present capitulation, the two towns of Limerick shall be delivered 
and put into the hands of the general, or any other person he shall appoint, at the time and days 
hereafter specified, viz : the Irish town, except the magazines and hospital, on the day of the 
signing of these present articles ; and as for the English town, it shall remain, together with the 
Island, and the free passage of Thomond bridge, in the hands of those of the Irish army that are 
now in garrison, or that shall come hereafter from the counties of Cork Clare, Kerry, Sligo, and 
• other places above mentioned, until there shall be convenience found for their transportation. 

XXIV — And to prevent all disorders that may happen between the garrisons, that the general 
shall place in the Irish town, which shall be delivered to him, the Irish troopers that shall remain 
in the English town and the Island, which they may do, until the troops to be embarked on the 
first fifty ships shall be gone for France, and no longer ; they shall entrench themselves on both 
sides to hinder the communication of the said garrisons ; and it shall be prohibited on both sides 
to offer any thing that is offensive ; and the parties offending shall be punished on either side. 

XXV — That it shall be lawful for the said garrison to march all out at once, or/'ak* different 
times, as they can be embarked, with arms, baggage, drums beating, match lighted at both ends, 
bullet in mouth, colours flying, six brass guns, such as the besieged will choose, two mortar pieces, 
and half the ammunition that is now in the magazines of the said place ; and for this purpose 
an inventory of all the ammunition in the garrison shall be made in the presence of any person 
that the general shall appoint, the next day after these present articles shall be signed. 

XXVI — All the magazines of provisions shall remain in the hands of those that are now 
employed to take care of the same, for the subsistence of those of the Irish army that will pass 
into France ; and if there shall not be sufficient in the stores, for the support of the said troops, 
whilst they stay in this kingdom, and are crossing the seas, that upon giving up an account of 
their numbers, the general will furnish them with sufficient provisions at the king s rates ; and 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 269 

pointed to take possession of the town, thought proper not to march in that 
night, but gave directions to Nassau's and Hamilton's regiments to possess 

that there shall be a free market at Limerick, and other quarters, where the said troops shall be ; 
and in case any provision shall remain in the magazines of Limerick -when the town shall be 
given up, it shall be valued, and the price deducted out of what is to be paid for the provisions to 
be furnished to troops on ship board. 

XXVII — That there shall be a cessation of arms at land, as also at sea, with respect to the ships, 
whether English, Dutch, or French, designed for the transportation of the said troops, until they 
shall be returned to their respective harbours ; and that, on both sides, they shall be furnished 
with sufficient passports both for ships and men ; and if any commander, or captain of a ship, or 
any Officer, trooper, dragoon, soldier, or any other person, shall act contrary to this cessation, 
the persons so acting shall be punished on either side, and satisfaction shall be made for the wrong 
that is done ; and Officers shall be sent to the mouth of the river of Limerick, to give notice to 
the commanders of the English and French fleets of the present conjuncture, that they may observe 
the cessation of arms accordingly. 

XXVIII — That for the security of the execution of this present capitulation, and of each article 
therein contained, the besieged shall give the following hostages * * * * And the general 
shall give * * 

XXIX — If before this capitulation is fully executed, there happens any chance in the goverment 
or command of the army, which is now commanded by General Ginckle, all those that shall be 
appointed to command the same, shall be obliged to observe and execute what is specified in these 
articles, or cause it to be executed punctually, and shall not act contrary on any account. 
B'Usson, Le Chevalier de Tesse, 

Latuvur Monfort, Mark Tabbot, 

Lucan, Jo. Wauchop, 

Galmoy, M. Purcell, 

Articles agreed upon the Third Day of October 1691, by the Right Honourable Sir Charles Porter, 
Knight, and Thomas Conyngesby Esq ; Lord Justices of Ireland, and his Excellency Baron Be 
Ginckel, Lieut General and Commander in, chief of the English Army, on the one part, and the Right 
Honourable Patrick Earl 0/ Lucan, Percy, Viscount Gallmoy, Col Nic Purcell, Col Dillon, and Col 
John Browne, on the other side: on the behalf of the Irish Inhabitants in the City and County of 
Lymerick, the Counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Sligo, and Mayo, in consideration of the surrender . 
of the City of Lymerick, and other agreements made between the said Lieut General Ginckel, the 
Governor of the City of Lymerick, and the Generals of the Irish Army, bearing Bate with these 
Presents, for the surrender of the said City, and Submission of the said Army. 

1. That the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom shall enjoy such Privileges in the Exercise of 
their Eeligion as are consistent with the Laws of Ireland ; or as they did enjoy in the Reign of 
King Charles the Second ; and Their Majesties (as soon as their Affairs will permit them to 
summon a Parliament in this Kingdom) will endeavour to secure the said Roman Catholicks such 
further Security in that particular, as may preserve them from any disturbance upon the account 
of their said Religion. 

2. All the Inhabitants or Residents of Lymerick, or any other Garrison now in the possession 
of the Irish, and all Officers and Souldiers now in Arms under any Commission of K. James, or 
those Authorized by him, to grant the same in the several Counties of Lymerick, Cork, Kerry, 
Sligo, and Mayo, or any of them, and all the Commissioned Officers in their Majesties' Quarters, 
that belong to the Irish Regiments now in being, that are treated with, and who are Prisoners of 
War, or have taken Protection, who shall return, and submit to Their Majesties' Obedience, their 
and every of their Heirs, shall hold, possess, and enjoy all and every their Estates of Free-hold 
and Inheritance, and all the Right, Title and Interest, Privileges and Immunities which they, and 
every or any of them held, enjoyed, or were rightfully entitled to in the Reign of K. Charles the 
Second : or at any time since, by the Laws and Statutes that were in force in the said Reign of 
King Charles the Second, and shall be put in possession by order of the Goverment of such of them 
as are in the King's Hands, or in the Hands of his Tenants, without being put to any Suit or 
Trouble therein ; and all such Estates shall be freed and discharged from all Arrears of Crown 
Rents, Quit Rents, and other public charges incurred, and become due since Michaelmas 1688, to 
the Day of the Date hereof ; and all Persons comprehended in this Article, shall have, hold, and 
enjoy all their Goods and Chattels real and personal, to them, or any of them belonging, and 
remaining either in their own Hands, or in the Hands of any Persons whatever in Trust for, or 
for the Use of them, or any of them : And all and every the said Persons, of what Profession, 
Trade or Calling soever they be, shall and may use, exercise, and practise their several and 
respective Profession, Trades and Callings as freely as they did use exercise and enjoy the same 
in the Reign of K. James the Second ; provided that nothing in this Article contained, be con- 
strued to extend to, or restore any forfeiting Person now out of the kingdom, except what are 
hereafter comprized ; provided also, that no Person whatsoever shall have or enjoy the benefit of 
this Article, that shall neglect or refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance made by Act of Parliament 
in England, in the first year of the Reign of their present Majesties, when thereunto required- 



270 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- 

themselves of the Stone Fort and all the outworks of the Irishtown. Next 
day five of the English regiments marched in and took possession of the Irish- 
town, in which were fourteen pieces of cannon, and St. John's Church, which 
was heaped full of oats, of which the Irish had the benefit, in accordance with 
the Articles. Storey observes that the works were all exceedingly strong. 

3. All Merchants, or reputed Merchants of the City of Lymerich, or of any other Garrison now 
possessed by the Insh, or of any Town or Place in the Counties of Clare or Kerry, who are absent 
beyond the Seas, that have not bore Arms since Their Majesties' Declaration in February 1688-9, 
shall have the Benefit of the second Article, in the same manner as if they were present, provided 
such Merchants and reputed Merchants do repair into this Kingdom within the space of eight 
Months from the Date hereof. 

4. The following officers, viz. Col Simon Lutterill, Col Rowland Wliite, Maurice Eustace of 
Tearmanstown, Cheviers of Maystown, commonly called Mount Linster, now belonging to the 
Regiments of the aforesaid Garrisons and Quarters of the Irish Army who are beyond the seas, and 
sent thither upon Affairs of their respective Regiments, or the Army in General, shall have the 
Benefit and Advantage of the Second Article provided they return hither within the space of eight 
Months from the Date of these Presents and Submit to Their Majesties' Government, and take the 
above mentioned Oath. 

5. That all and singular the said Persons comprised in the Second and Third Articles, shall have 
a General Pardon of all Attainders, Outlawries, Treasons, Misprisions of Treasons, Premunires, 
Felonies, Trespasses, and other Crimes and Misdemeanors whatsoever by them or any of them, 
committed since the beginning of the Reign of King James the Second ; and if any of them are 
attainted by Parliament, the Lord Justices and the General will use their best Endeavours to get 
the same repealed by parliament, and the Outlawries to be Reversed gratis, all but Writing Clerks 
Fees. 

6. Whereas these present Wars have drawn great Violence upon both Parties, and if Leave were 
given to the bringing of all sorts of private Actions, the Animosities would probably continue 
that have been so long on foot, and the publick Disturbances last ; for the quieting and settling 
therefore of the Kingdom, and the avoiding those Inconveniences which would be the necessary 
consequence of the contrary, no Person, or Persons whatsoever comprized in the foregoing Articles, 
shall be sued, molested, or impleaded at the Suit of any Party or Parties whatsoever, for any 
Trespasses by them committed, or for any Arms, Horses, Monies, Goods, Chattels, Merchandizes, 
or Provisions whatsoever, by them seized or taken during the Time of the War ; and no Person 
or Persons whatsoever in the Second or Third Articles comprized, shall be sued, or made 
accountable for the Rents or Rates of any Land, Tenements, or Houses by him or them reserved 
or enjoyed in this Kingdom since the beginning of the present War, to the Day of the Date 
hereof ; nor for any Waste or Trespass by him or them committed in any such Lands, Tenements, 
or Houses : and it is also agreed, that this Article shall be mutual and reciprocal on both sides. 

7. Every Nobleman and Gentleman comprized in the Second and Third Articles, shall have 
Liberty to ride with a Sword and a Case of Pistols if they think fit, and keep a Gun in the 
House, for the Defence of the same, or Fowling. 

8. The Inhabitants and Residents of the City of Lymericle, and other Garrisons, shall be 
permitted to remove their Goods, Chattels, and Provisions out of the same, without being viewed 
or searched, or paying any manner of Duties, and shall not be compelled to leave their Houses 
and Lodgings they now have therein for the space of six Weeks next ensuing the Date hereof. 

9. The Oath to be administered to such Roman Catholicks as submit to their Majesties' 
Government, shall be the Oath aforesaid and no other. 

10. ISTo Person or Persons who shall at any time hereafter break these Articles, or any of 
them, shall thereby make or cause any other Person or Persons to forfeit or lose the Benefit of 
same. 

11. The Lords Justices and General do promise to use their utmost endeavours that all Persons 
comprehended in the above mentioned Articles, shall be protecthd and defended from all Arrests 
and Executions for Debt or Damage, for the space of eight Months next ensuing the Date 
hereof. 

12. Lastly, the Lords Justices and the General do undertake, That their Majesties will ratine 
these Articles within the space of three Months, or sooner, and use their utmost Endeavours 
that the same shall be ratified and confirmed in the Parliament. 

13. And whereas Col. John Browne stood indebted unto several Protestants by Judgements of 
Record, which appeared to the late Government, the Lords Tyrconnell and Lucan took away the 
effects the said John Broione had to answer the said Debts ; which Effects were taken for the 
publick Use of the Irish, and their Army, for freeing the said Lord Lucan of his engagement 
past upon their publick Account for payment of the said Protestants, for preventing the 
Ruine of the said John Browne, and for satisfaction of his said Creditors, at the instance of the 
said Lord Lucan, and the rest of the persons aforesaid, it is agreed, that the said Lords Justices, 
and Lieutenant General Ginlcel shall interpose with the King and Parliament, to have the 
Estates secured to Roman Catholicks by Articles and Capitulations in this kingdom, charged 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 2 71 

The English placed a guard at one end of Ball's Bridge, and the Irish at 
another. On the 5th, 100 men out of each regiment of the English were ordered 
to level the works they had raised against the city. A difficulty arose respect- 
ing a Lieut.-Colonel in the Irish army, who sent a letter to Ginkle complaining 
that he had been imprisoned by General Sarsfield, (who was now called Lord 
Lucan by the English, in consequence of the Articles), for refusing to go to 
Erance. Ginkle ordered four pieces of cannon to be placed on Ball's Bridge ; 
hot work was about to ensue — until the Lieut.-Colonel was enlarged. Ginkle 
issued a declaration, offering protection and pay to such Irish officers and 
soldiers as chose to join the English in preference to the French colours ; 
and permission to such of them as desired to proceed to their respective 
homes. 

Limerick afforded King James a title for Dungan (Earl of Limerick) who 
suffered for attachment to his master. 

■with, and equally liable to the payment of so much of the said Debts as the Lord Lucan, upon 
stating Accounts with the said John Browne, amount unto ; Account is to be stated, and the 
Balance certified by the said Lord Lucan in 21 days after the Date hereof ; For the true perfor- 
mance whereof, we have hereunto set our Hands ;* 
Present, 
Scravemore, Charles Porter, 

H. Mackay, Tho. Conyngeshy, 

T. Talmash, Baron Be Ginckel. 

And whereas the said City of Lymerick hath been since, in pursuance of the said Articles, 
surrendered unto Us. Now know ye, That we having considered of the said Articles, are graciously 
pleased hereby to declare that We do for Us, our Heirs and Successors, as far as in Us lies, ratifie 
and confirm the same, and every Clause, Matter, and Thing therein contained — And as to such parts 
thereof, for which an Act of Parliament shall be found to be necessary. "We shall recommend 
the same to be made good by Parliament ; and shall give our Royal Assent to any Bill or Bills, 
that shall be Passed by Our Two Houses of Parliament to that Purpose. And whereas it appears 
unto Us that it was agreed between the Parties to the said Articles, that after the "Words, 
Lymerick, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Mayo, or any of them, in the Second of the said Articles, the words 
following : viz. And all such as are under their Protection in the said Counties, should be inserted, 
and be part of the said Articles ; which Words having been casually omitted by the Writer, the 
omission was not discovered till after the said Articles were signed, but was not taken notice of 
before the second Town was surrendered. And that our said Justices and General, or one of them, 
did promise that the said Clause should be made good, it being within Intention of the Capitulation, 
and inserted in the foul Draught thereof. Our further Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby 
ratifie and confirm the said words ; viz. (And all such as are under the Protection of the said 
Counties) hereby for Us, our Heirs and Successors, ordaining, and declaring, that all and every 
Person and Persons therein concerned, shall, and may have, receive and enjoy the Benefit thereof 
in such and the same manner, as if the Words had been inserted in their proper place, in the 
said Second Article, any omission, defect, or mistake in the said Second Article, in any ways not- 
withstanding. Provided always, and Our Will and Pleasure is, that these our Letters Patent shall 
be enrolled in our Court of Chancery, in our said Kingdom of Ireland, withinjthe space of one year 
next ensuing. In witness, &e, Witness Our self at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth Day of 
February, Anno Kegni Regis & Reginae Guielmi & Marias, quarto, per breve de privato sigillo. 
Nos autem tenorem praemissor. proedict. ad requisitionem Attornat. General. Domini Regis & 
Dominaa Reginaa pro Regno Hiberniae, duximus exemplificandum per praesentes. In Cujus rei 
Testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes. Testibus nobis ipsis apud Westmon. 
quinto die Aprilis Annoque Regni eorum quarto, 

Bridges. 
Examinat. ( 8 Keck, "l 

p N 1 V in Cancel. Magistros. 

rer jnos. ^ Zacore w CMK j 

* The treaty is said to have been signed at or near the Red Gate, within a mile of the city at 
the Clare side. Tradition does not admit that it was signed on what has been called the " Treaty 
Stone," which has occupied a place on the North side of Thomond Bridge for many years, and 
which was originally a stone, used by country people for getting on horses when leaving town. 
The Cork " Freeholder" of Monday, 11th July, 1814, says, " that the late Miss Dobbin of 
Brown-street, had in her possession the Table on which the treaty of Limerick was signed ; and 
which was about being auctioned off on decease of above lady." 



272 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



King James also manifested his attention to Limerick by the grant of a 
charter, which is on record (Rot. Pat. 4 Jac. II. p .%, m. 1.) This charter 
recites a judgment against the Corporation in the Exchequer, and professes 
to constitute a new Corporate body. Its provisions are very extensive ; but 
may be briefly described as creating a self-elected municipality, removable 
by the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council. Its operation was limited to the 
comparatively short reign of the unfortunate King. 1 

In King James's Parliament sixty-eight of the gentry of the county and 
city of Limerick were attainted of high treason ; and it may be added that 

1 The Common Council of Limerick, January 30, 1687, in which year and the following one, 

King James altered all the Corporations of Ireland Harris's Life of King William. 

Robert Hannan. Mayor. 
Aldermen — 24. 



Sir James Galway, Bart* 
Sir Oliver Bourke, Bart. 
Sir William King, Knt. 
John Leonard, Merchant. 
Nicholas Arthur, Esq. 
Dominick Roche, Esq. 
Pierce Lacy, Esq. 
Edward Warr, Merchant. 
Robert Smith, Goldsmith. 
Michael Creagh, Merchant. 
John Baptist Roufel, Merchant. 
James Creagh FitzPierce, Esq. 



Thomas Power, Esq. 

J. Rice Fitzwilliam, Esq. 

John Foord, Merchant. 

Thomas Harold, Merchant. 

"William Craven, Merchant. 

J. MacNamara, Merchant, \ ^ 

Sep. Creagh, Gent. J* 

John Rice FitzEdward, Merchant and 

Chamberlain. 
Thomas Roche, Merchant. 
James Craven, Merchant. 
James Taverner, Merchant. 



Burgesses — 42. 



Sir Stephen Rice, Chief Baron. 

James Nihell, Esq. 

John Ronane, Esq. 

Theo. Butler, Esq. 

John Sarsfield, Esq. 

John Wall, Esq. 

Jeremiah Hall, Esq.* 

J. Roe Creagh, Merchant. 

James Woulfe FitzBartholomew, Merchant. 

James Robinson, Goldsmith. 

Dominick Roche, Jun. Gent. 

Thomas MacNamara, Gent. 

Philip Stackpole, Merchant. 

John Skeolan, Merchant. 

Moses Woodroff, Gent. 

Thomas Creagh, Merchant. 

Nicholas White FitzDominick, Merchant. 

Edward Wight, Merchant. 

George Gromwell, Merchant. 

Thomas Long, Merchant. 

Arthur Allen, Vintner. 

* This gentleman, who was a Doctor of Physic, founded '• Hall's Charity" for Poor Protestants 
in the English-town, and appropriated certain ground rents in the city to support a certain 
number of aged men and women. For the support of the men, in quarterly payments, the sum 
of £65 ; for the support of a certain number of women, £60 ; for the Schoolmaster, for in- 
structing twenty boys in reading, writing, and Arithmetic, £12 ; for a Schoolmistress for teaching 
twenty girls to read, £12; for supplying the schools with books and stationery, £10,- for a 
Clergyman to attend the chapel of said house, £15 ; for a steward to keep the accounts, make 
quarterly payments, &c. &c. £20; for repairs, £10; for releasing debtors from jail, £10. Dr. 
Hall also bequeathed £200 to be given in apprentice fees to deserving young men. He constituted 
the Protestant Bishop, Dean, and Mayor, Recorder and Sheriffs for the time being, trustees of 
his will. For a long time the charity had been grossly mismanaged ; the income has latterly 
fallen away. In the year 1864 there were but eight, viz. two male, and six female inmates. 
Men and women get coal for six weeks and £5 10s. yearly each. The school is well conducted, 
by Mr. and Mrs. George Russell, and contains no less than 38 boys, and 22 girls. There 
is no Chaplain at present. James MacMahon, Esq. of the Probate Court is agent. Mr. Russell 
has £36 18s. 5d. a year, and Mrs. Russell, £21. 



Thomas Breviter, Merchant. 

Simon White, Jun. Merchant. 

Patrick Nihell, Gent. 

Robert Riordan, Merchant. 

Peter Monsell, Merchant. 

Francis White, Merchant, 

Stephen White FitzFrancis, Merchant. 

Richard Harold, Merchant. 

Walter Harold, Merchant. 

Zech. Holland, Merchant. 

Stephen Comyn, Gent. 

Patrick Stritch, Merchant. 

James Arthur, Merchant. 

Thomas Arthur, Merchant. 

Nicholas Morrough; Vintner. 

John Daniel, Merchant. 

Henry Turner, Esq., Recorder. 

Prothonotary, Clerk of the Peace. 

Pierce Lacy, Town Clerk. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 273 

many of their names have ceased to exist in the county and city. 1 And 
between the clash of adverse arms, and the din of civil war, a Court suit, 
which was instituted by the Augustinians of Limerick — who appear to 
have been in the city during the sieges — against a citizen of the name of 
Lysaght, was decided in favour of the former by Sir Charles Porter, the 
Lord Chancellor. 2 

Colonel John Eice behaved badly in these times. At the surrender of 
Limerick, he brought in to William a regiment of horse upon the public faith 
of being received into the English pay. There was a good deal of litigation 
and acrimony in consequence, as Captain Morgan O'Bryen, Captain Fitzgerald, 
and others replied to the case which Eice had made upon obtaining an Act 
of Parliament for Debentures to be given him for his claims arising out of 
the Irish wars, the siege of Limerick, &c. 3 One of the heads of the causes 

1 Henry Berry of Limerick, yeoman, Jonathan Boles of Newcastle, gent., George Br ien of 
Shanagolden, gent., John Chinnery of Cregane, gent., Nicholas Chinnery, gent., Bichard Chin- 
nery, gent., William Clarke of Cloughnarral, Richard Cooper of Knocklong, Chidley Coote Fitz 
Charles of Ballyshane, Richard Coote, Esq., Francis Courtenay, Richard Courtenay, (sons to 
Sir William Courtenay), James Cox of Ballyline gent., Thomas Creed, of Ganynaderkey, gent., 
George Crofts, jun. of Croghill, John Crowe of Rathkeale, gent., Michael Daly of Chashbane, 
John Dowdall of Cappagh, Ralph Emmerson of Castlematress, John Flyn of Castlematress, 
Samuel Foxon, jun. of Limerick, Esq., Bartholemew Gibbins of Covinger, gent., John Owene 
of Cloughnarral, Henry Holmes of Kilmallock, gent., James Howard of Limerick, gent., James 
Higgins, Miles Jackson of Ballyvologue, gent., William Jephson, prebendary of Donoghmore, 
Joseph Jephson, clerk, Richard Ingoldsby of Ballybricken, Esq., Hugh Maguire of Duntrileague, 
gent., Robert Moore of Limerick, Thomas Moore of Castlematress, gent., Nicholas Monckton of 
Ballynafrankey, gent., Charles O'Dell of Castletownmaciniry, gent., Charles Oliver of Clogher, 
Esq., Arthur Ormsby and John Ormsby, sons of Captain Ormsby of Cor grig, Stephen Palmer, 
gent., William Palmer, gent., Robert Pheaby of Rathkeale, Captain Christopher Phillips, John 
Ponsonby of Fanningstown, gent., Thomas Ponsonby of Ballincullenbeg, gent., Robert 
Pope of Rathkeale, gent., Robert Robinson of Rathkeale, John Swayne of Clohomwsey, John 
Southwel and William Southwel of Castlematress, Henry Trenchard, Thomas Trenchard of 
Corgraige, John Treth of Rathkeale, William Walker of Cloughnarral, Oliver Walsh of Bally- 
mullane, gent., John Whittaker of Lisnasheely. 

The following absentees attainted if they do not return before the first of September, 1689 : — 
Hugh Brady, gent., Randall Clayton, gent., John Harrison of Ballyvonneen, Esq., William 
Harrison of Toureen, Esq., Hugh Massy, Esq., Archdeacon Henry Harstongue, Hugh Massy, 
Esq., John Pigot of Kilfenny, Esq., Richard Steevens, gent., Erasmus Smith of Carrigogunnell, 

Esq., William Trenchard, Esq., and Trenchard, gent, of Mountrenchard, Henry 

Westenra of Athlacca, Esq. 

The following persons of said county and city being residents in England, are to signify their 
loyalty provided the King goes there, by the 1st of October, 1689 : — Joseph Stepney, Abbeyowey, 
Thomas Butler of Kilnemoney, Richard Bury of Bally nerigy, Thomas Maunsell of Ballynemoney, 
Thomas Rose of Morgans, William Gribble, jun. of Limerick, John Douney of Caperearneesy, 
Thomas Warren of Newtown, Daniel Webb of Rathgonan, Timothy Webb of Ballygubby, 
Thomas Oldfield of Gornskeigh, Richard Peacock of Graigue, Abraham Jackson of Duntryleague, 
Childly Coote Fitzchidley of Coote, Thomas Spire of Rathanny, Giles Spencer of Limerick, 
Henry Ciddenham, jun. of Corra, Standish Hartstongue, jun. of Bruff, Richard Newport of Long- 
ford, James Webb of Ballyhennessy. 

2 In the registrj'- office of the High Court of Chancery, Dublin, is extant an order of said 
Court, and an injunction also dated June 22, 1691, in a motion between Friar Brien Kennedy 
and the Convent of St. Augustine in Limerick, plaintiff, and Wm. Lysaght, defendant. The order 
of the Lord Chancellor, Sir Charles Porter, was, that the defendant, within six days after sight, 
or due notice thereof, do answer the said petition upon his corporeal oath to be taken upon the 
Holy Evangelists ; and that in the mean time the injunction of this Court do issue to give the 
plaintiffs the peaceable possession of the said house, until evicted by law or the further order of 
this Court. Said father Brien Kennedy was prior of this Convent of Limerick, and afterwards 
provincial of his order in Ireland. — White's MSS. taken from Be Burghe's Appendix to his 
Historical Collections, page 318. 

3 There were certificates of Colonel Fitzgerald Villiers for the horses supplied to the troops by 
Colonel Rice, letters, &c. All these documents were published in four separate papers in 1697 
There were petitions at the same time from Captain Morgan O'Bryen, Captain K. O'Bryen, 
Captain G. Fitzgerald, and other officers of King James's army, who surrendered under the siege 
of Limerick. — Thorp's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

19 



274 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



which moved the Catholics of Ireland to take arms in 1641, was that all the 
natives were deprived of the benefit of the ancient fundamental laws, 
liberties, and privileges, due by all laws and justice to a free people and 
nation, and more particularly due by the merciful laws of Ireland 1 — but if 
ever the Irish had reason to take arms — if ever they were driven to the last 
alternative, it was when they saw all that they had fought and bled for, 
wrenched from their grasp, by as truculent a piece of treachery as ever was 
dreamt of by the most corrupt and the falsest of their tyrants. In this war 
they fought for their legitimate king ! There was no rebellion ! 

Such was the termination of King James's hold on Ireland. Such was 
the end of the eventful struggle which Limerick made to secure freedom for 
Irish Catholics. The treaty was signed ! The capitulation was made. The 
articles were agreed to ! Alas ! that it should be told how soon the treaty was 
broken ! — How speedily faith was violated ! — How rapidly English perfidy 
exhibited the cloven foot when Ireland was again in her power ! On the 3rd 
of October the Treaty was signed ! On the 22nd of the same month, the 
English Parliament excluded Catholics from the Irish Houses of Lords and 
Commons, by compelling them to take the oaths of supremacy before 
admission. 

1 Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica. 




^aASOBWBB. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 275 



CHAPTER XXXY. 

ASSEMBLAGE OF THE IRISH ARMY ON THE KING'S ISLAND. ADDRESSES BY 

THE CATHOLIC BISHOP3 AND CLERGY TO THE SOLDIERS, BY SARSFIELD, 

EARL OF LTJCAN, WATJCHOP, &C. PREPARATIONS FOR THE EMBARKATION— 

THE EMBARKATION. " FAREWELL TO PATRICK SARSFIELD." 

The Irish army who had so nobly defended the cause of their country 
and their religion, and who in the discharge of duty had won the praises 
even of enemies, which had fully justified the observation, that some years 
afterwards was made by Francis the 1st of Austria, after having witnessed 
what had been achieved by the Irish Brigades abroad — when he stated that 
the true interests of Austria consisted among other things in fostering Irish 
officers, — for " the more Irish officers there are in the Austrian service/'' said 
he, " the better :" " an Irish coward," he added, u is an uncommon character, 
and what the natives of Ireland even dislike from principle they generally 
perform from a desire of glory" — this grand army, or what remained of it 
after two memorable campaigns, assembled in the afternoon of Saturday, the 
5th of October, on the King's Island. Some of the Irish soldiery had not 
as yet left the city. They were all brought together on this memorable 
occasion in order that Lord Lucan, as he was now called by the English, in 
accordance with the terms of the Treaty, which acknowledged the title that 
had been conferred on Patrick Sarsfield by King James, and Wauchop might 
address them, and acquaint them with the present posture of affairs. This 
they did in the most impressive manner : they were told, at the same time, 
that on the next day they should again muster at the same place, when they 
would meet the bishops and clergy, to whom they had manifested great 
attachment, and who were to exhort them as to the course they should adopt 
in the existing emergency. On the following morning, accordingly, each 
Irish regiment was drawn up at the appointed place of rendezvous — it was a 
sight calculated to soften the heart and draw tears from the eyes. The noble 
river ran bright and clear around the Island — the grey old walls of the city 
which they had defended so well, and the towers of St. Mary's Cathedral were 
in front of them. Never, probably, in the history of ill-fated nationalities has 
an incident occurred more touching than the review of this wreck of the 
loyalist army. There is a natural pathos connected with the circumstances of 
the assemblage on this occasion of the native warriors, which it would be idle 
to endeavour to enhance by any attempt at elaborate description or reflection. 
To each regiment a persuasive discourse was now preached by the Catholic 
clergy, who with crucifix in hand stood in front of the soldiers, and openly 
declared the advantages which enlistment in the French service would be to 
them, and to the country for which they had fought, but for which, they 
could no longer employ their arms in defence of at home. They stated that 
France would open up new fields for their bravery, and add fresh laurels to 
their brows — that they might return again in the course of a short period, to 
vindicate the rights of the old land, and restore it to its former position. 1 
The bishops too went among them, and gave them their blessing; they 
addressed them encouragingly, and expressed a hope that they would do 
what was expected at their hands, now that the contest in which they had 

1 See Storey. 



276 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

fought so gallantly was over, and in which they mnst have been victors had 
they not become the victims of deceit and treachery. 

To counteract these addresses and exertions of the bishops and clergy, 
General Ginkle commissioned one of the most expert of his officers to go 
among the soldiers, and point out to them the great good they were certain 
to confer upon themselves by enlisting under the banners of England rather 
than under those of a foreign nation, from which they had not obtained the 
assistance sought for. Large promises were made of favour, protection, and 
promotion. Everything was done to induce them to remain at home, rather 
than swell the ranks of England's enemies abroad. Some time was occupied 
in this way; at length the flag- staff was raised, and the word was given : 
those who were for France were to pass to the right, those for England to 
the left — the respective generals occupying their proper places during this 
muster. The scene was one which no pencil could pourtray — no pen 
describe. There was no more chivalrous and magnificent regiment in 
Europe at the time than the guards of King James, officered by men of rank 
and ability; the soldiers being picked men, who had won renown wherever 
they appeared. Their muster roll was 1400 strong. They were all the chosen 
favourites of the unfortunate monarch in whose cause they had bled, and 
whose crown they would have secured, had not the fortune of war decreed other- 
wise. As they advanced to the place for separating, for declaring for France 
or for England — the entire regiment, with the exception of seven men, and 
as tradition has it one officer, 1 marched for France ! This was a heavy blow 
and a great discouragement to Ginkle ; who could not conceal his mortifica- 
tion when he beheld the flower of the Irish army betake themselves to 
France. He was compensated somewhat when he saw nearly the entire of 
Lord Iveagh's regiment of Ulster Irish go off in a body for England, followed 
by Wilson's, half of Lord Louth's, a considerable number of Clifford's, Purcell's, 
Lutterel's, and Hussey's — in all, according to Storey, 1046 men, besides 
double the number, according to the same author, who had passes to go 
home to their respective residences in Ireland. The number, however, that 
declared for France was the vast majority. They were not to be diverted by 
flattery or persuasion. Those who had mustered for England were now plenti- 
fully regaled with bread, cheese, brandy, tobacco, &c, and received a fortnight's 
subsistence. But Ginkle was not satisfied that he did not obtain more men, 

1 Storey says seven men. There is no mention by him of an officer, hut Lieutenant Camber- 
lain cf Captain Russell's company of the guards, is said to have been the officer. He got a pass 
from Ginkle to proceed to Dublin, of which the subjoined is a copy. His commission, with the 
original of which we have been favoured by his descendant maternally, Thomas O'Gorman, Esq. of 
Rathgorman, Co. Dublin, is signed in the beautiful bold hand of Tyrconnell. This is the pass : — 

BY LIEUT GENERAL G1NCKELE, 
Commandr of their mats fforees in Ireland. 
Locum Sigilli, 
Whereas George Chamberlaine of the county of Dublin, Eldest lieutenant to the regiment of guards 
hath submited to their magties government, and as Resident in the garrison of Lymerik is compre- 
hended within the articles and Capitulations whereupon that garrison was surrendered and desires our 
passport and safe conduct. — These are, therefore, to permitte and suffer the said George Chamber- 
lane, with his servants, horses and rideng armss and Luggage, freely and quietly to pass from 
hence ..towards yc Citty of Dublin or elsewhere in this Kingdome without lctt or molestation. 
Given att ye campe by Limerik this 8th of 8 her, 1G91. 

Bar de Ginckele. 
To all officers and soldiers of their mageis 
c vhom it- may concerns. 

(a true cop 

W. PALMER. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 277 

not for his army, but against France. Accordingly he issued another proclama- 
tion, in which he offered liberty and permission, to such of the soldiers as 
would join him, to return to their homes with goods, stock, and families. 
He gave a promise too, that the rapparees, creights, and volunteers should 
be also protected if they came in and submitted. He gave directions to his 
own officers and soldiers that they should not interfere in any way with the 
freedom of the people. The moment, however, that he had the Irish soldiers 
within his grasp, he gave them no peace — he regarded them as nothing better 
than deserters ; he disbanded the entire number that had gone over to him, 
with the exception of two regiments which he placed under the command of 
Colonel Wilson and Baldearg O'Donnell, both of whom soon afterwards 
paid dearly for their desertion of their country. 

And now came the trying moment of departure ! Passes had been already 
signed by Lord Lucan for such of his friends as were desirous of visiting their 
homes and remaining there. 1 On the 10th a large portion of Ginkle's army 
returned from beyond the river, and 1000 Irish horse and dragoons that had 
gone over to him, were mustered by Allen, a Commissioner. On the 12th 
the Irish horse regiments that had declared for France, marched through the 
English-town, out at the west Water-gate, and on for Cork. Storey states 
that they were numbered, as they passed the English camp, and were not 
1000 strong; but this is evidently a mistake. 

It was a sight which drew bitter tears from every beholder. Even Ginkle's 
hardened warriors afforded them a parting sigh as they looked for the last 
time on the walls of Limerick. The 13th and 14th of the month were 
occupied in further movements of the troops on both sides ; the Irish-town 
was occupied by an English regiment. Ginkle removed to Quarters, leaving 
Sir David Collier Governor of Limerick. Lord Drogheda's and Lord Lis- 
burn's regiments were encamped outside the walls, nntil such time as the 
Irish soldiers had totally evacuated the English-town. Talmash remained, 
to see that order was observed. The Irish foot-guards now bade adieu to old 
Limerick with heavy hearts ; and went on the road to Cork to take shipping 
for the land of their destination — Catholic France. We may well judge of 
the overwhelming grief which their departure occasioned those they left 
after them. Storey says that they numbered only 482, though they were 
1400 when they declared for France ; but in this instance too he commits a 
serious error. On the 14th, provisions and money were distributed among 
the Irish soldiers who had not gone as yet, and the guns and other war 
material, which had remained in Limerick, were put in readiness to be sent 
for embarkation to France. Treaties were now entered into between the 
French and Irish officers of the one part, and the English officers of the 
other part, to secure the safe return of the English shipping which was to 
be employed in conveying a considerable number of the Irish soldiers to 
France. Sarsfield and Wauchop, D'Ussone and de Tesse, represented the 
Irish and the French officers ; articles of agreement were duly drawn,, signed 

1 The following is a copy of one of these passes ; it appears in Sir William Betham's Anti- 
quarian Researches : " Pass signed by Patrick Sarsfield Earl of Lucan, General of King James 
IT.'s Army, and Governor of Limerick at the time of the capitnlation : — You are hereby required 
to permit Major Patrick Allen, with his wife and family, together with their goods, buniart,* 
horses and arm3, to pass out of the, gates of this garrison without any lctt, hindrance, or moles- 
tatioun, in order to his going to his home in Leinster, to enjoy his estate, pursuant to the cappit- 
tulation and articles made hereine. Lymbrick, dat. this seventh day of October, 1C91. 

Lucan " 
* The Irish for footmen. 



278 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and delivered on the 14th of October. In these articles it was distinctly 
promised, in the event of the violation of any of the terms of the treaty, that 
in addition to Colonel Hugh Mac Mahon, Colonel Arthur, Colonel (VGara, 
&c. who were to be left in Ireland as hostages, they (Lncan, Wauchop, 
&c.) would, on their word and honour, surrender themselves prisoners of 
war three months after their landing, to the English Secretaries of State. 

The memorable 16th of October came; and on that day Patrick Sarsfield 
the illustrious Irishman, 1 left Limerick for Cork in order to see everything 
placed in readiness for the embarkation of the troops. 2 The regiments of 

1 During his residence in Limerick, tradition states that he resided in the narrow street now 
known by the name of Pump Lane, in the house next door to the ancient huilding known as 
Queen Anne's prison, but evidently built a few centuries before the reign of that Queen. 

2 I will here give an account of the Sarsfields, Viscounts of Kilmallock, and of the Sarsfields, 
Earl of Lucan, by Aaron Crossley of Dublin.* It will be seen that Patrick Sarsfield was no 
adventurer, no novus homo, no parvenu, but that the most ancient blood of Ireland ran through 
his veins: — 

" The Most Noble Potent and Honourable Sir Dominick Sarsfield, Viscount Kilmallock, Lord 
Baron of Barret's Country, and Primear Baronet of Ireland. 

CREATION. 

" Primear Baronet of Ireland, by Patent September 30, 1619. 16 Jac. 1. 

" Lord Baron of Barret's Country, Lord Viscount Kilmallock, by Patent dated May 8, 1625. 

" Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. 

" Attorney-General of Munster, Sept. 4, 42 Eliz. And one of the Lords of his Majesty's Most 
Hon. Privy Council of Ireland. 

The Family of Kilmallock. 

" Sir Dominick Sarsfield was second son of Edmond, and brother to John ; be was created 
Lord Baron of Ireland, and Viscount Kinsale, by Letters Patent granted at New Market the 
13th of February, by King James I. of England, in the 22nd year of his Beign, 1624 ; but 
King Charles I. he changed the Title of Kinsale to Kilmallock, the third year of his Reign, by 
reason, that the Lord Baron Courcey challenged the said title of Kinsale, but the title of Lord 
Viscount Kilmallock was continued still, by Patent to Sir Dominick, from the time he was 
created Lord Viscount Kinsale. 

' ; The Original Patent was in my custody in King James II.'s time. 

" This Henry had a Son named John, the father of David, who was father of Henry, whose 
son John, was Admiral of the Fleet of King Henry VI. of England ; he married a daughter of 
— Purcill's, she bore him two sons, Edmond and Roger. 

" This Edmond had two sons, viz. John and Sir Dominick. 

" John had two sons, Patrick and James, Patrick married Hellin daughter to — "White, and 
by her had John, Francis, Jeoffry, Ignatius, and Hellin ; she was married to Jeoffrey Galway. 

" John the eldest married Catherine, daughter to — Purdon, by her had Francis now living ; 
James 2nd, son of John and brother aforesaid, married Hellin Rice, and by her had Paul, who 
went to Nantz in France, in Oliver Cromwell's time, and married there a French gentlewoman, 
and by her had Sir James Sarsfield, now living in France. 

The Family of Lucan. 

a Roger, second son of John, who was thirteen years Admiral to King Henry VI. as abovesaid, 
wa3 married to a daughter of Christopher Cusack of Kilmallock in the County of Meath, and 
had by her John of Sarsfieldstown, in the said County, and by her had two sons, Patrick and 
William; Patrick was Mayor of Dublin anno 1554 ; he died sans issue. 

" Sir William chosen Mayor of Dublin anno 1566, and in the same year Sir Henry Sidney 
being Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, in the 
Ninth Year of Queen Elizabeth ; he being in England and his Lady in Drogheda. 

" John O'Neil came to surprise Drogheda with a strong party, whereupon the Lady Sidney 
sent to Dublin, and the said Sir William with all speed marched with a select party of horse and 
foot towards Drogheda, fought and routed John O'Neil and all his adherents, and by that means 
rescued the Lady Sidney from the danger she Avas likely to undergo ; for which service the Lord 
Sidney, on his return to Ireland, knighted him in Christ Church, Dublin. 

" This Sir William married Margaret, daughter to Andrew Terrill of Athboy, and by her had 
John, Patrick, and two daughters. 

" John married Margaret daughter to Sir Lucas Dillon, and by her had William, Lucas, Robert, 
and Johanna ; this William married Anne, daughter to Sir Patrick Barnewell, Knt. Patrick, 
second son of Sir William, married Mable Fitzgerald, and by her had Peter and many other 
children. 

* Aaron Crossley 's Peerage of Ireland. Dublin, 1725. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 279 

Eustace, Talbot, Bedloe, the Prince of Wales, Clanricarde and Colonel 
Birmingham, now joined, and made in all 618 men. It is said by Storey 
that as they marched through the Irish-town, all their officers could do could 
not prevent some of them running away. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th, the 
Inniskilliug regiment which had been in Clare, and other regiments mustered 
beyond the city and prepared to move for Cork, where the shipping lay to 
receive them. Sarsfield had vigorously and successfully done his part in 
reference to the preparations for the embarkation. The "wild geese''' at 
length made their flight from old Ireland ; and the songs of their country were 
sung, as they caught the last glimpse of Erin, the land they loved so well, and 
on whose green fields the bones of so many thousands of then brothers in 
arms and companions in sympathy, were now bleaching ! From Limerick a 
division of 4736 men, under the command of Generals d'Usson and Tesse, 
sailed in French ships. Wauchop followed in eight ships from Limerick, 
with 3000 men. Sarsfield, who had previously gone to Cork, remained there 
one month, and reached Brest on the 3rd of December. 1691. A dream 
occupied the minds of these noble men that they would again see the homes 
of their deepest affections, and rejoice in the restored liberties of their 
country. Alas ! it was but a dream. Gloomier days were in store for 
Ireland, and the wail of grief, which was heard from mountain and valley when 
they went, was expressed by bard and poet in heart-touching verses, some of 
which have come down to us from those distant days fresh with unfading 
beauty, and warm with the life of genius. Farewell to Patrick Sarsfield was 
one of them. 1 

"This Peter married Elinor, daughter to Terlogh O'Dempsey, Lord Viscount Glanmalier, and 
had hy her Patrick ; he married Anne daughter to Roger Moor, and by her had Patrick, created 
Lord Lucan by King James II. anno 1688. This Patrick was General to King James's Army, 
and married Honora daughter to the Earl of Clanrickard, who bore him one son named Jacobvs, 
Franciscus, Edvardus. 

1^° "William Hawkins, Ulster, witnesseth that on the 4th day of July, 1714, the following 
account of this family (in these words) : — 

" That Thomas Sarsfield was Standard bearer to King Henry II. of England, in the year of 
our Lord 1180. He was father to Richard Sarsfield, who was Captain-General under King 
Henry III. of England, anno 1230. 

" This Richard had two sons, viz. Sarsfield and Henry, and Sarsfield had a son named Sarsfield, 
and Henry had a son named Henry, who came to Ireland and lived in Cork for some time, and 
married the daughter of Fitzgerald, by whom he had the Lands from Bealogh Favrye to Kil- 
mallock, six miles in length in the County of Limerick, which fruitful and pleasant estate he 
and his posterity enjoyed, together with the said Kilmallock for many generations." 

The Genealogy aforesaid, from Thomas the first of this family of the Sarsfields to John, who 
lived in the reign of Henry VI. , I had it out of old Irish books, now in the custody of Hugh 
Mac Curtain, alias Curtis, one of the chief Antiquaries of the kingdom of Ireland, and from 
several other relations of the families, to the year 1640; and the rest I had out of the books of 
my own office (there being little or nothing in it) and out of several warrantable authors ; and 
also from ancient gentlemen of worth and credit In witness whereof, Nosfri saluti feri 1714. 

Arms — Parted per Pale Ruby and Pearl, a Fleur-de-luce of the 2nd, and Diamond. 

Crest — On a Wreath of his Colours, a Leopard's Face Topaz. 

Supporters — Supported by two Wolves Sapphire, collared and chained Topaz. 

Motto — Virtus non vertitur. 

1 svm cdvlv) pa&nsiic smnseui. 

From the " Poets and Poetry of Munster.' 11 * 
21 Ph&btiAje S&mr^Al rUxn 50 b-q' cii ! 
O cuAbAjr bo'n FbtiAp^c 'r t>o cAmpAi&e rsaojlce, \ 

2I5 beAUATi) bo 5eAn&in lejr tja Kijjze, 
'S b'p&5 cu G]tie 'sur 3AO]6eil-bo]cc cUoi&ce ! 

Oc\] I OCh6t) I 

2t Vh'Ab\\A]c S&irtr&Al if bujfle le t)f a cu, 
1r beAt)tjAi5ce at) caIatt} a\i f jubA-|l cii niAib Ain ; 
3o.m-beAnnA75e An 5beAUc TjeAl 'rAn Sb^n bttjc, 
O C115 cii An l& lAnjA RJ5 UflliAm leAc. 
Och ! nc 
* O'Daly, Dublin. 



280 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

One of the French vessels, which bore off 400 men from Limerick, and 
many valuable treasures, ran upon a rock near Kilrush, and about 100 men 
were drowned. 

21 phAbtiAjc Skmt&Al 5«l6e sac t)-bu]i}e leAe, 
9X)o 5U]6e-n £e)t) 'r 5U]6e v)]C 2J)ujtv© leac ; 
O C075 cu ad c-21c-CaoI as SAbAjl z\xe DtyotittA &ujc, 
'5 51111 A5 Cu]U]i)i) O' 3-Cuai)a6 buAbAs leAc luiti)t)eAc. 
Oclj ! *ic 

3eAbAb-rA riAn at? riTAb-tA ah) AoijAtt, 

'5 seAbAb a i)]Ati a tvjr Tp^vt T&1&TT* » 

]t A 1)1) &0 COTJAftC T1)6 At) CAtT)pA SAOo'IaC, 

2li7 bfieAit) bocc x |lce t)A|t cum le U* cfejle ! 
Ocl) ! "\c. 

blttfe t)A Ctxu]Tt)it)T)e 9 f bmrf HA bojt)t)e, 
'S At) citiTT)U5A6 bttir© A5 SI)6ca 5J)T*AltJi)e ojse ; 
2lt) ceAcnAihab btiire At) eAc-t)J)tiuitr) b]A-t>0Ti)i)A|5, 
'5 buA]leA5 bujlle bnuti) ottuit)t) as cobAfi KJ5 ai- t)ori)t)Ai5 ? 
Och ! ic 

2J)o cu]5 ceAb flAt) cu5A]b a T)aIIaoi tujnjtjjft, 
'S cutt) i)A bui&in ivlu|t)t> bo b] 'i)ATi 5-cuibeAccA& ; 
Obi&eAc eejt)ce ct)AtbA 'su]t)i), ir cATicAi5e ]Ti)eAiiXA, 
"5 bniACfiA t)e &A leASAth 50 ti)it)ic 6ujt)i). 
Och! -,c. 

21 lut)bA]t) t5o|Tie, bol^AC cu3AC-f a, 
Slltt 1)61* ija T5*Mte <a**i »^T^ to pusbAti : 
*S A Ijacc ^Att*tAitie £AbA V]OI)T)-lubAC, 
3ai) pors* o'tj t)-5AO'c, 'i)A cjtjAb &A s-ciitbbAC ! 
Och ! _/-c. 

t5o bf tt)e A]fi f l?^b lA b*teA5 STI^ID© 

t5o cotjAttc t)A SASfAT^Aic a b-*:ocAiJi A c£]le ; 

2lt) co*i CApAll bA 6ei*-e b] D-Gifte, 

O ! C01Tl)&Ab &AHJ 1)A b0bA]5 50 TT)-bA*T)t*eAb 36 Af bA 

Ocb! "jc. 

If ]oti)6a f A|5b]U]|i njeAsfiAc, ti)eAt)AtT)t)Ac, 
Co 5A]b At) c-Tl|5e-tl le r©Acc reAectbuTDe ; 
FA07 sut)Ab, pAO] pjceAb, 'r FA07 clo|6eAti? cjijtj Ajnsjb, 
2lcc cA]b tlAb rface f 1°T atj eAc-6*iuiTij ! 
Oclj ! "|c 

Cia tu& caU Ai*t ctjoc t)T)eit*T)-eibiti ? 
SAi5biui|i bocc itj6 le U15 5&Anjur ; 

t50 b] Tl)6 A TJUtlT*A|5 A 1}-A|IT1) 'fA T)-§AbAC, 

2lcc 'caitt; a ti)-bliA5A0t)A6 A5 iA*itiAi& b&iftce ! 
Och I ic 

If ^ f)o ctieAc ti)Att bo cA]lleATi)A7Ti t5|Atttt)U)b, 
t)h] ceAijt) At} f5ACf:AiTte aiti ))AlbAttc ]ATtTtU|i)tj ; 
bh] a cu]b treoU bA vtiaca 'rA bnACAc bA tcjAllAb, 
*S 5A1J f A5A]l CAfbA '50 bA b-£A5AC f^ t5]A A]n ! 

Och ! -\c. 

If 6 TfJO ctteAc-tA At) c-rttA]c bA C63DAI-, 
2lt) bA f eAjt &&A5 bo b| 6** qogt) f eonAc ; 
?T)o b]Ar beAftbttACATi Ar ]Ab «*• 5leo Ijonj, 
2lcc ttjo cu]5 c^Ab bfoc-cujtt DjATitijuib At) c-6|5*:eAtt" ! 
Och I ic 

t5o CU1T16A6 At) cSAb bmr© otitiuitjt) A3 bfiojceAb ijA l)o;r)oe, 
2li) bAjtA bfiire A3 b|to]ceAb t)A 5lAT05e 
2lt) cttin)U5Ab bnife At) eAc-6*iii]tt) Uj Ct)eAlU]3 
'5 G]*te cubAUCA r\p cu)5 c^Ab flAt) leAC I 
Och ! "\c 

2lt) UAitt lAf At) ceAc b) At) beACAC bAt^ *1)uca6, 
'5 cU\t)t) b))il bnAbAi5 bAtt t)-5neAbA le t->U5bAft ; 
"Ni'l aoi) Volley-shot bA r5^°l l l & ir ru3A]i)t)e, 
"Na F]^fiu\]&Cv\c Colond Miichel ^n Igasao /.ord Lucan' 
Oclj! ic 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 281 

By November, the last of the Irish army had left Limerick. We throw 
a veil over the agony endured by their wives and families as they were 

CA leAru5A& Ap O'CeAllAis ijac sai^tt) nA pui5leAc, 
2lcc tA]5&jumi6e CApA 6&at)]:a6 5A]i*5e le p^ceA6 ; 

21 f A5PA6 ]A& A 1}-eAC-&ltU]Tl) TJA rftACAl)1JA6 fjtJCe, 

21)ati bei&eAC peojl CApA]U A5 TnAbjiAiSe bA rttAqle ' 
Och! "\c. 

gifjt) ru& aca n^& bant* uATrie;,ejTiionn, 

Cjuicj&e, t)uncA]5, *r mAc Ki5 S6Arour ; 

CApcAO]tj CAlbojb crioi&e ha F^ile, 

'5 pAbjtAic S&7t*T& Al J 51^6 t>At) GmTot)T) 

Och ! ocboij I 

TBAtfSLATION. 

A FAREWELL TO PATRICK SARSFIELD. 
Farewell, 0, Patrick Sarsfield ! May luck be on your path ! 
Your camp is broken up — your -work is marred for years ; 
But you go to kindle into flame the king of France's wrath, 
Though you leave sick Eire in tears. 
Och 1 ochone ! 

May the white sun and moon rain glory on your head, 

All hero, as you are, and holy Man of God ! 

To you the Saxons owe a many an hour of dread, 

In the land you have often trod. 

Och ! ochone ! 

The Son of Mary guard you and bless you to the end 1 
'Tis altered is the time since your legions were astir, 
When, at Cullen, you were hailed as the Conqueror and Friend, 
And you crossed Xarrow-water, near Birr. 
Och ! ochone ! 

I'll journey to the North, over mount, moor, and wave, 

'Twas there I first beheld, drawn up in file and line, 
The brilliant Irish hosts — they were bravest of the brave ! 
But, alas ! they scorned to combine ! 
Och ! ochoiie ! 

I saw the royal Boyne, when its billows flashed with blood ; 

I fought at Graine Og, where a thousand horsemen fell ; 
On the dark, empurpled field of Aughrim, too, I stood, 
On the plain by Tubberdonny'a Well. 
Och! ochone! 

To the heroes of Limerick, the City of the Fights, 

Be my best blessing, borne on the wings of the air ! 
We had card-playing there, o'er our camp-fires at night, 
And the Word of Life, too, and prayer, 
Och! ochone 1 

But, for you, Londonderry, may Plague smite and slay 

Your people ! — May Ruin desolate you, stone by stone ! 
Through you a many a gallant youth lies coffinlesa to-day, 
With the winds for mourners alone ! 
Och ! ochone ! 

I clomb the high hill on a fair summer noon, 

And saw the Saxon Muster, clad in armour, blinding bright. 
Oh, rage withheld my hand, or gunsman and dragoon 
Should have supped with Satan that night ! 
Och! ochone! 

How many a noble soldier, how many a cavalier, 

Careered along this road, seven fleeting weeks ago, 
With silver-hilted sword, with matchlock, and with spear, 
Who now, mo bkron, lieth low ! 

Och ! ochone ! 



282 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

thus deprived of husbands, and brothers, and friends ! Many wives and 
daughters of these self- expatriated warriors were drowned in attempting to 
go on board the transports ; whilst the hands and arms of others of them 
were cut to pieces, in order to compel them to relinquish their hold of the 
ships that carried away those whom they cherished with the deepest affection. 
The loss to Ireland was incalculable. 

The numbers of the Irish who went off to France, were nineteen thousand 
and fifty-nine, officers included, besides the brigade of Lord Mount Cashell 
then in France, consisting of three regiments, each composed of two bat- 
talions, forming one thousand six hundred men, in sixteen companies, under 
the names of Mountcashell, O'Brien and Dillon. 1 

All hail to thee, Beinn Eadair ! But, ah, on thy brow 

I see a limping soldier, who battled, and who bled 
Last year in the cause of the Stuart, though now 
The worthy is begging his bread ! 

Och ! ochone ! 

And Diarmuid I oh, Diarmuid ! he perished in the strife ; 

His head it was spiked on a halbert high ; 
His colours they were trampled ; he had no chance of life, 
If the Lord God himself stood by ! 

Och ! ochone ! 

But most, oh, my woe ! I lament, and lament 

For the ten valiant heroes who dwelt nigh the Nore ; 
And my three blessed brothers ! They left me, and they went 
To the wars, and returned no more ! 
Och ! ochone ! 

On the Bridge of the Boyne was our first overthrow ; 

By Slaney, the next, for we battled without rest ; 
The third was at Aughrim. Oh, Eire ! thy woe 
Is a sword in my bleeding breast ! 

Och ! ochone ! 

! the roof above our heads it wa3 barbarously fired, 

While the black Orange guns blazed and bellowed around ! 
And as volley followed volley, Colonel Mitchel inquired 
Whether Lucan still stood his ground, 
Och! ochone! 

But O'Kelly still remains, to defy and to toil ; 

He has memories that Hell won't permit him to forget, 
And a sword that will make the blue blood flow like oil 
Upon many an Aughrim yet ! 

Och ! ochone ! 

And I never shall believe that my Fatherland can fall, 

With the Burkes, and the Dukes, and the son of Royal James ; 
And Talbot the Captain, and Sarsfield, above all, 
The beloved of damsels and dames. 

Oeh ! ochone ! 

> THE BRIGADES OF THE FIRST FORMATION. 
1. Mountcashel ; infantry, 1,600. Lieutenant-General Lord Mountcashel. M'Carthy was 
wounded in Savoy in 1690, and died at Barege same year. Who succeeded him we cannot say ; 
but in 1703 Buckley got the regiment, and in 1775 it was drafted into the Dublin regiment 

N.B. — The Irish regiments were usually called by the name of the commander for the time 
being. Thus this regiment was called Mountcashel in 1690 ; then Buckley. The King's cavalry 
was successively called Sheldon, Nugent, and Fitzjame3 ; and so of the rest. 

2. O'Brien; infantry, 1,600. Changed its name to Clare in 1691, when its colonel, Daniel 
O'Brien, became Lord Clare. On his death at Pignerol, Lee succeeded to the command. It was 
drafted into Berwick in 1775, on the last reconstruction of the Brigade. John Macnamara was 
first, and James Philips second lieutenant-colonel, and Browne was major of this regiment. 
Lord Clare's Dragoons were considered the flower of King James's army. On the 11th of May, 
1 706, Charles the Fifth Viscount Clare, was killed at the battle of Ramillies ; and on the 20th 
of May, 1742, the eldest son of the fifth and last Lord Viscount Clare, a cibnel in one of the 



HISTORY OF LIML1UCK. 283 

In reference to Storey .(Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral) who has accom- 
panied us so long in our history of these campaigns, it may be stated that he 
married Catherine TTarter, who, with Margaret Warter, was co-heiress of 
Edward TTarter, Esq. of Bilboe, count Limerick, 1701, who (Catherine) 
presented this petition to King William, June 28, 1701 : l 

ei Represents the yearly rental of Waiter's estate to be £500, but was unfortunately 
the seat of war. Cullen, a market town, was burned by Patrick Sarsfield, aferwards 
Lord Lucan; and William the Third, some days after, gave General Ellenberg 
orders to blow up the Castle. The Irish burned the Manor House ; and the Dutch 
and English armies burned the market town of Bilboe, so that, by being laid waste, 
the whole damage estimated at £13068." 

Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe, though one of the commissioners for arranging 
the Treaty of surrender, and who was specially privileged to avail himself of the 
articles of Limerick, preferred to proceed to Erance with King James, and thus 
he incurred the forfeiture of his title and property. 2 It is supposed that the 
attainder of Lord Galmoy occurred for the same cause. These titles have not 
been revived. 

Irish regiments in the French service, died at Prague, in Bohemia. — He was commonly called 
Lord Clare. 

3. Dillon ; infantry, 1,G00. Retained its name and hereditary commanders till the French 
Revolution. Two of its colonels died at its head in the hattles of Lanfield and Fontenoy. Yv e 
believe General Dillon, who was massacred in 1793, was one of the same family. 
SECOND FORMATION. 

King's body guard. This was disbanded in 1693. 

CAVALRY. 

1. The King's regiment of cavalry, 300 : — Dominick Sheldon, colonel ; Edmond Prendergast, 
lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Butler, major ; 4 captains, 6 lieutenants, 6 cornets. 

2. The Queen's regiment of cavalry, 300 ; — Lord Galmoy, colonel ; Rene-de-Carne, a French- 
man, lieutenant-colonel ; James Tobin, major ; 4 captains, 6 lieutenants, 6 cornets. 

DIS^IOr^TED DRAGOONS. 

3. The King's regiment of dragoons, 600 : — Lord Viscount Kilmallock (Sarsfield), colonel : 
Turenne O'Carroll, lieutenant-colonel : De Salles, a. Frenchman, major ; 5 captains, 14 Lieute- 
nants, 14 cornets. 

4. The Queen's regiment of dragoons, 600 : — Charles Viscount Clare, colonel ; Alexander 
Barnewal, lieutenant-colonel ; Charles Maxwell, major ; 5 captains, 14 lieutenants, 14 cornets. 

DTFASTTRY. 

5. The King's infantry regiment of guards, 1,600: — William Dorrington, colonel; Oliver 
O'Gara, lieutenant-colonel ; John Rothe, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 
14 ensigns. 

6. The Queen's regiment of infantry, 1,600: — Simon Luttrel, colonel; Francis TVachop, 
lieutenant-colonel ; James O'Brien, major ,- 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 
14 ensigns. 

7. An infantry regiment of marines, 1,600: — The Lord Grand-prior Fitzjames, colonel; 
Nicholas Fitzgerald, lieutenant-colonel : Richard Nugent another lieutenant- colonel : Edmond 
O'Madden, major ; 11 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 

8. The Limerick regiment of infantry, 1,600 : — Sir John Fitzgerald, colonel ; Jeremiah 
O'Mahony, lieutenant-colonel ; William Therry, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub- 
lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 

9. The Charlemont regiment of infantry, 1,600 : — Gordon O'Neill, colonel ; Hugh M-Mahon, 
lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Murphy, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 
14 ensigns. 

10. The Dublin regiment of infantry, 1,600: — John Power, colonel; John Power, lieutenant- 
colonel ; Theobold Burke, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 

11. The Athlone regiment of infantry, 1,600: — Walter Burke, colonel; Owen Mac-Carthy, 
lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Cantwell, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 eub-lieutenants, 
14 ensigns. 

12. The Clancarty regiment of infantry, 800 : — Roger Mac-EUigot, colonel ; Edward Scott, 
lieutenant- colonel ; Cornelius Murphy, major ; 6 captains, 16 lieutenants, 16 sub-lieutenants, 
8 ensigns. 

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

2 The ruins of the great baronial castle of the Purcells adjoin the humble hamlet of Lough. 
moe, Co. Tipperary, within a few miles of Templemore, on the Great S. and W. Railway. 



284 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Of the troops above referred to some were regimented in Ireland, others in 
France, so that colonels became captains, &c. The regiments of O'Neal, 
O'Donnell, MacDonhell, Maguire, MacMahon, Magennis, were incorporated, 
so was that of O'Beilly ; and in 1 695 all the Irish troops were reduced to twelve 
regiments which we recapitulate in the following summary : — 

" I. HORSE, The King's Regiment of Cavalry 300, 

Dominick Sheldon, Colonel, 

Edmond Prendergast , Lieutenant-Colonel, 

Edmund Butler, Major, 

Four Captains, six Lieutenants, and six Cornets. 

II. Do. The Queen's Regiment of Cavalry 300, 

Lord Galmoy, Colonel, 
Rene de Carne, Lieut.-Col. 
James Tobin, Major, four Captains, six 
Lieutenants, and six Cornets. 

III. DRAGOONS, The King's Regiment of Dragoons 600, 

Sarsfield, Lord Kilmallock, Colonel, 
Turenne O'Carroll (godson to the Marshal) 
Lieutenant-Colonel, 
De Salis, a Frenchman, Major, 
Five Captains, fourteen Lieutenants, and 
fourteen Cornets. 

IV. Do. The Queen's Regiment of Dragoons 600, 

Charles Viscount Clare, Colonel, 
Alexander Barnwell, Lieut.-Col., 
Charles Maxwell, Major, 
Five Captains, fourteen Lieutenants, and 
fourteen Cornets. 

V. INFANTRY, The King's Infantry Regiment of Guards 1600, 

Wm. Dorrington, Colonel, 
Oliver O'Gara, Lieut.-Col., 
John Rothe, Major, 

12 Captains, 28 Lieutenants, 28 second 
Lieutenants, and fourteen Ensigns. 

VI. Do. The Queen's Infantry Regiment of Guards 1600, 

Simon Lutterel, Colonel, 

Francis Wauchop, Lieut.-Col., 

James O'Brien, Major, 

Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, 
twenty-eight second Lieutenants and Four- 
teen Ensigns. 

VII. Do. The Infantry Regiment of Marine 1600, 

Lord Grand Prior Fitzjames, Colonel, 
Nicholas Fitz Gerald, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Richard Nugent, ditto, 

Edmond O'Madden, Major, 
Eleven Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, 
twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- 
teen Ensigns. 

VIII. Do. Regiment of Limerick, of Infantry 1600, 

Sir John Fitz Gerald, Colonel, 
Jeremiah O'Mahony, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
William Therry, Major, 
Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieuts., 
$&£> twenty-eight second Lieuts., and fourteen 

Ensigns. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 285 

IX. INFANTRY. Regiment of Charlemont, of Infantry 1600, 
Gordon O'Neal, Colonel, 
Hugh M'Mahon, Lieutenant Colonel, 
Edraond O'Murphy, Major, 
Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, 
twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- 
teen Ensigns. 

X. Do. Regiment of Dublin, Infantry 1600, 

John Power, Colonel, 
John Power, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Theobald Burke, Major, 
Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, 
twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- 
teen Ensigns. 

XI. Do. Regiment of Athlone, Infantry 1600, 

Walter Bourke, Colonel, 
Owen McCarthy, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Edmond Cantwell, Major, 
Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, 
twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- 
teen Ensigns. 

XII. Do. Regiment of Clancarty, Infantry 800, 

Roger Mac Elligot, Colonel, 
Edmond Stot, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Cornelius O'Murphy, Major, 
Six Captains, sixteen Lieutenants, sixteen 
second Lieutenants, and eight Ensigns." 

An amnesty was proclaimed in a short time, of which Galloping Hogan is 
stated by Storey, 1 to have taken advantage, adding, that he was murdered 
near Roscrea soon afterwards by certain rapparees who had not submitted. 

Never in the chequered pages of our eventful history did the Irish prove 
truer or more powerful than in the sieges, and never did they merit more 
the praises that* have been heaped upon them by all impartial witnesses of 
their valour, heroism, perseverance, and devotion to the cause they espoused 
with so much disinterested self-abnegation. Not only did they not obtain 
the advantages which heroism, constancy and valor, such as theirs should 
have commanded, but they were betrayed and sold, and treated with a 
treachery unparalleled, in the annals of history. 

"We do not know that the a Groans of Ireland" 2 was ever published ; but 
that extraordinary production of " O'Neale, the Chief of an ancient family of 
Ireland/' makes a complaint regarding the extreme sufferings of his country- 
men who went into exile in France — complaints which it is to be appre- 
hended were justified by the state of facts, in which they were the sufferers. 

We do not believe with the writer of that manuscript that the Earl of Lucan 
and Major General John Wauchop "projected only to build their own 
fortunes on the ruins of the Irish."" I am certain there never was a purer 
patriot, a nobler spirit, a more thoroughly devoted soul than Patrick Sarsneld. 
But the Irish who went to France did not fare well. We quote the following 
horrible details of their intense miseries from the MS. in question : — 

t( But alas ! it is a miserable sight to see the condition the poor gentlemen 

1 George Storey, the Historian of the "Williamite campaigns, obtained the Deanery of St. 
Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, from William III. 

2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 



286 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

are in, and the women and children invited to go along with their husbands 
are now begging their bread from door to door, and cannot get it. I saw 
Lieutenants, Ensines, and Sub-Lieutenants, who were Lieutenant-Colonels, 
Majors and Captains in Ireland, that were forced to turn off their wives, to 
shun a misery equal to that of the last campaign; and I know others who 
saw not their children since they came to France, and they knew not whether 
they live in misery or were starved to death, for when they were reduced 
in France to fourpence a day, they were obliged to leave their children to 
the wide world, only to lament with the Prophet Jeremiah, 'that their 
children lay naked in a starving condition at the top of every street/ I 
was one of the number. History is most pitiable/'' 

No doubt our countrymen were deceived; promises were broken; no effort 
was made to save them — the ink was not dry on the Treaty — the last 
transport had not left Carrigaholt, when the men who purchased Lutterel, 
broke the Treaty in unmistakable terms. The people became helpless, 
wretched, the sport and pastime of insolent, bigoted, outrageous foreigners — 
" aliens in blood, aliens in language, aliens in religion," to the Irish. They 
sighed to leave Ireland for France or Spain, or any other land in which they 
might freely perform the duties of their religion. By a curious coincidence 
Lauzun and other French officers who fought in Limerick, met the English 
afterwards on the plains of Steynkirk, &c, where Talmash, and others 
fell, and on the fatal field of Landen the immortal Patrick Sarsfield gave out 
his life blood, exclaiming " that this were shed for Ireland \" One of the 
great complaints, no doubt, against King James was his want of money, and 
his coinage of the brass and gun money. It is true that on his arrival 
in Ireland in March, 1689, he had found that besides the great deficiency 
of his supporters in all the requisites of an army but men, his Irish 
government were sadly deficient hi funds, having " no money in cash." 
The prospects of the civil war had effectually drained the country of gold and 
silver, by the flight to England of the wealthier classess, who, of course, left 
as little as they could of their property behind them. In this financial 
difficulty the King raised the value of gold 20 per cent., and the English 
silver eight one- third per cent, only, and other foreign gold and silver specie 
in proportion; that what little money was left in the kingdom, and the few 
thousand livres he had borrowed from the French King, might go a greater 
way, 1 and having also in view the superior facility of carriage of guineas as 
compared with crowns and other silver coins. The first monetary measure 
adopted by the king was to issue, after his arrival in Dublin, a proclamation 
for raising the value of English and foreign gold and silver coin, the Exchange 
having before the revolution been strictly at par. Another proclamation was 
issued in May, but the money not coming in fast enough, the king having 
laid aside the patent granted by him four years before to Sir John Knox, 
and then in the hands of Colonel Eoger Moore, set up mints of his own ; one 
in the deanery house, Limerick, the other in Capel-street, Dublin. Several 
commissioners were appointed to direct these mints, the one named for 
Limerick being Walter Plunket, which being settled they went to work, and 
King James on the 18th of June, issued a proclamation for making two sorts 
of money, of brass and copper, mixed metal, current in this kingdom. The 
one for twelve, and the other for sixpence. 2 The king on this occasion 

i Symon's Essay on Irish Coins, pp. 5G, 57. 

2 JSee Symon's Essay on Irish Coins, and Snelling's Suppletnant. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 287 

caused among other metals that of " old guns" to be employed as a temporary 
equivalent for gold and silver, and which his proclamation promised to redeem 
on the expiration of the " present necessity." This " gun money/' of which 
there were shillings and sixpences, the latter marked with the date 1689; the 
former dated 1689 and 1690, and both giving the day of the month, seems 
to have been coined at Limerick, at least the shillings, for, from the battle 
of the Boyne to the end of the war in the autumn of 1691 y Limerick was the 
Jacobite metropolis of Ireland. 1 We have several of these coins in our 
posession. 

At the first appearance of this money the Protestants in Dublin objected 
to take it, but were soon compelled to do so. They were not, however, the 
principal losers when James's credit broke. The Catholics were by far the 
most numerous holders of his promissory tokens. This coin declined on its 
being more abundantly circulated. But against the truth of the statement, 
that it was calculated to ruin Ireland by destroying trade, we may set off the 
words of O'Halloran, who was born in Limerick, in 1728, or only about 27 
years after the war of the revolution, that it was by means of a barter trade 
with France, in which the Irish gave their wool, hides, tallow, and butter, 
for powder, ball, and arms, that the war was so long maintained against 
William. CFHalloran is supported in this statement by the official 
information of King William's Lord Justice for Ireland, Coningsby, in the 
State Paper Office, London. The Duke of Tyrconnell called in this brass 
money, from which on the 22nd of February following, the Williamite govern- 
ment took away all currency, 2 " Hibernias" were coined in Limerick some 
time before the last siege, viz. early in 1691 ; they are of very inferior metal, 
and bear the designation of Hibernias from the fact, that the figure of Hib- 
ernia, seated with cross in hand, is on the obverse, with the legend Hibernia. 
This coin is sometimes met with in Limerick up to the present day. 

This weak and persecuted King died on Friday the 15th of September, 
1701, N.S. He seemed to be but little concerned in all his misfortunes; 
and was the most easy, when least troubled by those airy schemes, upon 
which his Queen was constantly employing her thoughts. Hunting was his 
chief diversion ; and for the most part he led a harmless innocent life, being 
zealous for the old faith. In September he fell into such fits, that it was con- 
cluded he could not live many days. The French King visited him, seemed 
much affected with the sight, and repeated, what he had before promised to 
his Queen, that he would, in case of his death, own the " pretended" Prince of 
Wales, as King of England. He died on Friday the 15th of September, 
N.S. (not full 68 years old) with great marks of devotion, and was interred., 
according to his desire, in the Church of the English Benedictines, in the 
Suburbs of St. James at Paris, in a private manner, without any solemnity. 
Indeed the account given by Catholic writers of his latter life is singularly 
edifying, but, alas ! he bequeathed intense miseries in Ireland. His remains 
were re-interred by George IY. of England. 

1 Notes and Illustrations on the Maoarioe Excidiwn, (p. 403). 
» Harris's Life of William III. p. 279, &c. 



288 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTEE XXXVI. 

LEGAL STATUS OP THE IRISH CATHOLICS UNDER THE TREATY. — HOW THE 
TREATY WAS OBSERVED. — ENACTMENT OE THE PENAL CODE. — HORRORS ON 
HORRORS. 

To understand the great importance of the privileges secured by the 
Treaty of Limerick, we should remember that no oath but the oath of alle- 
giance to William and Mary was exacted from Irish Eoman Catholics sub- 
mitting to their government, anxious to preserve their property or looking 
for office. This stipulation was violated by the subsequent introduction of 
the oaths of abjuration and supremacy, and the required subscription to 
declarations against the principal tenets of their faith. By the principal of 
the articles of Limerick the Eoman Catholics of this kingdom were to enjoy 
such privileges in the exercise of their religion as were consistent with the 
laws of Ireland ; or as they did enjoy in the reign of Charles II. 1 Now 
how stood the laws of Ireland in that reign? The Irish Statute book, to use 
the words of Lord Macaulay, " though afterwards polluted by intolerance 
as barbarous as that of the dark ages, then contained scarcely a single enact- 
ment, and not a single stringent enactment imposing any penalty on papists 
as such." In England the case was very different. There priests receiving 
neophytes into the Church of Eome were liable to be hanged, drawn, and 
quartered. Jesuits held "their lives in their hands f intending barristers or 
schoolmasters were obliged to take the oath of supremacy, which was required 
of every man taking office. In Ireland, on the contrary, the Jesuit was safe. 
The oath of supremacy was not required unless formally tendered to public 
functionaries, and therefore, did not exclude from office those whom the 
government wished to promote ; the sacramental test and declarations against 
Transubstantiation were unknown; nor was either house of parliament closed 
against any religious sect. Lord Macaulay has thus concentrated, in a few 
sentences, the exact relative and comparative positions of Catholics in England 
and Ireland before and after the signing of the Treaty of Limerick. Like 
those Ultra-Protestants of the present time, who talk of getting the Catholic 
Emancipation Act repealed, there were not wanting persons in those days, 
who, repining at the working of any favourable articles with the Irish, openly 
. declared, as the Protestant Jacobite, Dr. Leslie informs us, "that they would 
have them reversed in parliament •" as indeed they afterwards were in effect, 
though not all in form. As for William himself, though during the congress 
at Eeswick he passed a new law for the rooting out of popery ; it does not 
appear that he differed in opinion from the moderate Protestants, who, as 
Harris says, thought it for his majesty's honour and interest abroad and at 
home that the articles should be strictly observed. Unfortunately these 
moderate Protestants constituted the minority, 2 as the army had been 
remodelled in such a way by the Duke of Tyrconnell that Protestant officers 
were generally displaced in favour of Catholics. The sufferings of James's 
military followers fell almost entirely on the members of that profession, 

i History of England, Vol. IT. pp. 127-8. London, 1840. 
2 O'Callaghan's Notes on the Macarirc Excidium, p. 493. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 289 

while the private soldiers and others who came out of Limerick, and other 
of James's quarters, were shot down, and hung up in many cases without the 
ceremony of a trial, under the pretence of being Eapparees. In these 
barbarous outrages, which were repeated with singular coincidence, on per- 
haps a larger scale in 1798, the Anglo-Irish militia, or Protestant yeomanry, 
which acted in aid of the regular Williamite army, and numbered at least 
25000 men, won for themselves an unenviable distinction. By the deportation 
of the Jacobite army, the Irish aristocracy if not destroyed, as an eminent 
modern Irish historian 1 expresses it, was at least seriously diminished. That 
army was officered out of all the Irish septs, native and of English descent, 
and Lord Macaulay is totally in error when he described so many of these 
officers of plebeian origin: any one who runs his eye over the index of 
D 'Alton's King James's Army List, will see that we are borne out in this 
statement ; for there is not one Catholic family in Ireland of eminence which 
is not represented among that brave, but unfortunate host, who, after 
fighting against vastly superior numbers, and the resources of England and 
Holland, besides Protestant Ireland, ff buried the Synagogue with honour," 
at last, as one of their gallant countrymen, the chevalier Charles Wogan, 
expresses it, and when they could no longer defend their country, went into 
honourable exile rather than submit to the rale of one whom they believed 
to be a usurper. We cannot but deplore with Colonel O'Kelly, that there 
was no stipulation made in the treaty in favour of prisoners, or of the orphans 
of those who were slain in the service of. their prince and the defence 
of their country ; that those who left their native soil might never, without 
the special permission of the King, ever visit it again without being liable to 
be executed; and that those who made the unfortunate choice to remain in 
Ireland, had nothing in prospect but contempt, poverty, imprisonment, 
and every misery that a conquered nation might expect from the power and 
malice of implacable enemies. As a pendent to the horrors and agony which 
attended this war — a war of which an English authority, Hooke, 2 sets down 
the cost incurred by England at £18,000,000 sterling, exclusive of arrears 
due to the army, it must not be omitted the pathetic scenes which took place 
on the separation of King James's soldiers from those whom they left behind. 
On this subject, besides the authority of Colonel O'Kelly and others, we have 
the reliable statements of contemporary Williamite publications, 3 from which 
it appears to be a positive fact, that many of the women were dragged off and 
drowned, or had their fingers cut off, as we have already stated, in the 
sight of their husbands and relations, while trying to get on board with 
them, or holding on by the boats. This is stated to have occurred at Kerry, 
but the same is told of the embarkation at Cork, where as well as at 
Limerick, similar scenes most probably occurred. But, there can be no doubt, 
that the Irish were in many cases 4 attended by their wives and families ; and 
the Erench admiral who arrived too late with the French supplies at Limerick, 
brought back — according to the contemporary historian Pere Daniel — all the 
Erench, 16,000 Irish soldiers, and several families. 

Sarsfield, who embarked at Cork, had expressly stipulated " for ships for 
as many of the rest as were willing to go with him ; " 5 but that hundreds 

1 John D'Alton, Esq., see his King James's Army List. 

2 Son of the Roman historian. Storey confesses his inability to state the cost. 

8 See an extract from the Dublin Intelligence, a Williamite newspaper ; in Croker's Notes on 
O'Kelly's -work, or in the Notes and Illustrations already quoted. 

4 See the London Gazette, Nos. 2722 and 2727. 

5 The Breda frigate blew up in Cork Harbour, and most of the Irish troops on board perished. 

20 



290 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

were left behind, under most afflicting circumstances, who were anxious to 
participate in this sad expatriation, appears evident both from the nature of 
the case and from written and oral tradition : of the wretched state of those who 
were left behind it is unnecessary to write, when we read of the pitiable 
condition of some of the scions of noble and even royal houses. Dr. Charles 
O'Connor gives one affecting instance in the case of his grand-uncle, Denis 
O'Connor of Belnagare, Esq., who was obliged to plough his own fields after 
the defeat of the Irish armies, and who would often say to his sons, " Boys, 
you must not be impudent to the poor : I am the son of a gentleman, but 
you are the sons of a ploughman." Yet, this was the descendant of Turlogh 
More, the father of Eoderick O'Connor, the last Milesian monarch of Ireland. 
Before finishing this pathetic page in the history of Limerick, as of Ireland, 
we cannot forbear quoting some of the affecting remarks of Mr. J. D' Alton, 
when writing l of this " venerable hatchment of chivalrous cavaliers/' who 
gathered their septs, their sons, and their soldiers, to contend with powers of 
such enormous superiority. He says, " the details of their regiments wear a 
melancholy interest ; they are as ship lists of noble passengers and crews 
that have long since perished in the stormy waters ; nor did the calamities 
of then* race close with their immolation. Forfeitures, expatriations, religious 
persecutions rapidly ensued, and have at this day scarcely left a trace of the 
ancient aristocracy of Ireland." 

Those who could fly out of the country did so even before the balance 
inclined in favour of William's arms, Passes were giving to some — among 
the passes we find one mentioned in the Southwell MSS., " for lady Mary 
Butler, abbess of a nunnery in Dublin, with the nuns to go to Flanders, 
July 23, 1690." This pass was given in the autograph of Sir Eobert South- 
well. 2 Protections were also given — " No officers or soldiers of our army to 
be henceforward quartered upon John Newport, of Carrick." 3 Estates were 
parcelled out to families — estates taken by the strong arm from the ancient 
possessors — as " of Sir John Bellew, Lord Baron of Duleeck, and Dudley 
Bagnall, of Dunleckney, county of Catherlogh, in actual and open rebellion 
against us, to Sir John Trevor, Thomas Pelham, and Henry Guy." 4 Eichard 
Bellew, commonly called Lord Bellew, was also attainted, but was pardoned 
April 1st, 1696. With all these rigors and cruelties, the Catholics were not 
put down in Dublin, or elsewhere, no more than they were in Limerick up 
to the horrible laws that followed the Treaty. William was every day raising 
complaints of the outrages, insolence, and daring of the rebelly papists ; and 
Sir Robert Southwell, on these complaints, writing to Colonel Floyd, governor 
of Dublin, states, " His Majesty being informed that several papists do walk 
the streets of Dublin with their arms, and some of them being of very ill- 
behavour towards the Protestants while it was in their power ; His Majesty's 
pleasure is that you disarm all that are papists in that place, and that you 
make an example of half a dozen of the most insolent by clapping them up, 
according as you shall be informed of the most dangerous." 5 There was no 
need of warrant, of bail, of the Habeas Corpus, of constitutional observance. 
It was sufficient to be a papist, of high or low degree, to constitute the pro- 
fessor of the old faith, a "rebelly" monster, to have him thrown into some 

1 Army List. 2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell M.S. 

3 This John Newport was one of William's followers ; hewas, we believe, in the woollen manu- 
facture, and ancestor of the eminent Sir John Newport, the last Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer 
and Member of the city of Waterford in the Imperial Parliament. 

4 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 6 Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 291 

noisome dungeon; 1 while protection was given to the Newports, the Van- 
homrighs, the Pelharns, the Trevors, the Guys of the day, the unfortunate 
natives as well as the descendants of the Anglo-Norman invaders, because they 
were Catholics, were hunted like wild beasts, or given a permissive existence — 
like that granted on the humble petition " of Lord George Howard, of Nor- 
folk, then at Clonmel, to live in Dublin, he having offered security for his 
peaceable demeanour there/'' 2 During the heat and terror of the war several 
distinguished natives of Ireland, as well of the B,oyalist as of the Williamite 
party, proceeded to England, where they remained until "peace" was pro- 
claimed. A long and rather interesting letter was written to Sir Eobert 
Southwell, and signed by several of those who had gone to reside in Bristol 
— it is dated December 26, 1691, after the reduction of Limerick, when 
the writers were about to return to Ireland, " but were prevented by the news 
that the army of Ireland was about to be withdrawn for England, and the 
quiet of the country effected by native force" 3 the impracticability of which, 
in their estimation, the letter enters into at much length. The writers state 
that they are Irish merchants; but they afford an extraordinary idea of 
their feelings and prejudices, by the fact that they feared to return to their 
country unless they came under " the protection" of Orange bayonets ; 
and that they speedily succeeded to the fullest extent of then desires there 
can be no question. It was necessary not only to get up but to keep up 
alarms at all hazards, and in the teeth of the greatest improbabilities. While 
the House of Commons was granting enormous sums of money to greedy 
jobbers " to discharge debts and arrears on the civil list, confirming outlawries 
and attainders, recommending persons to offices in Ireland," " who merited 
the notice of the King for their zeal and service in the Protestant cause" — 
throwing sops to noisy placemen — and keeping up, for a purpose, the fear 
of a French invasion, rumours of conspiracies against William's fife were quite 
general. In a letter of September 9th, 1697, Narcissus Marsh, the Anglican 
Bishop of Dnblin, one of the Lords Justices of Ireland, writes :— that one 
Madden, an ex-officer in James's army, had discovered a plot of Toole and 
Bromfield — and Toole's purpose, he says, was to buy horses and shoot the 
King in his coach ! 4 This was a mere delusion. 

Wherever Irish Catholics could obtain employment abroad they sought it, 
as the tyranny under which they groaned at home was intolerable. Colonel 
Maurice Hussey, a native Irishman, writes thus to Sir Eobert Southwell on 
the 7th of June, 1703 — "he had been seized with goute those five days 
past, and confined to his bed." " Here," he goes on to say, " was lately a 
foolish report that spread all over our mountains, that several Irish regiments 
were to be immediately raised for the Queen's service to go into Portugal, 
and that I was to have one ; upon this rumour all the Milesian Princes of 
these parts flocked to my house to offer their service to go along with me to 
any part of the world, and they would scarcely believe but that I had my 
commission in my pocket, and I could not but take their offers and readiness 
for the Queen's service kindly, and made them all as welcome as my poor 
house could afford, and that I phancie has brought this fitt upon me. Mac-* 
Cartie More, O'Sullivan More, O'Dunuhu More, McGillicuddy, M'Pinin, 
O'Leary, and a long etcetera of the best gentlemen of the Irish of these 
parts, are in a manner mad to be employed in her Majesty's service abroad, 
andswear I must go at the head of 'em whether I will or no." 6 The fiery 

1 " Queen Anne's Prison" in Pump Lane, Limerick, is said to have been one of these dungeons. 

2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 8 Ibid, p. 235. * Ibid. & Ibid. 



292 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

old colonel was anxious to quit a land in which it was impossible for the 
native Irish longer to live, if they not only did not surrender faith and honor, 
but become the instruments of a faction who had become drunk with excite- 
ment, after having violated every article of the treaty of Limerick. 

In a word, the ink was scarcely dry on the treaty, when the triumphant 
faction made no scruple of their determination to wreak vengeance on 
the now prostrate Catholics of Ireland with more than early bitterness and 
cruelty. A medal was struck in which the insolence of the chance victor was 
clearly manifested. The test oath was forced by Act of Parliament to be 
taken by mayors and sheriffs in corporate towns and cities. In Limerick, 
John Eoord was the first mayor who took this abominable oath ; he was a 
merchant of no great wealth or position ; but he was obsequiously imitated 
by William Davis and Abraham Bowman, the sheriffs. This was in 1692, 
the year after the treaty. An act similar in terms and in effect was passed 
in the 14th of Charles II. for the same alleged reason, viz. that, according to 
Harris, " it was necessary and beneficial ;" but in Charles's time it could not 
be carried into effect — it became wholly inoperative. The effect of this ne- 
farious enactment changed, at once, the position of the entire Catholic body. 
In Limerick, even in dark and evil days, the Catholics made a noble stand 
against the advances of bigotry. The guilds of trade, which were recog- 
nised by the charter of Edward I. and which had received their incorporation 
from the municipal body, had been hitherto for several years composed, in a 
great measure, of Catholic artizans ; these guilds now became dens of Orange 
rancour. An apprentice to the woollen, or almost any other manufacture, 
should be a Protestant. No Catholic child was admitted to indentureship. 
Under the pretext of retaliation, the worst deeds were perpetrated. Because, 
it was said, King James had disarmed certain ultra Protestants, William dis- 
armed Catholics wholesale. Because some injustice was perpetrated on one side, 
the other should rob, and banish, and plunder with impunity ! We draw a 
veil over many of the atrocious and terrible acts of these most awful 
times. The Catholics were disarmed wholesale. The gentlemen appointed 
to give licenses for carrying arms in the city and county of Limerick were of 
the true blue stamp and complexion : they were men who, a few years before, 
had obtained grants of forfeited, or rather of plundered lands from " Irish 
Papists/'' The following are their names : — Sir Simon Eaton, Bart., Sir 
William King, Knt., the Mayor of Limerick ; Robert Taylor, Eichard Ma- 
guire, Arthur Ormsby, George Evans, Sen., Ealph Wilson, Simon Purdon, 
Joseph Stepney, Edmond Pery, William Cox, John Dickson, Humphrey 
Hartwell, George Evans, Jun.. Hugh Massy, Thomas Holmes, Henry 
Westenra, John Otway, David Wilson, and Charles Oliver, Esqrs. They gave 
arms, but only to their own creatures, slaves or dependents. 

It was enacted that any person maintaining the spiritual authority of the 
Pope in the realm was for the first offence to forfeit all his goods and chattels, 
real and personal; and if these were not worth £20, over and above the 
forfeitures, to suffer one year's imprisonment ; on the second offence, a pre- 
munire was incurred ; on the third, high treason ! Another Act was passed 
for the uniformity of common prayer, by which all persons depraving the 
Established form, and procuring the use of any other, should forfeit for the 
first offence 100 marks; for the second, 400 ; for the third, all their goods 
and chattels, and suffer imprisonment for life ! ! Persons absenting them- 
selves from church were fined twelve pence for every " offence/'' Another 
Act was passed, by which the Judges might appoint the next Protestant 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 293 

relation guardian to the heir of any person not dying in the communion of 
the Church of England. Another Act declared that no schoolmaster could 
instruct children in a private family without license from the Ordinary of the 
diocese, to be granted on his subscribing a declaration of conformity to the 
Church of England, under pain of three months' imprisonment on the first 
" offence/' and for every other " offence" the like imprisonment and a fine 
of £5. Thus the Treaty was ignored, not only in the first parliament of 
William, which was dissolved in September, 1693, but in the second par- 
liament of the same reign, in which the Lord Deputy, in his opening speech, 
informed the Houses that the King was engaged in the firm settlement of 
Ireland on the Protestant interest, but mentioned not a word of fulfilling the 
provisions of the Treaty of Limerick. 1 

Curry, Scully, Parnell, Browne, and other powerful writers, have dissected 
with great ability the horrible character of these revolting enactments. The 
great Edmund Burke, on these and acts of a similar nature, in his letter to a 
Peer of Ireland, most justly remarks, " I have ever thought the prohibition 
of the means of improving our rational nature, to be the worst species of 
tyranny that the insolence and perverseness of mankind ever dared to exer- 
cise/'' 2 In what a proud contrast the conduct of the Irish commanders of 
the garrison of Limerick, stands with that of those on whose faith they 
placed, alas ! too firm a reliance. u Some of the officers of the garrison/ 7 
said Mr. Keough, the celebrated patriot and advocate of the Catholic claims, 
" urged Lord Lucan and Lord Galmoy, the Commanders of the frish army, 
to break off the treaty, alleging that they could now raise the siege (for three 
days after the articles were signed the French Fleet arrived in Dingle Bay), 
which would soon give such spirits to the Catholics, and so depress the 
besiegers, that they might yet recover Ireland ; and the more so as they were 
certain of more aid from France. What was the reply of Lords Lucan and 
Galmoy ? They said they considered themselves pledged in honor to deliver 
up Limerick and Ireland to the Protestants, and they did so depending upon 
their faith and truth to preserve inviolate the rights of the Catholics under 
the articles " 

Curry states, "It is really shameful to see what mean, malicious, and 
frivolous complaints against papists were received under the notice of griev- 
ances" by the Irish Parliament of William. A petition of one Edward Sprag 
and others, in behalf of themselves and other Protestant porters, in and about 
the city of Dublin, complaining that one Darby Eyan, a papist — a good papist 
name no doubt — employed porters of his own persuasion, was read, and 
referred to the examination and consideration of the committee of grievances, 
that they should report their opinion to the House ! Curry adds, " it is 
observable that the complaint of the petition was not that these Protestant 
porters were not employed by Eyan, but that the Popish porters were/-' 3 
As to the citizens of Limerick under these circumstances we shall see as we 
proceed, how the treaty was observed in their regard. 

An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction, 
and all regulars of the Popish clergy, was another of those scandalous enact- 
ments in violation of the Treaty of Limerick. By this Act they were to 
depart the kingdom before the first of May, 1698, under the penalty of 

1 Journals of the House of Lords in Ireland, Vol. II., p. 483. 

2 Burke's Works, Vol. III., p. 531, 4th Edition. 

3 Curry'a Civil Wars of Ireland. 



294 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

imprisonment till transported ; and if they returned after transportation, to 
suffer as in cases of treason. Concealers of such were for the first offence to 
forfeit ££0, for the second £40, and for the third the whole of their 
lands and goods. The burying also in any suppressed abbey, monastery, or 
convent, not made use of for celebrating divine service according to" the 
Liturgy of the Church of England, was prohibited under the forfeiture of 
£10, and neglect in a magistrate was made punishable by that of £100. 
Curry denounces in powerful words the treachery that was shown towards the 
citizens of Limerick. 1 " Upon a petition of the mayor, sheriffs, and Protestant 
aldermen of Limerick, complaining (like the Protestant coal-porters of Dublin 
before mentioned) that they were greatly damaged in their trade by the great 
numbers of papists residing in Limerick, and praying to be relieved ; a clause 
was ordered to be inserted in the Act ' to prevent the further growth of 
Popery/ that every person of the Popish religion, then inhabiting within the 
said city, or its suburbs, should give in sufficient bail or security, before the 
chief magistrate of the said city, that they would bear themselves faithfully 
towards her Majesty; or in default of giving such security, should depart out 
of the said city and suburbs/'' 

During a visit of the Duke of Ormonde, who had arrived in Dublin as 
Lord Lieutenant in May, 1703, to Limerick, in July following, the Catholic 
citizens entertained a hope that even he might do something to mitigate the 
asperity of their cruel lot; but alas ! they were deceived. A so-called " Ca- 
tholic" faction existed and opposed the legitimate interests of the great body 
of the citizens. An Act of Parliament was passed, that not more than twenty 
Catholics should be suffered to live in the city, and these twenty were to 
undergo the humiliation of obtaining licenses for their good behaviour from 
an Orange Mayor. White 2 denounces in these terms the monstrous state of 
things at this time. We give the facts in his own language : — 

" John Vincent was Mayor, and many upstarts, strangers, and persons of little 
repute," says White, " were admitted to be enrolled, and other more considerable 
Catholic inhabitants were rejected ; whereupon those who were rejected petitioned 
the Parliament for redress, complaining of the partiality of the Mayor and Council ; 
but the under-named individuals, many of whom," adds White, Cc had little right to 
be deemed inhabitants, in order to gain the favour of the Corporation, subscribed to 
Parliament a certificate, disowning their being concerned in said petition, whereupon 
the petition of the Catholics was rejected, and many Catholics of this city were 
thereby necessitated to become Protestants, rather than be expelled from their 
business and settlements which they had in town ; and many more, who were more 
constant in their faith, were banished from the city. The subscribers to this wicked 
certificate opposing the rest of the Catholics were : — " Drury Wray, Baronet, Thos. 
Harrold, Aldm., Michl. Creagh, Aldm., Pierse Morony, mercht., William White, 
mercht., Edmund Skeolan, mercht., Patrick Norris, mercht., Robert Woulfe, mercht., 
James Creagh FitzAndrew, mercht., John Creagh FitzMichael, mercht., and Thady 
Quin." 3 

No wonder there should have been an outcry, and that such deeds should 
call for retributive justice. 4 

1 Curry's Civil Wars of Ireland. « White's MSS. 

3 White states that the chief promoter of this affair was the last mentioned individual. 

4 The following is a document in illustration of the spirit of the times some feAV years later : — 
u Upon oath made in my office I find that John Creagh, merchant, entered security for his 

good behaviour as a papist, inhabiting this city, pursuant to a statute to prevent the further 
growth of Popery, which I certifie this 30th March, 1722. 

" Tox Roche, Town Clk." 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 295 

We turn for a moment from these records of treachery, cruelty, rapine, 
and murder, to the meagre details of the local Annals of Limerick, in this 
era of revolution and savagery. About the year 1692 an Act was passed, 
enabling the Earl of Kildare to sell his estates in the County of Limerick, 
in order to pay incumbrances amounting to £9300 ; and the rest of the pur- 
chase money, except £2000 for the Earl's private use, to be invested in land 
in England. 1 

An accident by which the Tower of Limerick was blown up and destroyed 
in 1693, February 12, is thus mentioned by Ware : — " The tower of Lim- 
erick (being old) fell suddenly, in which were 218 barrels of powder, which 
by the striking of the stones, took fire and blew up ; it greatly shattered the 
town, killing about 100 persons besides the wounded/' It was intended to 
make a Popish plot of the accident. 2 

In 1694 there was a most severe frost, the ice was nine feet thick on 
the river Shannon, and the people walked over it with pleasure. In 1696 
street lamps were, for the first time erected, at the sole expense of 
Alderman Thomas Eose. Rose was mayor in 1695 — Richard Sexton and 
George Eoche were sheriffs. 3 " On the 7th of September, 1695," says White, 4 
" there fell a shower which most people took to be butter, and on the 20th of 
October there fell at Newcastle, about Limerick, and in many parts of the 
country, a shower of perfect butter, so that none could doubt of it, and the 
like was not heard of before in this country." 

White makes this statement also : — " Thomas Smyth, Protestant bishop 
of Limerick signed the Protest in the House of Lords on the 21st of Sep- 
tember, 1697, against an act passing to confirm the articles of Limerick.'" 
What a mockery — " confirm" articles which had been shamefully broken. 

In 1696 it was ordered that a market house should be built on the site of 
Thorn-Core Castle, 5 and that this celebrated old castle should be demolished. 
The market house was built by contract, the masons receiving £110 — the 
carpenters £100 ; the work was completed ; but the workmen were losers, 
notwithstanding the comparative cheapness of wages. 

In 1698, through having a fair prospect abroad, the land forces in England 
were reduced to 7,000, and all the forces in Ireland exceeding 12,000 men, 

" I certify, being one of the bearers hereof, John Creagh, security at the time the Popish 
inhabitants were entering security for their good behaviour, as by law required. "Witness my 
hand this July 4, 1722. Signed by order of John Napper, Esq. 

"Jxo. Kappek. 

" Present, James Ffarmor, Richd, Dunbaoin." 

1 These estates were sold in 1711, when Adare was purchased by the ancestor of the Earl of 
Dunraven, and Croom by Mr. Croker of Ballinagarde. — 77*e Earls of Kildare oy the Marquis of 
Kildare, p. 256. 

2 It is said in White's MSS. that the Sheriff (Bowman) was among the number of those 
killed, and that 210 men, women, and children were killed and wounded, and that Counseller 
John Lacy, Arthur Lillis, Attorney, Mrs. Butler, and Zachary Holland died of the fright ; the 
explosion not only shook the whole city, but was distinctly heard twenty miles off. This tower is 
placed in the old maps and plans of Limerick, which are preserved in the British Museum, at 
the corner of the Quay, not far from the present County Court House. It is curious to add 
that in a few years afterwards, viz., on the 27th of October, 1697, " the magazine of Athlone 
fired by lightning, blew up the Castle and divers houses, and fourteen persons were killed." 

3 Lamps must have been as great a curiosity at this period as gas was 45 or 50 years ago ; and I 
had the fact from a very aged citizen of Limerick,* that in the last century, before the new 
town was built, so well was the Englishtown lighted that one could pick a pin off the streets at 
night — so bright were they, not only with lamps, but with the light that gleamed from the shop 
windows of the citizens, who, at that period, took the greatest pains in endeavouring to show off 
their wares, by candle-light especially. In this instance fashion has undergone a complete revolu- 
tion. 

4 White's MSS. & See pp. 236, 237. 

* The late Mr. James Blackwell, who died in 1861, aged 101 year3. 



296 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

(and those natural born subjects to be maintained by the kingdom) were 
likewise disbanded. To the great relief of the citizens such Dutch guards 
and French refugees as had remained were dismissed,, and ordered away. 
William was exceedingly annoyed at this step, and remonstrated against it. 
He would not allow his faithful Dutch guards to be tampered with, if he 
could — but the fiat of Lords and Commons went forth, so that the Dutch 
guards were shipped for Holland. 1 In 1698 the Marquis of Winchester and 
the Earl of Galway, Lords Justices of Ireland, in their progress through 
the kingdom, arrived in Limerick, and thence went to Galway. On the 30th 
of July a most violent storm arose, which had such force on the Shannon, 
that its current was stopped for three hours, and people might walk over 
quite dry. It destroyed so much corn that wheat rose to 6s. 6d. per bushel, 
and barley to 20s. the Limerick barrel. 2 

A large trade was carried on at this time in serges, between Limerick and 
Spain and Portugal ; and at this time also the glove trade in Limerick was 
in such a position as to attract considerable attention. 3 

The Orangemen were not to be treated with scorn or indifference, notwith- 
standing the betrayal of their interest by William in reference to the woollen 
trade. Many of them had settled in Limerick, Bandon, Cork, Waterford, 
and other places in the woollen trade, and had become prosperous. 4 The 
quality of the material made in Limerick and elsewhere was fully equal to 
the best produced by English looms. The " Protestant interest'''' determined 
that these advantages should not be swept away by an act of Parliament. 
They agitated, and resisted, and for a time succeeded. The trade increased ; 
the weavers and combers became the strongest guild of trade in Limerick.* 
The triumph, however, was, to some extent, short-lived. To meet the calls 
of English manufacturers, it was enacted by Parliament that an additional duty 
should be laid on woollen manufactures exported out of Ireland. 6 For 
some time this act gave a sudden stagnation to that branch of trade, and 
introduced a general poverty among the manufacturers, but as a counterpoise 
the Irish linen trade was encouraged. Numbers were thrown out of em- 
ployment in the city and suburbs of Limerick. Discontent prevailed to such 
an extent that the Protestants in whose hands the trade almost exclusively 
was, threatened to transfer their allegiance if they did not obtain protection. 7 

1 The effect of this wholesale disbanding of the army may be better imagined than described. 
Madame Smyth the wife of Dr. Smyth, bishop of Limerick, ordered a certain quantity of muslin 
(at 13s., 10s. 6d., and 7s. 6d. per yard) from Edinburgh. Her friend and correspondent writes; — 
«' I have been waiteing for an oppertunity to send you muslin, which I've bought this 4 months ; 
I have at last ventured it with my aunt Irwin's man, tho' they tell me 'tis ten to one if it escape 
the Hands of the disband'd soulders, most of whom are turned Robers, Avhich makes the rode so 
foul that scearce any dare travele — However was Resolved to run all hasards rather than keep 
it any longer." — Deer. 28th, '97. Charles Lennan, the Port Collector of Donoughadee, gives his 
permit for the transmission of the aforesaid muslin which duly arrived from Portpatrick in Scot- 
land, in January, 1697-8, and which reached Castle Irwin at the end of that month. 

2 White's MSS. 

3 Gloves generally sold for Cd. per pair, and some were dyed "cloth colour," whatever that means. 

4 A petition from the Waterford manufacturers for two yearly fairs for the sale of friezes and 
baizes, was presented about this period. 

& They wore the orange-coloured lock of wool in their hats on St. Blase's day, the 3rd of 
February, and on other festivals, a custom which was not exploded until 1842, when Corporate 
Eeform discountenanced the practice. 

« This act was passed in the session of 1698 — and by it " a duty was laid upon all broad cloths 
exported from the 25th of March, 1699, of four shillings in every twenty shillings of value of 
such cloths, and two shillings in every twenty shillings value of all serges, bays, kersies, per- 
petuans, stuffs, or any other sort of new drapery made of wool, friezes only excepted." 

? Sir Robert Southwell states that 30,000 weavers, &c, were in a state of absolute want, if 
not of starvation. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 297 

The result was that the restrictions were nearly all withdrawn, but sufficient 
were left to interfere with the development of this manufacture, which England 
had made most energetic exertions to retain in her own hands. In the South 
of Ireland at this time flax was largely grown, and linen was manufactured 
not only for sale and export, but by private individuals, farmers and others for 
their own use. 

The executioner and the confiscator, meantime, were active in their 
respective callings ; and the following list from the Book of Attainder's MSS. 
comprises the names of those who in the city and county of Limerick — to 
which we add a few remarkable names in Tipperary and Dublin — were, at this 
crisis, attainted for high treason, and whose properties went into the rapacious 
jaws of the spoliators to be dealt with " according to law" : — 

Burke, Patrick, City of Limerick, gent., 1696, 

Bodkin, Domnick, same, merchant, same, 

Brittas, Theobald Lord, 5th Oct., 1696, Ballymoney, Co. Limerick, 

Burgh, John, son of Lord Brittas, do., do. same, 

Burke, William, Lisnakelly, Co. Limerick, 5th Oct. 1696, Ballymoney, Co. Limerick, 

Baggott, John, Rathjordan, same, do., do., 

Bryan, Morgan, Hospital, same, do., do., 

O'Brien, Connor, same, same, Esq., 

O'Brien, Daniel, same, same, 

Bourke, Patrick, Kisyquirke, same, Esq., 

Bourke, Richard, Ballyclough, same, 

Bourke, Thomas Oge, Bane, Dollehan, same, 

O'Brien, William, Castletown, same, 

Brien Kennedy, same, same, 

O'Brien, Daniel, Tuan, same, 

Firzgerald, James, Knockane, Co. of Limerick, Esq., 

Fitzgerald, John, Gurtnatubrid, Co. Limerick, Esq., 

Gibbon, Thomas, Ballinskey, same, 

Gorman, Patrick, Coolesbague, same, 

Gorman, ■ same, same, 

Fitzgerald, David, Dromare, same, 

Fitzgerald, Alexander, same, same, 

Grady, Mathew, Kilcolane, same, 

Fitzgerald, James, Cloghvaller, same, 

Fitzgerald, Howard, same, same, 

Lutterill, John, Lutterill's Town, ) 

Lutterill, Henry, do. > Co. Dublin 

Lutterill, Thomas, do. ) 

Lawless, Patrick, Coleman's Town, ] 

Limerick, William Earl of 

Limerick, William Earl of j 17th of April, 1691, 

Limerick, William Earl of )- - 

Limerick, William Earl of 

Limerick, William Earl of 

Limerick, William Earl of 

Lord Dungan, killed in the Battle of Boyne, [for whom there was a great wake at 

Clane, near Celbridge, Co. Kildare.] 
M'Mahon, Turlock, Cregg, Co. Limerick, gent., 5th Oct. 1696, 
Marshal, William, Tomline, gent., do., 
Pigott, Thomas, Clonishire, Co. Limerick, Ballinmugo, 
Rice, John, City of Limerick, merchant, 
Ronan, James, same, 



Prop, in different Counties, &c. 



298 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



} 



Roch, David, same, 

Ronan, Nicholas, same, 

Stephenson, John, Ballyvanghan, Co. Limerick. 

Skiddy, Nicholas, City of Limerick, 

Stretch, Edward, same, 

Tobin, James, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, 

Thyrry, James, City of Limerick, 

Thyrry, Patrick, same, 

Thyrry, Stephen, same, apothecary, 

"Wall, Gibbon, same, doctor, 

White, William, same, merchant. 

So much for " The glorious, pious, and immortal memory of the good and 
great King William." So much for the Treaty of Limerick, and the good 
faith of those to whom the fortunes of Ireland were committed in an evil 
moment. 



CHAPTER XXXVTI. 

THE FORFEITED ESTATES .~*-THE SALES. — SIR WILLIAM KING'S DEATH. — 
OEANGEISM, &C. 

After several reports, and protracted negociations, it was at length re- 
solved by Parliament to bring to a conclusion the question of the forfeited 
estates. It is not necessary that we should go over the ground traversed by 
these heart-rending proceedings. Prom the principal reports it appeared 
that — 

The Number of Acres in the several Counties in Ireland belonging to forfeiting 

persons were ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,060,792 

Which being worth £211,623 a year, at six years purchase for life, and at thir- 
teen years for an Inheritance amounted to ... ... ... ... £2,685,130 

Out of the Lands, the Estates restored to the old Proprietors by the Articles of 
Limerick and Galway, were valued at £724,923, and those restored by Royal 
Favour at £260,163, after which, and several other allowances, the gross 
value of all the Estates forfeited since the 13th of Feby., 1688, amounted to £1,622,343 

The number of Grants and Custodiums, since the Battle of the Boyne, 
under the Great Seal of England, were 76, some of the principal of which 
are mentioned, viz. — 

To the Lord Romney 3 grants of ... ... ... ... ... 49,417 

To the Earl of Albemarle 2 grants of ... ... ... ... ... 108,633 

To William Bentinck (Lord Woodstock) ... ... ... ... 135,820 

To Ginkle Earl of Athlone (occasioned by the Parliament of Ireland) ... 26,480 

To the Earl of Galway ... ... ... ... 36,148 

To the Earl of Rochford, two grants of ... ... ... ... ... 30,512 

To the Lord Coningsby ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,960 

To Col. Gustavus Hamilton, for his services in wading through the Shannon, and 

storming Athlone, at the head of the English Grenadiers ... ... 5,382 

To Sir Thomas Prendergast for the most valuable consideration of discovering 

the Assassination Plot ... ... ... ... ... ... 7,082 

Several of the Grantees had raised great sums of money by sale of their 
lands, amounting in all to £68,155, particularly the Earl of Athlone (his 
grant being confirmed by Act of Parliament) who had sold to the amount 
of £17,684. These lands were forfeited by the Earl of Lucan, Patrick 
Sarsfield. The Lord Romney, £30,147, and the Earl of Albemarle, £10,000. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



299 



The lands granted in 1688, and now about to be disposed of by the Trus- 
tees, were in the county of Limerick : — 

Acres profitable. Value per annum. Total Value. 

14,882a. 2k. £4,728 10 6 £61,370 10 10 

In the county Tipperary : — 

81,960a. 3b. £8,888 12 £45,552 2 6 

In the county Clare : — 

72,426a. £12,060 17 £156,791 1 

The conduct of the confiscates made a noise throughout Europe, and in 
Paris a list of those lands was published under the following head, a copy of 
which we now have before us : — 

ETAT DES TERRES CONFISQUEES. 

Par le Prince d'Orange, depuis le 13 de Eevrier, 1688, sur les Fideles 
Catholiques d'lrelande, qui out servi le Eoy, Jacques II. & 1' ont suivi en 
France; Represents au Parlement d'Angleterre par les Commissaires em- 
ployez a' cet effet. 

As we have this remarkable document in the Book of Distributions, and 
afterwards printed in the Report of the Commissioners of Public Eecords, 
we take it fully from the latter as a piece of official information, which it is 
not surprising had caused indignation and anger throughout Europe :-— 



LANDS GRANTED IN 1688 AND THEIR VALUE. 



County of Dublin 

County of Meath 

County of Westmeath 

County of Kildare 

County of Catherlogh 

County of Wicklow 

County of Wexford 

Queen's County 

King's County 

County of Kilkenny 

County of Longford 

Co. Louth and Town of Drogheda 

County of Cork 

County of Kerry 

County of Clare 

County of Waterford 

County of Limerick 

County of Tipperary 

County of Galway 

County of Roscommon ... 

County of Mayo 

County of Sligo 

County of Antrim 

County of Down 

County of Ardmagh 

County of Cavan 

County of Monaghan 

County of Fermanagh 

Total ... 



Acres profitable. 


Value per ann. 


Total. 


A. R. 


£ s. d. 


£ s. d. 


34356 


16061 6 


208796 18 O 


92452 1 


31546 4 6 


410100 18 6 


58082 1 


14633 12 6 


190237 2 6 


44281 3 


16551 18 6 


215175 6 


26303 


7913 11 6 


95872 2 O 


18164 


2719 3 


35348 19 


55882 2 


7551 10 6 


98169 16 O 


22675 O 


5002 8 2 


65031 13 9 


30459 3 


6870 13 


89321 14 


30152 2 


5243 8 6 


68161 5 6 


2067 2 


348 9 9 


4530 6 9 


22508 


6331 11 


82310 3 


244220 


32133 12 6 


417737 2 6 


90116 


3652 11 9 


47483 12 9 


72426 


12060 17 


156791 1 


21343 


4130 10 


44476 10 10 


14882 2 


4782 10 6 


61470 10 10 


31960 3 


8888 12 


45552 2 6 


60825 


10225 4 


33523 19 


28923 


5808 15 


62767 2 


19294 


3186 5 6 


37598 3 


5562 2 


998 17 6 


12985 7 9 


10103 3 


1944 18 6 


25284 6 


9079 


1016 8 


13212 4 6 


4962 


588 


7644 


3830 1 


478 12 6 


6222 2 5 


3832 


558 16 


7264 8 


1945 


389 


5057 


1060792 


211623 6 3 


2,555,434 10 7 



The denominations confiscated in the county of Limerick embraced a very 
large portion of the entire county. 



300 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In the county Tipperary Barony of Clanwilliam, according to the Book of 
Distribution, 155 denominations were confiscated. 

Eliogarty or Territory of Ileagh 250 denominations. 



Iffa and Offa 


.. 424 


ditto. 


Ikerrine 


47 


ditto. 


Kilnalongurty 


24 


ditto. 


Kilnamanagh 


45 


ditto. 


Lower Ormond 


.. 279 


ditto. 


Middlethird 


.. 268 


ditto. 


Owney and Arra ... 


.. 190 


ditto. 


Slievardagh and Compsey 


.. 105 


ditto. 


Upper Ormond 


. 150 


ditto. 



In addition, all the Catholic glebe land, which was held for pious uses, was 
parcelled out in a similar ruthless manner. It amounted to several thousands 
of acres. 

In the county of Clare, in the Baronies of Bunratty, Burren, Clonderalaw, 
Corcomroe, Ibraken, Inchiquin, Islands, Moyfarta, Tullagh, there were 
enormous confiscations also under the several baronial denominations. Each 
denomination averaged some hundreds of acres, and the chief complaint 
against the ancient possessor was his being an " Irish Papist." 

But the soldiers, notwithstanding, were by no means satisfied with the 
way in which they were treated. Early in 1701, a tract was published in 
London entitled, " Some considerations upon the Payment of the Arrears due 
to the Army, and on the Subscription for purchasing Forfeited Estates in 
Ireland ;" which showed that all was not pleasant with the soldiers, or with 
the adventurers who had advanced their money on the faith of being rewarded 
by the green acres of Ireland. 1 

The acres were plantation acres which bear a proportion to English, as 441 
is to 264. The value of the goods and chattels (forfeited) were so uncertain, 
no estimate has been made of them. Debts due by judgment and statute, 
and a few mortgages due to forfeiting persons restored, amounted to 
£120,013 13s. lOd. There were yet to be computed 297 houses in the 
City of Dublin, 36 houses in the City of Cork, with 226 houses situate in the 
several cities and towns of Ireland ; together with 61 mills, 28 fairs and 
markets, 72 rectories and tithes, chief rents amounting to £283 per annum ; 
and 6 ferries and fisheries, the forfeitures of persons not restored, value, in 
gross, £50,000. The woods of the kingdom, then standing on the forfeited 
estates not restored, particularly on the woods of Sir Yalentine Browne, in 
the county of Kerry, where to the value of £20,000 had been cut down and 
destroyed ; and the waste on the woods of the late Earl of Clancarty's estate, 
in grant to the Lord Woodstock, was computed at £27,000. 2 In 1701 the 
trustees made a second report to Parliament of their proceedings ; and in the 
year 1703 completed their duties by an auction, as directed, of the estates and 
interests which had not been previously granted or restored. They im- 

1 Tract entitled *' Some Considerations upon the Payment of the Arrears due to the Army, and 
on the Subscriptions for Purchasing Forfeited Estates in Ireland." It is -written in a bold, free, 
ungrammatical style, and is evidently the production of a disappointed man. 

2 And, " indeed so hasty have several of the grantees or their agents been in the disposition 
of the forfeited woods, that vast numbers of trees have been at and sold, for not above 6d. a 
piece (one cause of the decay and destruction of the woods of Ireland) ; the like waste is still con- 
tinuing in many parts of the kingdom, and particularly on the lands of Feltrim, within six miles 
of Dublin, and the woods of O'Shaughnessy, in the county of Galway, purchased by Toby Butler, 
Esq., for about £2,500, which was valued at over 12,000." — Report from the Trustees. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 301 

mediately after executed deeds of conveyance to the several purchasers. 
These deeds or transfers are enrolled in the Court of Chancery. By an act 
passed 33 Geo. III. cap. 42, the forfeited lands unsold vested in the Crown. 

In the year 1704, the county of Limerick and county of Cork, were 
infested by three appropriators of somewhat different character, viz. : three 
notorious Tories, or Robbers, who carried every enterprise with a high hand ; 
Connor More, O'Sullivan, and Philip Connell. They were, at length, so 
insufferable in their depredations, that the inhabitants of the various places 
named, rose against, pursued and beheaded them ; and set up their heads 
at Mallow, Askeaton, and Newcastle west, county Limerick. Henry Widden- 
ham and Richard Stephens wrote to J. Dawson, Esq., secretary, Dublin 
Castle, informing him of the fact, and praying the persons may receive the 
rewards, particularly the widow of Laurence Hartnedy who lost his life in the 
affair. 1 

To return to the sales, they were chiefly by " public cant/' the highest bidder 
was declared the purchaser. The sales in the county and city of Limerick, not- 
withstanding the extent and character of the confiscations, were comparatively 
few, the particulars of them are given in the note. 2 In Tipperary and 

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

* Lands brought to sale in the county of Limerick : — 

Roll, 2nd Anne, first part, face. 

John Hunt, of Glangoole, Co. Tipperary, gent, 12th June, 1703 ; consideration, £422 12s. 9|d. 
The lands of Curra alias Curryhouse, 177a. 3r.; barony Kenry, Co. Limerick — the estate of the 
late King James, subject to a chief ry of 2s. 5d. to the Earl of Kildare. Inrolled 19th June, 1703. 

Hon. William Fitzmaurice of Gullane, Co. Kerry, Esq., 12th June, 1703 : consideration, 
£5,008. The castle, town, and lands of Gortnetubrid, 245a. 3r. Rosverilane, Moyvane, Bally- 

nelaugy, 396a. 2r. 8p. Killeene, 164a. Rath, 174a. and 32p. Drumcumane, 609a in Gort- 

more, and Coolgorman, 48a liberty of commonage on the commons of Clonluske alias Clongish 

— the mountain of Monymuck and Ballydanniell, 694a. lr. 16p — the lands of Clounmore, 429a. 
3r. 24p. Total quit-rent, £30 7s. 6£d. ; barony Connello, Co. Limerick — the estate of Sir John 
Fitzgerald, attainted. Inrolled 21st June, 1703. 

Roll, 2nd Anne, first part, back. 

Sir Matthew Deane, knight, 11th May, 1703 ; consideration, £195 12s. 3fd. The lands of 
Killmacanerlv, containing 76a.; barony Connello, Co. Limerick — the estate of the late King 
James II. Inrolled 10th June, 1703. 

Richard Powell of Cloghviller, Co. Limerick, gent., 19th April, 1703 ; consideration, £901 
18s. 9£d. The town and lands of Galbuoly, 180a. Tonetire, 74a. 3r. 6p.; barony Clanwilliam, 
Co. Limerick— the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 14th June, 1703. 
Roll, 2nd Anne, second part, face. 

Sir Thomas Southwell, bart., 22nd June, 1703 ; consideration, £116 — in Ardagh, 29a. 32p.; 
barony Connelloe, Co. Limerick — the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 30th June, 1703. 

John Bury of Ballynecarrigy, Co. Limerick, Esq., 22nd April, 1703 ; consideration, £131. In 

Dromherbegg, being the moiety thereof, £35 — rent, 19s. 9d. ; barony Kenry, Co. Limerick the 

estate of Sir Drury Wray, attainted. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703. 

Said Bury, 30th April, 1703; consideration, £1,087. In Middle Killashara, 61a.— in south 
Killashara, 34a. — in Graige alias Grange, 40a. Pallice alias Castle Pallice, and Knocktershane, 
283a. lr. 18p. ; same barony and county — the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 3rd July, 
1703. 

Robert Twigg of the city of Lmerick, alderman, 30th April, 1703 ; consideration, £1,833. The 
town and lands of Whitestowne, 248a. Scartballyvallisa, 40a. Ballyogarhine, 64a. Carrig- 
martin, 63a. — Coolecragh, 20a.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick — the estate of the late King 
James. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703. 

Henry Widdenham of Court, Co. Limerick, Esq., 22nd April, 1703 ; consideration, £841. 

The town and lands of Kilgrogan alias Kilrogan, 114a. Kilvocan alias Kilknockan, 136a. lr. 

Ringaariffe, part of Curry, 19a. — part of Gurteencarrghane, 74a. Lissavarra, 70a. ; barony 

Kenry and Connello, Co Limerick — the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703. 

Roll, 2nd Anne, second part, back. 

James Dawson of Ballynecourty, Esq., 18th May, 1803; consideration, £1,161. The town 
and lands of Carryganoush and Ballynegreenagh, 152a. lr. 8p. — Cloghkillavarilla alias Clogh- 
killballyhilly, 100a. ; barony Cuonagh, Co. Limerick — the estate of the late King James. 
Inrolled 5th June, 1703. 

Dr. Thomas Smyth, Bishop of Limerick, 13th May, 1703 ; consideration, £3,589. The town 
and lands of Lickadoone, 533a. 3r. 2p. Bohirload, 123a. 2r. Bally nafrankey, 102a. and 32p. 



302 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Clare, the sales were much larger. Among the purchasers in Tipperary were 
John Pyke of Woodenstown (or Wodingtowne) ; John Cooke, Esq. of 
Kiltinane; Henry Gower of Dublin, gent.; Eichard Kellett of Clonmel, gent.; 
Mathew Jacob of St. Johnstowne, Esq. ; James Dawson of Ballinecourty, 
Esq. ; John Perry of WoodrmTe, Esq. ; Joseph Judkin, county Tipperary, 
gent.;. John Carleton of Knocknaniiny, county Tipperary; John White of 
Cappagh, Esq. ; Henry Luther of Dublin, Esq. ; Sir John Meade, Bart. ; 
WilHain Baker of Lattin, Esq. ; Robert Craige of Dublin, gent. ; Eichard 
Lewis of Newcastle; Eichard Burgh of Grove, elk.; David Lowe of Knockelly, 
gent.; Edward Stradford of Belan, county Kildare, Esq.; Joseph Darner of 
Dublin, Esq. ; John Butler of Kilvelighter, gent. ; Alexander Montgomery. 
These lands comprised, principally, portions of the estate of the unfortunate 
King James, which he too obtained, by means to which we have already 
adverted. In Clare, the purchasers of lands were John Ivers of Mount Ivers, 
Esq. ; John Cusack of Kilkisheen, Esq. ; Hector Yaughan of Knocknemece, 
King's County, Esq. ; Sir Donald O'Brien, Bart, of Dromoland ; (the estate of 
Nicholas Arthur, attainted), the same portions of many other estates; Terence 
Geoghegan ; (the estate of Eedmond Magrath, attainted) ; Thomas St. John 
of Ballymulcastle, Esq. ; (the estate of Daniel Moloney, attainted) ; Eobert 
Westrop of Bunratty, Esq. ; (the estate of David Nihell, attainted) ; Eobert 
Harrison of Eortfergus, Esq. ; (the estate of Donough M f Namara, attainted, 
by lease from the Earl of Thomond for three lives, at £30 17s. 6d. — Harrison 

Lisinullaghunebegg, 90a. ; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick —the estate of the late King James 
II. Inrolled 10th July, 1703. 

The said Bishop Smith, 8th June, 1703 ; consideration, £271. The town and lands of Stone- 
towne alias Farrenshane, 17a. 2r. 8p.; liberties of Limerick — the estate of the late King James 
Inrolled 10th July, 1709. 

Roll, 2nd Anne, third part, face. 

George Evans, the younger, of Caherrassy, Co. Limerick, Esq.. 18th June, 1703; considera- 
tion, £312 7s. 7|d in Kilmure, 27a. — rent, 7s. ILjd.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick — the 

estate of Theobald, late Lord Brittas, attainted — in Bally townemore, 19a.; barony Poblebrian, 
same Co.— the estate of the late King James — in Howardstowne, 48a. — rent, 14s. 7d.; barony 

Small Co., same Co the estate of Sir Drury Wray, bark, attainted— one moiety of the lands 

of Ballyphillip — north liberties of Corke — the estate of Ignatius Goold, attainted. Inrolled 22nd 
June, 1703. 

Abraham Green of Ballynard, Co. Limerick, Esq., 12th June, 1703; consideration, £1,010 — 
the town and lands of Ballynaclogh, 22a. 2r. 24p. — part of Sheadfeakle and Garryglasse, 108a. 
— Co. City Limerick — the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 22nd June, 1703. 

The said Abraham Green, Esq., 12th June, 1703 ; consideration, £1,488. The town and lands 
of Ballymacrees, 200a. and 16p. Lebanmucky, 161a. lr. 8p.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick 
— the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 22nd June, 1703. 
Roll, 2nd Anne, third part, back. 

James Dawson of Ballynecourty, Co. Tipperary, Esq., 7th June, 1703 ; consideration, £290 
In Knockerdon, 57a.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick — the estate of the late King James 
Inrolled 22nd June, 1 703. 

Thomas Stepney of the Grange of Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Esq., 23rd June, 1703 ; considera- 
tion, £509. The town and land of Brittas, 128a. lr. 8p — rent, £2 16s. 10|d.; barony Clan- 
william, Co. Limerick — the estate of Theobald, late Lord Brittas, attainted. Inrolled 6th July, 
1703. 

Abraham Green of Ballynard, Esq., ISth June, 1703 ; consideration, £321.. The hamlets, 
towns, and lands of Ballyvycoge and Ballymorishroe ; barony Connello, Co. Limerick ; which 
weree mortgaged, or otherwise conveyed by Gerrard Fitz-Gerald of Ballynard, Esq.. to his brother 
James Fitz-Gerald, Esq., counsellor at law, for the sum of £150; which, with the interest, 
amounted to £'321 ; which James is attainted. Inrolled 6th July, 1703. 

Edward Cosgrave of Dublin, gent., 22nd May, 1703 ; consideration, £50. The town and lands 
of Ballyneety and Kilkeatry, 168a. Graigure, 101a. Ballylyone, 67a. Lislotane, and Bally- 
brue, 164a. Ballinvolla, 51a.; barony Connello, Co. Limerick. Lismongane, 92a. Gortreagh, 
58a. — the fishing were thereto belonging on the river Lawn ; barony Mogunnihy, Co. Kerry — 
the several closes of Knockyne, Clonin, Lisneleenoughtragh and Lackeenivoudrick, 20a.; barony 
Corkagujny, same Co.the estate of Edward Rice, attainted. Inrolled 4th August, 1703. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 303 

obtained "the lands in consideration of £10 ;" Nathaniel Lucas of Clonmel, 
Esq., " consideration of £10/' all their estates and interests to 100a. in Tulla- 
common, in Glankeen, 121a; barony Inchiquin, county Clare — demised by 
Murrough Earl of Inchiquin, for 61 years from 1st May, 1666, at the rent 
of £5 ; the interest of which lease afterwards came to Donough McNemarra, 
attainted. Inrolled 1st November, 1703. 

Among the lands brought to the hammer of the state auctioneer, were 
those which comprised the enormous estates of Daniel O' Brien, Earl of Clare, 
who lived in Carrigaholt Castle, where his name, cut on a large stone mantel- 
piece over the fire-place of one of the large rooms of the Castle, may yet 
be seen. These lands (among other lands) by patent dated 26th February, 
1698, were granted to Joost Earl of Albemarle, who, by deeds of lease and 
release, dated the 9th and 10th of March, 1693, conveyed them to Francis 
Burton, Nicholas Westby, and James MacDonnell, Esqrs. A catalogue of 
these lands would occupy some pages of this work : they included among 
other possessions, the manor, castle, town and lands of Ballykett, with a fair 
and market, 114a. prof., 604 unprof. — Moyferta, east, with a market, courts 
leet and baron, 127a. prof., 274 unprof. — Moyferta, west, 1 qr. 226 a. prof., 
135a. unprof. — Hathrony, alias Hahony, east, 1 qr. 219a. prof. 94a. unprof. 
< — The manor, castle, town, and lands of Carrigaholty, alias Eeinmackaderrigg, 
\ qr. 55a. — Kilcordan, 1 qr. 128a. prof., 142a. 2r. unprof. Several thou- 
sands of acres not only in Western baronies, but in the barony of Corcumroe, 
&c. &c. The trustees by this deed received a sum of £10,161 : 17 : 5f. 
Messrs. Burton, Westby, and McDonnell, each to hold a third part thereof 
to him and his heirs — Inrolled 5th June, 1703. 

The MacDonnells are mentioned in John Loyd's History of Clare as among 
the descendants of an ancient Ultonian race, who, in the earlier wars, came 
down to Connaught, to which province Clare at that period belonged. The 
three names of Burton, Westby and MacDonnell, exist in Clare at this 
moment as possessors of the same broad lands which their ancestors thus 
obtained by purchase in 1703. , The name of Daniel O'Brien still lives in 
the traditional remembrances of the people, as that of one w r ho in his day 
fought manfully the good fight for Ireland, and sacrificed all he possessed 
on the altar of his country. There were few more beautiful residences than 
Carrigaholt Castle. Situated near the estuary of the Shannon, the land- 
scape everywhere was enchanting; it inspired a love for fatherland — 
it embraced all that was grand and suggestive in Irish scenery. River, moun- 
tain, island, ruin, round tower, plain, sea — all grouped within the prospect in 
magic beauty from the towers of Carrigaholt ; and to this hour there is not, 
perhaps, in any part of the land a lovelier or a bolder panorama than that 
which is presented to the eye, when one looks over the extensive territory 
which the illustrious patriot, the great Earl of Clare, claimed as the owner, 
but which he was destined to forfeit for his loyalty. This Daniel was an 
active supporter of King James ; he raised at Carrigaholt a regiment of 
horse for his royal master, which from its facings, yellow, were called the 
<DfiA5U]T) bujSe, or Yellow Dragoons; they went with the garrison of 
Limerick to France, where they distinguished themselves by glorious feats of 
arms in many memorable engagements. 1 

1 The Castle of CA1ttv<M5-A-CollCA, Carrigaholt, (the Ulsterman's rock*) with the entire 
denomination of West Corcovaskin, Co. Clare, was the property of a branch of the MacMahon 

* Shaw Mason's Statistical Survey of Ireland. 



304 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In the same year Mr. Vandeleur, the ancestor of Colonel Crofton Moore Van- 
deleur, M.P. for Clare, purchased the extensive Kilrush estates of the Earl 
of Thomond ; they were not brought to sale by the State auctioneer. Mr.^ 
Vandeleur's family had been settled in Kilrush since 1687, when the Eev. 
John Yandeleur, M.A. a younger son of the Ealahine family, was collated 
to the prebend of Inniscathrie, alias Kilrush, to the vicarage of Kilferagh, 
and to the vicarage of Kilballyhone. This Eev. gentleman fought at the 
battle of Aughrim for William, and was seriously wounded. 

The effect of these sales on the population of the several counties in which 
they took place, was destructive and ruinous. The change from the old 
proprietors, who, in general, were of the same race and religion as the 
people, was promptly and painfully perceptible. 

As if to allay popular excitement, previous to these events, the statute of 
1697, against Popish Bishops, Dignitaries, and Eegulars, had been recently 
repealed ; but the full force of a storm which only slumbered for a short 
season, soon fell on the devoted heads of the Catholics of Limerick. Plots 
were hatched in which innocent men were involved for crimes which existed 
only in the wicked imaginations of their unscrupulous persecutors. In 1702, 
three abandoned ruffians — and the more abandoned, the more acceptable to 
the authorities of the day — gave information that the Catholics of Limerick 
had engaged in a conspiracy to raise an army to support the claims of " the 
Pretender," to the English crown. Three gentlemen of eminence and worth, 
were summarily arrested on the sworn depositions of these perjured villains ; 
Major Geoffrey Keating, Counsellor Eonan, and Mr. Thomas Arthur, mer- 
chant, were literally dragged from their peaceful pursuits, sent off to Dublin, 
under a strong escort of dragoons, tried, and rather strange to write, acquitted. 1 
There was not a breath of evidence adduced against them ; but the accusation 
and the noise were quite sufficient for the hateful purposes of those who 
had concocted this accusation against irreproachable citizens merely because 
they were Catholics. 

On the 21st of September, same year, Parliament met, when the Duke of 
Ormonde, as Lord Lieutenant spoke, and told them that " they should make 
such other laws as were wanting for the Establishment of the Pro- 
testant religion, and the welfare of the kingdom/'' He also spoke of the 
necessity of providing such fortifications " as would much conduce to the 
safety of the kingdom, and particularly at Limerick/" The Bill against the 
growth of Popery was passed into a law. A book called " The Memoirs of 
King James II." published by Brocas and Malone, in Dublin, was ordered 

family till the reign of Queen Elizabeth. A romantic story is told of the manner in which the 
property went into the possession of Henry O'Brien of Trummera Castle, Co. Clare, the ancestor 
of Daniel O'Brien, Lord Clare. Henry O'Brien, having proceeded to Carrigaholt, to remonstrate 
with Teigh Keugh MacMahon, against certain outrages, the families being always on bad terms, 
was struck with the beauty of MacMahon's daughter, who, in the absence of her father at the 
opposite side of the Shannon, received O'Brien, when a mutual attachment arose between them. 
On the return of MacMahon, he treacherously fell on O'Brien and his servants ; one of whom 
was killed. O'Brien, wounded, escaped, and lost no time in presenting himself to Queen Elizabeth, 
to whom he complained of the conduct of his relative MacMahon, who was at once declared an out- 
law, and lost his estate which was granted to O'Brien. It had been agreed between O'Brien and the 
young lady, that the latter should hoist a black handkerchief on the northern pinnacle of the 
Castle, should her father arrive, by way of warning. This signal O'Brien neglected to look 
for ; and hence the outrage on him, and the disaster that befel MacMahon in consequence. 
Henry's son Daniel was knighted ; was representative in Parliament for Clare, was a Member of 
the Supreme Council of Confederate Catholics in 1 G42, and at the restoration was created Baron 
Moyarta and Viscount Clare. Daniel was Henry's grandson. See p. 282. 
i White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 305 

to be burned by the hands of the common hangman at the 'Change and in 
front of the Parliament House. Eustace,, who gave the book to Brocas and 
Malone, and who brought it from England, was ordered, with the printers 
and publishers, to be prosecuted by the Attorney- General. When the motion 
was made for burning the book and prosecuting the printer, a speech was 
made by a Member, setting forth the great danger the Protestants were in 
in some parts of Ireland, " particularly in the county of Limerick where the 
Irish were beginning to form themselves into bodies and to plunder the Pro- 
testants of their arms and money.'''' 1 The House entered into a resolution, 
that the Papists entertained hopes of bringing in the Prince of Wales under 
the name of James III. The country was inflamed with these rumours ; 
and the passing of any measure, however atrocious and unscrupulous, was 
an easy matter with those who had leagued against the political existence 
of Irish Catholics. By this act it was, among other things, decreed, "that, 
after the festival of St. John the Baptist in 1704, every Popish Priest 
remaining in this country should give a return of his name, of his place of 
abode, of his age, of the parish of which he pretended to be the Parish 
Priest, of the place and time he was ordained, of the name of the Bishop 
or ordinary who ordained him.'''' All " regulars" by this act were to be 
banished the kingdom. Several registrations were made in conformity with 
the provisions of the statute. In the county of Limerick forty-seven priests 
were registered at St. Francis's Abbey. 2 There were twenty- seven priests 
registered in the county of Waterford ; forty-five in Clare, and sixty-two in 
Tipperary. The Clare clergy registered in Ennis, the Tipperary clergy in 
Nenagh. Several of these Priests had been ordained abroad ; some in Spain, 
Prance, and Rome. Some had been ordained by Dr. Oliver Plunkett, the 
martyred Archbishop of Armagh ; others in the private oratories and chapels 
of the nobility and gentry, who had adhered to the old faith. 3 The returns 
of the clergy were made in 1704 and 1705. 

In the latter year, about the month of July, the illustrious Doctor Pierce 
Creagh, of the family of Carrigeen, Archbishop of Dublin, to which he had 
been translated from the Bishopric of Cork, died at Alsace in Prance. He 
was born in Limerick ; his life was remarkable for sanctity, and his happy 
death was conformable thereto. 4 He was grand-nephew of Eichard Creagh, 
Archbishop of Armagh, whose life and sufferings we have written in a previous 
chapter. He underwent, like his great uncle, terrible trials. On one 
occasion, when a witness was about to swear against him in Cork, " the whole 
floor of the Court-house gave way, and with all the people tumbled down 
into the under cellar, and the rogue of a false witness was crushed to death 
in the ruins. The other false evidences who were at hand fled immediately, 
and none escaped falling down with the floor except the judge, whose seat 
was supported by an iron bar, and Doctor Creagh whose chair happened to be 
supported on a beam, which did not give way, and there he continued sitting 
as it were in the air. The judge said that heaven itself acquitted him, and 
thereupon dismissed him with a great deal of honors." 5 

1 Annals of the Reign of Queen Anne. 

2 By the Charter of James I. the site and precincts of St. Francis's Abbey, described as extra- 
parochial, were excepted from the county of the city, as a convenient place for the Court House 
of the county of Limerick, and freeholders in the Abbey voted as of the Barony of Pobble Brien 
for county members of Parliament. Under 6th Geo. IV., cap. 99, sec. 6, St Francis's Abbey has 
become part of the county of the city. 

3 Dr. James Whelan, Bishop of Ossory, ordained the Parish Priest of Doon at Garryricken, 
the residence of Lord Mountgarret. 

4 Baltus S. J. quoted in White's MSS. 5 Ibid. 

%1 



306 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Sir William King, Knt. of Kilpeacon, 1 who figured so prominently in 
many of the events of these and preceding years, died on the 10th of Sep- 
tember, 1706. He had been representative in Parliament for the county of 
Limerick in 1661, together with Robert Oliver, Esq. He was oftentimes 
mayor of Limerick, of which he was Governor in 1690, when he was 
made prisoner by the Irish, and having escaped, he gave important 
information to William. He built the Church, close by the ancient castle 
and his own mansion, of Kilpeacon, as a chapel of ease ; but this Church was 
subsequently given up to the Ecclesiastical authorities, on the destruction of 
the old parish Church of Knocknegaul. The old house of Kilpeacon was 
burned to the ground several years ago, and the castle was thrown down. 
In the Church of Kilpeacon is a black marble slab set in a moulding of floriated 
white marble, which was formerly topped to the ceiling with trophies and 
armorial carvings, elaborately executed, to Sir William King. On the slab 
is a long Latin inscription which we translate as follows : — 

TT on 

WILLIAM KING, KNIGHT, 

Repeatedly Mayor of the City of Limerick, 

Commandant of the Castle, Lord Lieutenant of the County, 

Whose generous mind to open his house and home, 

To all good persons was accustomed, 

So as to attach equally to him hoth heaven and earth, 

At his own cost caused this temple to be built, 

And the indwelling Deity to be honored. 

Young in prowess, old in council he was powerful. 

He illustrated the virtues of both ages by perpetual example. 

He at last resigned honors which accrued to him through life, 

Having departed this life Sept. 10th, A.D. 1706, 

When under this same monument, 

In the hope of a happy resurrection, 

Of that excellent woman and most beloved wife, 

Lady Barbara King, 

He had deposited the sacred ashes. 

Now with two pledges of a most happy union which lasted 50 years, 

John and Barbara King. 

Also of this same marble the occupants, 

Lie enjoying the loan of a sepulchre, 

The remains of Stephen Moore, Esq. 

And of Bridget his wife of Clonmel, 

Who died at Kilpeacon, 1705. a 

Tradition states that there was a camp at Kilpeacon during the Williamite 
wars, and that Sir William King entertained the officers and soldiers at his 
own expense. 

Sir William King was married to Barbara, daughter of John Boyle, Bishop 
of Cork, and widow of Sir John Brown of Hospital, who was killed in a 
duel with Mr. Christopher Barnwell in England. 3 Having no issue living his 
property descended in succession to his grand nephews Richard and Edward 
Yilliers, Esqrs. It was possessed for some time by the family of " Tuthill of 
the Island/'' the last of whom, John Tuthill, Esq. is entombed in the cemetery, 
adjoining the Church, where the Yilliers' are also buried. In this cemetery 
is the mausoleum of the Westropps of Attyflyn. Kilpeacon subsequently 
became the property of Joseph Cripps, Esq. of Edwardstown, who took the 
name of Yilliers ; from him it descended to his grandson the late Edward 
Cripps Yilliers, Esq. who, at a cost of £12,000, built " Kilpeacon Court/' 

1 Kilpeacon is distant five miles from Limerick, in the Barony of Small County. 
8 On the sides, below the middle of the inscription, are these words : — Kidvell, fecit. 
3 See page 147. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 307 

the exceedingly tasteful and beautiful residence of Major George Gavin/ late 
of the 16th Lancers, in which he served with distinction in India, and one 
of the Eepresentatives in Parliament of the city of Limerick, who purchased 
the house quarter, demesne, and a large portion of the estate, in 1851 and 
1852. 2 

We return to the working of the No Popery Laws. Howard, in " his 
Special Cases on the Laws to prevent the growth of Popery/'' relates 
distressing cases which prove the terrific working of these Laws ; but he 
adds one fact, which redounds to the eternal honour of the faithful persecuted 
Catholics of Ireland — it is this, "that between 1703 and 1709, there were 
only thirty-six conformists in Ireland;" and among the few who suffered them- 
selves to succumb to temptation, some, on their death-beds, sought a 
refuge in religion, from the remorse with which they were visited by their 
temporary apostacy. 3 

1 Major George O'Halloran Gavin, M.P. a maternal descendant of O'Halloran, the historian, and 
one of the representatives in Parliament of the City of Limerick, purchased Kilpeacon house 
and demesne of 429 acres, in 1850, and in 1851, the lots adjoining, consisting of 250 acres, for 
£12,000, in the Incumbered Estates Court. 

2 The armorial Ensign of the name of Gavin or O'Gavin copied out of an ancient family 
document :— 

This name being of martial antiquity, as doth appear by the Irish College of Heralds, lineally 
descended from Heremon, being the 36th branch from that tribe, and held large possessions 
till the arrival of the British under, " Strongbow," the 16th reign of Henry II., which reduced 
the kingdom tor its obedience, in the said reign, wherein the name of Gavin suffered most 
severely. The ancient arms of this house beareth arms argent, a bordure, azure '■ suside," 
a saltire or cross of St. Andrew gules — a sword erect between the saltire proper, pomel and 
hilt, or on the top a mullet of five points gules — crest on a wreath of its colors, a sword 
erect pomel and hilt, or on the top a mullet of five points gules as in arms — motto, Malo 
mori quam Foedari, in English, " I would rather die than be disgraced." Major George Gavin 
was married to Jane, daughter of Montifort Westropp, Esq., of Mellon, who served in the 
17th Lancers, and has issue.* 

* Pedigree of the Westropp family, taken from ancient family papers that are written on 
vellum : — 

They came over to Ireland in the reign of King John ; this traces them till the reign of James 
I., they are of English origin, tracing from John Westropp, son and heir to " Edward," living 
in the reign of King John. This John married in 1282 Johanna, the daughter of John Manby ; 
he was father to Thomas Westropp, who married in 1325, the daughter of Thomas Linaker, 
and had with other issue a son; and he was father of Robert Westropp, of Brestow, and 
had with other issue, a son, William Westropp, who married in 1348, a daughter of Thomas 
Wentworth of Briston, and he was father of Robert Westropp, who married in 1380, a daughter 
of Sir Robert Meimb, and their son Richard Westropp, married in 1440, the daughter of 
Sir Francis Hastings, Knight, and was father of James Westropp, who married in 1470 the 
daughter and heiress of Marmaduke Levinge, by whom he had an only son and heir, Hugh 
Westropp, who married twice, and by his second wife whom he married in 1542, he had 
three sons, of whom James was father to William Westropp, who went to Ireland and first 
established his family there. Then his son Mountiford of Bunratty Castle, County Clare, High 
Sheriff of that Shire in 1674 — he acquired vast estates by purchase in 1671, and afterwards 
this Mountif ort married Frances, third daughter of Thomas Taylor of Ballynort, County Limerick, 
Esq., and by his wife, daughter to Sir Francis Berkley, Bart, of Askeaton and M. P., and 
Catherine his wife, daughter of Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin, and had issue. Then 
the third son, Ralph Westropp of Cahardangan, whose will (dating 17th October, 1735,) was 
duly proved, April 1st, 1741, married Jane, daughter of Randal Roberts of Brightfulstown, and 
had issue. The son and his heir, Ralph of Att}'flinn,f married, 1761, Mary, second daughter and 
co-heiress of William Johnson of Ballybrigan in County Cork, and had issue, first, John of 
Attyflinn, eldest son ; secondly, William, married a daughter of Darby O'Grady and had issue ; 
third son, Ralph, married, 1795, Harriet Vereker, sister of Viscount Gort, and had issue. 

3 Vide Howard's Special Cases. 

f Attyflinn, according to local tradition, means the " house of Flan," i.e. Flan O'Brien, 
second brother of O'Brien Duv, Lord of Carrigogunnel, which Flan was a professed infidel, 
although a great contributor to the support of the Monks of Manister, until an alleged miracle 
converted him, when he finally became a monk of Manister. The " miracle " was, that a paper 
contribution of his, or promise to contribute, on being thrown into the scale, proved as heavy as the 
usual weight of beef which he was in the habit of contributing ; a sceptical mind might object, 
that the Cistertian monks eat no beef ; but then the poor whom they fed, did. 



30& HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Among the cases related by Howard/ are those of Tisdal v. Quin, Evans 
v. Quin, and the curious one relative to the sons of Sir Stephen Rice, one of 
whom was informed against by Stone, a " discoverer. - ''' 

Sir Stephen Bice died ir\ 1714 ; he had three sons, Edward, James and 
Thomas. By his will he devised Land to Edward for life ; but Sir Stephen 
being a Papist, the Estate, notwithstanding the will, by the acts against the 
Growth of Popery, descended to the three sons in gavel-kind. Edward, his 
eldest son, turned Protestant, and thereby became entitled to the fee of the 
Estate, and died in May, 17£0, and by his will devised his estate to the 
defendant, a Papist, in fee. The Plaintiff filed his Bill the 29th of October 
following, before the six months allowed by £ Anne, c. 6, for conforming, 
had elapsed. The defendant demurred, for this, and that this was not a 
purchase by a Papist, within the meaning of the second act, which gave the 
benefit of conveyances to Papists to a Protestant discoverer. There was 
much argument on both sides ; the conrt being of opinion that this case did 
not fall within the clause of the first act, which makes a purchase by a 
Papist void or within the clause of the second act, which gives lands 
conveyed to a Papist to a Protestant discoverer ; that a desire here was not 
to be considered as a purchase in the legal sense, in opposition to descent, 
but that it fell within the clause of the first act, which gives the benefit 
of it to the next Protestant relation ; and the demurrer was allowed, but 
without costs. Edward became a Catholic again on his deathbed, which 
gave rise to further litigation, on a case in which Mary Rice, his daughter, 
appeared. 

In the case of Evans against Quin, in Chancery, 26th of June, 1725, where 
Quin, who was of Popish parents, but became a Protestant in 1709, and was 
then called to the bar, but never filed any certificate of his conformity, 
but purchased an estate; and a bill of discovery being filed against him 
for this purchase, he pleaded that he was a Protestant; and on solemn 
argument the plea was allowed ; the court being clearly of opinion that he 
was a good Protestant to purchase, notwithstanding he never filed any cer- 
tificate of his conformity. Similar cases can be produced ad infinitum. 

There was no more odious or noisome character than the discoverer if we 
except the Priest-catcher. 2 

In the year 1709, it was enacted, that every registered popish priest should 
take the oath of abjuration before the 25th of March, 1710, "in any of the 
Pour Courts of Dublin, or in any of the Courts of Quarter Sessions in the 
counties in which they were registered, which, if they did not perform, and 
celebrated mass, or performed any other priestly function, they became 
obnoxions to the pains and penalties of a convicted regular priest." This 

1 Howard's Special Cases on the Laws to prevent the growth of Popery. 

2 M'Graths of Clare, lost their extensive properties, comprising Derrymore, Kilkishen, Clonroad, 
and a portion of Burren, by the perfidy of a person named John Cusack, who, so characteristic 
of the persecution and treachery of the times, made information, filed bills of discovery, 
and thereby became possessed of a certain portion of the property. He was interred 
in the little cemetery of Clonlea, near Kilkishen in the County of Clare, and even after 
death an incident occurred to mark his career. Tradition has it, that when on his tomb- 
stone was inscribed an Irish epitaph expressive of his character, his friends turned the flag ; 
however, on the inverted side there soon appeared the following caustic lines; — 

" God is pleased when man doth cease to sin. 
The devil is pleased when he a soul doth win. 
Mankind are pleased when e'er a villain dies. 
Now all are pleased, for here Jack Cusack lies." 
This being equally disagreeable to their feelings, they took up the flag at night and having 
broken it to pieces flung them into a lake near the place. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 309 

statute was directly contrary to the ninth article of the Treaty of Limerick. 
No priest, though registered, could perform any sacerdotal office except in 
the parish for which he was registered. A priest removed, or dead, was not 
to have a successor. Ample rewards were given to the priest-catcher, the 
schoolmaster-hunter, and the persecutor of every degree and kind. In the 
county of Limerick, amid these terrible trials, it is related that but one Catholic 
clergyman fell before the tempest; and that such was the horror widely 
entertained of his, alas ! unfortunate apostacy, that the members of his own 
family refused to receive Tn'-m after his fall. Even the Protestant bishop, Dr. 
Smyth, does not appear to have encouraged him, while Dean Daniel sent 
him off with "five thirteens." 1 In 1710, a complaint, with the nature of which 
we are unacquainted, was forwarded against Dr. Smyth — who appears ever to 
have been in hot water-— to the Duke of Ormonde, who he was told, " since 
his lordship is unwilling to come to town, to wait on the Lord Lieutenant, 
he is afraid his Excellency will make him a visit at Limerick. It is said 
with assurance, that he designs a progress through Minister, and will set 
forward the 20th current, the day after ye recess begins. He goes by Kil- 
kenny, so to Clonmell, Cork, Kingsale, and Limerick.'' , 

In a postscript, it is said, " to promote one Mr. Smedly of Cashel, to the 
vicar-generalship of Cork; this was ye occasion of ye motion for bringing 
in heads of a bill against Simony, &c, was caused by the Protestant bishop 
of Cork having broken his promise to the Lord Lieutenant/'' 

Injurious reports had been sent up against Dr. Smyth. Sir Thomas South- 
well's friendly offices were sought for ; and Thomas Burgh, Esq., brother-in- 
law of the bishop, and at the time high in office under the government, 
assured his lordship how very little attention should he bestowed on cowardly 
anonymous slanders. Whatever those rumours were, true or false — and we 
must believe them to be false, if they rested on no other foundation than a 
letter written by an unknown hand — Dr. Smyth got over the difficulty in 
which they appear to have temporarily placed him. But though the most 
unsparing persecution continued to prevail against the Catholics, not only in 
the city and county of Limerick, but every where else in Ireland, the Orange 
animus which had distinguished the Sound-heads and Covenanters was 
creating the greatest excitement, not only in Ireland but in England, where, 
Dean Swift in his letters from London to Stella, describes the " Yahoos/'' with 
the satirical power for which he had become famous. 

The trial of Dr. Sacheverell now came on in London, and that remarkable 
case aroused all the passions of the Anti-Episcopalians. It not only agitated 
society in London, but it had its effect in Limerick, where General Ingoldsby 
commanded, and where Major-General Fairfax was second in command. 
The garrison was composed of two or three regiments ; and the officers 
were in the strongest manner opposed to the bishop and his adherents. 
The feelings by which they were actuated spread to the soldiery, who in 
every instance, did what they could to manifest their violent animosity. The 
Mayor and members of the Corporation were set upon also by these licentious 
officers and soldiery; and the commander appears to have had no immediate 
controul over the conduct of men enraged with political and religious 
excitement, and inflamed, in addition, with strong drink. 

To such a pitch did bigotry rise in these times, that on the rumour that 
the chevalier, son of James II., commonly called the Pretender, but in 

1 Dr. Smyth's Papers. 



310 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

foreign countries known by the title of James III., had attempted to 
invade Scotland, but failed in his expectations ; the Catholics were turned out 
of Limerick on the 19th of March, and were kept out for three weeks and 
three days. 1 Such was the tyranny observed after the Treaty of Limerick ! 



CHAPTEE XXXVIII. 

THE OEANGB MILITAET RIOTS IN LIMERICK IN 1710 — STATEMENT OE DR. 
SMYTH, THE PROTESTANT BISHOP — DEPOSITIONS — STATEMENT OE THE 
OFFICERS AND THEIR PETITION — SUSPENSION OE THE OFFICERS* AND 
EINAL DISMISSAL OE MAJOR CHATTOR. 

The military riots in Limerick in the autumn of 1710, form a curious 
episode, not only in the history of the city, but in the history of the kingdom 
generally. They have been recorded not only in the depositions of witnesses 
who bore testimony to the outrages, which, for successive days and nights, 
were perpetrated by a band of drunken Orangemen — licentious officers; 
but in the humble petition of the officers themselves after they had been 
convicted, and while the danger of a severe retribution impended. Their 
names were : — Major Chaytor, Captain Jephson, Captain Plaistow, Lieutenant 
Mason, Lieutenant Bartlett, Lieutenant Conningham, Lieutenant Barry, and 
Ensign Hunter,, of Sir John Wittenrong's regiment ; and Lieutenant Wright, 
Lieutenant Shoebridge, Ensigns Kelly and Blount, of Lieutenant- General 
PidcomVs regiment. It appears by the depositions 2 of witnesses before us 
that, in the dead of night, on the 11th of September, they made terrible 
noises in the city, in several places, and more particularly below the Bishop's 
(Protestant) Palace, where they were heard to drink " confusion, damnation, 
plague, pestilence, famine, battle, murder, and sudden death to Dr. Sach- 
everell and his adherents."" This, they called, in their own profane manner, 
"the Litany of Health;" adding also, "confusion to all Archbishops, Bishops, 
Priests, and Deacons.-" A representation of the facts was made by the 
Kecorder to Major-General Eairfax, who was old and feeble, and little better 
able to cope with the difficulty than, in the first instance, to order one sentinel 
to be placed at the door of the Bishop's residence. 

Dr. Smyth made his statement to the Government in a large, bold hand, 
plain and quick : 3 — 

On the 12th of September last, about one o'clock in the morning (as I judge) 
there came before my house several persons with musical instruments, who sang a 
song, which (I am informed by those who heard it more distinctly), was a very 
scandalous one. Afterwards I heard them repeat the words — confusion and damna- 
tion — which, I suppose, was Avhen they drank confusion and damnation to Dr. 

1 White's MSS. 

s From contemporary MS. depositions, autograph petitions, letters, Thorpe's Catalogue 

of the Southwell MSS Sloane MSS. in the British Museum, &c, &c. 

' Ex-Sloane MSS.— British Museum. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 311 

Sacheverel, and all his adherents, and all of his principles, as I was informed they 
did, by a gentleman, who says, he opened his casement and heard them. They 
staid before my house a considerable time, and (as the same gentleman informed 
me, whose depositions are taken before ye mayor and other justices) drank other 
healths, among which, wa3 the health most prophanely called — the Litany health ; 
wherein, they prayed that plague, pestilence, and famine, &c, might fall on all (and 
among them, particularly on all Archbishops and Bishops, &c.,to the best of his remem- 
brance, and as he verily believes) who should refuse to drink to ye glorious memory 
of King William. The former of their healths was likewise drunk at one Alderman 
Higgins's, and neither of them drunk at any other house, as appears by depositions 
taken as before. The persons concerned in this (as appears upon oath) were Major 
Cheater, at that time the commanding officer-in-chief of ye garrison, Captain Plasto, 
Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Barkly, and Lieutenant Walsh, 1 all belonging to Sir 
John Whittrongue's regiment, and Captain Blunt, of Colonel Eooke's regiment. 
After this, on ye 21st of this month, about four, as I conceive, in the morning, I 
and my family were again disturbed by several persons who passed by my house and 
made a strange unusual noise by singing with feigned voices, and by beating with 
keys and tongs (as it appears on oath) on frying-pans, brass candlesticks, and such 
like instruments. Afterwards, on the 24th instant, about the same hour, I was 
startled out of my sleep (as I was each time before) by a hideous noise, made at the 
corner of my house, by winding of horns and the hollowing of men, and the cry of a 
pack of dogs. I lay some considerable time in bed, in hopes they would soon have 
gone away ; but finding they did not, I got out of bed, and opened my window, and 
stood there for some time, in hopes of discovering who they were (for it was a moon- 
shiny night) but could not. At length the dogs in full cry, to ye number I believe 
of twenty-three or twenty-four couple or thereabouts, ran by my house, and in 
some time after returned again, and soon after, in the same manner ran back again, 
making the same noise. After they had passed by my house the first time, I called 
to the centinel at my door, and asked him who those men were, and what they were 
doing; who answered me, that they were officers who had got a fox, and dragged 
him along, and sent ye dogs after him. What the persons are who were guilty of 
the second and third riots, appears by the depositions taken before cur Justices of 
the Peace. I cannot but observe that Major Cheater (with others of that regiment, 
as I think appears by ye depositions) was always one, and in the second riot was 
accompanied by Lieutenant Barkly. 

The gentlemen who from the first gave affront on me, having owned their fault, 
and asked my pardon, I should never have mentioned it to their prejudice, had it not 
been for the repeated indignities they have put on me since, which, (if continued) 
will oblige me to remove with my family out of town, till these gentlemen come to 
a better temper. Beside these abuses which I have mentioned, I and my family 
have been frequently alarmed and awakened in the dead of night by soldiers, (as 
they afterwards appeared to be), who feigned themselves to be spirits ; some by 
stripping themselves naked, and others by putting on white garments, and throwing 
stones at the centinel at my door, and at other times by throwing stones on the 
slates of my house, which made an unusual noise when they were tumbling down ; 
and one night particularly, the century 2 was so much affrighted and made such a 
noise, that I was forced to rise out my bed to encourage him, and to assure him 
they were no spirits. 

AH this having been done since ye first abuse that was put on me, and never 
before having received any such abuses by any officers or soldiers since my first 
coming to this town, there having been always a good understanding betwixt us, 
and the officers of all former regiments having been at all times very obliging and 
courteous to me, which I think myself bound in justice to acknowledge. 

1 This name is stated to be "Wright in the depositions and petitions, &c. 

2 Sic in orig. 



312 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

For these reasons I cannot but believe that these later outrages were the result of 
some resentments occasioned by the first abuse; and that the first abuse was 
occasioned by an opinion they conceived that my principles did not in all things 
agree with their own. 

Tho. Limerick. 

October the 27th, 1710, at Limerick. 

We learn moreover from the depositions, that on the 20th of October 
the riots were renewed, when, some of the officers above named, went 
through the streets in the night, " beating warming-pans, stew-pans, &c; 
and with this uproar and bawdy songs, pretending to serenade the city;" 
and again they made a set on the Bishop, against whom they appear to 
have had a violent animosity. The Mayor interposed his authority, in order 
to check these disgraceful proceedings ; but, in return, he received gross 
insult from Major Chaytor, who was the principal actor, and, apparently, 
the prime mover in all these doings; and about three or four o'clock a.m. 
on the morning of the 23rd of the same month, he (Chaytor) with others of 
the above named officers, hunted a fox through the city, with a pack of 
about thirty dogs and three hunting horns, disturbing, in a particular man- 
ner the Bishop, at whose house they began the noise, and continued it until 
six a.m. The Bishop drew up the above complaint; and Major-General 
Fairfax, who seems not to have been able to make an energetic movement 
to suppress these shameful excesses, wrote to Dr. Smyth in the following 
terms :—• 

"Nov. 2, 1710. 
My Lord, 

1 was extremely troubled to heare of the greate disorder committed against 
yr. Ldsp. and the whole garrison of Limerick. The Recorder has given the Lieu- 
tenant General an account of it, so I need say no more of it. I have ordered 
another sentinell to be att yr. Lp's. doore ; and if I were able I woud wait on you 
myslf and see if I coud keep better order ; but it is a hard matter to do where men 
are mad and give themselves a liberty to act so contrary, not only to soldiers but to 
that of Christianity. Yr. Lp. may see by my writing how ill I handle a pen, and 
may be assured that I am in great truth, 

my Lord, 
Your most obedient humble servt., 
J. Fairfax. 
Pray my humble service to your good 
lady and fireside. 

For The Right Revd. Father in God, 
The Lord Bishop of Limerick, 
att Limerick*." 

Dr. Smyth endorses the letter to the effect that it " concerns some abuses 
put upon mee by some officers," and that Major-General Fairfax had ordered 
him " two centinels." 

Lieutenant- General Ingoldsby, to whom the Recorder had written, and 
who is referred to by Major-General J. Fairfax, was one of the Lords Justices 
of Ireland from 1706 to 1711— the anti-Papal and implacable Lord Wharton 
was Lord Lieutenant during a portion of the time — the Duke of Ormonde 

* This letter is sealed with red, wax, and an impression of Fairfax's arms — a lion rampant. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 313 

after. Ingoldsby, in his private memoranda states, that " he early appeared 
in Ireland in King William's interest, was made a prisoner in Limerick, and 
sustained losses here to the amount of twelve thousand pounds, at least, not- 
withstanding which, he never troubled His Majesty for anything more than 
to be engaged in his service." 

The following is a copy of the petition which was forwarded to the Lords 
Justices z 1 — 

" To their Excellencys the Lords Justices of Ireland. The Humble Petition 
of the Mayor, Bishop, Aldermen, and Comon Council of the Citty of Limerick. 

Humbly sheweth That your Petitioners were several times of late, in a violent 
manner insulted by several officers of this garrison, viz., Major Cheator, Capt. 
Jephson, Capt. Wright, Capt. Plasto, Lieut. Mason, Ensigne Kelly, and Lieut. 
Barkley ; that the said officers att one time in the dead of the night, went about 
this Citty, and under the Bishop's and other Houses, Drank Confusion, Damnation, 
Plague, Petilence, and ffamine, battle, murder, and sudden death to all Arch 
Bishops, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, Doctor Sechivorel and all his adherents, 
at another time in like manner, drunk such like and Bawdy healths, and at the 
third time in like manner, with a large pack of Doggs and a ffox hunted through 
the Citty, first abusing the mayor and Corporation when they were celebrateing the 
anniversary of the twenty-third of October, all wch. pticalarly appear at large 
by sevll. Informations taken upon oath before the mayor and magistrates of this 
Citty hereunto annexed [and by memorial of ye Ld. Bp. also annexed]. And since 
we Complaine against some officers, we can't but acknowledge and make knowne by 
this Petition, that Collonll Kendol commanding officer of this garrison, behaved 
himselfe oblidging to this Citty, and took great care and pains to rectifie these 



May it therefore please your Excellencys to order such Eeleife for your Petitioners 
in the premisses as your Excellencys in your great "Wisdom shall think fitt ; and 
your Petitionrs will ever pray. 

Dated under the Comon Seal of the said Citty, at our 
Comon Councel Chamber this 27th of October, ano dni 1710." 

Annexed are several Depositions taken before Pearce Piercy, mayor, and 3 
magistrates, occupying several pages. 

The above given List of 1 1 officers complained against, and mayor's reasons 
for omitting 2 names. 

"Dublin Castle, 2nd Nov. 1710. 

Sir, — The enclosed Petition and Informations, with a Complaint of the Bishop 
of Lymerick all in his own hand writing, having ben laid before the Lords Justices, 
their Excys. imediatly sent for all the officers complained of to come up hither, and 
suspended them from their commands and pay untill her maties. further Pleasure 
be known therein, and in the mean time, their Excys. hav comanded me to transmit 
them to you, to be laid before my Lord Duke, that his Grace may doe therein as he 
shall judge proper. 

You will also herewith receive a Memorial of some of the officers concerned in 
the Riot, to Lieut. Genii. Ingoldsby, that his Grace may see what they say in their 
own behalfe. I have nothing else to trouble you with at this time, being very 
truly, 

Sr. your most faithfull 

humble servt., 

J. Dawson; 
Mr. Southwell." 

1 Ex Sloane MSS. Brit. Mus. 20720, 



314 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The officers returned the following untrue reply :— 

" To his Excellency Lieutt. Genii. Ingoldsby, one of her magties. Lord Chief 
Justices of Ireland. 

May itt Please your Excellcy, 

Wee the undernamed officers In the Honble. Sr. John 
Wittenrong's Eegimt., Being Injuriously and falsly Impeached for several misde- 
meanours (as they are pleas'd to term them), By the aldermen of Limrick for meeting 
on Septembr last and Drinking the glorious memory of King William with other 
like Healths, which wee humbly presume do nott In the least argue any disaffection 
to the present goverment, and some other Innocent proceedings, which, we believe 
will be specifi'd with additions to your Excellency, nott out of any Conviction of a 
Crime Committed, But an ambition we shall allways have to bear your Excellency 
preposess'd with nothing to our disadvantage, as we can on our honours assure your 
Excellency our Intentions were fair and not levell'd att any particular persons, So 
we flatter our selves your Excellency will construe our actions as such, your Excellcys 
favourable determination will be an Extrordinary Obligation to your Excellcys 

most humble and obedient servtts, 
H. Chaytor, 
Geo. Wright, 
Tho. Mason, 
Tho. Plaistow, 
Edmd. Bartlett." 

Ingoldsby writing to James Butler, second Duke of Ormonde, relative to 
these military outrages, states that a court-martial would be most likely 
favourable to their own cloth — orders the officers' pay to be suspended, 
and hints that His Grace should give directions that the pay, during the 
suspension, " should be distributed by the Bishop to the poor of the town 
of Limerick.'" 1 

Chaytor, and his brothers in arms and in disgrace, who were at length con- 
victed of these doings, lost no time in throwing themselves on the mercy 
of the authorities; they addressed "an Humble Petition" to Ingoldsby, 
and as a specimen of utter abasement and trepidation, we do not know that 
we have ever read a more " humble" document in every particular. 2 

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

2 " To His Excellency Lieutenant-General Ingolsby, one of His Majesty's Lord Justices of 
Ireland. 

The humble petition of Major Henry Chayter and the several subscribing officers, 
Sheweth, 

That your Petrs. having through Inadvertency & in Excesse of Liquour, acted some 
Irregularityes in Lymerick for which the Bishop and Corporation have lately exhibited their 
memorialls against us with several affidavitts relating thereto (to several of which your Petitioners 
object). 

That some of those Irregularis so complained off were longe since actually forgiven by the 
Bishop and Corporation, pardon being publickly asked the Bishop for the same on the Exchange 
in Lymerick, by some of yr. Petis. who since that time have not offered the least affront or abuse 
to the Bishop or Corporation. 

That your Petis. assure your Excellency, and they do Hereby declare upon their Honours, 
that such indiscretions and errors (as they were really guilty off) were totally owing to Liquours, 
and that neither of them was committed with any intent whatever to affront, abuse, insult, or 
disturbe either the Bishop or any member of the Corporation. 

That your Petis. have a just resentment of their Irregularityes and are willing to make 
such acknowlegements to the Bishop and Corporation as your Excellency shall please to order 
and direct them. 

That your Petis. have not only laboured under your Excys. displeasure a long time, but also 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 315 

The petition document having been presented, in due form,, the Lieutenant- 
General forwarded it to the Lord Lieutenant for His Grace's consideration and 
directions ; but notwithstanding the very submissive tone of the petition, and 
the alleged forgiveness of the outrages by the Bishop, Mayor, &c, the Duke 
of Ormonde wrote to the Lords Justices " ordering the dismissal of Major 
Chaytor from the army, as being commanding officer he should have 
prevented such riotous proceedings/' 1 

The Bishop, however, was destined for further troubles. He received 
a threatening letter " in an unknown hand," (a very good hand too) "if the 
seat in St. Mary's Church, Limerick, which Alderman Colpoys enjoys, be not 
given to Mr. Lindon." The letter was sent by a messenger, and was wrapped 
up in an envelope, inside which was the following note : — 

« Sir, — The Bearer being not well acquainted with yr. towne, I presume to desire 
the favour, that you will send one of your servants with this Letter to my Lord 
Bishop's, that when he returns tomorrow he may have an answer thereto, for Sir, 

Your faithfull humble servt., 

Bridge, the 1 st June, (1 710). John Cole." 

We are not told that His Lordship complied with the mandate. But not- 
withstanding his sufferings and annoyances, as well from the military rioters 
as from members of his own congregation, the Bight Eev. Dr. Thomas Smyth 
survived them and lived to a ripe old age. 

Matters became somewhat more tranquil afterwards. 

On the 21st of May, 1712, peace was proclaimed in Limerick between 
England and France by the Mayor, William Butler, Esq., the Sheriff, the 
Corporation, accompanied by the Earl of Inchiquin and his son, the Lord 
O'Brien, and many other gentlemen, all on horseback; the trades also 
appeared with their usual colours. 2 

The same year William Butler being Mayor, His Grace James Butler, 
Duke of Ormonde, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick. The 
inhabitants went to meet him as far as Bruff. The streets were lined by the 
army. The Governor, Mayor, Bishop, Clergy, Corporation, met him at St. 
John's Gate, where the Governor stopped his coach, " demanding if he was 
the Lord Lieutenant, James, Duke of Ormonde ? Upon his avowing that he 
was, and at the same time showing his star, the Governor delivered him the 
keys of the City, the Mayor delivered him the sword and mace, and the 
Bishop gave him the keys of the Church, &c. ; the great guns then fired and 
the bells rung. He was conducted to the Bishop's house, where he then 
lodged, and the army fired three rounds ."* 

under the misfortune of being suspended and being at great Expenses in Towne, and totally 

strangers, and being wholly unable to support themselves and Farailyes any longer, 

Yor. Petis. therefore humbly begg (the Premises being considered) yor. Excllcy. to take off 

their suspensions or to grant such other relief as to your Excellency shall seem fit, and yor. 

Petis. further pray for and entirely depend on your Excllency's clemency and goodnesse in 

remitting and forgiving them. 

and your Pets, shall for ever pray, &c. 

t, ■„ H. Chaytor, 

Edmd Babtlett, Nichls> Re I 

John Cunningham, t Playstow? ' 

W. Jephson, 
Tho. Mason." 

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 

2 White's MSS. ' Ibid. 



316 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

1713. — Dr. James Strich, age 71 years, Catholic Pastor of Bathkeale, was 
vicar-general of the Diocese of Limerick, the See being long vacant of a 
Bishop. 1 

This year there was a general election : among those anxious to represent 
in Parliament the city of Limerick was Mr. Ingoldsby Phipps, son of Sir 
Constantine Phipps, the then notorious Lord Chancellor of Ireland. As the 
Protestant Bishop had very great interest in the city, and as he was potent 
not only with the anglican clergy, but with the Mayor and Corporation, the 
Lord Chancellor 2 zealously sought his influence on behalf of his son. 

Local interests and local men were more potent, and Mr. Henry Ingoldsby 
and Mr. George Roche were returned. 

_ Diverging for a moment from these matters, it may be remarked that 
Lord Orrery, having had considerable landed property in the County of 
Limerick, had also much to do with tithes, &c, and a fair share of corres- 
pondence with the Bishop. Several of the Protestant Churches at this 
period were falling, or had fallen into, ruins, and attention having been 
called to the extremely dilapidated state of the Chancel of Kilfinane, Lord 
Orrery wrote to the Bishop in these terms : — 

" London, Feby. 2nd, 1714. 
My Sir, 

I have received your Lrds Letter of the 19th of Novb. wh. I have thus long 
delayed giving an answer to only that yourself, first speak with Mr. Badham about 
the business of it who is now here. I have now talk'd with him upon it, and 
given him the necessary orders, for supplying my proportion towards repairing the 
Chancel of Kilfinane. 

He tells me there are some perquisites due to me which he has not yet been able 
to receive, but by your Lordships assistance he hopes he shall. I will not trouble 
your Lordship with a further explanation of the matter, but leave it to him to 
admit &c, and 

am, my Lord, 

Your Lordship's most Obedient Sevt. 
Orrery." 

During the mayoralty of Mr. Hezechiah Holland in 1714, peace was 
proclaimed in Limerick between Anne Queen of England and Philip V. King 
of Spain. As on all other similar occasions the Corporation and public 
functionaries made a great display. 3 

» White's MSS. 

8 Lord Chancellor Phipps was one of the Lords Justices with Lieut. Gen. Ingoldsby in 1711. 
General Ingoldsby died in the Government, January 29th, 1711. Lord Chancellor Middleton 
succeeded Sir Constantine Phipps on the Irish woolsack on the 20th of March, 1716. Sir 
Constantine wrote a peculiarly small and exceedingly neat hand, and " dried" his letter to 
the Bishop, not with blotting paper, but with sand of a shining substance. 

» White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 317 



CHAPTEB XXXIX. 

TROUBLES IN THE CORPORATION OP LIMERICK — ACCUSATIONS AND RECRIMI- 
NATIONS LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY — PETITIONS AND COUNTER PETITIONS 

PERSECUTIONS, ETC — POSITION OP THE CATHOLIC CLERGY. 

The year 1715, was rendered famous in Limerick by violent disputes 
between the Whig and Tory — rather between the Orange and the old 
Loyalists parties, into which the Corporation was already split. As yet, the 
notion of the success of the Prince of Wales, King James's son, had not 
ceased to be entertained by a considerable number, even of Protestants in 
Ireland ; and whilst their a honours'" were dividing the loaves and fishes 
among themselves, and leaving a legacy of debt and poverty to their succes- 
sors to the seventh generation, jealousies arose among them, which developed 
their ugly features in the shape of mutual recriminations on many occasions. 
Though they joined in hate against their Catholic fellow citizens — if indeed 
Catholics could now be designated by the name of citizens at all, they did 
not join in love among themselves. This state of things was exemplified 
in a remarkable manner early in this year, when " underhand'" representa- 
tions were made to the government, reflecting on the loyalty to the 
Hanoverian rule, which had just commenced on the death of Queen Anne, 
of certain corporators, including Mr. William Franklin, the Mayor, and 
involving in the charge, the Protestant Bishop, Dr. Smyth, who, it was 
alleged by his enemies " disturbed the government, - " and " was present at 
a meeting of the Corporate Body, when a sum of £150 was improperly 
voted to His Worship the Mayor. - " So gross and injurious a charge was 
promptly met and refuted, for on the 11th of October, a meeting of the 
Corporation was held, at which it was resolved, " that it does not appear to 
us, that the Eight Rev. Father in God, Thomas Lord Bishop of Limerick, 
has busied himself in our corporate affairs, and to obstruct the service of 
the government. In testimony whereof, we have put our hands, this 11th 
of October, 1715.? 

This document, or resolution, which is rather obscure in its phraseology, 
bears the subjoined signatures : — 

William Franklin, Mayor, 



John Seymonr, 
James Yeomans, 
David Davis, 
Paul Farel, 
William Carr, 
Robert Palmer, 
Christopher Carr, 
Joseph Ffepps, 
Michael Apjohn. 



Edward Wright, 
James Robinson, 
Robert Twigg, 
Richard Pope, 
John Vincent, 
Richard Lilies, 
John Higgins, 
Randal Holland, 
Rawley Colpoys, 
Hezekiah Holland, 
Edward Voakes, 
Benjamin Barrington, 
Henry Exham, 
Francis Sergeant, 
Edward Sexton, 
James Jacques, 
George Robinson. 



Shrfs. 



318 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 



Previous to this, viz. on the 13th of April, 171 5, the Mayor, in vindica- 
tion of his own loyalty and that of his brother Corporators, which had been 
seriously impeached, wrote to the Bishop, who was at the time in Dublin, 
at the house of his brother-in-law, Thomas Burgh, Esq., Accountant General, 
" bitterly complaining that at the previous assizes a few aldermen and bur- 
gesses of the City of Limerick drew up and signed an address to His Ma- 
jesty George I., who had just ascended the throne of England, in an unpre- 
cedented manner, having neither consulted the Mayor, Eecorder, Justices of 
Peace for the city, concerning any congress, nor desired their concurrence to 
what they had drawn ; whereas affairs of that nature, as your Lordship 
knows, are to take their rise in an assembly of the Common Council, and to 
be proposed by the Mayor. The reason of that clandestine proceeding was 
that they might have an opportunity of reflecting on the magistrates and 
others, their fellow-citizens, as disaffected to his Majesty's accession and 
government. The multiplicity of important business at the assizes, and the 
extraordinary application of my Lord Chief Baron, on whom we were obliged 
to attend, prevent our having an address ready to send with him. There- 
fore, by the advice of our Eecorder, it was agreed to defer drawing one up 
until the sessions. But lest the misrepresentation of some of our own 
members should make any impression on the Government, I have with this 
sent the Citty's address to His Majestie, which I desire your Lordship to 
present to the Lords Justices, and to do the Citty right by letting them 
know the truth of the matter. 

" I am your Lordship's most humble and 
most dutiful servant, 

"Wm. Eranklin." 

The seal to this letter has a crowned rose, a thistle and a rose. 

The address bears the following 254 names; very few of which are 
represented in the present times in the city of Limerick : — 



Wm. Franklin 
Tym. Purdon 
Ed. Vokes > 

Ben. Barrington ) 
Hez. Holland 
Ed. Wight 
Ja. Kobinson 
Kob. Twigg 
Bic. Pope 
Ric. Lyllys. 
Jn. Higgins 
Band Holland 
Wm. Butlr 
Bawl. Colpys 
Geo. Bobinson 
James Yearmans 
Dav. Davis 
Paul Favryer3 
Thos. Cook 
Char. Wade 
Tho. Harris 
James Boyle 
Bob. Green 
Jn. Hare 
Wm. Turner 
James Carr 
James Davenport 



Shers. 



Jn. Cloud Wm. 
James Dalton 
Sym White 
Francis Tomhins 
Balph Wilson 
Wm. Carr 
Chr. Carr 
Bob. Palmr 
Jos. ffepps 
Michael Apjohn 
Geo. Bridgmn 
Bob. Wilkington 
Ed. Brown 
Mic. M'Nemera 
Geo. Davis 
Ephr. Mounsell 
Mor. By an 
Jn. M'Hevoy 
Jn. Bicorzi 
Dan. Shee 
Jn. Thornbill 
Wm. Gray 
H. Coumey 
Jr. Lee 
Jn. O'Neal 
Wm. Hutchins 
Dan. Glisseen 



Geo. Evans 
Bob. Smart 
James Benes 
Tho. Brown 
Nic. Gains 
Ed. Fenton 
Tho. Franklen 
Bob. Bradley, Sen. 
Bob. Bradley, Jun. 
Charles Bradley 
Bob. Starkey 
Wm. Hawes 
Tho. Smyth 
Thy mo Keane 
Anton Sparks 
Ben. Henn 
Corn. Bowens 
Nic. White 
Ed. Sykers 
James M'Donell 
Eobbart Allin 
Tym Devery 
E. Ormsby 
Wm. Twig 
Bo. Cashin 
A. Ormsby 
Jn. Brown 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



319 



Hen. Barclay 
Jn. Moore 
Hugh Gough 
Char. Story 
Eic. Wight 
Eic. Burgh 
Pat. Moline 
Wm. Smith 
ffran Williams 
John Blood, Jun. 
Wm. Burrill 
David Carr 
Samuel Broylor 
Izaac Campell 
Jn. Parker 
John Boyd, Jun. 
Jn. Stenson 
Ed. Stokes 
Tho. Moulton 
Jn. Clark 
Char. Epwell 
Jonath Epwell 
Wm. Bury 
Sam. Machell 
Ed. Halorane 
Geo. Wright 
Char. Hughes. 
Gilbert Buxton 
Wm. Buxton 
Dav. Mahony 
Walter Cashin 
Tym. Holland 
Eic. Henderson 
Sam. Haly 
Eic. Butt 
Tho. Barrot 
Jas. Murphy 
Emanuel Mounsell 
Ed. Crawley 
Job Boles 
Jas. Cunningham 
Tho. Gardiner 
Wm. Gardiner 
Tho. frankland 
Ed. Davis 
Eic. frankland 
Mark Goodbody 
Jn. Newton 
And. Barkley 
Wm. Benn 
Jn. Bull 
Jn. Kindells 
Tho. Meyls 
Geo. Carlile 
Sam. Kerky 



Jn. Ryan 
Fr. Davis 
Eob. Stent 
Bart. Donovan 
Tym. Eyan 
Jn. Marshall 
John Myles 
Jos. Beaker 
Geo. Hudson 
Lau. Doulin 
Tym. Sanders 
Geo. How 
John Dick 
Step. Lambard 
John Cox 
Wm. Purcell 
Jn. Boyle 
Jn. Gregory 
Owen M'Can 
Dav. Condon 
Jn. Davis 
Eic. Derden 
Eic. Williams 
Jn. Gilman 
Tho. Cox 
Jn. Bull 
Eog. Doherty 
Jn. Gartny 
Tho. French 
01. fowls 
Jno. Dargan 
Eob. Hutchens 
Jn. Alen. 
Corn. Hearn 
Tho. Hoskins 
James Smith 
Eichd. Butler 
Tho. Bury 
James Eyan 
Jn. Thomson 
Tho. Bryan 
Darby Mc 
Nic. Grady 
Geo. Bishop 
Jn. Piercy 
Tho. Keys 
Jos. Laud 
Tho. Hyes 
Pier Butler 
Ed. Gray 
James Smith 
Tho Woods 
Jn. Carr 
Jn. Archer 
Jn. Eork 






Denis Gafiney 
James Power 
Wm. Nowman 
Eichd, Moore 
Xando Woodcut 
Geo. Henderson 
Josep Vokes 
James Blackwill 
Wm. Long 
Hen. Long 
Eic. Thomson 
Mat* 

Abrah. Houth 
Den* 

Tym. Lacy 
James England 
James Bernard 
Wm. Jessop 
fran. Wainwright 
Arch. Millar 
Chr. Marshall 
James Eyan 
Jn. Blood, Jun. 
Willm. Barrett 
Tym. Shinners 
Eob. Blood 
Ed. Kean 
Jn. Edwards 
Tho. Kirby 
Jn. Kelly 
Dunstill Atkinson 
Teir M'Mahan 
Mat Hays 
Eichd. Conry 
Jn. Menahan 
Char. Copley 
Pat. Draw 
Jn. Eobert3 
Jn. Abell 
Jn. Amory 
Eic. Green 
Ed. Bourke 
Pat. White 
Pat. Mac Danniel 
Char. Henry 
Jn. Smyth 
Eob. Walker 
Den. M'Danniel 
Phil. Burr 
Eic. Cepgland 
Hen. Gybson 
Wm. Wild 
Jasper Cheevers 
Phil. Hind 
Walr. Wall 



These demonstrations produced the desired effect of allaying for a season 
the excitement between the hostile factions in the common council — and 
their honours thought it better policy to put on at least a mask of 
moderation, in order, the more effectually to carry out their joint schemes 
of personal aggrandizement, and lend their aid towards the iniquitous 
operation of the " no Popery laws/'' which though the Priest-catcher had 
become obnoxious for a while to all classes — even to Protestants — so 
much so, that though the odious informer was often assailed with clubs 



These names cannot be decyphered. 



320 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and stones and hunted by an enraged populace, yet a desire to keep down 
Catholics was continually manifested. De Burgo, 1 indeed, avows that during 
the Hanoverian rule the laws against Catholics were not carried out with 
severity, and that all general persecution ceased till the year 1744, when it 
was renewed with great fierceness, owing, he adds, to the spread of 
Jansenism. 2 

The Oath of Abjuration, however, against "the Pretended Prince of Wales/" 
and in sustainment and acknowledgment of the Hanoverian succession, and 
its limitation to the heirs of the Princess Sophia, was enacted and vigorously 
enforced; but this Oath contained no reference whatever to the subject 
matter of religion.* 

It was with difficulty, notwithstanding this vaunted mildness of the Hanover- 
ian rule, that a priest could exist independently. In the country he was a 
mark for the villiage tyrant. In the city, he did not move beyond the pre- 
cincts of his small oratory or chapel. As an instance, in illustration of the 
state of things in and about Limerick, at this period, we may observe that 
during the sieges of 1690 and 1691, the Church of Kilmore or Kilmurry 
Magdalene in the Eastern Liberties had become a complete ruin. It was close 
by the site of the Williamite camp. Colonel Kilner Brazier, the resident 
landlord, made an effort to rebuild the fallen church — a laudable enterprise 
no doubt, if properly conceived and honestly carried into effect. Mr. Loyd, 
the rector, and Dr. Smyth, the Bishop, were interested in the project; but 
they do not appear to have been as zealous or as earnest, or rather as un- 
scrupulous as Colonel Kilner Brazier desired that they should be. Mr. Loyd 
was either too poor or had too many other demands on him to contribute 
£30 yearly, towards the maintenance of a curate, and the Bishop had no dis- 
posable funds to give towards the building. After vestry meetings had failed to 
achieve the desired object, a resolution was adopted at one of those meetings 
by which a sum of £60 was ordered to be levied off the Catholic inhabitants 
of Kilmurry. Brazier had recourse to the Eev. Bryan O'Donnell, the then 
parish priest of Kilmurry, to raise the required sum. Father O'Donnell did not 
feel bound to call upon his parishioners to contribute. The result was that 
he was threatened by Colonel Brazier in letters which bespeak the temper of 
the times and the unenviable position of a Catholic Clergyman. 4 

Mr. O'Donnell, 

You may remember I sent for you to discourse you about the 
sixty pound we the Pars, and Churchwardens presented at the Vestry, the 21st of 
April, to be levied off ye Parish for building of Kilmurry Church, if any of your 
congregation do refuse I opin you will acquaint them wh. wt. I told you, and sent 
me their answer for no time I will lose in forwarding the woork and preseeding 
(proceeding ?) agst. them as I told you if they did not comply is what offers from 
your friend and Sarvant, 

K. Brazier. 
To Ffathar Bryan O'Donnell. 

i Hibernia Dominicana, pp. 1G0-1G1. 

2 Hibernia Dominicana, 1G0-1G1. 

3 See Hibernia Dominicana, where the Oath is fully set out. 

4 From Original Tapers of the Right Rev. Dr. Smyth, in the Corporation of Limerick. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 321 

This blandly persuasive and significant missive had not the desired effect ; 
and another, couched in more menacing words was forwarded : — 

Mr. O'Donnell, a little would make me resolve, yon never should say mass 
here again. I am not to be sarved as you think ; this is in relation to what I 
writt to you about : and more, you have not put all you brought with me of your 
Parish to there Oaths as I'd desire about the boards and the tilings stollen from 
me and my woork men, I expect your immediate answer to 

K. Brazier, 

Saterday. 
To Mr. Bryan O'Donnell, Priest. 

Priests and people continued to suffer; and where the Jack in office-dressed 
up in a little brief authority issued his mandate, however oppressive or 
intolerable, he was imperative and inflexible, and disobedience was certain 
to receive its quick retribution. The arm of the exterminator, it is true, 
was not raised ; but there were other and galling trials endured in abundance 
by the people. Owing to the war between England and Prance, the value 
of land fell considerably, and districts became tenantless. Holdings, which 
were valuable in other circumstances were surrendered, and leases would not 
be taken out even on low terms. The wages of the artizan and labourer, were 
not low, considering the depression which prevailed, 1 but land became a 
drug — and was offered at any price that could be obtained from the farmer. 
The case of Pritrich, in the first instance, and of Bruce, the representative 
of Pritrich, afterwards, against Chidly Coote, Esq., of the County of Limer- 
ick, arose out of this fluctuating value of land, and occupied the Court of 
Chancery for many years. 2 Pritrich, who was tenant of the lands of Gar- 
rincoony, and Ptathnahilty, in the County of Limerick, had allowed his interest 
to lapse on a representation made by Sir. Coote, that he could not obtain a 
certain sum of money which he required to raise on a marriage settlement, 
if Pritriclr's lease was on record against him. Mr. Coote, on the other hand 
had contended that Pritrich voluntarily surrendered his interest, and allowed 
large arrears of rent to accrue, which he was unable to discharge, owing, as he 
(Pritrich) alleged, to the decline in the value of land. Mr. Coote, during 
Pritrich's unoccupancy, let the lands to one Godsill, at 6s. 6d. an acre. 
Pritriclr's rent was 6s. The Chancellor decided in favor of Pritrich and Bruce, 
and directed a new lease to be given. Mr. Coote appealed to the House of 
Lords ; but was unsuccessful. 3 

Whilst the state of things was thus disheartening and disagreeable, the 
corporators of Limerick having had time to cool down, commenced to make 
some improvements. On the large strand, which was then westward of the 
west water gate mill, they built the new quay, now known by the name of 
the Mardyke. 4 

1 Wages of Carpenters, Masons, Plasterers, &c, Is. 6d. a day — Labourers, 6d. a day. 

2 From Contemporaneous records. 

3 At this time Licadoon, Boherload, Ballinafrankey, and Lismullanebeg, were let to Mr. 
Hunt for £300 per annum — real value then £512, " and after the present war with France, a 
fat beefe at Xmas, or £2 in lieu thereof." The tenant was obliged to build a house, and make 
other improvements. Licadoon contains 850 acres and about 40 acres of bog. Caheravala 
contains 297 acres, was set to Mr. Hunt at the yearly rent of £80, with a lease of lives. Other 
denominations were held under these lettings — the total rent out of all was £531 9s. 0^d. — the real 
estimated value in 1728, was £923 3s. 2^d. In 1865, the lettings amount to a far higher sum 
in proportion — while taxe3 are immeasurably higher at present than they were in the times of 
which we are writing. 

* White's MSS. state that the Proprietors of it were the Vincent Family, and the heirs of 
Alderman Foord. 

22 



322 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The interests of education were also pretty well cared for: at 
this period the Bev. Bobert Cashin was the head master of a first 
class Diocesan School, in Limerick, and the teacher of many men of emi- 
nence, including Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran, the Historian ; the Rev. Joseph 
Ignatius O'Halloran, S.J. ; Charles Johnston, Author of Chrysal or the 
Adventures of a Guinea; 1 Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., and several others. 
He was afterwards appointed to the Eectory of Dromin and Athlacc, in the 
gift of Lady Bobarts, on the recommendation of Dr. Smyth. The school 
fees in those times, appear not very large, and the school-master's salary was 
but £10 per annum. 2 

On the 9th of April, this year (1719), a highly distinguished Irishman, 
Edmond Sexton Pery, was born at Limerick. 3 



CHAPTER XL. 

PERSEVERANCE OF THE CATHOLICS OP LIMERICK IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION. 

THE PIRST CATHOLIC BISHOP SINCE THE SIEGES — CORPORATE MISDEEDS 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS PEARCE EXECUTION OE THE REV. TIMOTHY 

RYAN EXTRAORDINARY DOINGS. 

Notwithstanding the presisting enmity of the Orange faction irrespec- 
tively of every consideration of decency, truth, and honor, and the contumely 
and scorn with which Catholics and the Catholic Clergy continued to be 
treated, the old faith lived in the hearts of the people, and the year 1720 
became remarkable in the Annals of Limerick in a pre-eminent degree. 
Until that year there had not been a Catholic Bishop appointed to the 
diocese of Limerick since the death in Paris, of the Eight Eev. Dr. 
Moloney ; when the Court of Eome at length adjudged it proper to ap- 
point a Bishop to govern the diocese. The selection of the Holy See was 
made in the person of the Eight Eev. Cornelius O'Keeffe, a native of the 
diocese of Cork, and of the family of the O'Keeffes of Clouna Phircane, in 
that county. 4 The day that witnessed the advent of a Catholic Prelate to a 
clergy and a people, who had been so long severely 'suffering, and so many 
years without a spiritual ruler, was a joyous one indeed. "While to all the 
Catholic citizens of every degree, nothing could have been more acceptable. 

Almost contemporaneously with the arrival of Dr. O'Keeffe a partial 
relaxation was experienced in the rigors of the penal code. An order was 

1 It is said Johnston wrote this celebrated standard novel, because he was disappointed in ob- 
taining a situation under government. Mr. William Johnson, J.P. of Limerick, is a descendant 
of the novelist. 

2 Limeric, 4th March, 1718, Received of the Right Rev. Thomas, Lord Bishop of Limeric, the 
sura of Twenty pounds sterling in full of one whole year's school-master's salary, and for a 
year's schooling of his Lordship's son and Thomas Coulston, ending the Second of February 
last. Witness my hand. Ro. Cashin. 

3 He had been speaker of the Irish House of Commons — an indefatigable member of Par- 
liament for the City of Limerick, which he represented for many years, and which he greatly 
added to and improved, having been the projector of the new town. He had been raised to 
the Peerage as Viscount Pery, and died at his house in Park-street, London, on the 24th of 
February, 1806, and was buried in Hunsdon in Herefordshire, in the Calvert's familv vault.* 

* White's MSS. 

* His Lordship's second daughter had been married to Mr. Calvert. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 323 

given by Parliament for liberty to Catholics to dwell in Lirnerick, without 
undergoing the process of registration, contrary to the Act of 1703; but 
the Catholics were compelled to enter into security for their good behaviour. 1 
Toxeth Eoche, 2 a bigot and a firebrand 3 was particular in enforcing this order ; 
but it may be added, that like many other men equally earnest in enforcing 
the letter of the law, his own conduct in the Corporation, did not prove to 
be above suspicion. 

During his mayoralty in 1721, a Charter of Incorporation was granted to 
the Curriers and Tanners of Limerick; 4 but the star of these Orange Eoches was 
not destined to remain much longer in the ascendant. Systematic plunder and 
oppression had been arousing the resentment, not indeed of the Catholics 
alone, but of the Protestants themselves, who were not within the magic 
circle of the Corporation. The gentlemen of the county commenced a law- 
suit against the municipal body, on account of the many illegal exactions 
which were practised in the collection and in the levying of the Customs and 
the Gateage. The Catholic merchants, taking advantage of this auspicious 
occasion, contended with the Corporation about the Small Duties, called 
Cockett duties, which had been paid to the Corporation on the importation 
of goods, and which were proportioned according to the duties which they 
paid the Crown. 5 The case went before Parliament ; several members of 
the Corporation were summoned to Dublin; the decision on the point 
being left to a committee of twenty-four members of the House. The Cor- 
poration had a ready excuse for their misconduct, alleging that many 
Catholics were living in Limerick, and were not registered in accordance 
with the act of 1703, and that all such should be turned out of the city. Some 
of the most prosperous merchants were among this number. This was a dan- 
gerous plea, as leave had been just given to Catholics to live and trade in 
Limerick, without registration. The committee, however, decided the ques- 
tion in this way : they decreed that it should be optional with the Catholic 
merchants to pay the small duties to the Corporation as before, or compound 
by paying £5 each year in lieu of these small duties. By this decree 
about £100 per annum were gained for the Corporation ; and the liberty of 
dwelling in Limerick, contrary to the Act of 1703, was secured to the 
Catholics without registry. 

' White's MS3. "We speak of his Lordship's high character and great labours for the advance- 
ment of religion, in the proper place of our history. Some of this family distinguished them- 
selves as Officers in King James's army, and served afterwards in the Irish Brigade in France. 

2 It may be proper to observe that " the Corporation " Eoches of Limerick, were not related 
to the ancient Catholic family of that name, who are a branch of the Fermoy honse, and were 
plundered of their patrimony in Cork county by Cromwell, and driven to Clare, where some of 
them continued in business, and about the period at which we have arrived in our history, settled 
in Limerick, where they became eminent merchants and bankers — and one of whom, the late 
"William Roche, Esq., was returned member for the city of Limerick, with David Eoche, Esq., 
created a baronet in 1842 (a descendant of the Corporation Eoches) — both liberals, in the first 
reformed Farliament, in 1833, and represented the city for some years. 

8 It is said of Toxeth Eoche, that he knocked off a Catholic merchant's hat, because the 
owner had not obsequiously done homage to the civic autocrat, by humbly taking it off whilst 
passing him. 

* The persons named in the Charter as of the Corporation of Curriers and Tanners, are Alder- 
man William Ffranklin, William Brett, Thomas Brett, Charles Taweys, Edward Gray, William 
Benn, James Fortness, and Joshua Tab'b. The draft of the Charter/which is signed* by George 
Eoche, Mayor, and Toxeth Eoche, Town Clerk, is among the Corporation documents. 

5 The Catholic merchants of Cork had previously succeeded in abolishing the Small Duties. — 
V-luie's MSS. 

6 White's MSS., which state, in addition, that there was a schedule made, mentioning what 
goods were to pay customs at the gate, and how much the custom was for each kind. 



324 HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. 

These proceedings checked the dominant party ; and though the Corpora- 
tion in 17££, in their anxiety to propitiate the Protestant interest, endowed 
a Protestant school, this endowment was soon afterwards withdrawn, and the 
Eoches were destined to meet further municipal reverses. 1 

About this time Lieut.-General Thomas Pearce was governor of Limerick. 
A brave soldier, he had served abroad in the campaigns in Spain and Hol- 
land, and was a most unlikely person to quail before the terrors of a civic 
faction. Between him and these Eoches a violent dispute arose, which was 
carried on with unsparing acrimony, and the interest of which extended to 
the country. Pearce championed public rights ; the Eoches and their 
partizans continued to be the defenders of a degraded monopoly. After a 
long succession of fights, Pearce succeeded, not only in becoming a mem- 
ber of the Corporation, but in 1726 he forced himself into the mayoralty, 
tie had received slights and affronts from the Eoches, and he was resolved 
on revenge. His first course was to create among the members of the 
council intestine divisions, and having, by this means, shaken the power of 
his assailants, he became a candidate for the mayoralty, which, and many 
violent contests and animosities, he obtained this year, though the contrary 
party protested against the legality of his election, and therefore would not 
give up to him the sword of state or the mace. Nor did he get them till the 
following year when they were necessary for proclaiming King George the 
Second, who ascended the throne the 11th of June, 1727, in which year 
Pearce was signally successful in obtaining the representation of the city of 
Limerick, together with Henry Ingoldsby, Esq. He continued Governor 
all the time, and the same hostility existed between him and the Eoches. 2 
In Limerick at this period there were twenty-two companies of soldiers, 
whilst in Cork there were but eleven companies. The troops selected 
for these garrisons were all English Protestants or foreigners. 3 The "mild 
Hanoverian rule" did not recognise the military existence of Papists, nor 
did the ruling body feel secure without alien mercenaries in addition to 
English soldiers. The superiority of Limerick over Cork as a garrison town, 
was acknowledged; and this admitted superiority Limerick continued to 
hold until, in recent years, the authorities have thought proper to reduce it 
from its ancient rank and station, and make it second to Cork in this respect. 4 
During the mayoralty of Lieutenant General Pearce, a shocking tragedy 
was enacted in Limerick. The Eev. Timothy Eyan, who is said by White 5 
to have been an irregular and excommunicated priest, but who did not deserve 
the terrible doom to which he was consigned, was committed to gaol by the 
Mayor (Pearce) " for marrying a Protestant man and a Catholic woman," 
contrary to an act of Parliament which was passed this year, and which made it 
death in the priest. 6 He was tried at the following assizes, and condemned, 
and was the " first" person executed 7 in Ireland for this " crime" since the 

1 The next year (1723) was a very dry year, there was little or no water in the river Shannon ; 
it commonly flowed salt water up to the Quay ; a linge was catch't (ling caught) between the 
two towers of the Quay, and there was a second growth of fruits — White's MSS. 

2 White's MSS. 

3 Mr. Edgar, secretarj' to the Pretender, in reference to the military arrangements of Ireland 
in 1726 — quoted in Croker's Antiquarian Researches. 

4 Limerick continued the head quarters of three regiments until the Crimean War in 1853, 
and had been the residence of the General Officer until 1 858. Lieut.-General Sir James Chatterton, 
Bart, was the last General who commanded in Limerick. 

s White's MSS. 6 Ibid. 

1 He was executed at Gallows Green. — Whites MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



325 



passing of the act of Parliament. 1 In the local annals the nefarious execution 
of this clergyman -was suppressed, as if even higotry and prejudice had been 
ashamed to refer to so cruel a legalized murder. 2 Many a dark and fearful 
deed of blood and vengeance was perpetrated in these sad days 3 of religious 
intolerance and ascendancy, which have never seen the light. 4 As to cor- 
porate iniquity, however, there are some brief records of the spoliations of 
the orange faction. Prior to the change in the government caused by the 
Revolution, there were sixty-five leases executed by the Corporation to mem- 
bers of that body : 5 — 



No. 


Term of 
Years. 


Date of first lease 
of each term. 


Number of 
Leases. 


: Date of last lease 
of each term. 


o 

O 

CO 

u 

a 

O 

i 

p. 

< 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 


21 years 
31 years 
41 years 
51 years 
61 years 
81 years 
99 years 


or shorter terms 
10th Dec. 1670 
2nd March, 1694 
5th March, 1657 
6th Sept. 1672 
12th Jan. 1665 
28th Oct. 1675 


4 
6 
2 
42 
2 
3 
6 


10th Feb. 1698 
21st Deo*. 1694 
16th Aug. 1699 
13th Oct. 1685 
9th Sept. 1665 
19th Sept. 1676 


Total number of leases. 


65 


Executed in the 17th 
Century. 



The following leases were executed prior to 1746 (some twenty years 
after this time) at which period the greater portion of the Corporation 
Estates were granted in fee or for 999 years, to members of the then 
Council : — 



No. 


Term of 

Years. 


Date of first lease 
of each term. 


Number of 
Leases. 


Date of last lease 
of each term. 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 


(31 yrs.> 
(founder) 
41 years 
51 years 
71 years 
99 years 


14th July, 1703 

8th Feb. 1700 
16th Sept. 1700 
6th April, 1707 
2nd Sept. 1706 


3 

5 

17 

1 

31 


16th July, 1705 

10th March, 1712 
26th Oct. 1724 

6th April, 1717 
23d Feb. 1746 




Number of Leases. 


57 


Executed prior to 1746. 



added to which, during the above period, four leases only seem to be executed 

1 De Burgo (Hib. Dom., p, 716) states that several priests suffered for violating this law. 

2 In the first edition of Ferrar's History of Limerick, there are two lines referring to the fact. 
In the second edition there is no mention of it. 

• White's MSS. 

« This was a stain on the reputation of Lieutenant-General Pearce, who was the brother of 
the distinguished Sir Edward Lovet Pearce, the architect of the magnificent Irish Parliament 
House. Sir E. L. Pearce was at this time Engineer and Surveyor General of the King's -works. 
He obtained a sum of £1,000 from the Commons, and an address from the House of Lords in 
Ireland, " for his true ability, skill, and good workmanship in building of the Parliament House 
in College Green," an edifice which was then, and which continues to be, the admiration of 
Europe. He had been a Captain in Nevill's regiment of Dragoons, and he sat in the Parliament 
of Ireland for the borough of Ratoath. 

5 Report of the late Robert Potter, Esq. sometime M.P. for Limerick city, and Solicitor to 
the Reformed Corporation. 



326 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

for larger terms than those just out. Two of them were leases of pieces of 
the Strand — a third a lease of a Common, reserving to the Corporation and the 
citizens the right of using the same as they should think fit, and the fourth 
to Hugh Heney, Esq. of Clynoe, West Singland. 1 

Such was the system carried on by the followers of the great and good 
King William; and at each of their festive gatherings the charter toast was now 
" the glorious, pious, and immortal memory/'' But they had not, as we have 
seen, every thing their own way. They did not sleep on a bed of roses. 
On the 26th of May, 1727, and on the 1st of June, 6th of June, 23rd of 
June, and 9th of October, in the same year, several resolutions were entered 
into, by which it was declared that the assent of the citizens was necessary 
to the making of a Common Councilman, or the payment or disposal of 
corporate money, and that without such assent in a Court of D' Oyer Hundred, 
such election of Common Councilman was void, and no money could be paid 
or disposed of. 2 

In this year Father Thomas O'Gorman, a native of Munster, and who had 
entered the order of the Jesuit Fathers in Castile, in Spain, taught School 
in Limerick ; he had previously taught in Clonmel and Cork also. a 



CHAPTER XLI. 



FURTHER ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. A GENERAL 

ELECTION. — GUILDS OF TRADE. — THE BATTLE OF THE MAYOR'S STONE. — 
THE THEATRE. 

In recording the events of these dismal days, though an occasional gleam 
of sunshine may appear, its only effect is to bring out into more painful 
relief the gloomy and revolting features of the picture. Ever aggressive and 
busy, the dominant party in the state, as well as in the local governing 
bodies, lost no opportunity to show the Catholics their legal inferiority, and 
to impress upon them that they had nothing more than a permissive exist- 
ence, which might be withdrawn at any moment it pleased the powers to 
do so. Pursuant to orders, in 1730 and 1731, returns were made to Pur- 
liament by the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh, the Protestant bishops of 
Meath, Clogher, Eaphoe, Derry, Dromore, Down, Connor, Ardagh, &c, 
consisting of documents or papers taken from convents, friaries and houses 
where Catholic clergymen had resided. In 1731 a " report was made by the 
Protestant Primate, from the Lords' Committee appointed to inquire into the 
present state of Popery in Ireland, and to propose such heads of a Bill as 
they shall think most proper for explaining and amending the Acts to prevent 

1 Report of the late Robert Potter, Esq. 

2 This appeared in the Council Book produced to Parliament in 1761, but the Court of D'Oyer 
Hundred became an absolute mockery and delusion. It was fdled with the prowling partizans of 
the dominant faction when it met, and things went on as usual. 

3 Jesuit Catalogue of 1752— Father O'Gorman was the teacher of the Rev. James White, 
compiler of White's MSS. and had him sent to Spain to study for the Church. — White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 327 

the growth of Popery, and to secure the kingdom from any danger from the 
great number of papists in the nation/ - ' 1 In the preface of this extraordinary 
production it is said : " As leading perseverance in promoting and increasing 
Protestant seminaries (Protestant charter schools just invented) and due 
execution of the laws against the Popish clergy, will, it is hoped, in the next 
age root out that pestilent, restless, and idolatrous religion ! \" 

In this book it is stated that they (the Protestant informers) had dis- 
covered parcels of papers at the friaries of Boulay, near Portumna ; of Kil- 
connell, near Aughrim ; and of Kannalfish, near Loughrea ; in convents near 
Atlxenry, Meelick, Clare, Galway, and Dunmore ; and lastly in the house 
of Thady Glynn, a Popish priest in Dunmore, who kept a seminary there. 
Amongst these papers were copies of the Acts of the Chapters of Friar 
Minors held in Dublin, from 1717 to 1729, Prom those Acts it appeared, 
that the Franciscan order alone had, in 1717, 61 convents ; that in 1724 
they had increased to 62; and in 1727 and 1729, to 67 in Ireland.'" The ab- 
stract of the returns which this book contained is as follows : " 26 dioceses ; 
664 mass houses, of which 229 had been built since the commencement of 
the reign of George I.; 1445 priests officiating; 51 friaries; 254 friars; 
2 nunneries ; 8 (qr. 4) nuns ; 24 Popish chapels ; 549 Popish schools." 

It is impossible for language to describe the intense sufferings of the great 
body of the people in these times. Severities to the Catholics in this 
season of general distress must have horror-struck every man of feeling. 2 
The whole population of Ireland at the time could not much exceed 1,700,000 
souls, of whom 700,000 were Protestants. 3 In 1652, according to the survey 
of Sir William Petty, the Catholics amounted to 800,000 and the Protestants 
to 700,000 only, so that in the course of less than a century, by the fosterage 
of Government, the Protestants had more than doubled while the Catholics con- 
tinued stationary. In the face of persecution, many of the exiled clergy, 
risking their lives, returned, and exposed to the merciless pursuit of priest- 
catchers, who were again sent on the chase, to the cold and damp and star- 
vation of bogs and caverns. 4 When the rage of persecution had abated, 
they issued from their hiding places, bare-headed and bare-footed, half- 
naked, half-famished, proceeded from cabin to cabin, instructing the ignorant, 
consoling the unfortunate, infusing the balm of religion into the hearts of 
the wretched. 

While these unheard of persecutions existed, French influence strange 
to say, predominated so strongly in the Councils of Great Britain that 
leave was allowed to recruit publicly in Limerick and in other cities in Ireland 
for the Irish Brigade then in France. Lieutenant-Colonel Hennessy of the 
Irish Brigade, and other officers of the French recruiting service, were recom- 
mended by the Duke of Newcastle and Sir Eichard Walpole to the Irish 
Government; but Primate Boulter, the originator of the Charter Schools, 
was unfavourable to Colonel Hennessy. 5 An outcry was raised against this 
system, but it went on nevertheless until the defeat of the British army at 
Fontenoy, in 1745 — and until the stir made by the Prentender in England 
and Scotland, when the impolicy of allowing the bone and sinew of Ireland 
to fight against England in foreign fields appeared but too plain to those 
who had hitherto encouraged the enlistment. But whilst this was going on 

1 To this -was added an Appendix, containing original papers. Dublin, printed in 1741, and 
reprinted in London, by J. Oliver, in 1747. 

2 O'Connor's Dissertation on Irish Catholics. 3 Ibid. * Ibid. 

3 O'Connor's Dissertations on the Irish Catholics. 



328 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

in 1733, in order the more effectually to banish Priests and deprive Catholics 
of any shred of landed property left them, a bill was brought in to annul all 
marriages celebrated by Popish priests and friars, and to illegitimize the 
issue — a measure which caused unusual consternation, and against which 
Lord Mountgarrett and Lord Cahir petitioned to be heard by counsel on their 
own behalf, and on that of the rest of the Catholics of Ireland ; but whether 
owing to the remonstrances of the French court, or the shameless cruelty of 
the measure, the bill was withdrawn. Nearly all through this century up to 
a later period, the position of the Catholics was deplorable in the extreme. 

To illustrate this state of things, a general electionhad occurred a little before 
this time (1781), and as usual on such occasions, excitement prevailed. The 
rival candidates for the city of Limerick were Mr. Charles Smyth, son of the 
Bishop, and a Mr. Eawson. Among the freemen who recorded their votes 
for Eawson was one David Parker, who was objected to because his wife was a 
papist. 1 Parker had offered to swear that he never knew his wife to be of any 
other than the Protestant persuasion ; but the objection was insisted on, and 
it need hardly be added that it prevailed. George Howe, freeman, was ob- 
jected to also, and his vote reserved for scrutiny, " he having a Popish wife." 
Eobert Napper, freeman, was objected to for the same cause ; and Jasper 
Chievers, freeman, was " reserved for the scrutiny for turning from ye Pro- 
testant to ye Popish religion ;" whilst William Kelly, freeman, was equally- 
objected to and ordered to attend the scrutiny, because " he went to mass, 
which he denied, but confessed that he read his recantation/- 72 These were 
the happy times and enlightened days, when religion was madethe stalking- 
horse of mere faction. 3 

It was a specific duty on the part of the candidate that he should enrol 
himself in the guilds of trade ; and accordingly we find Mr. Charles Smyth 
admitted by " the Master, Wardens, and Elders of the Society of Victuallers 
of Limerick, to all the privileges, franchises, &c. of the Society." 4 He was 
also admitted a member of the Cordwayner's Society, of which Eobert Wilson 
was the Master. It is scarcely necessary to add that these guilds were true 
blue, real Orange, and that they exercised powerful influence on the fate of 

l Arthur Roche's Poll Book. a Ibid. 

8 It was the custom at this period with the mayors to appoint a deputy in writing, " or give a 
deputation," and written authority, during his (the mayor's) absence from the city. The follow- 
ing is a copy of an authority given by the Right Worshipful Charles Smyth, Mayor, to Alderman 
Robinson, to act for him : — 

City of County > I do hereby constitute, nominate, and appoint James Robinson, Esq. of 

of Limerick, j said city, Alderman, to be Deputy Mayor during my absence from ye said 

city, to hold Courts, and do other judicial acts for the speedy execution of justice in the city 

and the county of the city of Limerick aforesaid. Witness my hand and seal ye 25th day of 

October, 1732. Charles Smyth. 

4 The following is a copy of the certificate which is written in a very admirable hand on 
vellum : — 

" We, the Master, Wardens, and Elders of the Society of Vittulers in the cittie of Limerick, 
unanimously concurr'd and agreed together to admitt Charless Smith, of the said citty, Esq. into 
our Society as a free Brother and Member of the same, and by virtue of our Charter to enjoy 
all the Privileges, Franchisses, and Liberties, that we or any of the said Society, can or doth 
enjoy by the said Charter. In witness whereof, we, the Master and Wardens, have subscribed 
our hands, and affix the Company's seal the Eleventh day of October, 1731. 

" George Allison, M aster. 

" Philip Tomlinson, ) ■m- ar ^ ms >» 

" Wm. Tomlinson, Clark. " Robert Smithson, ) 

The red wax seal of the Society is attached, bearing the arms of the Victuallers, on a shield, 
supported by wiuged bulls, a lamb on the crest over a helmet : two axes quartered on the 
shield. Legend — '' The Company of Victuallers of the citty of Limerick." The policy of 
securing the co-operation of the guilds in Parliamentary elections was universal at this time. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 329 

elections. Mr. Charles Smyth was therefore returned. But the guilds did 
not at all times agree among themselves. On the contrary, they had several 
severe contests and bloody battles, one of which has been handed down to us 
in verse, which commemorates 

THE BATTLE OE THE MAYOR'S STONE, 1 

And which from its graphic and illustrative character we admit to a^place in 
the history, although by no means remarkable for poetical merit. It should 
be borne in mind that orange and blue were the colors of the Clothiers what- 
ever their religion might be. Like the " Weavers' March/' and the " Butcher's 
Quick-step/'' it was formerly very popular, but is now extremely scarce. 

The only a various readings" we notice in this ballad, which from its mytho- 
logical allusions would seem to have been written by a schoolmaster, and 
which as an orange ballad is unique as a Limerick production, are in the end 
of the fourth stanza, of which the last two lines in the colloquial verse, are 
sheer nonsense, and in the second line of the sixth, in which for " law's 
delay/' which reads suspiciously Shakespearian, we find " dint of law/' in 
which there is no rhyme, though there is very good reason. 

We are bold Limerick Clothiers, we'll have you for to know us 

That we must bear the sway wherever we shall go ; 
Though they were vast in number, we came on like claps of thunder, 

And we made them to lie under with our warlike blows. 
Though seven to one opposed us, we gave them hearty doses, 

Cut heads and bloody noses, bruised bones and broken pates ; 
They found in time of battle that we were men of metal, 

Our blows to them proved fatal and made them curse their fates. 

Though Vulcan 2 with his weapons had sworn he'd kill the Weavers, 

Assisted by the Carpenters, and by the Masons too — 
There were Tinkers, Bricklayers, Glaziers with Stone Cutters and Braziers, 

All joined against the Weavers, but all it would not do. 
For as we sat merry boozing, the plot it was concluding, 

Which spread a vast confusion outside of Thomond Gate, 
But these dogs they were so footy, in us they had no booty, 

We taught them then their duty and made them soon retreat. 

When we received true tidings of their wicked base contrivings, 

Thinking to beguile us while they in ambush lay, 
Full closely then we tramped to where they were encamped, 

And our stout and noble captain valiant Bennis led the way ; — 

1 This stone was placed near the cross of Killeely, outside Thomond Gate, on the old road to 
Ennis, and it had the folio-wing inscription. It has heen removed for several years : — 



THIS PAVING WAS WH 

OLY ENDED AT THE 

CHARGES OF THE COKPO 

RATION, IAMES WHIT 

E FITZIAMES ESQVIE 

BEING MAIOE ANNI DI 

MDCXXXVIII. 



2 The Blacksmiths bore the arms of Vulcan. 



330 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Saying " Gentlemen be faithful, to us .prove not ungrateful, 
Though seven to one engage us, give not one inch away ;- 

Let it never be reported that they beat Limerick Clothiers, 
In spite of their reproaches we'll bear the bell away." 



For when first they did attack us with adzes keen and axes, 

They stood as if already fixed our Clothiers to destroy; 
But soon we did attack them, and nobly we did whack them 

To our great satisfaction we worked them sore annoy : 
ct Come on, my boys," cries Bennis, we'll drive these dogs to Ennis, 

How dare they fight against us ? we'll make them be more meek, 
We'll show them Limerick Clothiers are gentlemen and soldiers, 

And if they want a licking they shall have it once a week. 



Like unto sworn brothers they joined against our Clothiers, 

Who behaved themselves like soldiers in the battle's fiery heat- 
Like gentlemen of honor moving under Jason's banner, 1 

We marched to their dishonor though the rupture it was great ; 
For their daughters, wives and elders like poisoned Salamanders, 

Laid on young Alexander with great sticks and stones* 
But our undaunted heroes drove back the tribe of Neroes, 

And soon applied an obstacle to our insulting foes. 



Although they bred this faction they still sought satisfaction, 

But not by noble action, but by the law's delay ; 
For these cowards base and arrant, they got a power of warrants, 

Against the Blue and Orange that ever bore the svay. 
But like grinning asses along the street they pass us, 

Disdained even by their lasses who cry out at them shame, 
But since its your own seeking and for law you lie a creeping, 

Wait for our next merry meeting and then redeem your fame. 



And to tell you their superior he was a butter taster, 

An old insipid negur, that was whipped out of Cork, 
For turning tallow chandler he ran a race with Randle, 

And showed them all a gauntlope from South Gate to the North. 
Then after this disaster he came to Limerick faster, 

And now he's become master all over Vulcan's train, — 
Which causes me to wonder, all, that such a base old scoundrel 

Should be their chief commander, or ever bear that name. 



For it's well known to all people that he was prone to evil, 

To Belzebub the devil we may him well compare — 
For a damzel brisk and airy he very fain would many, 

But soon he did miscarry all in the County Clare. 
For his virtuous wife being living, this hot blooded old devil 

Would fain have been a minion of his fair elected bride — 
But of his hopes deprived this old rogue soon contrived 

To cut his throat in private, all by the Shannon side. 

* The Gulden Fleece was the arms of the Clothiers. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 331 

Now Clothiers sit ye merry, drink brandy, wine, and sherry, 

Malaga and canary, fill bumpers, do not spare, 1 
For equity and justice shall ever be amongst us, 

Since his noble worship brave Franklin is the Mayor. 
The Lord may bless his honor, and all to him belonging, 

For he is worthy to be made a baronet or knight, 
For quality and commons and Protestants and Komans, 

And widows and poor orphans still bless him day and night. 

The Lord may bless and prosper our good and noble master, 

Who saved us from disaster, I mean brave Sheriff Yokes, — 
For in the time of danger to us he proved no stranger, 

Our rights he did maintain them and from us did ne'er revolt ; 
But like a wise conductor he did us aid and succour, 

His men above all others, their foes they did subdue, 
For like a wise Apollo his enterprise did follow, 

Till we made them all acknowledge that we were the True Blues. 

In the midst of these proceedings, which throw greater light on the 
manners of the day than some of the facts recorded in mnch more dignified 
documents, projects were afloat for building Theatres in Dublin and Cork, 
and subsequently in Limerick. The Theatres of the three cities had been 
held by the same patentee for many years subsequent to these times. Sir 
Edward Lovet Pearce wrote to Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., on the subject, a 
letter as follows : — 

" Dublin, February 2nd, 17 32. 
Sr, 

I hear from others, and from your Brother, Sr. Thos., that you are at Cork, on 
a design of building a play house. As our schemes of that sort for this citty are 
just ripe, and many gentlemen of fortune are concerned with me in a project, which 
will in all probality take effect, I have been at a good deal of paines to enform my- 
self of the necessary conveniencys, and to make such a designe as may best answer 
our intentions. At least we are a great number who are satisfied with it, or I 
would not venture to recommend it to you, who probably (as we do) propose some 
advantage to yr. self. The meaning of all this is to tell you, that if you realy are 
upon such a design, and send me a plan of ye ground, with the streets that lead to 
it, and mention the money you expect to lay out, I will as soon possible return you 
a plan fitted for yr. purpose, with our scheme at large by which we raise the 
money and secure ourselves. I am not a judge whether ye affairs will permitt 
you to stay so long from yr. town of Limerick, but / hope they will, because I think 
it would be for yr. advantage. I know Lt.-Genel. Pearce has writt to you lately, 
concerning the affair of the Gates and Walls, presented by yr. Grand Jury of the 
Citty, but that is a business will be more adviseable in you to post pone till the time of 
the assizes, because the Judges may probably have some directions there in, and you 
may like best to hear what they will say before you send yr. answer, which I know 
is not expected before the assizes. I hope you will believe I offer this in friend- 
ship to you, and with reguard to Sr. Thos., yr. Brother, and that I am, 

Yr. most humble 

To Charles Smyth, Esq., and obedient servant, 

at Limerick. En. Lo. Pearce." 

1 Claret and -white wine were in general use. Mr. Stritch imported claret, which he sold at 
£55 a tun. Mr. Pierce Moroney was also a wine merchant. " A hogshead of white wine" sold 
for ten pounds. Imperial tea 4s. per lb. green tea 6s. per lb. in 1723 ; good coffee was sold in 
Mary-street by Mr. Holland Goddison, at 4s. per lb. 



332 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTEE XLII. 

CIVIC RIVALRY — ST. MICHAEl/s PARISH — THE GREAT FROST — FEARFUL SUF- 
FERINGS OF THE PEOPLE — WHITEFIELD's VISIT TO LIMERICK AND HIS 
OPINION OF THE INHABITANTS — THE LAND AND ITS CHANGES — MISDEEDS 
OF THE CORPORATORS AGAIN. 

The principal event in 1732, was a grand civic procession, which was 
made by Philip Eawson, Esq., the Mayor, who had been the defeated candi- 
date a short time before, but was now desirous of showing his strength 
as father of the city. Accompanied by the entire corporation in costume, 
and the several guilds of trade, with banners, badges, &c, he went around 
the city — or as White quaintly expresses it, " rid the fringes/'* levelling 
such encroachments as had been made on the high roads and commons of 
the corporation. There had not been so brilliant a procession for many 
years, and its effect was long remembered. 

The city was confined at the time principally to the English town and 
Irish town ; the size and population of the parish of St. Michael may be 
judged of from a very simple fact. The parish had been joined to that of 
St. John in 1709; but in 1735, the Rev. Dr. Pierce Creagh, who had 
officiated as Catholic pastor of St. Mary's, afterwards for many years, arrived 
from Eome, where he had completed his studies, bringing with him a papal 
bull for the Catholic archdeaconship of the city, and the parish of St. Mich- 
ael belonging to it. 2 On the 21st of February in that year, he took posses- 
sion of the archdeaconship, but the parish of St. Michael being so extremely 
poor at the time, it was not able to support a clergyman, and Dr. Creagh 
heeded it not. 3 Not only was the parish poor, but throughout the city and 
country much misery prevailed, and bigotry and fanaticism had full fling. 
Depression, dearth, and famine were generally felt to act with galling sever- 
ity on the masses ; whilst a few years later, a dreadful frost — the great frost 
of 1739, which continued for forty days, and from which many memorable 
incidents have 4 been dated, was accompanied and followed by unparalleled 

I White's MSS. a Ibid. 8 Ibid. 

4 For instance, in the Pedigree of General Maurice de Lacy of Grodno, in Russia, and of the 
County of Limerick, it is stated he was born the year of the great frost. He died at Grodn© 
in 1820, and was the last male descendant direct of the great Hugh de Lacy, Governor of 
Ireland. 

To the eminently warlike County of Limerick family of De Lacy, of which Maurice De Lacy 
was one of tbe most illustrious members, and to their kinsmen the Browns of Camas, we have 
briefly referred in a preceding chapter. But a more comprehensive notice of them and of their 
noble relations, the Herberts of Rathkeale, is demanded in this History. 

The family of the De Lacys in the annals of history of the last eight centuries ranks high 
for military prowess, and sagacity in council, and deeds of daring and importance at the Nor- 
man Conquest, and it will be found that from that time, and throughout the eight centuries of 
great events which happened to England and Ireland, to the present age, and throughout the 
great military and political achievements on the continent of Europe — in the twelfth and thirteenth 
centuries, by the Crusaders, the Knights Templars, the Confederated Barons, down to the Irish 
Confederacies, and the famous Irish Brigades ; and. in the Civil Wars of the Norman Kings, tho 
Conquest of Ireland, of Scotland, of Wales, the struggle for Magna Charta, the Wars of the 
Roses, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, down to the religious dissensions in England 
and Ireland, the Cromwellite Wars, the battles for religion which closed with the Treaty of 
Limerick, in 1691 ; or the military events in Spain and France, in the seventeenth and eighteenth 
centuries, down to the Insurrection of 1817, when one of the Generals Lacy was sacrificed to the 
liberties of that country; and in the great wars of Germany, in the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 333 

miseries. Persons died of sheer starvation in the public streets, and their 
bodies lay unburied. The condition indeed of the people was so terrible, that 

turies ; the wars against Turkey, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, those of the famous 
Irish Brigade, the wars by the French against Marlborough, with Catholic Germany against 
Sweden and Prussia, and the Russians against Turkey — in short, in every leading European event 
to the Treaty of Adrianople, in 1829, the family of De Lacy of Limerick has supplied a member, 
and achieved undying renown. From Walter De Lacy, whose daughters were married into the 
noble house of Fitzgerald, Earls of Desmond and Kildare, descended Hugh Lacy, Bishop of 
Limerick, in Queen Mary's time ; the family rose and fell with the Fitzgeralds' intestine wars, in 
the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. In the seventeenth century there were three 
brothers of the family settled in the County Limerick —one in Ballingarry, one in Bruree, and 
one in Bruff ; and from those descended the famous " Pierce Lacy" who was executed by the 
Justices in 1617; being one of the five exempted from the pardon of 1601. His descendant, Colonel 
Lacy, continued the wars in Munster in 1641, and treated with Ireton at the siege of Limerick in 
1651, but was excluded from the amnesty. John Bourke, Lord of Brittas, half-brother of 
Pierce Lacy, was executed in 1607; and in 1618, his relative married to the daughter of the 
Earl of Inchiquin, was created Baron Brittas; in 1611 attainted, restored, 1688 attainted and 
lost their properties. Cromwell expelled the Lacys root and branch, and only one of the Bruff 
branch escaped the slaughter by dismounting a horseman. Pierce Lacy was conspicuously 
engaged in the siege of Limerick, 1691. From these branches sprung the Irish Brigaders, and 
the French, Spanish, Austrian, Polish and Russian warriors, Marshals and Generals De Lacy and 
Brown, whose exploits for a century, up to the close of the last century, filled Europe with their 
fame. In the list of English by descent at the end of the sixteenth century, in the county of Limerick, 
the Lacys of Ballingarry, of the Brouve (Bruff) and of Bruree, are ranked with "the gentlemen and 
freeholders" of the county, as contradistinguished from the " meere Irishe," and the factions in 
Munster, viz. the " McSwines and M'Shees, then in faction" — the latter gallowglasses,* though 
at the siege at Askeaton in 1611 — " John Lacie of the Brouff" is denounced, with M'William 
Bourke, second son of Lord Brittas, and others, by St. Ledger, Lord President of Munster, as 
among " the Mounster Rebelles."t History teems with the achievements of the De Lacys in 
Russia and Austria. It was for his remarkable successes in the Council not less than in the 
Field, that the " famous Marshal De Lascy, the son of an Irish Exile from the county of Limerick, 
was loaded with so much honor by the rulers of Austria, and received from the Emperor Joseph 
a letter (written the day before the Emperor's death)" which is translated in his kinsman's 
"Cornet Pierse's Historical Researches," as follows: — "Vienna, 19th February, 1790. My dear 
marshal Lacy, I behold the moment which is to separate us approaching with hasty strides ! 
1 should be very ungrateful indeed if I left this world without assuring you, my dear friend, of 
that lively gratitude on which you have so many claims, and which I have had the pleasure of 
acknowledging in the face of the whole world ! Yes ! you created my army : to you it is indebted 
for its credit and its consideration. If I be any thing I owe it to you. The trust I could repose 
in your advice under every circumstance, your unbroken attachment to my person, which never 
varied, your success in the Field as well as in the Council, are so many grounds, my dear 
marshal, which render it impossible for me sufficiently to express my thanks. I have seen 
your tears flow for me ! The tears of a great man and a sage are a high panegyric. Receive 
my adieus ! I tenderly embrace you. I regret nothing in this world but the small number of 
my friends, among whom you certainly are the first ! Remember me ! remember your sincere 
and affectionate friend, JOSEPH." A magnificent monument, with his effigy in bronze, is raised 
to him in Vienna. 

In April, 1799, the renowned Suvaroff, with the above mentioned General Maurice Lacy of 
Grodno, and the County of Limerick, opened the Campaign, and in the words of Thiers, " in 
three months the French lost all their possessions in Italy — the battle of Novi shut us definitively 
out of Italy after three years occupation." But Suvaroff left the Austrians and marched North 
to help Korsakoff at Zurich, but was too late and hastened home. 

In the next year Napoleon " crossed the Alps," and after winning Marengo and Lombardy, 
he was within 50 miles of Venice when the peace of Amiens was concluded. In the war of 
1805, General Maurice Lacy landed a Russian army to attack the French on their flank at 
Naples. But the French having won Austerlitz from the Austrians, the treaty of Presburg of 
December, 1805, ceded Venetia to the French, and after an Austrian occupation of 10 years it 
was given back to the " Kingdom of Italy." 

In the succeeding wars, the Austrian army wa3 successful against Padua and Vicenza, and 
threatened Venice, when the battle of Wagram followed in 1809. In 1810, another of the Lacy 
family landed a Spanish army at Cadiz to divert the French from Italy, by a demonstration on 
that flank. By the treaties of 1814-'15, France " returned to her limits of 1792," renounced 
Italy, and Venetia and Lombardy were reannexed to Austria. 

In the Napoleon correspondence now publishing, is a remarkable letter from Napoleon to Count 
Lacy, taken from the memoirs of Cornet Pierce of the Russian service, in which Napoleon 

* Carew MSS. in Lambeth Library. f Ibid. 



334 HISTORY OF LIMERJCK. 

when provisions were exhausted, they had recourse to every means to 
sustain life even to cats, dogs, mice, carrion, putrid meat, nettles, docking, 

suggests the re-formation of an expedition to Ireland, to liberate the Catholics of that country, 
which he desires equally for the Catholics of Poland. It is dated from the place where the 
famous interview between him and Alexander took place, two days after that interview. The 
proposal fell through. He says, 

" General — Your illustrious master permits me to address you — your country and your faith 
have all my sympathies. The noble devotion of Ireland's sons, which have produced such 
sacrifices through so many ages (generations), inspires the hope that you will seek to benefit 
your country and your faith, and to restore her proscribed sons. Your name will inspire confi- 
dence, thousands would flock to } T our banner, and the antient enemy of our common faith might 
be humbled to the wishes of both your royal master and myself. Think of this, and if favor- 
ably let me hear from you. Accept my high consideration of your renown and your ancestry, 
&c. &c. Napoleon. 

General Maurice Lacy." 

A Pedigree of this warlike race, written in Spanish, shows that members of the family of 
De Lacy served in the armies of Spain after the siege of Limerick, and that in 1796, the chil- 
dren of Anna Maria de Lacy, who married Timotheus O'Scanlan, resided in Madrid. The Right 
Rev. Robert Lacy, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, who died in 1761, was a member of and an 
ornament to the Bruree Branch of the De Lacy family. General Maurice de Lacy of Grodno 
in Russia, and of the County of Limerick, died in 1820.* Not less illustrious were their rela- 
tives the Browns — George Brown, Baron of Camas, and his descendants, of whom Ulysses or 
Ulick Brown of Camas, in the Co. of Limerick, Esq., was Colonel of a Regiment of Horse in 
the service of the Emperors Leopold and Joseph, created in 1716, by the Emperor Charles VI. 
a Count of the Holy Roman Empire, (his younger brother George receiving a like dignity at 
the same time, being General of Foot, Councillor of War, and Colonel of a Regiment of In- 
fantry, under the said Emperors), was father of the deservedly famous Ulysses Maximilian Brown, 
Count of the Holy Roman Empire, one of their Imperial Majestys' Privy Counsellors, and Coun- 
cillor of War, Field Marshal, Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, Commander of Prague, Com- 
manding-General of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Knight of the White Eagle of Poland. 
He was born in Germany in 1705, and began to serve in 1718, marched with his uncle after the 
peace of Passarvoviz in Hungary, to Italy, the war having begun that year in Sicily. In the 
years 1731-2 he served in Corsica, and was grievously wounded at Callasana, which he took 
sword in hand. In the years 1733-'34 and '35, as Major-General in the wars of Italy, he be- 
haved with great distinction in the battles of Parma and Guastalla. 

In 1735-'38-39, in quality of Lieutenant-General, he commanded in Hungary, and in 1740 
after the death of Charles VI., with a handful of men in Silicia, he opposed^the King of 
Prussia, and though he had not 3,000 men, disputed that country with his Majesty and his 
numerous army, foot by foot, for the space of two months. In 1741, he was,at the battle 
of Moliz, in Silicia, and the next year in that of Zalray in Bohemia, where he kept head 
of Marshal Broglio's army of 30,000 men, though he had not above 10,000, being the same 
year at the siege of Prague. In 1740, he attacked Prince Conti's army, at Deckendorff on 
the Danube, and after forcing seventeen forts from the French, and taking the town 
sword in hand, he passed that river and occasioned the route of the French out of all Ba- 
varia ; in perpetual memory of which glorious passage of the Danube, a marble pillar is 
there erected, with the following inscription : — Theresce Austraciae Augustse Duce Exercitus Carolo 
Alexandro Lotharinguio, septemdecim superatis hostibilus Villis, captoque Deckendorfio, 
resistentibus undis, resistentibus Gallis, Duce Exercitus, Ludovico Borbonio Contio, transvit 
hie Danubium Ulysses Maximilianus, S. R. I. Comes de Broune. Locum tenens^Campi Mar- 
shallis die 5° Junii 1743. 

There are several other achievements recounted of this illustrious Limerick man, who in 
1726, married Maria Philipina, Countess of Martinez in Bohemia, daughter of George Adam, 
Count Martinez, one of his Imperial Majesty's Privy Counsellors, sometime Ambassador at 
Rome, Vice- King of Naples and Knight of the Golden Fleece — and had issue two sons, Philip 
George Count Browne, one of their Imperial Majesty's Chamberlains, and Colonel of foot, 
and Ulysses, active Chamberlain, Colonel of Foot and Knight of Malta. 

Field Marshal U. M. Brown called to Hungary by his uncle, was wounded at the battle 
of Prague, and died 1757. Count John Brown was killed at the siege of Prague ; Count 
George Brown, who married the daughter of the Russian Duke Whittenhoof, was at Rath- 
cahill, in the County Limerick, in 1792. Connected also with the De Lacys and Browns, as also 
with the Courtneys, Earls of Devon, were the Herberts of Rathkeale, in the County of Limerick, 
who descended from Sir William Herbert, Lord of Cardiff and Earl of Pembroke, the fifth of 

* The Biographie Universale— Michaud— A Paris — gives an interesting memoir of Count 
Peter Lacy and his 3on. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 335 

&c l The streets, the highways, the fields were covered with the dead 
bodies where they remained unburied, a prey to birds and beasts, infect- 
ing the whole air with the pntrid exhalations ; 400,000 persons are com- 
puted to have perished of famine and sickness. Land fell 75 per cent. 
in value; Wool, which in the reign of Queen Anne, was 12s. to 15s. fell to 
6s., whilst a boat load of best turf sold for 14s., and oats per stone was 5d. 2 

A man might walk "from John's gate to Thomond bridge'''' without meet- 
ing six persons then. The dead lay in the streets without interment ; and when 
the victims of cold and its concomitant starvation became so numerous, that 
coffins could not be provided in sufficient quantities or with sufficient quick- 
ness, a bottomless coffin was provided, from which the corpse was thrown 
into the grave, and hundreds of the dead were interred in this way. 

This calamity having reached the dominant classes, persecution, for a 
while, lost its intense rancour, and amid the horrors of general impending 
ruin, gave a respite to the Catholics. The state of things had an adverse effect 
even on the turnpike roads, which had become for some time such bad 
speculations for those who had engaged in them, that they gave no return. 3 

Edward VI. Edmond Herbert of Cahirmochill, County of Limerick, Esq., fourth son of Sir 
Edward Herbert of Poolcastle, County Mongomery, second son of the Earl of Pembroke, 
settled in Ireland in the reign of James I, and married Ellen, daughter of Richard Bourke of 
Lismolane, County Limerick, Esq., of the house of Castleconnell — his son was Maurice Herbert 
of Rathkeale, in the County Limerick, Esq., who married Margaret, daughter of Edmond Bourke 
of Ballinguard, County Limerick, Esq., who dying 10th of February, 1638, was buried in the 
Church of Rathkeale. Sir Thomas Herbert, created a Baronet on the 4th of August, 1662, 
fifteenth Charles II, was buried in Rathkeale — and was succeeded by his Grandson, (his daughter 
having married Edmond Southwell of Castlematress, County Limerick, Esq.,) created Baron 
Southwell of Castlematress, 4th September, 1717 — fourth George I. 

Among the gallant officers up to a very recent date in the Austrian service, descendants of the 
famous Irish Brigaders, is General Brown Herbert, of Rathkeale, Chamberlain to his Imperial 
Majesty. He, according to Mrs. De Lacy Nash's Historical Researches, is the son of General 
Peter Herbert, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, who distinguished himself as Ambassador of 
the Court of Austria to Constantinople at the close of the last century, and was descended from 
Maurice Herbert of Rathkeale in the County of Limerick, a county which gave so many warriors 
to European powers in the last century. Baron Peter, through the operation of the penal laws 
left Ireland to try his fortune with his grand-uncle by affinity, Marshal De Lacy, whose immense 
wealth fell to the Emperor of Austria. 

General De Lacy Evans, M.P. is a worthy scion of this truly illustrious race. 

1 O'Connor's History of the Irish Catholics. 2 Ousley's notes to Ferrar. 

3 The returns of the Bruff or Limekiln Turnpike for the nine years ending in 1 741, 6howed 
an average of about £62 per year ; Ardskeagh Turnpike, £85, and Blackboy, £195. Out of 
this income, wages of collectors and other monies were deducted, leaving a very small compara- 
tive nett income. To afford an idea of the character and quantity of the traffic by the principal 
Trunkpike (the Blackboy) in this year, we give the subjoined return from the official document, 
for one week, in June, 1742 : — 

Coach and six horses, 

Do. and four do. 
Chair and one or two horses, ... 
Waggon of four wh. 

Carriage of two wh. and more than one horse 
Cart or truckle, one horse, 
One horse, riden by one or more, 
Every backload, 
Cattle, per score, ... 
Calves, hogs, sheep, and lambs, per score ... 

For 52 weeks, or a year, ... 

To pay 



£ s. d. 




Per Week 


£ s. d. 


10 




2 


2 


6 




2 


10 


3 




30 


7 6 


1 








3 








1 




120 


10 


1 




240 


10 


£ 




480 


1 


10 




100 


4 2 


5 




200 


4 2 




£3 8 10 


... £17:-; \'J 






15 









10 









£203 


19 4 





336 niSTOBT OF LIMERICK. 

From these domestic matters we are drawn for a moment by a startling 
and dreadful event, which occurred in the Limerick Eegiment of the Irish 
Brigade, which was in Spain at the time, and which is told as we subjoin the 
particulars, in a contemporary publication : — l 

Extract of a Letter from Naples, dated May 31. 

" This Afternoon Captain Lynch and Adjutant-Major Macklain were beheaded 
on a Scaffold for the Murder of their Colonel Odeo 2 (Irish) in the Limerick Regi- 
ment which came from Spain, the Officers of which Regiment are all Irish or 
Scotch. These two unfortunate Gentlemen had been perpetually abused by their 
Colonel, who declared them disqualified for their Places ; and likewise by his en- 
deavouring to bring in his Brother to be Major of the Regiment, under whom they 
could not serve, he having been declar'd infamous in Spain ; and the Colonel having 
refused to give them satisfaction, they were blinded with Passion, and as he was 
coming home at Night they drew on him, and he calling to the Guard and refusing 
to fight, Captain Lynch shot him through the Head. Their Action was not to be 
countenanced, but the Injuries they suffered are too long to be mentioned. They 
died with Courage and Resolution. Most of the Officers are under Confinement, 
and 'tis not known what may be their Fate." 

In this year Mr. Whitefield arrived in Limerick from America, where 
he first preached the new doctrines of Methodism. 3 He reached Limerick 
from Fort Fergus, at two o'clock, p. m., and describes the city in his Journal 
as a large garrison town, with a Cathedral in it — the roads better than he 
had seen them on his journey, " but the people much more subtle and 
designing/'' 4 He saw many beggars, which he imputes to the want of 
Parish Provision. (!) He waited on Dr. Buscough, the Protestant Bishop, 
cc preached in the Cathedral to a very numerous audience, who seemed uni- 
versally affected," refused an invitation from the Mayor, having been pre- 
engaged by the Bishop, and left Limerick next day rather satisfied with his 
visit. 6 Whitefield, of course, saw but the outside of things, for a epedemic 
sickness prevailed in the city, and continued to strike down its victims 
during 1740 and 1741, when the Mayor, Joseph Eoche, Esq., and several 
influential citizens, were attacked by the disease, and lost their lives. In 
this year, too, (1741) the Custom House of Limerick was burned; and as if 
to destroy whatever traffic remained in the city, and to injure the country 
as much as possible, the harpies of the Corporation again commenced opera- 
tions, and caused greater indignation among the highest as well as among the 
poorest classes, than had been at any previous period experienced or ex- 
pressed. While they plundered, the city was in a fearfully neglected con- 
dition, and the outcry against them was limited to no party or persuasion. 6 

i The General Evening Post (London), from Tuesday, June 18th, to Thursday, June 20th, 1740. 
Page 1, col. 2. 

2 Odeo is a corruption for O'Dea, a very numerous family in Clare. 

3 White's MSS., in which it is added that Whitefield was the founder of the Swaddlers, or 
Methodists, " who take great head." 

* Whitefield's Journal — an unwarrantable remark. 6 Ibid. 

6 The exactions by the Corporation in the way of tolls, and the fearfully neglected and 
wretched state of the streets may be judged of from the facts we subjoin : — * 

Custom taken for Cloak baggat John's Gate in July, 1745 ... ... 4d. 

The like for Boots and Shooes in August, 1745 ... ... ... 3d. 

Custom paid for Household goods, for every load ... ... ... 4d. 

The like for Roots, Cabbage, Dead Fowl, &c, each ... ... ... Id. 

The like for washed linen, and everything coming to my house ... ... Id. 

The like for Potatoes each load, though seldom more than two bushels on a horse. Id. 
The like for my saddle horses last August coming from ye field in the suburbs Id. 

* From the papers of John O'Donnell, Esq., of Trough House, Grandfather of Lieut.-General 
Sir Charles Routledge O'Donnell, Colonel of the 18th Hussars. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 337 

But, superadded to the sufferings of the gentry, as well as of the people, 
persecution was soon again let loose by the Government, and became fierce 
and general. The Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council issued a procla- 
mation, in which the rigors of the Penal Enactments were revived against 
Catholic Archbishops, Bishops, Yicars General, and all others exercising 
ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and against all who harboured or sheltered them. 
Almost contemporaneously with this edict came an order to the Eevenue 
Collectors of the Province of Munster, to drive several lands for an arrear 
of Quit Eent, which arrear amounted in one collection — that of Cork — to 
over £6,000 — lands for which patents had been passed in the 20th and £ind 
of Charles II. to Sir George Hamilton and the Protestant Bishop of Ossory. 1 

To arrest the miseries consequent on the neglect of agriculture, a 
bill for the encouragement of tillage was introduced into the Irish Parlia r 
ment in the sessions of 1741 ; but it was subjected to public criticism and 
animadversion, inasmuch as it did not grapple with evils which were then, as 
well as they now are, felt by those so deeply interested in the question. In 
a letter from a Mr. ¥m. Jessopp, to Mr. Charles Smyth, then attending his 
Parliamentary duties in Dublin, Mr. Jessopp, under date Limerick, Dec. 4th, 
1741, says : — 

" It is Certain there are great Numbers of Acres in this Kingdom that in their 
Native State are not worth 2s., phaps not Is. p. Acre, That by plowing, Burning, 
Liming, Sanding, or other manureing, with good draining & good Tillage for some 
years, may be made of 4 times, and possibly of 10 times that Valine ; And those 
Acres are for the Most part Moory, Boggy, and Heathy grounds, And to encourage 
the Iinprovemt. of such kind of Land the Act passd in 1731 gave the Tiller the 
Tyths for 7 years of Hemp, flax and Rape growing thereon, but of no other graine. 
Now it is certaine in my poore judgment that Such lands, After A Vast Expence 
to the Tiller, are not capable of Rape more than one year, or of flax or Hemp more 
than one year more, & after must be for Barley or Oats, so that the 7 years en- 
couragemt, intended by the Act is by the Limitation reduced to 2 or 3 at the most, 

The streets from Newgate lane to Thomond Gate in a shocking and scandalous condition, 
and at one time so filled with filth near the pen formerly held by Thomson, that there were stones in 
the middle of the street to step on for those passing through, the filth being so soft that it ran 
over the street. The Bridge so badly paved with large stones as to be dangerous for horses to 
pass. 2d. each taken for three cows passing through the town the 3rd of Nov. inst., and Id. 
each for them ye next day, though not drove out of the suburbs. 

These exactions continued to the destruction of trade, the persecution of the farmers, and the 
injury of the city. On the 22nd of June, 1749, Joseph Gabbett, Esq., of Doonstowne, in a 
letter addressed to Ambrose Wilson, Esq., at Cahirconlish, gives an account of the dispute he 
had in Limerick about these exactions, by which they took market toll, " just three times as 
much as they had a right to" He gave information of it, and had the extorters indicted, but 
was obliged to postpone the trial that assizes, because he had not the original docket, for which 
he applied against the assizes following, but could not obtain it without the expense of bringing 
down the clerk of the House of Commons, in whose hands it was ! He also had the people who 
took illegal toll at John's Gate convicted before the Mayor, of extorting one penny for each 
horseload of potatoes, but had no other satisfaction given than making them return a halfpenny 
to each person who had so resisted them. It appears that Mr. Wilson had a law-suit at the 
same time, as Mr. Gabbett wishes him every success in his undertaking. 

To show the enormous extent of the oppression caused by these corporate exactions at thi3 
period, William Monsell, Esq., on the 5th of November, 1749, in a letter addressed to "the 
Rev. Charles Massy, A.M., Dean of St. Mary's, Limerick," complains in bitter terms of the 
" robbery." The " oppression, practised by the freemen on the public in this citty, is but too 
well known to town and country, the latter being mostly sufferers in having exorbitant tolls 
taken off their .corn by the iniquitous toll-men of this citty, and no remedy by applying to the 
magistrates." He goes on to show how he suffered, and he adds that " those violent proceedings 
made me and several others drop tillage, though our country wants cultivating." He expressed 
a hope that the Common Council of the city would take the matter into consideration in order 
to a redress of the infliction. 

1 The Smyth papers in the Corporation of Limerick. 

23 



338 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and those lands that did not pay the Church 1 d. p. acre before at the Expence of 
the Tiller, in 2 or 3 years time must pay 2 or 3 or 4d. p. acre, wd. most certainly 
discourage the bringing in of thousands that Woud be brought in if the encouragemt. 
had a reasonable Continuance. In such Case, if it be thought hard on the present 
Incumbent, let him have 2 pence or 3 pence or 4 pence p. acre for A reasonable 
time after the first year and no more, further I am satisfied there are great quantitys 
of Mountain lands that when plowd & burnd or Limed, where Lime can be had, or 
Marled where Marl is to be gott, they would be Tilld if the Encouragemt, extended 
to Corne as well as to Hemp, Hop or flax, wh. for want of Such encouragemt. will 
I fear lye in their native barren way, not producing one single ffarthing to the 
Church, nor anything to the Nation but the Rearing of a few stuntd Younge 
Cattle, a few Goats, and here and there a small Cabbin & Garden. There is also 
another Exception in that Act in favour of the Church, that I cannot think tends to 
its advantage. That any lands that did ever before pay Tyth for Hay shall be 
understood by that Act to have any abatment of Tyth for any terme. Now it is 
certain thruth that there are a great number of acres and such Moory sower Mea- 
dows that never was Tylld nor ever was worth in the best situation above 10s. p: 
acre, and yett for want of other meadowing have been mowd time out of mind and 
paid Tyths, and yet if those lauds were once plowd and burnd and well Tylled for 
3 or 4 years at most woud for ever after, if kept drained, be of 3 times Vallue, if 
the Tiller was encouraged by a Remittance of the Tyth for a time, or if that 
would not do, by limitting the Tyth to 12d. per acre for a term of years, and so the 
present Incumbent suffers nothing. And as to the premium allowd on Exporta- 
tion, I do humbly apprehend and hope the House will think proper to Enlarge & 
allso to Extend it to Wheat, Gates, Oatmeal, & qury whether it woud not be 
proper to gaurd such Exportation, when grain is at a low price, from the Inso- 
lence of the populace by a Riott act or some other way, & I know no place 
needs it more than this you represent. Another thing I woud just mention in 
relation to the Linen Manufactures, so long the care of Our Nationall Councills, 
And I coud heartily wish you talkt to yr. Unkle Burgh about that affair, As he is 
quallifyed I believe to do a great deall both in the House and at the Board. 
It s Certain we have in the County of Limerick good Lands for Hemp and for 
flax, but by having no kind of demand for our Hemp seed, Nor any Tollerable 
good hands to be had for Watering and dressing our Hemp & our flax, I 
know too well the Tillage of it turns to a poor acct, So that if we had such 
a thing as by a County ffactory, or otherways A demand & Markett for our 
Hemp and flax Green, or I mean Ripe in the ffeild, Or had a proper person to 
direct or take care for us that out Hemp & flax were well handled, tho we 
paid him ourselves, it would be of good account, for the truth is our Hemp 
and our flax are most certainly more than half lost for the want of Skillful, 
honest hand to water and grass and dress it for us." 

It is curious to find the citizens of Limerick in this very year, 1865, 
discovering a means of supplying those wants complained of upwards of a 
ycentur ago, viz. the want of markets, instructors, and factories. 

Limerick having been provided with public lights under the Act 6th Geo. 
II. which also regulated the fighting of Dublin and Cork, some improvements, 
which had been loudly called for, were made in the Act in 1741. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 339 



CHAPTER XLIII. 



EFFORTS OF THE CATHOLICS. XEW CHAPELS BUILT. PAINTINGS AND 

PAINTERS. NEW PROJECTS. — GRANTS. — LIMERICK CEASES TO BE FOR- 
TIFIED. REMOVAL OF THE GATES AND TTALLS. PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT, 

AND INVESTIGATION. CORPORATE INIQUITY EXPOSED. NOBLE CONDUCT 

OF THE ANTI-CORPORATE PROTESTANTS. 

The efforts of the Catholics in these gloomy times to possess themselves 
of becoming houses of worship were untiring. Hitherto the Catholic parish- 
ioners of St. Munchin had no parish chapel, but had been accustomed to 
resort to St. Mary's chapel, which was placed outside Thomoud Gate. 1 The 
parishioners of St. Munchin, therefore, were under the necessity of building 
a chapel for themselves in 1744, when they raised a small but convenient one 
near the same place — Thomoud Gate — close by the strand. The Kev. 
Patrick Scanlan was the Parish Priest. 2 In the year following the Eight 
Eev. Dr. Lacy, who had succeeded Dr. O'Keeffe as Catholic Bishop of 
Limerick, and who was a member of the illustrious family of De Lacy of 
Bruree, was appointed administrator of the diocese of Kilfenora by the Eight 
Eev. Dr» Daly, Bishop of that see, who was residing at the time at Tour- 
nay in Prance ; 3 and on the 19th of September in the succeeding year, the 
Eev. James White, Parish Priest of the Abbey of St. Prancis, " fixed" a small 
chapel for the use of his parishioners in the Abbey. 4 It is a strange fact 
that while the Catholic religion was at this period extending itself in Limerick, 
great alarm prevailed in nearly every other corporate city and town through- 
out Ireland, in consequence of the powerful efforts which the young Preten- 
der, the Chevalier Charles Stuart, had been making in Scotland and England 
to upset the Hanoverian dynasty in the person of the second George. 5 

But that the Corporators of Limerick took alarm there can be no doubt ; 
and that they were making preparations for a wholesale onslaught on the pro- 
perty of the people, is indisputable. In the years 1717 and 174S, more than 
two-thirds of the estates of the Corporation, consisting of town-parks and 
premises, near and adjoining to the city, together with several plots of building 
ground and houses within the city, fell out of lease, and the Corporators 
demised amongst themselves the entire of these lands for nine hundred and 

J White's MSS. 

2 This chapel went to ruin fifty years after this, and -was entirely taken down in the year 
1799, and a much better, larger and more convenient one built in the same place, which was 
blessed and the first Mass said in it in October — Dr. Young's Nate m Whites J1SS. 

3 White's MSS. < Ibid. 

5 At a meeting of the Corporation of Clcnmel, held on the 1st of January, 1745, it was 
resolved, " in consequence of the rebellion of the Popish Pretender, that there be'immediately an 
inspection made into all the walls, castles, gates, and fortifications of this town, in order 
immediately to fortify and repair the same, and put the same in a position of defence, at the 
expense of the Corporation, and that they do forthwith report the same to this Council, that 
the Corporation may immediately lay in a sufficient fund for carrying on the said work with all 
speed, and that the Mayor, as soon as such estimate be given in, do immediately call a council 
for this purpose." — Minutes of Clonmel Corporation Bool:, 



340 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



ninety-nine years, at a total annual rent of thirty-six pounds two shillings 
and nine-pence ; the particulars of which appear by the following table : — 



Denominations. 



To whom demised. 



Yearly- 
Rent. 



Acreable 
Contents. 



Monegollah 

Parcel of Lond adjoining to Monegallah 

Part of Hospital land with several plots 

of building ground ... 
Field in Little Island ... 

Latulla Fields ... 

Little Island, &c. 

M'Namara's holding 

Monabraher 

Cloon and Monemuckey 



Cloon 



Arthur Roche 



Robert Davis 
Arthur Roche 
John Ingram 
Henry Long 
John Wight 
Peter Sargent 



Peter Sargent 



£ s. d. 
1 



12 9 

2 
10 

3 10 
10 10 
12 



5 



A. R. P. 

40 1 15 

5 

10 
1 1 

11 2 15 



87 1 24 

8 3 7 
11 3 6 

1 12 

9 19 
9 37 
2 



1747 



1747 
1747 
1747 
1747 
1747 



1747 
1748 



36 2 9 



In the year 1748 the Common Council granted to Arthur Eoche the entire 
of the lands demised to him in the year 1747, for a term of 999 years, with 
other lands, in fee simple ; and in the same year executed two leases to John 
Wight, separating the lands of Monabraher from houses and premises in 
the city of Limerick, and dividing the rent to £5 15s. per annum for 
each denomination. 1 

Within the same period the following lots in the city were demised for the 
term of 999 years, or in fee, some of which are included in the leases already 
referred to, and others are held under separate leases : — 



6 


Denomination. 


To whom demised. 


Yearly 


* 


a* 


'A 






Rent. 


Q 


S 








£ s. d. 






1 


Plots included in lease of ground outside John's 
Gate with cabins thereon : — Tenements eight 
in number, with ground behind same, inside 
John's-gate — Ground within Water-gate. — 
Plot in Newgate-lane. — Ground near Little 
Island. — Ground without Island-gate. — Seve- 
ral pieces of ground within and without John's- 












gate and house in Tbomond-gate 


Arthur Roche, Esq. 




1747 


999 


2 


House in Quay lane 


David Bindon 


9 12 


1747 


999 


3 


Wm. Creagh's garden in West Watergate 


Mary Sexton 


10 


1747 


999 


4 


Ground North end of the Quay ... 


Geo. Stamer, Esq. 


5 


1748 


999 


5 


Part of Croaght adjoining John's-gate Parcel 

of land and stables without Thomond-gate, 












house adjoining Town Wall ... 


John Wight, Esq. 


5 5 9 


1748 


999 


6 


Ground leading from West Watergate to the 












Diocesan School-house 


John Ingram 


5 


1748 


999 



These acts of spoliation elicited a vigorous remonstrance from the Pro- 
testant party, who, with the exception of those mixed up with the plunderers, 
were indignant at the misconduct of men who were impervious to reason and 
the dictates of justice, and who scorned whatever of public opinion existed 

1 The lands of Monabraher near Limerick, and Avhich were leased at £5 15s. a year, contain 87 
acres, besides what is called Spur, about three acres. Sixteen acres alone were set for a short 
period by the representatives of Mr. Wight at £100 per annum ; seven acres more produced £100. 
In 1820 Mr. Wight Seymour, Solicitor, offered the property to Daniel Gabbett, Esq. for £7000. 



HISTORY OF LIME1UCK. 341 

at a time when there were little or no means among the oppositionists to give 
expression to their indignation. The liberal Protestants,, however, persevered ; 
and we shall shortly see the extent and character of their opposition, and the 
success with which it was attended. Amid the strife and din of this civic war, in 
which the Catholics, who had hoped for little social or political advantage, were 
increasing in numbers and wealth, serious riots had occurred in 1748, 
arising out of the sadly miserable condition of the humbler classes, 1 but 
their effect was transitory, and the succeeding year, a second Catholic chapel 
was built in the parish of St. Mary, where Dean Creagh had been parish priest 
for several years, but where he had had no house of worship. This chapel 
of St. Mary was accordingly built outside the walls, on the Little Island, 
and was ninety feet in length, by twenty-four feet six inches in breadth. 2 
In the next year a dreadful storm caused the river to rise to an unexampled 
height, and the water was two feet over the flooring of the chapel. Four 
vessels on this occasion were driven up on the quay, and cattle, corn, hay, 
&c, were swept off through the country by the torrent. In this year was bom 
John Eitzgibbon, one of the most remarkable men of his time, and one of 
the bitterest enemies of his country. 

In 1750, chiefly through the piety and munificence of Eichard Harold, 
Esq. of Pennywell, a chapel was built in St. Patrick's Parish, on Park Hill, 
above Pennywell. On this hill the Wilhamites had a battery during the last 
sieges. The chapel having become ruinous, a site on his property was offered 
free, by Mr. Harold's son (Eichard Harold also), on which to raise another, 
but a more convenient place on the lands of Monamuckey, 3 nearer to the 
city, and on a line with the then new road to Dublin, was chosen in pre- 
ference, where it was built. 

Among the new buildings in 1750, was a gaol, which was erected in the 
middle of Mary-street, four stories high, with a large plain front close to the 
street, and nine barred windows in front, and an equal number in the rere. 
An arched-way led to a lane to St. Francis's Abbey, where the County Court 
House was built in 1732. The gaol had a separate entrance at the north- 
western side of the archway ; a gloomy dungeon was placed beneath the lower 
story ; and in this not only felons, but political prisoners were incarcerated, 
amid darkness, vermin, and noisomeness indescribable. In 1798, it was con- 
stantlyxrowded with the victims of suspicion and the men on the " black list/' 4 

While the city to some extent was improving in spite of Corporate 
exaction and neglect, the condition of the country was by no means 
flourishing. Between landlord and tenant there was not a community 
of interest, which was clearly shown not many years after this period, 
when agrarian discontent partook of the characteristics of Whiteboyism. 
A remarkable circumstance is related to have taken place at this period 

1 Walker's Hibernian Magazine, vol. 18, p. 283. 

2 White's MSS — This chapel was furnished with an elegant altar piece, consisting of the 
different orders of architecture, and a magnificent copy, by a first-rate Italian artist, of a celebrated 
picture by Michael Angelo, of the Crucifixion. These munificent gifts were bestowed by John 
Kelly, Esq., merchant, whose grand-nephew, the venerable John Kelly, Esq., Deputy Lieutenant 
of Limerick, bestowed in 1862, on the new Catholic Church of Kilfintinan, in the parish of Crat- 
loe, county Clare, and diocese of Limerick, a magnificent marble altar. 

8 Monamuckey became the property of Mr. Henry O'Sullivan, an extensive tobacco merchant, 
who made a very fine street on the lands, which he called Clare Street, in compliment to John Fitz 
Gibbon, Earl of Clare. The houses, when built, sunk in the foundations, though they were 
admirably planned and in regular order. The Street has greatly fallen away in latter periods. 

4 The then fashionable promenade was Mary-street, between Quay Lane and the old gaol, 
and where crowds of belles and beauxs went each day to witness the relieving of the guard, 
during which a military band played. The old gaol is now well nigh a ruin. The roof is 
uncovered, and in one of the lower stories there is a nailor's shop. 



342 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

in connection with agricultural affairs. 1 About noon, on the 18th of 
May, 1752, some thousands of persons passed through the streets of 
Limerick. The country labourers, cottiers, and husbandmen had established 
a new system of husbandry, and there were " great companies of dis- 
tinction in the several degrees of agriculture;" common labourers walked 
first, the men in their shirts, in ranks; the women also with green corn 
and straw ; the plough was driven along, and the harrow ; the mowers had 
their scythes, the reapers, the gleaners, a great number of women, and a 
great number of men with flails, walked in the procession. Their object 
was to congratulate themselves on the probability of a good ensuing harvest. 
This exhibition was admittedly more important than the Corporation pro- 
cessions, accompanied by the several guilds of trade, in their palmiest 
displays. 2 On the next day the counties of Clare and Limerick joined, 
and were very particular in their representations of personating the several 
orders of husbandry in all the branches of it. 3 

On the 4th of May, the Prince of Wales 5 birth-day, the troops in Li- 
merick lined the town walls and proceeded to hedge firing, the great guns 
also firing all round the walls. 

The gentry were devotedly attached to field sports: fox hunting was 
universally indulged in by them ; and one of the most famous fox-hunters 
of the day, was Edward Croker, Esq. of Eawleighstown, who had been 
High Sheriff of the County of Limerick, in 1735, and who in this year, 
(1753,) built a fine Mansion-house at Eawleighstown, at an expense of 
over £6000. On him was made the Popular Song of "By Y'r leave 
Larry Grogan," by Pierce Creagh of Dangan, Esq., which we give for the 
sake of its hunting lore and family history : — 4 

1 By your leave, Larry Grogan, enough has been spoken, 

'Tis time to give over your sonnet, your sonnet, 

Come listen to mine, sir, much truer than thine, sir, 

For these very eyes were upon it, upon it, 

'Tis of a buck slain, sir, this very campaign, sir, 

To let him live longer, 'twere pity, 'twere pity, 

For horns and for branches, for fat and for haunches, 

He exceeded a Mayor of a City, a City. 

* J* An account before us, of this period, shows the acreable rent of land, the value of cattle, 
sheep, turf, &c. :— Charged to Mr. Reading, 

March, 1750. 

To the month of 21 acres, at £1 per acre £21 10 

To charges for mowing and saving the hay, per Furlong Smith ... 9 2 2 

Deduct ye 8th part being since consumed 

To Turf, by Furlong Smith's account 

To 69 sheep, some bought in spring and some in autumn, prime cost) 
one with another £6 10s. Od. per acre ) 

To 12 Bullocks 2 years old, at 16s. 6d. prime cost 

To 3 Cows, one of them old, sold at 

To 19 Cows at £2 10 each 

To 6 do. at 2 2 each 

To 1 Bull at 

To a bay mare ... 

Contemporaneous MSS. 3 Ibid. 

* Ralph Ouslcy's, Esq. MSS. notes to Ferrar's History of Limerick. 



£30 12 


2 


3 16 


6 


£26 15 


8 


9 11 


3 


19 3 


6 


9 18 





7 





£72 8 


5 


47 10 





12 12 





2 15 





10 






£145 5 5 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 343 

2 A Council assembled, (who'd think but he trembled), 
Of lads of good spirit, well mounted, well mounted, 
Each, his whip and cap on, and spurs made at Ripon, 
The number full twenty, well counted, well counted, 
But in legs he confiding, our efforts deriding, 

He thought himself safe as in bed, sir, in bed, sir, 
With a bounce off he goes, and tossed up his nose, 
But Ringwood cried, Lord help your head, sir, your head, sir. 

3 Off scores we went bounding, sweet horns were a sounding, 
Each youth filled the grove with a whoop and a halloo ; 
Had Douburg been there, such music to hear, 

He'd leave his Cremona and follow, and follow ; 
Knock-kiston, Knockany, and hills twice as many, 
We scampered o'er stone walls, o'er hedges and ditches, 
We skimm'd o'er the grounds, but to baffle our hounds, 
Was ne'er yet in any buck breeches, buck breeches. 

4 Four hours he held out, most surprisingly stout, 
Till at length to his fate he submitted, submitted, 
His throat being cut up, and poor culprit put up, 
To the place where he first was remitted, remitted ; 

A place most enchanting, where nothing was wanting, 
That poor hungry huntsmen could wish for, could wish for, 
Off delicate fare, though numbers were there, 
Yet every man, was a dish for, a dish for. 

5 We fell to with fury, like a long famished jury, 
Nor staid we for grace, to our dinner, our dinner, 
The butlers a sweating, the knives all a whetting, 
The edge of each stomach was keener, was keener, 
The bumpers went round with a beautiful sound, 

And clink, clink, like sweet bells, went the glasses, the glasses ; 
We dispatched King and Queen, and each other fine thing, 
To bumper the beautiful lasses, sweet lasses. 

6 There was sweet Sally Currey, and Singleton Cherry, 
Miss Croker, Miss Bligh, and Miss Prittie, Miss Prittie, 
And lovely Miss Pearce, that subject of verse, 
Should not be forgot in my ditty, my ditty, 

With numberless more, from fifteen to a score, 
Oh, had you but seen them, together, together, 
Such charms you'd discover, you'd pity the Louvre, 
You'd pity the Louvre as a feather, a feather. 

7 The man of the house, and his beautiful spouse, 

May they live to give Claret, and venison, and venison, 
And may honest Ned, there's no more to be said, 
May he ne'er want the beggars' old benison, old benison. 
Long prosper that country, the store house of bounty, 
Where thus we indulge, and make merry, make merry, 
For jovial as we are, we puff away all care 
To poor busy Robin, and Fleury, and Fleury. 1 

In 1753, the Catholic parishioners of St. John's undertook the duty of 
building a parish chapel : the building, which for over one hundred years, 

1 Sir Robert Walpole and Cardinal Fleury, were at this time Prime Ministers of England 
and France. 



344 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

was that in which the Catholic bishops of the diocese, chiefly ministered, was 
cruciform, and was taken down early in 1862, some months after the new 
cathedral of St. John had been opened in the same locality. The o]d chapel 
had an excellent painting of the Crucifixion, by Mr. Timothy Collopy, a 
native artist of distinguished merit, who also painted the Ascension for the 
Augustinian Eriary Chapel, in Creagh-lane. 1 

In 1755, on the 5th of June, the Marquis of Harrington, Lord Lieuten- 
ant of Ireland, arrived in Limerick, where he was received by the authorities 
with the accustomed pomp and ceremony, and where he reviewed the troops 
on the King's Island on the 6th, and on the 8th attended Church service at 
St. Mary's Cathedral, where Dr. Arthur Smyth, Protestant Primate of Ireland, 
preached. He was the guest of the Protestant Bishop during his visit. 

On the 19th of September, in the same year, eighty thatched houses at 
Thomond gate were consumed by fire, when a collection amounting to £300 
was made for the sufferers by the accident. 

1 Timothy Collopy, a native of the City of Limerick, was originally a baker's apprentice, but 
his talents for sketching and painting, having been discovered by Father Walsh, an Augustinian 
Friar, whose convent at the time was in Creagh-lane; the Eev. gentleman appreciated his talents 
so highly, that he raised a subscription among the wealthy merchants of the city, and sent him to 
Kome to study the art, where he remained for some years. He returned home, a finished, first- 
rate artist, and having arrived in Limerick, thus accomplished, he was extensively patronised as 
a portrait painter by the nobility and gentry of city and county. Father Walter Aylmer, O.S.A., 
who lived in Limerick towards the close of the last, and at the beginning of the present century, 
knew him well, and often spoke to him. Collopy went to London, where, in the first instance, he 
established himself near, or in South Audley-street, and afterwards in South Molton-street, and 
where he became eminent as a portrait painter. He occasionally visited Limerick, where he 
painted portraits of the leading families, particularly of the Maunsells. He painted the Ascension 
for his old friend Father Walsh, in 1782 ;* that picture is now in the Augustinian Church, 
George's-street — it is a composition worthy of any of the Italian masters, exquisite both in effect 
and in colouring. He painted other pictures also, the above particularly, which was in St. John's 
Chapel, but which had been much damaged — St. John and the Blessed Virgin are painted at either 
side of the cross. His first sketch for the Ascension has been in the possession of Mr. E. J. 
Corbett, music seller, George's-street. His fellow students in Kome were Hugh Hamilton of 
Dublin, one of the most distinguished portrait painters of his day — fully equal to Sir Joshua 
Eeynolcls, and Henry Tresham, who wrote the critiques on Sir John Leicester's Gallery, who was 
one of the associates of Collopy. Collopy took very many of his models from the finely 
proportioned heads of turf porters on the Limerick quay — and the widow of one of them, was in 
the habit of bestowing abuse on Father Walsh, because he had induced her husband, who died 
some time before, to sit for his portrait to Collopy — she believing that it was unlucky (!) for any 
one to have his likeness taken. Timothy Collopy died in London about the year 1810, or 1811, 
and left his property to his son. His executors were Phillips, the Royal Academician, and Henry 
Tresham. He had but one son, George, who was illegitimate ; George's mother was Jenny 
Madden the keeper of a public house, nearly opposite the old gaol in Mary-street. George became 
a reputed Orangeman — the Orange Lodge, and Freemasons' Lodge, No. 273, were kept in the 
house he occupied in Mary-street. Timothy Collopy had been always a Catholic. He gave 
directions for the cleaning of the picture of the Ascension, that it should be washed with warm 
water and a little soap, and the white of two eggs sponged over it after washing, no copel 
varnish, or varnish of any kind to be used. That Collopy, who never changed his creed or name, 
was not identical with John Singleton Copley, another greater portrait painter, and father of the 
late Lord Lyndhurst, whose mother, nee Miss Singleton, I have some proof. Miss Singleton was 
of the Quip, Co. Clare, family of that name. John Singleton Copley, according to his own 
statement to my informant, had never been in Ireland. 

I have these particulars from Mr. John Gubbins, portrait painter, aged 80 years in 1864, who 
knew both men, heard Copley disclaim ever having been in Ireland, and who has given me an 
autograph letter of Coll py written to Bliss Hamilton, daughter of Hugh Hamilton, in 1810, 
shortly before Collopy's death. Collopy was also much employed by the Earl of Bute in London, 
in cleaning that nobleman's famous collection of pictures, and realized much money in that 
branch of the art. 

* In the books of the Augustinian Convent, the following entry appears : — 
"November 10th, 1782. — Painting of the Ascension erected, drawn by Mr. Tim Collopey 
Native of this City of Limerick." An annual high mas3 is celebrated for the repose of the soul 
of the painter by the Augustinian Fathers, in whose chapel in Creagh-lane, he had in his youthful 
davs often served mass. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 345 

Again the demon of persecution was unchained,, on the introduction into 
the House of Lords by James Hamilton, Viscount Limerick, in 1756, 1 of 
a Bill, which contained nine clauses, all of a penal character ; and princi- 
pally relating to the registration of the Catholic clergy, and to the enforce- 
ment of the penalties contained in the Act of 1705, against such clergymen of 
the Catholic persuasion, as did not comply with the requirements of this 
enactment. 2 

The clergy were forced to hide for a time from the storm — and the people 
as usual remained true and faithful. 

[In this year a slab was inserted in the wall which surrounds the cemetery 
of the ancient Church of St. Michael, which having being extramural, was 
destroyed during Ireton's siege. The slab contains the following inscription 
to the memory of the first members of the Catholic family of Roche, who 
had settled in Limerick after the revolutionary wars : — 



t 


IHS 


PRAY FOR THE 


SOULS OF PHILIP 


AND ELLEN ROCHE 


1755 



While speaking of families, I may here note a curious discovery recently 
made in one of those very narrow and miserable lanes that ran between Broad- 
street, and John-street, and Curry's-lane, of what had been some few 
hundred years ago a magnificent chimney-piece, made of richly grained red 
and white marble, massive and beautiful ,* it is now fixed over the fire-place 
in a room of one of the houses in this narrow lane. It is about ten feet in 
width ; about five and a half in height : the architrave is nearly two feet 
in breadth ; and on it are sculptured, in relief, on the extreme right, the 
arms of the Eoche family on a floriated shield : a bird with outspread wings 
perched on a rock forms the crest and tops a shield — underneath, on the 
face of the shield, are three roches nay ants — at either side of the crest are 
the letters C. E : — at the extreme left of the architrave are the arms of a 
family, which I am unable to indentify by reference to the contemporary 
matter written in the MSS of Dr. Thomas Arthur ; but these arms also are 
beautifully sculptured in relief on a floriated shield likewise. The crest is 
formed, neither of bird or animal, but of something which appears to be a 
warlike weapon — underneath are the arms, a hound passant, and on either 
side are the words S. B. In the middle of the architrave, between the two 
floriated shields, are the initial letters I: H: S: a cross on the H is a French 
cross, tri-foliated, and the letters are foliated also. Underneath is the figure 
of the Sacred Heart pierced with three swords. The pillars on which the 

1 Now Viscount Clanbrassil — De Burgo Hib. Domin , p. 719. 

2 This Bill enacted the oath of allegiance, and the repudiation of any authority in the Pope 
to dispense with that oath, and the repudiation of any temporal or spiritual authority on the 
part of the Pope within the realm. A long and important debate ensued in reference to the 
terms of this oath, which De Burgo most justly calls atrocious. He adds that he was present 
(incog) while the question was discussing in the House of Lords, and that ultimately, owing to the 
proxies (only six) which Viscount Limerick had in his pocket, he was enabled to carry the 
measure in its original blackness, on the 6th of December, 1757. De Burgo states that the 
authors of this infamous Bill did not long survive its enactment — James Hamilton, Viscount 
Limerick (afterwards Clanbrassil) died on the 17th of March, 1758; Robert Clayton, Bishop of 
Clogher, died on 2Gth of February in the same year ; and the Bishop of Elphin on the 29th of 
January, 1762. All died after a very short illness.— Hib. Lorn. p. 725. 



346 HISTORY OF UMERICK. 

architrave rests, are fluted, and the top or mantel-piece is fluted in the same 
manner. It indicates the costly taste of the citizens at a time when Pyers 
Creagh Eitz Andrew was Mayor of the city, when "troupers were cessed" on 
the citizens at 15d. a day; when the civil war, which began in Limerick in 
1641, was still raging, and a short time before Ireton's dreadful siege. 
There was an "Edmundus Roch, Corkagiensis" — an ancestor, most likely, 
of the Catholic Roches of Limerick in the city at this period ; his name we 
find at p. 75 of Dr. Thomas Arthur's Diary, who says he cured his daughter 
of measles, for which he received a fee of £1, equal to a very considerable 
sum in our money.] 

A want of employment was now severely felt, not only in Limerick, but 
throughout Munster. Several projects were launched, including the cutting 
of the Grand Canal, to afford the needed assistance to the labouring classes. 
The improvement of Limerick was projected by Mr. Edmund Sexton Pery, 
who had become a representative of the city. In 1757, a Bill was introduced 
by him to the Irish House of Commons for the purpose of widening Ball's 
Bridge, against which Mr. Coulston forwarded a memorial, alleging the ruin 
of his interests. These improvements, however, were effected. On the 13th 
of June, 1757, the workmen began to cut the canal at Bartlettfs Bog, and 
in the following year it was opened up to the Shannon at Rebogue. It 
was mainly through Mr. Pery's influence and exertions that the following 



grants of public money were made to L: 
In 1755, 
„ 1759, 
„ 1760, 
„ 1761, 
,, 1761, 



merick by the Irish Parliament : — 
£8,000 
£3,500 
£3,500 
£4,500 
£8,000 



Total, ... ... ... £27,500 

The first was for the canal, most of which was expended in cutting through 
the hill of Park; the second grant was for finishing the cut ; the third for 
building "the new Bridge; 1 the fourth for improving the city and quays ; 

1 This Bridge had heen one of the greatest ornaments of the city, and was constructed by Mr. 
Uzuld at an expense of £1800. It connected the English town, by Quay Lane, with the then 
portion of the County Limerick which is now the principal part of the city — the new town. 
The first stone was laid on the 9th of June, 1761, and the Bridge was opened for traffic in the 
following September. This bridge was declared, in 1844, to be incommodious, owing to the fact 
that there was a considerable elevation in the only arch by which it spanned the river, when a 
new bridge was substituted, as appears by the following inscription on it. It is called the 



MATHEW BRIDGE.* 
CONTRACTED FOR IN THE YEAR 1844, DURING THE MAYORALTY OF THE 
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL WILLIAM J. GEARY, M D. 

THE EXPENSE OF ITS ERECTION BORNE BY THE CORPORATION AND BY PRESENTMENTS 
FROM THE COUNTY AND CITY GRAND JURIES. 

OPENED IN THE MONTH JUNE, 1846. 
THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL E. F. G. RYAN, MAYOR. 

JOHN F. RALEIGH, ESQ., TOWN CLERK. 

FRANCIS J. O'NEILL, TREASURER. 
W. H. OWENS, ARCHITECT. "I 
JOHN DUGGAN, BUILDER. J 



* It is called by this name in honor of the late Very Rev. Theobald Mathew, the Apostle of 
Temperance. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 347 

the fifth for continuing the new canal from the Shannon at Rebogue up to 
Killaloe. 

New roads were also made in 1757 — one from Thomond Gate to the 
causeway of Parteen, which was a short cut, avoiding the round by " the 
Mayor's Stone"; another road was made from Eastwater Gate to Pennywell 
Road. 

In consequence of an act of oppression on the part of Mr. Sweete, Mayor 
of Cork, the Catholic tradesmen of Limerick now took heart. Sweete having 
imprisoned a Catholic tradesman, because he would not pay certain exorbitant 
quarterage, which had been imposed upon him by the master of his trade ; 
the tradesman in question, backed by the principal Roman Catholic merchants 
of that city, entered a law- suit against Sweete, for raising money contrary to 
law. 2 The action was tried in Dublin, and the Mayor of Cork was amerced 
in a fine and costs amounting to £800. " Quarterage" was at once refused 
by nearly all the tradesmen of the kingdom to the respective guilds or cor- 
porations of trade, and each person followed his trade without becoming a 
" quarter brother" or " freeman." The Catholic tradesmen of Limerick, 
who, up to this period, had been confined to St. Francis's Abbey, quitted 
the Abbey in considerable numbers, and set up their trades in the city — a 
movement on their part which gave great umbrage to the Orange guilds, 
who were as exclusive as the municipal corporation, and equally as exacting. 
Money was gathered by the guilds of trade, not only in Limerick, but 
throughout the kingdom, and their representatives in Parliament received 
instructions to exert their influence to obtain a legal sanction for the charters 
of the guilds, and power to raise money from Catholic tradesmen, by com- 
pelling them to become u quarter brothers of their respective companies." 3 
Every city and corporate town in Ireland forwarded petitions for this unjust 
purpose. At length, a Parliamentary Committee, of which Mr. Edmond 



l Travelling at this period was not only tedious, but dangerous 


and expensive. It took five 


days to travel from Dublin to Cork. The following is a copy of 


a traveller's 


bill, among the 


Smyth papers in the Corporation of Limerick : — 








Travelling acct. to Cork. 






1758 




£ s. 


d. 


August 13th- 


—To wash ball and case 





H 




To ale for servants in Dublin 





8 




To Bill at Naas ... 


15 


8 




To Turnpike 


3 


9 


» l^th 


To Bill at Kilcullen 


1 18 


2 




To man for taking horse ... 


1 


1 




To Bill at Castledermot 


14 


H 


" 15th 


Laughlin Bridge Bill 


1 18 


io§ 




Turnpike 


4 


9 




Kilkenny Bill 


19 


6 


" 16th 


Nine Mile House do. 


1 4 


9 




Clonmell do. 


8 


7 




Turnpike 


5 







Clogheen do. 


15 


4 


" 17th 


Killworth do. 


11 


8 




Bath Cormuck do. 


5 


H 




Turnpike 


1 


5 




To helper on road 


1 


1 




To 3 men 5 days boarding ... 


14 


H 




To Fitzgerald do. 


10 10 




To beggars in Cork 


1 


l 




To beggars on Roads 





6| 



£12 11 
2 This tradesman's name was Mahony ; he was father of the truly benevolent Mr. Francis 
Mahony of John's-square, who died on the 19th of June, 1841. 
* White's MSS. 



348 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Sexton Pery, was Chairman, was appointed to investigate the matter. Many 
sittings were held, and many witnesses were examined. The Catholics, on 
their side, were not idle ; they too forwarded their petitions, and pressed 
their claims with spirit and ability. The printed Limerick Petition was 
signed by Nicholas Mahon, woollen draper, Edmond Sexton, wine merchant, 
James Browne, 1 woollen draper, Philip Eoche, " merchant and venturer/'' 2 all 
of St. Mary's Parish, and by several others. The Protestants were defeated, 
and the Catholic tradesmen thenceforward were free. 3 

Pope Clement XIII. proclaimed an universal Jubilee in this year, which 
was opened in Limerick on the 29th of April, and continued for one 
fortnight. In this year also, the Eight Hon. George Evans, Lord Baron of 
Carbery, died at his seat at Caherass, near Croom, county of Limerick. He 
was the only nobleman at this time who resided in or near the city. 4 On the 
23rd of June, same year, the 1st battalion of the Eoyal Scots, or 1st regi- 
ment of foot, and Lord Eorbes's regiment (the 76th) encamped near the 
Shannon two miles from Limerick, where immense numbers of persons were 
accustomed to walk each day to see the camp. 5 

In the year following (1760) Limerick ceased to be a fortified garrison; 
up to this period there had been seventeen gates to the city, which, com- 
mencing at Thomond Gate, and taking the circuit of the walls, may be named 
thus : — 

1 Thomond Gate 11 Mungret Gate 

2 Island Gate 12 West Water Gate 

3 Sally Port 13 Creagh Gate 

4 Little Island 14 Quay Lane Gate 

5 Abbey N. Gate 15 Bow Lane Gate 

7 Eish Gate 16 New Gate 

8 Ball's Bridge 17 And the Gate at the back of the 

9 Eastwater Gate Castle Barrack. 
10 John's Gate 

The destruction of the walls and gates was followed by the opening up of 
a road from the New Square near St. John's Church to Mungret Eoad, or 
Boher Buy, and a broad passage was made from Ball's Bridge to the Quay. 6 

Whilst these changes were taking place, the bitterest invectives continued 
to be poured out on the heads of the dominant faction in the Corporation 
by the liberal Protestants, who arraigned them in every shape and form for the 

1 The grand-daughter of thi3 James Browne was afterwards Marchioness of Clanrickarde, 
and Mr. Browne's father's house was at Ballynacailleach, near Bruff . — White's 31SS. 

2 White's MSS. Philip Roche became one of the greatest merchants in the South of Ireland. 
His father, two years before, fitted up the Catherine Letter of Marque, mounting fourteen 
sixteen-pounders, — the first ship of the kind ever seen in Limerick — for the West India trade. 

3 White's MSS. 

* Ferrar, 1st Edition. * Ibid. 

In this year George III. was proclaimed in Limerick by the Mayor. The Corporation, 
guilds of trade, and a company of grenadiers attended the ceremony. The grenadiers fired 
three rounds each time the proclamation was read ; the streets were lined with three regiments of 
infantry, who fired three rounds at the conclusion of the ceremony. White (MSS.) states that 
this year the city of Limerick began to shew much better than it had hitherto done, and to have 
a wholesome air circulating in it, and this by means of throwing down the old walls, and opening 
all the avenues leading to the city. The throwing down of the houses on the side of Ball's 
Bridge was of vast use, as were also the other public improvements they were making in and 
about the city. The castle and guard-house on Thomond Bridge were thrown down this year, in 
order to enlarge the passage of the bridge. At the head of Pump Lane a new pump, worked by 
machinery, was sunk to a depth of sixty feet at the expense of Mr. Pery ; who also caused a 
canal to be cut nearly twu miles in length, to convey the water from Drumbanny to the Irish-town, 
to cleanse the streets. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 349 

worst excesses. A sharp writer, who was called " Prince Telltruth Up- 
right/' 1 wrote two letters in 1759, to the freemen of the city, in which he 
inveighed in a vehement manner against the Corporation. These letters were 
printed and circulated, and in the second of them which we have before us, 
these questions are asked : — " Is there not a melancholy appearance of decay 
and neglect throughout the whole city in those several places, which were built 
and decently supported before him (the leader in the Corporation, Mr. Arthur 
Eoche), when the revenues thereof were, by a considerable sum less than they 
are now, and no extortion was used by the collectors of these revenues to 
enhance them, and of consequence no murmurs were uttered against them ? 
Witness the Market House, Exchange, ' Chimes,' Blue School and Alms 
House, and many other places and things, too tedious to relate. Also what 
has become of the revenues of the city, so greatly increased ? since are not 
monstrous debts contracted by the Corporation ? Is not the city credit sunk 
so low, that Corporation notes will scarcely yield fifty in the hundred, and 
large sums have been due on many of them for many years past to the great 
loss of the poor people they were passed to ? What is become of the large 
sums borrowed by them ? are houses or lands purchased with them ?" Tell- 
truth wrote many other bitter words, and compares " the man who thrives 
on the ruin of his country to ascarides in the human body, who adhere so 
closely to the intestines, till they at length destroy that being which affords 
them nourishment, if they are not timely ejected by strong purges and 
emeticks." 

Mr. John O'Donnell 2 of Liberty Hall, outside Thomond Gate, was Se- 
cretary to the Free Citizens, and energetically and ably did he perform his 
duties. Herman Jacob, a native of Bremen and naturalized in Great Britain, 
now resided in Limerick, u where he followed merchandize," and tendered 
twenty shillings to the Mayor and Council, praying to be admitted to the 
freedom of the city. The Mayor and twenty-eight of the Common Council re- 
jected the claim; but Mr. Jacob memorialed the Lords Justices, and when the 
Mayor had found that the alien had some friends, who were determined to 
have his petition forwarded, they thought proper to admit him to his free- 
dom. It was mainly through the instrumentality of the " Free Citizens" 
that Jacob obtained what he sought. " The Eree Citizens" not only pulled 
together to obtain a release from the oppressions of taxation and monopoly, 
but they had their social reunions, banquets, &c. They worked with won- 
derful energy. 3 Catholics interfered only by sympathy in these demon- 
strations. 



1 Papers of John O'Donnell, Esq. of Liberty Hall. 

2 This gentleman was, as before stated, the grandfather of Major-General Sir Charles 
O'Donnell, Colonel of the 18th Eoyal Dragoons. 

8 They dined together often, and their list of toasts is a curiosity : — 
" The King." 

11 The Free Citizens of Limerick and their Candidates Pery and Massy." 

" The Glorious Memory." 

u Ths Lords Justices and the minority of the Privy Council." 
44 May the Commons of Ireland ever hold the purse of the nation." 
44 A Patriot Parliament.'' 
4i William Pitt the father of Free Citizens." 
44 The Linen Manufacture of Ireland and the promoters of it." 
44 The Corner-Stone of the new Quay." 

44 May the Electors of Ireland have a constitutional right of judging of the conduct of their 
representatives every seven years." 
" The Author of the Corn Bill." 



350 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ^ 

The most stirring appeals were made to the independent citizens by the 
free .citizens, to shake off the incubus of Corporate monopoly and plunder, to 
act as became men ; to show e ■ that all public spirit was not lost ; to let 
other cities know that the freemen of Limerick were not biassed by the 
influence of the great or mighty, or misled by narrow party views; that they 
scorned the base practices of selling their votes for a dinner. 1 " A lover 
of Liberty" came out in a powerful letter (1760) "to the gentlemen, 
clergy, and freemen of Limerick," in which he asserts the independence 
of the city, and suggests that young Mr. Massy, the son of Dean Massy, 
should be selected with Mr. Pery as a candidate on the independent in- 
terest for the city. Mr. Pery at the election of 1670 was the favourite. The 
exertions of Dean Massy in favor of the free citizens, and his anxiety to 
rescue the charities from the harpy grasp of the Corporation, caused him to 
be esteemed. That the son of so deserving a man should be well received 
by the citizens was not surprising ; but the Smyth interest was dominant. 
Many however who were induced to divide their votes, voted for Mr. Pery 
and Mr. Massy, while others of them, voted for Mr. Massy and Mr. 
Smyth. 2 The toll collectors pursued their detestable vocation with 

" The Man who relieved the citizens from the embezzlement of Treasurers and oppressions of 
long taxes." 

" May the Independent Electors of Ireland be always represented by those they love." 

" Speedy restoration to the just rights and privileges of the citizens of Limerick." 

" May all those who desert their friends fall into the hands of their enemies." 

" A firmer tenure to the Judges of Ireland." 

" May young patriots fill the places of old courtiers " 

1 Papers of John O'Donnell, Esq. of Liberty Hall. 

2 Among those who voted for Massy and Smyth we find the names of Gough, Rawlins, 
Copley, Mac Adam, Kendal, Wastecoat, Brimmer, Stritch, Bluet, &c., whilst the names of 
Frankin, Wright, Monsell, Miles, &c, appear on the independent side also. Mr. Pery and Mr. 
Smyth were returned. 

The Corporation Memorial against the Bill for inquiry and reform contained these names : — 

The Mayor (weigh master), Francis Sargent and John Monsell, Sheriffs (the former under 
influence), Alderman Sexton (a lease), Alderman Wight (ditto), Alderman Jones (comptroller), 
Alderman John Shepherd (would not vote for until he had known the contents), Alderman 
Peter Sargeant (a lease), Richard Graves (do ), Geo. Stammer (do), Robert Hallam (Town 

Clerk and Scavengerer), John Bull (son-in-law to Alderman the Mayor), Jos. Crips (son 

to Alderman), Wm. Wakeley, Jos. Barrington (Treasurer), Christopher Carr Christopher (step- 
son to Peter), Geo. Sexton, jun. (son to Alderman Sexton), Jos. Johns (a large sum due to him) 
Exham Vincent (a lease), Wm. Gubbins. 

Against the memorial of the Corporation were : — 

Alderman Maunsell, Alderman Long, Alderman Baylee, Robert Davis, Geo. Waller, Richard 
Maunsell, Jun., Henry Holland, John Samuel Taverner, Andrew Welsh, Christopher Bridson, 
Thomas Pearce. Papers of John O'Donnell, Esq. of Liberty Hall. 

u The Corporation of Clothiers," a very prominent and important body, were mixed up in 
the proceedings of these times, and having been called upon to give a character of one James 
Lombard, who, we must believe, had rendered himself obnoxious to some parties, and who was 
a ready man at the side to which the Clothiers were opposed, gave him a certificate, which for 
plain speaking is a model composition.* 

* " We, the Master and Wardens of the Corporation of Clothiers, and the undernamed inhabi- 
tants of the City of Limerick, do hereby declare and certifie, that we know James Lombard of 
the sd. City, who was bred to the Clothing trade, and now a Common and notorious bum, to be 
a person of a bad reputation, and a very infamous character, and do really believe he would 
swear the greatest falsehood if importuned to do so for a Consideration, so he thought he could 
do it with impunity, or secure from the punishment of the Law. 

" Dated this 16th of May, 1761. 

Daniel Widenham, Master. 

| Wardens. 



Giles Powell, 

Zachary Miles, 

Jacob Davies, f Fldprs 

Samuel Hart, [ 

Michael Pinchins, ) 



William Alley. 
Richard Dillon. 
John Cherry. 
John Bernard. 
John Deane. 
Joshua Unthank. 
James Lynch. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 351 

such unscrupulous rapacity that they defied every effort to make things 
in any degree tolerable to the neighbouring farmers and gentlemen, whom, 
in many cases, they deterred from growing corn at all, there being no 
other market but Limerick, and the exactions being so insufferable that 
the agriculturists could not sustain them. 1 This state of things con- 
tinuing, and the oppressions becoming more intolerable and cruel every day, 
the Protestants resolved to appeal to Parliament for redress. A curious 
correspondence took place between Mr. O'Donnell, secretary to the 
free citizens, and Dan. Hayes, Esq. 2 In a letter to Hayes, the secretary 

Isaac Jaques, } Henry Fowles. 



Maurice Reddy. 
John Sanders. 
Andrew Gardner. 
Thomas Harrold. 
George Powell. 
William Canny." 



Joseph Jaques, >■ Elders. 

James Greene, } 

Thomas Hopkins. 

Edward Casey. 

James Hill. 

Robert Davis, 1761. 

Thomas Alley. 

1 Mr. Richard Parsons, writing to Dean Massy, from Carrigogunnell, October 30th, 1761, 
states, that the act of Parliament which was intended for the protection and the good of the 
farmers, they (the Corporation vampires) have turned to oppression — " in short, they have made 
me tired of farming, for I can assure you on oath, that these twenty years back except the last 
two years, that I sent into Limerick upwards of five hundred barrels of corn, but I was so 
oppressed with the usage I got in Limerick that I would not be any longer in their power, and 
have entirely quit tillage, nor have I sent one barrel of corn into Limerick those two years past, 
or ever will till the times alter." 

2 Daniel Hayes, Esq. was a native of the county of Limerick, and was gifted with very 
superior talents. He published a volume of poems which went to a second edition — the latter 
rarely to be met with, was printed by A. Watson, in Mary-street. Hayes's " Farewell to 
Limerick" is a powerful Satire on the state of society in the city in 1751, when it was written. 
He was a Fellow Commoner of Trinity College, Dublin. He died in London, on the 20th July, 
1767, having giving directions in his will that his remains should be conveyed to St. Mary's 
Cathedral, Limerick, for interment. He bequeathed the greater part of his property to the 
county of Limerick hospital, which, however, never received the benefit of the bequest. His 
monument consists of a plain, white marble slab, affixed to a pillar in the south transept of St. 
Mary's Cathedral, with the following inscription : — 



DAN. HAYES AN HONEST 
MAN AND A LOVER OF HIS 
COUNTRY. 



Hayes's letter to Mr. O'Donnell is characteristic : — 

Chelsea, April 6th, 1762. 
Dkar Jack, 

Your letter surprised me not a little, when I found that you had so far succeeded against my 
old friends the Corporation. But what in the name of wonder could suggest to you that I had, 
or could have, any intercourse with, or access to, Lord Bute. He is, believe me, too great a 
personage for any Irishman in this kingdom to address as you mention ; except Lord Shelburne. 
I could, perhaps, get a written memorial delivered to him, or inscribe him a book, or get now 
and fhen to the foot of his table. But to attempt influencing his voice, and that too in the Privy 
Council ! Good God, Jack, what an idea you must have of a Prime Minister ! I could indeed 
point out a very easy channel for your agent to come at the other Secretary ; but as the Corpor- 
ation of Limerick, the magistracy in particular, behaved to me with such unparalleled lenity 
and friendship in my last and greatest distresses ; it would be the basest ingratitude to attempt 
(however feebly) to subvert their interests." 

Besides, good Jack, believe me, that a partizan is of all officers the soonest forgot, and the 
least thanked or rewarded. If the agent for your Corporation has cleverness enough to procure 
Sir Harry Erskine (who has the greatest influence with Lord Bute ; being his near relative, and 
having recently married his cousin), he may do you infinite disservice. For to my knowledge 
Sir Harry gratefully remembers the freedom of the city conferred upon him. This, upon my 
honour, I never hinted to any man ; and I suppose you can keep your own secrets. The future 
maxim of my life shall be, to steer wide of all parties, ruptures, and dissentions ; you are sure 
of enemies, who will engrave your actions on a table of brass ; of friends who will commit 
them to a rotten cabbage leaf. 



352 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

to the free citizens enters into many subjects, and particularly recommends 
him to use his influence with Lord Bute and the members of the Privy 
Council to have justice done to the aggrieved and plundered citizens of Limer- 
ick. 1 It should be stated that previously to this correspondence, they had framed 
a petition to Parliament, in the name of John O'Donnell, their independent 
secretary, containing all their complaints, and signed by upwards of five 
hundred persons of all ranks of city and country, but not signed by any Catho- 
lics. The petition was presented to Parliament on the first day of its sitting 
by the city representative, Counsellor Edmond Sexton Pery, and was backed 
by other representatives of Limerick and Clare. A committee was appointed 
by Parliament to examine into the causes of complaint, and Mr. E. Sexton 
Pery was appointed chairman of the committee. Many members of the 
Corporation were summoned to Parliament for the sixth of November, that 
being the day the committee was to sit, as were also many of the other 
inhabitants of all ranks and stations. The grievances which the citizens 
suffered from the Corporation, and on which they were chiefly examined, were 
the unreasonable practice of quartering the soldiery on Catholics, and on 
those whom the Corporation did not like, without ever paying for such 
quarterage, though the Government allowed payment ; the dirty manner in 
which the streets and city were kept ; the exacting of customs at the gates, 
double what the law allowed, and for articles which were not liable to custom ; 
and for exacting tolls in the market, treble what the laws and Parliamentary 
schedule allowed; the partial administration of justice between party and 
party, and the neglect of magistrates in the administration of justice, and 
visiting and regulating the markets ; the demanding and misapplication of 
the revenues of the city for over thirty years previously, and the Corporation 
farming to each other for ever the city lands for a crown or twenty shillings 
a year, which were worth to each individual £200 or £300 per annum ; the 
depriving the freemen and free citizens of their rights in the electiug of 
Mayors, Sheriffs, &c, and not granting them a common speaker, or calling 
a court of D'Oyer Hundred ; the selling for life, in some particulars, employ- 
ments in the Corporation, which were to be elected for every year — these and 
many other charges against the Corporation were evidently proved before 
the committee, and the consequence was a new law for the better regulation 
of the City of Limerick was enacted on the 21st of December, the committee 
unanimously agreeing to 31 resolutions, which, on the 23rd of December were 
reported to the whole House, and on the 24th, the House, according to 
order, took into consideration the report made on the 23rd relative to the 
petitions of John O^Donnell and others, and the resolutions of the committee 
were read and agreed to by the whole House. 2 The injurious power 

I have not seen either of the agents who have come over, hut hope to have that pleasure 
before long ; and after all that has been or that will be said upon tbis matter, my humble opinion 
is, that Lord Halifax's pleasure will direct the Committee-table ; they say he is much admired 
amongst you ; he is very much so here ; and I believe there is not an abler or better man in 
England. You do not mention what party he espouses, or whether he meddles at all. I should, 
however, conjecture he is with you, as the Bill passed in Ireland. If so, you may almost 
depend upon success ; nay, the Bills having past, and touchiug (I suppose) nothing upon the 
Crown's prerogative, should in my conception, ensure its stability ; for it can hardly be supposed 
that the memorial of any single body should countervail the two great councils of the kingdom. 
I should be excessively glad to serve James, and perhaps may before I die. My best respecta 
to your wife, and believe me, Your's very truly, 

John O'Donnell, Esq. Liberty Hall, Limerick. D. HAYES. 

"Write to me the news of the country without minding politics, or the want of franks- 

> O'Donnell's Papers. * White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 353 

exercised by Arthur Roche was particularly condemned by the resolutions of 
the House — he was- declared unfit to hold any office in the city — and it was 
ordered that leave be given to bring in the heads of a bill for the better 
regulation of the Corporation of the City of Limerick, and for redressing the 
several grievances under which the citizens and inhabitants labour, and that 
Mr. Pery, Mr. Charles Smyth, Mr. Recorder, Dr. Lucas, Mr. Sergeant 
Paterson, and Mr. Lucius O'Brien, do prepare and bring in the same — 
Ordered that the same report be printed. We give the sequel in the lan- 
guage of White. 1 

1762. — 1. The act for the better regulation of the Corporation and 
City of Limerick, having, with some amendments, passed the Privy Council 
of Ireland, was brought over to England for the purpose of passing there by 
Mr. Nicholas Smyth, agent to the freemen, but it was opposed there by Mr. 
Andrew Shepherd, agent to the Corporation, who represented to the Council 
of England that the freemen of Limerick were entirely influenced by the 
papists ; that it was a Popish faction which introduced said bill ; that there 
were near one hundred priests and friars in Limerick ; 2 and that said bill was 
contrary to law, and an infringement on the Royal Prerogative from which 
the charter derived. The Solicitor-General and Attorney- General for Eng- 
land represented the bill in this false and odious light, and therefore, it was 
thrown out and not passed into law. 

2. Counsellor Edmond Sexton Pery foreseeing that the bill would meet 
with this opposition in England, did very wisely introduce into other acts of 
Parliament clauses for the better redress of the many grievances and abuses 
under which the citizens of Limerick did labour, and which answered the 
purpose almost as well as if the bill did pass, that the customs on the gates 
and the tolls in the markets should be taken from them, tolls alone which 
are mentioned in the dockett, ratified by Parliament in the year 1723-4, and 
that no more should be taken than what is there specified, and that under 
the severest penalty on the exaction of said tolls and customs, and on the 
chief magistrate, if he should neglect punishing according to law such exac- 
tion. By this clause the tolls and customs which are usually exacted are 
lessened by more than one half. By another clause in another act, the 
levying of public taxes and rates which were formerly assessed on the 
inhabitants by some members of the Corporation, according to their arbitrary 
pleasure, and by which the Catholics were greatly depressed, I say, these 
taxes and rates are so lessened by so many of the respective parishioners as 
are appointed by a vestry held for the purpose, and that assessment to be 
laid proportionally on all the parishioners, who, in another vestry, were to 
approve of the same, and then said assessment to be given to the treasurer of 
the Corporation, who must levy said money from every inhabitant according to 
said assessment, and who is to get a shilling for each pound so raised, for his 
trouble. By this law Protestants and Corporation men are liable to be equally 
taxed as Catholics which was never done before. By another law, the lamp 
money which was hitherto raised by the Corporation by exacting a crown a 
year out of every house in the street, must now be raised by a vestry in like 
manner as the public rates ; by another law, all disputes with the Corpora- 
tion must not be tried in the city, but in and by a jury of twelve men in any 
other county. 

3. By an order of the barrack board, no soldiers are to be quartered on 
the inhabitants, save on their march, and that to be done in an equal manner, 

1 White's MSS. * A notorious lie, whereas there were but sixteen.— White's MSS. 

24 



354 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and if there should be a necessity of quartering any soldiers on the city, 
their lodgings are to be paid for by the commanding officer. 

4. The Roman-Catholic merchants this year refused paying Cockett duties 
to the Corporation, on compounding for them by paying to the Corporation 
£5 every year, and they judged such duties to be an unlawful exaction, and to 
which no one was liable but foreigners alone who followed trade in Limerick. 

5. On the 5th of May, the Corporation party in the Council made 150 
freemen, chiefly strangers, in order to have a majority among the freemen in 
the Court of D'Oyer Hundred. 

This movement was a heavy blow to the Corporation ; and that it was 
inflicted by the hands of honest Protestants must be ever a cause of sincere 
congratulation to the citizens of Limerick. 1 

As we have already stated, the state of feeling between landlord and 
tenant was becoming unpleasant in the extreme. About the month of 
January, 1762, some persons, who called themselves levellers or Whiteboys, 2 
to the amount of some hundreds, some say thousands, did much mischief by 
night, levelling hedges of those who had encroached on any of the commons, 
by digging up the lay rich ground of those who would not set land to the 
poor for tillage, burning the barns and haggarts, &c. By degrees they spread 
over Minister, did incredible mischief in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, 
and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, and in the parish of Kilfinnane, 
where, in one night, they dug up twelve acres of rich fattening ground be- 
longing to a Mr. Maxwell, houghed some cattle, &c. White 2 says, " there 
is no knowing where this will stop ; but the Government has given orders 
to the respective Governors of the counties to inspect into the causes of 
these evils, and for that purpose to assemble the justices of the peace ; it is 
surprising that though there are such numbers, none of them discover on 
their companions, that they are never seen by day, and that they damage, 
indiscriminately, both Catholics and Protestants, and even punish the Priests 
who exert themselves against them. Our Bishop has sent his mandate to his 
Parish Priests to speak against them.'" 

It was proved on the trials for these offences that in almost every instance 
the promoters and instigators of them were Protestants — Protestant tenants 
who had resolved to wring justice from the lords of the soil. At a Special 
Commission held in June of this year, 1762, two men named Banyart 
and Carthy, were tried, found guilty, and executed at Gallows Green on the 
19th of that month. In reference to some of the causes of these disturb- 
ances, Mr. Lucius O'Brien, member for Clare, made a remarkably bold and 
telling speech, in his place in Parliament, in which he lamented the de- 
plorable condition of the inhabitants of the county in which he lived (Clare.) 
" arising from the total neglect of those who had nominally the care of their 
souls, and the tythe of their property (the Protestant clergy) in Clare, he 
continued to say, there were seventy-six parishes and no more than fourteen 
churches, so that sixty-two parishes were sinecures. . . Who can suppose 
that men will patiently suffer the extortion of a tythe monger, where no 
duty for which the tythe is paid has been performed in the memory of man. 
. . . It has been said that to prevent opposition to such demands we 
should put in force our penal laws against those that have opposed them 
already, but give me leave, Sir, to say that no penal law, however sanguinary 
in itself, and however rigorously executed, will subdue the natives of a free 
country into a tame and patient acquiescence in what must appear to be the 

1 In this year, 1788, Cornelius Magrath, an Irish giant, who was born in the Silver Mines, 
Co. Tipperary. in 1730, died in College Green, Dublin, He was seen in Cork by Dr. Smith. — 
Smith's MSS. in Royal Irish Academy. a White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 355 

most flagitious injustice and the most cruel oppression. The insurrections 
against which we are so eager to carry out the terrors of the law, are no 
more than branches, of which the shameful negligence of our clergy, and 
the defects in our religious institutions, constitute the root.'" 1 

These causes operated on the people for a long time, and continued to 
produce the most fearful results, as we shall see as we proceed. 

In this year, on the 5th of August, Dr. Laurence Nihill, afterwards 
Bishop of Kilfenora, 2 was appointed parish priest of Eathkeale. In 1764, 
White 3 marks the following incidents : — 

?' This year a sumptuous City Courthouse was coinnienced on the ground where 
the old Courthouse stood in Quay Lane, opposite to the Mayoralty House. The 
first assize held in it in the summer of 1765, and the Quay was finished from the 
East side of Ball's Bridge, and joined the bank of the canal. This year also was 
finished the famous mill on the north side of the canal above the lock nearest the 
city ; therein six pair of mill-stones for corn, four boulting mills, four tucking mills, 
and all loads were raised to the top of the house, and all that performed by two 
water-wheels and at the same time. Famous stores were likewise built for the 
reception of corn over the mill dam." 

These mills were erected by Mr. Andrew Welsh and Mr. Uzuld at a cost 
of £6000 

One of the most memorable civic demonstrations was made on the occa- 
sion of the riding of the franchises of the city of Limerick on the 5th and 
6th of September, 1765. This demonstration is described so graphically 
and clearly by White, 4 that we give the facts as they appear in his MSS. : — 

The Order of Franchises of Limerick, rode the 5th and 6th of September, 1765. 
" On Thursday, the 5th of September, Thomas Smyth, Esq., being Mayor, 
Alexander Franklin and Counsellor John Tunnadine being Sheriffs, the Franchises 
of the city and liberties of Limerick were rode. Servants, Bailiffs, and Mayor's 
Sergeants preceded on horseback, with blue cockades in their hats ; then the bands 
of music belonging to the army, the sword bearer, and water bailiff, with their 
proper ensigns, the two sheriffs with their rods, the Mayor, richly dressed, with the 
rod in his hand, rode after ; then followed the rest of the Corporation, John Quin, 
Esq., carrying the blue Corporation standard, and then followed numbers of other 
gentlemen well mounted, all having blue cockades in their hats. Then fourteen of 
the Trades or Corporations rode after them, each trade according to the antiquity 
of their charters, and each trade was headed by their respective masters and wardens. 
Each trade had a standard according to the colour of their trade, with the arms of 
the trade in the centre, and cockades peculiar to the trade, and after their masters, 
and wardens followed the principal of each trade, all well dressed, well mounted 
and accompanied with drums and music. On Thursday they rode from the King's 
island through the city, and visited the S. E. liberties of the city. On. Friday they, 

1 Debates in the Irish Parliament, reported by an officer, 2 vols. 

2 White's MSS., which add that the Rev. Laurence Nihiil was inducted P.P. of Eathkeale on 
the 5th of August, 1762. He exchanged afterwards with the Rev. Denis Conway, who succeeded 
the Rev. James White in the Parish of St. Nicholas, Limerick, whence he was promoted, in the 
year 1784, to the see of Kilfenora — Dr. Young's Note. 

3 White's MSS. contain in this year the following remarks and incidents : — 

The Rev. Timothy Flynn, on whom Priesthood was conferred by the Right Rev. Dr. Kearney, 
in St. John's Chapel of Limerick, on the 7th of April, 1764, was Doctor of Nantz, Professor of 
Theology, returned to Ireland in the year 1794, or 5, was curate of St. John's under the Right 
Rev. Doctor Conway, succeeded the Right Rev. Dr. John Young in the Parish of St. Mary, 
1796, as Dean and Parish Priest, was translated thence to St. Michael's in the year 1805, and 
died 17th April, 1813. He was succeeded in St. Michael's Parish by the Rev. Patrick Hogan, 
inducted 24th of April, 1813, by the Rev. Charles Hanrahan, P.P. of St. Mary's, under the 
special mandate of the Right Rev. Dr. Young, who forthwith made him Vicar General. The 
Rev. P. Hogan- 's Note. The Very Rev. P. Hogan died Parish Priest of St. Michael's in 1839, 
and a beautiful monument was raised to his memory in St. Michael's Church. * White's MSS. 



356 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

in like manner, visited the S. W. liberties, returned through the city, and visited 
the N. liberties, but they never broke down any walls, or regulated any encroach- 
ments. On Friday, the 8th of September, the Corporation and the aforesaid trades, 
with their standards, and cockades in their hats, walked with the Mayor from the 
square behind St. John's Church to St. Mary's Church, and returned with him, in 
the said order, to said square, where he treated them with wine, and had the mas- 
ters or wardens of each trade to dine with them that day. On Thursday, the 10th 
of September, the Mayor, Sheriffs, and rest of the Corporation, in the King's yachts, 
went down the river, in order to assert and make good his right of being admiral 
of the river Shannon. On Thursday, the 12th of September, the Mayor held a 
Court of Admiralty on the island of Inis Scattery, and on Friday, the 13th, he 
sailed to the mouth of the Shannon, where, between the heads, he threw a dart into 
the sea to point out the limits of his jurisdiction ; at the same time it happened that 
a sloop of war entered the river, whom the Mayor compelled to lower her colours 
and her foretop sail in acknowledgement of his Power of Admiralty in said river 
Shannon. The Mayor and Corporation returned to Limerick on Saturday, the 14th, 
by ringing of bells, &c." 

In 1765, the revenue of the port began to increase, and a very hand- 
some and commodious Custom House was built from a design by an 
engineer named Davis Dukart. Caleb Powell, Esq., an ancestor of Caleb 
Powell, Esq., of Clonshavoy, ex-M.P. of the county of Limerick, 1 was 
appointed collector of the Port, and was the first who inhabited the 
Custom House. 2 

In the following year a return was made in Parliament of the number of 
Protestants and " Papist " families in Limerick, Tipperary, and Clare, by 
which appeared that the Catholics trebled in number the Protestants in these 
counties. There were then 38 priests, and 8 friars in the county of Limerick. 

1 Caleb Powell, of Clonshavoy, Esq,, in the Parish of Abingdon and County of Limerick, -who 
represented the County in Parliament from 1841 to 1847 — in which year he contested the seat 

with the Right Hon. Wm. Monsell and the late Wm. Smith O'Brien, Esq., and was defeated by 
twenty-four votes — Caleb Powell is descended from Robert Powell, a Cromwellian officer, who, 
with his brother, Giles Powell, supposed to have been derived from a Shropshire family, settled 
in the County of Limerick in the year 1649. The latter obtained large grants of land in the 
barony of Costlea, and served the office of High Sheriff of the County, in 1676. Robert Powell 
married Barbara, and had issue Robert, married to a daughter of Hugh Massy, of Duntryleague, 
and had a son, Richard, a Captain in the Limerick Militia at the Siege of Limerick in 1691. 
He married Martha, daughter of Robert Minnitt, of Knigh, in the Co. Tipperary, and had an 
only child, Robert, born in 1694, and married, in 1717, Anne, daughter of Colonel Samuel Eyre 
M.P. for the town of Galway, by whom he had issue sons and daughters. Caleb, the fifth son 
of Robert Powell and Anne Eyre, was born in 1730, served in India under Clive and Forde, to 
whom he acted as aide-de-Camp ; he retired from military service in 1760, and same year mar- 
ried Frances, daughter of John Bowen, of Taghmon, in the County Westmeath, and was 
appointed Collector of the Revenue for Trim and Athboy. In 1765, he was made Collector of 
the Port of Limerick, and was the first occupant of the present Custom House. He had issue 
by Frances Bowen, Stratford, born in 1761, died unmarried in 1790, an officer in the East India 
Company's Military Service ; Samuel, died in America ; Eyre Burton, born in 1767, married in 
1792 Henrietta Magill, daughter of John Magill, of Tullycairne, in the County of Down, male 
representative of the Viscounts Oxenford, of Scotland. Eyre Burton Powell was called to 
the Bar, and practised successfully ; O'Connell, who was some years junior to him, used to relate 
many instances of his zeal and self-possession in advocating the cases of his clients. Having 
had a professional dispute with his first cousin, George Powell, many years his senior, they had 
a hostile meeting, in conformity with the code of honor of the day, and Eyre Burton Powell 
was mortally wounded in a duel, by his cousin, leaving a widow and four children. The eldest 
was called to the Bar ; married, in 1838, Georgina Frances, daughter of George Waller, of Prior 
Park, Co. Tipperary, and has issue a son, born in 1839. Stratford Powell, second son of Eyre 
Burton Powell and Henrietta Magill, entered the East India Company Service, and became 
Adjutant General of the Bombay Residency. Eyre Burton, third son, was Comptroller of Stamp 
Duties in Ireland, and left a son Director of Public Instruction at Madras, who married Miss 
Langley, and has issue. 

2 This building cost about £S,0C0. The revenue of the Port in 1765 was £31,099, having 
nearly doubled within six years, from 1759. The Post Office department has been carried on 
for several years in a portion of the Custom House, where also the Inland Revenue department 
has its oilices, and where, iu 1S64, the District Probate Office was al»o placed. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



357 



Eeports of a sinister character were now being industriously propagated 
arising ostensibly out of the continued excesses of Whiteboyism, but as many 
strongly suspected,, really originating in the efforts of the ascendancy party 
to throw all manner of obloquy on the people, in order to justify the 
legalised oppressions of the day. These reports went to show that the 
Catholics of Ireland had agreed to rise on a certain fixed night in order to • 
massacre all the Protestants in the kingdom ; and that the houses of certain 
Protestants in Kilkenny, Waterford, and other cities, were chalked at night 
to show that they were destined victims. A letter was sent to the Mayor 
and Corporation of Limerick, threatening to make the streets of the city flow 
with Protestant blood; but when a reward of £500 was offered for the dis- 
covery of the writer, and when, at length, it was found that he was a zeal- 
ous instrument of the dominant faction, his influential relatives interfered, and 
he was suffered to escape. 1 Among those stated to have been marked out 
for destruction near Clonmel, was the Lord Dunboyne, who afterwards 
abjured the faith of his fathers, after he had been Catholic Archbishop of 
Cashel. Such was the fierce spirit of the times, that the Rev. Nicholas 
Sheehy, Parish Priest of Clogheen, had to fly from the storm, to his cousin's 
residence, in the county of Limerick ; but he was ultimately taken, and on 
evidence confessedly perjured, tried, condemned, and publicly executed in 
Clonmel, for a crime which was never perpetrated. 3 Turning away for the 
moment from these terrible scenes and events, we may take a passing glance 
at the improvements which spirited citizens were now making in Limerick, as 
an evidence of the anxiety to avail themselves of the advantages which had been 
extended by the demolition of the walls, and the opening up of new roads. 4 

1 Amyas Griffith's Tracts. 

* The Rev. Nicholas Sheehy when hunted by the minion3 of the law, proceeded to the county 
of Limerick, to the residence of his cousin, Roger Sheehy, Esq. , of Appletown, where he left a 
suit of satin crimson vestments fringed with gold. Mr. Roger Sheehy was grandfather of Bryan 
Keating Sheehy, Esq., J. P. of Garbally, Newcastle, West, who has these vestments yet in his 
possession, and who values them highly.* These Sheehys descended from the ancient Sheehy 
family of Ballyallinan, near the river Deel, in the barony of Connelloe, Co. Limerick, whose 
descendants also were the Sheehys of Drumcolleher and Ballintubber, Co. Limerick. The Rev. 
Nicholas Sheehy was son of Francis Sheehy, Esq., of Glenahira, near the Cummeragh mountains, 
Co. Waterford — whose brothers were Roger of Dromculloher, who died without issue ; Bryan of 
Gardenfield, the father of Roger who lived at Appletown ; and William of Corbally, Co. Cork, 
who was grandfather of William Sheehy, Esq. of the same place. From the Cummeragh 
branch descended " Buck" Sheehy, who was executed at Clogheen, in 1772, and who was father 
of Colonel Sheehy, a distinguished officer of the French Service, who became aide-de-camp to Wolfe 
Tone, and also father of Mrs. Power, wife of Michael Power, Esq., J. P.. of Clonmel, who had two 
daughters, Margaret and Ellen, both very beautiful; the first became Countess of Blessing on, 
and the other the wife the Rt. Hon. Charles Manners Sutton, afterwards Lord Canterbury. 
The gifted Countes3 was fond of tracing her descent from the Earls of Desmond maternally 
through the Shehys. 3 Amyas Griffith's Tracts. 

4 Mr. John Creagh, re-erected in Broad-street, in "the Irishtown, the ancient buildings which 
in 1640 had been built by his ancestor Pierce Creagh, and which had been known in the 
last century as the Bear Inn. These houses were seventy feet in front, and were considered 
the oldest in the Irishtown. On a chimney-piece in these buildings was this inscription : — 



Petrus Creagh Filii Andr^e & 

Elioxora Rice Uxor Ejus 

curaruxt extrui has cedes 

A Suis ILeridibus in Timore 

Amorb et Favore Numesis Diu Pos 

SlDENDAS VlCENTIBUS. 




* By some it is stated that the vestments were brought to Appletown by " Buck " Sheehy 
when he was on the run, and who valued them as the vestments in which his uncle, Father 
Nicholas Sheehy, last celebrated mass. 



358 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Mr. Pery, ever active in charitable deeds, gave a small plot of ground in 
St. Francis's Abbey, to Mr. Charles Smyth and the Eev. Dean Hoare, at a 
pepper-corn rent, on which an hospital, containing forty beds, was built ; and 
as this hospital was outside the walls, and in the county, the act, which had 
just come into existence, in reference to county hospitals, was applied to it ; 
subscriptions were obtained, not only from the city and county of Limerick, 
but from Tipperary, Clare, and Kerry, and at a general meeting of the sub- 
scribers it was unanimously resolved — that the benefits arising from the Act 
should be extended to the Limerick county hospital. In 1750, Surgeon 
Giles Vandeleur had made an unavailing endeavour to establish, at his own 
expense, a Hospital in the Little Island. In 1761, a charity sermon 
was preached at St. Mary's Cathedral, and a play was acted to revive 
the charity, to which surgeon Sylvester O'Halloran gave his gratuitous pro- 
fessional services. Other improvements were made about this period. A 
Deanery House had been already built off Bow-lane, in 1764. 1 A flourishing 
paper mill existed at this time, under the proprietorship of Mr. Joseph 
Sexton ; 2 and as if to manifest the active progress of civilization, an Assembly 
House was soon afterwards begun on the South Mall — subsequently called 
the Assembly Mall. 3 Other projects also were now afloat ; though political 

On the occasion of the re-edification of these buildiDgs, the following inscription was cut 
in relief on the Key Stone of an arch, through which there is an entry to a lane that leads 
from the Broad Street to Curry's Lane : — 

Built in 1640 
By Pierce 

Creagh 

Be Built 

1767 

BY 

John 
Creagh. 



In one of the houses on the north-east side of the arch, Alderman James Quinn has at present 
a Grocery establishment. 

1 The Deanery House was afterwards taken down, and on its site a portion of the city gaol 
was built at Crosby's-row, so called from the Hon. and Very Eev. Dean Crosby who occupied 
the Deanery House. The present Deanery House is on the north side of George's-street in the 
new town. 

2 Mr. Sexton had been patronized by Lord Chesterfield, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland : his mills 
made 30,000 reams of paper yearly. He supplied the local newspapers (of which in 1766 there 
were but three in the province of Munster) with paper — and amassed a considerable fortune — he 
died in 1782. 

3 Prior to the year 1768, the want of a large public room for assemblies had been very much 
felt by the gentry of Limerick and the surrounding counties, so much so, that it was suggested 
to build an Assembly House of 3uch dimensions as would amply supply the want so much felt at 
the time. At a meeting of those interested, it was resolved — that a society consisting of twenty 
gentlemen be formed for the purpose ; and at a subsequent meeting, held in the Grand Jury Boom 
of the City Court House, on the 30th September, 1768, John Prendergast, Esq. in the chair, 
It was resolved — that the following gentlemen be formed into a society for building and 
maintaining a Public Assembly House in the city of Limerick, on a capital stock of £2,000 ; 
and that each member should bear an equal proportion of the expense, viz. : — Charles Smyth, 
Esq., Thomas Vereker, Esq., mayor; George Smyth, recorder; Thomas Symth, Esq., alderman; 
David Boche, Esq., alderman ; Bobert Hallam, Esq., alderman ; William Monsell, Esq., burgess ; 
John Prendergast, Esq., burgess: John Tunnadine, Esq., burgess; Alexander Franklin, Esq., 
burgess; Sir Henry Hartstonge, baronet; Silver Oliver, Esq., John Bateman, Esq., Eev. Mr. 
Dean Hon re, Rev. Mr. Jaques Ingram, Alexander Sheares, Esq., William Blood, Esq., John 
Minchin, Esq., Norcot D'Estere, Esq., and Patrick Mahony, Esq. Charles Smyth, Esq., having 
proposed to accommodate this society with a convenient lot of ground for building thereon such 
Assembly House, — It was resolved to take a lease of the plot of ground, as described in a plan 



HISTORY OF LDLERICK. 359 

objects, including the agitation about the law for the electing of members 
of Parliament every eight years,— the Octennial Bill, — contributed to occupy 
the minds of all classes. 



CHAPTEE XLIY. 

ELECTIONS UNDER THE OCTENNIAL BILL — PROGRESS OF LIMERICK. 

The excited state of society in the city and county of Limerick during the 
agitation caused by the Octennial Bill, showed the high degree of importance 
attached to that measure ; hence during its passage through Parliament, Lime- 
rick was the constant scene of electioneering intrigues. Among the candidates 
for the city, the favourites, for the two seats, were Mr. Charles Smyth and 
Mr. Pery. Mr. Smyth was the favourite of the masters and wardens of the 
several guilds of trade. Mr. Villiers 1 of Kilpeacon, was a candidate ; but 

presented by the Rev. Dean Hoare, -which was approved of, from Charles Smyth, Esq., for the 
term of 999 years, at the yearly rent of five shillings. The ground was on what afterwards went 
by the name of the Assembly Mall, in a line with Charlotte's Quay. A committee of five was 
appointed to carry on the work forthwith ; and on the 21th October, steps were taken to com- 
mence the foundation of the house. The house was finished in August, 1770, and by the 
following extract from the original minute book of the society, it was resolved, at a meeting held 
1st August, 1770 — " That the house be opened for the reception of company on Tuesday, 11th 
September, and shall be opened every night during the assizes, at an English half-crown each 
ticket." (2s. 8^-d.) The arrangements of the assemblies and " drums," were carried out by the 
members, and the gentlemen in their turn took the tickets at the door, and acted as stewards in the 
rooms. This building cost the proprietors £3208 2s. lid., and the house was well supported by the 
public for many years. In 1772 it was set to Mr. Bowen, for the purpose of assemblies, &c, to be 
carried on by him, under the control of the company ; and he agreed to pay £300 per annum 
for the purpose, at a lease of 31 years. Before the expiration of Sir. Bowen's lease, balls and 
suppers became less frequent ; and in the year 1790, the principal room was converted into a 
theatre by Sir Vere Hunt, Bart., Mr. Clinch, principal manager ; and on the 31st of January was 
opened with Shakespere's comedy of " As You Like It." It continued a theatre for several years. 
In 1818, the Christian Brothers, for the first time in Limerick, opened school in the upper rooms 
of the house ; and paid £75 per annum for the part they occupied as school-rooms, for the 
gratuitous education of the poor, and remained there until more convenient schools were opened 
in 1821. A Mechanics' Institute was first opened in this house in the year 1825. The large 
ball and supper rooms now became the theatre of Limerick, and some of the best actors of the 
day, performed here. It was in this house that Edmund Kean first made his appearance in 
Limerick ; here too, all the celebrated singers of the period, that came to the city, appeared before 
crowded audiences. In was used as a theatre until 1831 or 1836, when it was suffered to go out 
of repair ; and in 1838, by order of the Sheriff, it having become dangerous, it was taken down. 
The site of this once beautiful building with part of the walls only now remain, and is the 
property of Mr. Stephen Hastings, T.C., who holds the books and papers of this very interesting 
old place, to which many of the older citizens look back to agreeable evenings spent in happier 
days, unequalled in the present time in Limerick.* 

* It was only when the Assembly House was completed (1770), that a parapet wall was built 
as a protection on Charlotte's Quay, before this time it was an open quay. 

1 In a postscript to a letter on the subject the writer adds his belief, " that Tillers will not 
stand it," and sends a notification to this effect : — 

The Free Citizens of Limerick, who met on Monday, the 29th of February last at Mr John 
Boyce's j* request their friends who mean to be true friends to liberty, and the Protestant 
interest, to meet at said John Boyce's on Monday, the seventh day of March inst., at five o'clock 
in the afternoon, to keep up a friendly union, and to consider what may be for the honour, 
credit, and advantage of the City of Limerick, for the cause of liberty, and the service of the 
Friendly and United Club. 

Eev. Daxl. TVidenham, in the Chair. 

* Mr. John Boycewa3 an active solicitor — father of the late Alderman John Bovce. Mayor of 
Limerick in 1849, and grandfather of Thomas Boyce, Esq., J. P., Spring Fort, near Limerick. 



360 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

though each coffee house 1 was full of rumours as to who would be his 
supporters, it was quite clear that against the powerful influence of Smyth 
and Pery, he had no chance of success. Ladies took a warm interest in these 
elections, and did not fail to mingle in discussions even at the Oyster Clubs, 
as to the relative merits of the respective candidates. 2 With such aids and 
exertions, it was no difficult matter to foresee in whose favour fortune was 
most likely to declare. Accordingly, on the 1st of August, 1768, Mr. 
Charles Smyth was again elected, and with him Mr. Edmond Sexton Pery ; 
whilst on the same day, Mr. Silver Oliver and Mr. Hugh Massy were elected 
members for the County of Limerick. 3 



1 Gough's in Quay-lane, was the fashionable coffee house. — O'Keefe, and after him Fitz- 

patrick, kept the Royal coffee-house in the same lane There was also a celebrated coffee-house at 

the corner of Palmerstown, in old Francis-street. 

2 This is made plain by a rather characteristic letter written by Mrs. Julia Vereker to her 
father, which shows a curious state of society at this time in Limerick : — 

'My Dearest Sir, 

You are very happy about the Bill having past, but for my share I wish every thing 
had remained as it was — how dreadfull it must be, for a year and a half together, to have every 
body in hot water, and their purses open for that time, to the ruin of all Trade, for the people 
will get such a habit of drinking and idleness, that they never will be good for anything after — 
but I keep my mind to myself. I delivered the letter to Tom as you desired. He gave an 
entertainment at Graves's to about twenty gentlemen ; all the rest of the Town was at an oyster 
Club at Gough's, I amongst the rest. Mr. Billy Pery and Mr. Mounsell were making great 
interest for Mr. Pery in the City, and Sir Henry Harstongue in the County, so I think you 
should loose no time, tho' you may be sure when solicitations were going about, we were not 
Idle, but every one seems to expect you down immediately. Mr. Pery I hear, leaves Dublin 
to-day ; they talk as if he had a very bad chance, for they say none of the traids will take for 
him. Mr. Mounsell asked Mr. Ingram for his vote for Sir Harry in the County ; and Mr. 
Ingram told him he would not promise it till he saw you. Mr. Mounsell said, he believed you 
would not interfere in the County, upon which Mr. Ingram said, that he did not doubt but you 
would set up for the City, and Tom Smyth for the County ; when Mr. Ingram told me this, I 
said, that he might do you a great deal of ingery by speaking in that manner, as for him I have 
not spoken a word to him this fortnight, nor do I think I ever will, for he behaved in a most 
villanous manner to Tom Vereker, I suppose you have heard of it, as it made a great noise in 
Town, and every one speaks of him as he deserved ; he is a vile incendiary, and a most dangerous 
companion I find Tom Vereker has wrote a long letter to you, so I may shorten mine. I hope 
soon to have the pleasure of seeing my dearest Father. To-morrow's post will let me know, I 
suppose when. Adieu, my dear Sir, and believe me to be 

Your sincerely affect., 

Julia Vereker." 

We give the above as it is in the MSS. of the writer, and as illustrative of the habits and 
manners of the times. 

3 Sir Henry Hartstonge's candidature for the county was postponed to 1776, when he and the 
• Eight. Hon. Silver Oliver were returned. Among the supporters of Mr. Smyth in 1 768, was 

Edward Lloyd, Esq. of Eyon, who writing to offer him his vote and interest says, he saw an 
account of the passing of the Octennial Bill in the Munster Journal, a venerable broad sheet, 
with which, and its immediate successors, several curious associations are connected, that throw 
light on the journalistic and dramatic history of the day. The Munster Journal was said to be 
the oldest Journal in the province of Munster. The proprietor was Mr. Andrew Welsh, ancestor 
of the respectable family of Welsh of Newtown House, county Clare, and a gentleman of enter- 
prise and ability. Mr. Welsh also published the Magazine of Magazines, which appears to have 
been a reprint of Exshaw's London and Dublin Magazine, with a Limerick title-page. The Munster 
Journal was succeeded, about 1787, by the Limerick Journal, of which Mr. Edward Flinn was 
the proprietor ; this Journal enjoyed the patronage of Lord Clare, to whom the owner of it was 
agent, and reaped a harvest by the publication of the Castle Proclamations. Mr. Flinn who was 
a Catholic, resided in Mary-street, opposite Quay-lane ; Athlunkard-street not having been made 
for many years afterwards. His fellow-citizens and neighbours in Mary-street were Mr. William 
Goggin, the great Chap Book and Ballad Printer, whose shop at the corner of Quay-lane, was 
known b} r the sign of Shakespear. Alderman Andrew Watson, the successor of Mr. John 
Ferrar, in the proprietorship of the Limerick Chronicle, had his office and residence near the office 
of the Limerick Journal, whilst " Charley Keating," as he was familiarly called, who rejoiced 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



361 



Soon after this election — namely, on the 10th of August, Lord Yiscount 
Townshend, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, arrived in Limerick, and was 
received with great hospitality. The triumphant party were in the best 
spirits and met his Excellency in the most cordial manner. The Smyth, 
Perry, and Yereker families vied with each other to do him honor. He was 
entertained at a grand banquet, in the Mayoralty House ; the chair was ably 
filled by Thomas Yereker, Esq., who was Mayor this year, and the freedom 
of the city was presented to Lord Townshend, in a gold box. 

At this time the local trades were in rather a flourishing condition, and 
Limerick exhibited unquestionable symptoms of progress. 1 Every profession 
and every branch of trade were represented, whilst commerce employed 

in the dignity of " Seneschal of Parteen" — had a small ware shop at the opposite corner. Andrew 
Cherry, the comedian, and author of the " Soldier's Daughter," and the " Travellers," to which 
Dibdin wrote the songs, &c, served his time as an apprentice in the printing-office of the Limerick 
Journal. Cherry often printed the play bills for his own poor strolling company ; and underwent 
many trials, having been reduced to the verge of starvation on some occasions. In " Familiar 
Epistles" to Edward Jones, Esq.,* who succeeded Mr. Richard Daly, the successor of Mr. Heaphy, 
as Patentee of the Theatres Royal of Limerick, Cork, and Dublin, (after Daly had realized a profit 
of £5,000 a year by them) — Cherry's plays are thus uncomplimentarily referred to by the 
Satirist : — 

" There is a burning chauldron's blaze 

Through Reynolds's and Morton's plays, 

Each page of Allingham's and Cobbs's, 

And heavy Boaden's clumsy jobs ; 

Cherry's sad mess of mirth and groans, 

Insipid hash of Murphy's bones." 

It is related of Cherry, that, having been offered an engagement by a manager who had previously 
forgotten to pay him, he wrote : — 

" Sir, — You have bitten me once, and I am resolved you shall not make two bites of 
^ A. Cherry." 

f& Cherry was one of the leading comedians at Covent Garden Theatre for several years ; his 
portrait was painted by De Wylde, and printed in the Monthly Memoir. Mr. John Gubbins, a 
successful portrait painter, also served his time in the Limerick Journal office. 

1 The following from Ferrar's Directory of 1769, is a list of the fifteen corporations which 
were in that year in existence, with the names of the masters and wardens of each guild : — 



MASTERS AND WARDENS OP THE FIFTEEN CORPORATIONS. 



Smiths 

Carpenters 

Weavers 

Shoemakers 

Taylors 

Sadlers 

Masons 

Bakers 



Richard Bennis 
Samuel John3 
Thomas Carr 
George Russell 
John Byrum 
Thomas Brehon 
Thomas Pincheon 
Giles Powell 
Thomas Kendall 
George Fivens 
Thomas Farquhar ) 
Thos. Burrowes 
George Evans 
Laurence Bluett 
Wm. Ryan 
Mitchel Bennis 
MauriceO'Donnell } 
Robert Carr 
Michael Dobbs 
Phillip Dollard 
Jas. Charleton 
Wm. Walker 
James Allison 
Thos. Bourke 



Master 


Coopers 


James Clowden 


> Wardens 




David Jones ] 
Wm. Gilmer \ 


Master 


Surgeon Bar- 




£ Wardens 


bers. 


Jacob Bennis 
Francis Downes 


Master 




John Fitzgerald ' 


[■ Wardens 


Butchers 


James Allison 
John Dick ' 


Master 




George Coonerty \ 


y Wardens 


Tobacconists 


Thomas Mason 
Patrick Martin > 


Master 




John Robinson J 


£ Wardens 


Tallow 
Chandlers 


Thomas Alley, Jun 


Master 




Raleigh James > 


r Wardens 




Jacob Rinrose ) 




Hatters 


John Kincaid 


Master 




Henry Lee ") 


> Wardens 


Brewers 


James Ryan ) 


Master 




John Bryan > 


>- Wardens 




Edmond Casey ) 



Master 
Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 

Master 

Wardens 



* Familiar Epistles to E. Jones, Esq , by John Wilson Croker. — Edition, 1806. 



362 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



twenty-six first-class merchants, principally Catholics,, who at length enjoyed 
ample means, if not freedom, political and social. 1 

On the 20th of January, 1767, Standish O'Grady of Mount Prospect, 
afterwards Chief Baron, was born. 2 



i An Analysis of the various trades, professions, &c. in the city at this time ia interesting. 
We classify them alphabetically : — 



Architect ... ... ... 1 

Apothecaries ..." ... ... 7 

Auctioneer ... ... ... 1 

Attornies ... ... ... 22 

(nine of whom were sworn for theTholsel court.) 

Bakers ... ... ... ... 12 

Brewers ... ... ... 6 

Butchers ... ... ... 6 

Barristers- at-law ... ... 5 

Brass Founders ... ... ... 3 

Brush Makers ... ... ... 2 

Booksellers ... ... ... 2 

Chandlers ... ... ... 15 

Carpenters ... ... ... 10 

Carpet Maker ... ... ... 1 

Card Makers ... ... ... 2 

Clothiers ... ... ... 14 

Cheque Manufacturers ... ... 1 

Linen Bleachers ... ... ... 1 

Cutlers ... ... ... 2 

Cabinet Makers ... ... ... 4 

Coopers ... ... ... 2 

Coach Makers ... ... ... 2 

Coach Spring Maker ... ... 1 

Confectioners ... ... ... 4 

Copper Smith ... ... ... 1 

Dancing Masters ... ... 4 

Dyers ... ... ... ... 4 

Engraver ... ... ... 1 

Fruiterer ... ... ... 1 

French Master ... ... ... 1 

Grocers ... ... ... 48 

(one also sold China, Earthenware, &e.) 

Gun Smiths ... ... ... 2 

Glover ... ... ... 1 

(Lyons who made the celebrated " Limerick 
Gloves.") 

Glaziers ... ... ... 5 

Hosiers ... ... ... 3 

Hardware sellers ... ... ... 6 



Hatters 

Hair Dresser 

Haberdashers 

Harpsichord Teachers 

Innholders 

Jeweller 

Linen Bleachers ... 

Latin Teachers 

Merchants 



2 

1 

14 

3 

6 

1 
2 
3 

26 
2 

10 
3 
3 
2 

14 
4 



Milliners 

Notaries Public ... 

Nailors 

Pewter ers 

Peruke Makers ... 

Printers 

(Cherry, Ferrar, pnd the Welshes — 
Andrew and Thomas.) 
Plumbers ... ... ... 2 

Publicans ... ... ... 10 

Paper Maker ... ... ... 1 

Painters ... ... ... 4 

Paper Stamper... ... ... 1 

Pipe Makers ... ... ... 2 

Stay Makers ... ... ... 2 

Sadlers ... ... ... 3 

Shoemakers ... ... ... 13 

(The house of Joseph and William Worrall 
continued to be represented in the trade by 
the late Mr. Worrall of Shannon-street) 
Salt Boiler ... ... ... 1 

Smiths ... ... ... 3 

Toyman ... ... ... 1 

Tobacconists ... ... ... 12 

Farmers ... ... ... 4 

Vintners ... ... ... 2 

Woollen Drapers ... ... ... 28 

Writing Masters ... ... ... 6 

Wine Merchants ... ... ... 7 

Watch Makers ... ... ... 4 

2 This remarkable man and distinguished judge was appointed Attorney- General on the 10th 
of June, 1803, vice the Hon. John Steward, resigned ; a Privy Councillor same date ; October 
19th, 180G, he was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer, vice Lord Viscount Avonmore, 



On a large stone chimney-piece in the old Town Fish House pulled down in September this 
year were the following dates and cyphers, with three coats of arms : — 




HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 363 

Further improvements were projected in the year 1768, and a spirited sub- 
scription Tras raised by " a Company of Undertakers" to make the Shannon 
navigable. 1 

In this year the Rev. Mr. Dean Hoare being Eector of Killeedy, designed and bnilt a handsome 
house on the glebe grounds for the Incumbents. The house is in the Xorth Liberties and com- 
mands a fine view of the Shannon, Salmon-weir, King's Island, Corbally, &c. &c. 

1 This Company -was incorporated by Act of Parliament, and a sum of £10,000, in pursuance 
of the Act, -was subscribed as follows : — 

Sir Henry Hartstonge, Bart ... ... ... ... ... £1000 

Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart. ... ... ... ... ... 500 

Edmund Sexton Perv, Esq, .. ... ... ... ... 500 

E. William Pery, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 500 

Hugh Dillon Massy, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 500 

Anthony Parker, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 500 

William Maunsell, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 500 

Thomas Maunsell, Jun. Esq. ... ... ... ... 500 

Richard Maunsell, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 1000 

Rev. William Maunsell ... ... ... ... ... 250 

Eaton Maunsell, Esq. . ... ... ... ... ... 250 

John Tunnadine, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 250 

John Thomas Waller, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 250 

John Dowdall Hammond, Esq. ... ... ... ... 250 

Andrew Welsh ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 

John Martin, M.D. ... ... ... ... ... 250 

James Guthrie, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 

Stephen Roche John, Merchant ... ... ... ... 500 

Phil. Roche John, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 500 

Edmond Sexton, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 

James Browne, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 2.50 

Thomas Casey, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 

Michael Rochford, Merchant ... ... ... ... 2~>'<) 

James Lyons, "' Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 25U 

Thomas Mark, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 



Total ... £10,000 

There were several lodges of freemasons in these times, the names of the Masters an 1 Wardens 
of -which are set forth in the Directory, and the places of meeting. Peters Cell -was a favorite 
place of residence with professional men, and in that locality Madame O'Dell had a fine residence 
and gardens ; the to-wn -walls affording a shelter to the fruit trees, and in the garden was a 
spring well -which supplied the neighbourhood -with water. This well belonged to the ancient 
Abbey of St Francis, and is at present closed off from the highway by the wall of a tan-yard. 

1769. Names of the Jury (in the county of Limerick) to try an issue of great importance 
between Ambrose Cuffe, Plaintiff, and James Hewson, Defendant, of a plea of trespass : — 



1 Sir Henry Hartstonge, of Bruff, Bart. 

2 Thomas Lloyd, of Kildrummin, Esq. 

3 Launcelot Gubbins, of Maidstown, Esq. 
1 James Godsell, of Sunville, Esq. 

5 John Maunsell, of Ballybrood, Esq. 

6 John Langford of Kells, Esq. 

7 Michael Furnell, of Ballyclough, Esq. 

8 Francis Green, of Graigue, Esq. 

9 Robert Hewson, of Ballyengland, Esq. 

10 Maurice Studdert, of Enniscough, Esq. 

11 John Bouchier. of Attaville, Esq. 

12 Percivall Harte, of Coolrusse, Esq. 

13 Joseph Gubbins, of Ealfrush, Esq. 
11 Michael Bevan, of Ballinlander, Esq. 
3 5 Eyre Evans Powell, of Bilboa, Esq. 
1G William Lloyd, of Tower Hill, Esq. 

17 Cole Maxwell, of Garranscullabeen, gent. 

18 James Bourchier, of Baggotstown, gent 

19 Robert Holmes, of Cleigh, gent. 

20 James Casey, of Ballyneety, gent. 
Each of the Jurors is attache! separately by his pledge. 

Anno 1769. Staxdish O'Grapy, Sheriff. Jo. Doe. 

T. & P. Plumtee. Rd. Roe. 



21 William Bennett, of Ball in callow, gent. 

22 William Smithwick, of Kilduff, gent. 

23 Standish Grady, of Lodge, gent. 
21 Philip Elrisey, of Moigue, gent. 

25 Richard Xash, of Dunwyllan, gent. 

26 Henry Drew, of Drew's Court, gent 

27 Richard Dickson, of Ballybronogue, gent. 

28 Richard Tuthill, of Ballyanrahan, gent. 

29 Henry Touchstone, of Ballybeg, gent. 

30 William Mason, of Derawling, gent. 

31 Edward Xash, of Bally teague, gent. 

32 James Bourchier, of Kilcullane, gent. 

33 William Glisson, of Ballyvodin, gent 
31 Robert Bradshaw. of Ballyvodin, geut. 

35 Edmund Burke, of Maddabue, gent. 

36 Richd. Plumm^r, of Mount Plummer, Esq. 

37 James Gubbins, of Hospital, gent. 

38 James Ware, of Loughgur, gent. 

39 Wm. Wilkinson, of Cabirelly. gent. 
10 Francis Wi!k;nson, of the Same. gent. 



364 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Some trades and occupations which a century ago were in being, have 
ceased to exist with alternating phases of fashion. 1 A theatre was built in 
Cornwallis- street in 1770, under the auspices of Mr. Tottenham Heaphy, at 
a cost of £600, which sum was contributed by twenty-four gentlemen, who 
had free tickets. 2 

Consideration for the poor went hand in hand with these improvements ; 
and in 1771, the Pery Charitable Loan Eund was established for the relief 
of tradesmen by loans of three guineas to each, to be paid in instalments of 
Is. 4d. per week. Mrs. Pery, until her death, was the chief patroness of 
this Institution, which in times of very great distress, contributed to the 
relief of a large number of distressed artizans. In this year, the Hon. Dean 
Crosbie revived the Craven and the Widow Yirgin charities, the latter for the 
distribution of a certain quantity of bread on Christmas day to the poor 
of St. Mary's parish, for which purpose a house in Quay-lane had been be- 
queathed in 1732, by the Widow Yirgin. In this year, too, an Act of 
Parliament was established for the Locks on the Grand Canal ; and to the 
great joy of the citizens of all classes, the navigation of the canal was opened 
to Newtown Bog. 3 Though improvements were thus actively going forward, 
distress and misery had not altogether disappeared from among the people, 
and on the 12th of May in the same year, the great mills on the north bank 

' The peruke makers are all but extinct — whilst the chairmen, whose usual stand was at the 
Exchange, have become beings of the past. William Hamilton was a fashionable wig maker of 
the day, in Mary-street — his charge per week, for dressing the wig of a wealthy customer was the 
moderate sum of Is. 2d. 

2 This was a celebrated theatre in its time. The box entrance was in the street now called Corn- 
wallis-street, and the pit passage was at the corner of Play House Lane. Mr. Edward Gubbins, 
a coach builder, occupied the front of the theatre as a workshop and showroom for carriages. 
For a long time, the holders of box tickets were obliged to go through Mr. Gubbins' kitchen, 
to their places in the boxes. Celebrated actors, viz., Garrick, Mossop, Barry, Ryder, &c, all 
acted in the old theatre. More recently George Frederick Cooke, Kemble, Macklin, Mrs. 
Siddons, Miss Farren (afterwards the Countess of Derby) acted here also ; and in comic operas, 
Mrs. Billington, Miss Brett, and Mrs. CresWell frequently appeared in Love in a Village — Miss 
Stephens, the vocalist, at a later period, also sung here to crowded houses. Ned Williams, 
Bichard Jones, Johnson, and others who are satirized by Wilson Croker in his Familiar Ephtles 
to Edward Jones, Esq., were also actors in this theatre, the successive managers of which, were 
Mr. Heaphy, Mr. Richard Daly, an excellent light comedy actor, and Mr. Frederick Edward 
Jones. The amateurs also plaj^ed in this theatre, and drew crowded houses — among them were 
Sir Mathew, (then Mr. Mathew) Barrington, Mr. John M'Auliff, Mr. Pierce Brett, Mr. George 
Hogan, Mr. Thomas Gromwell, Mr. Hewett, Mr. Andrew Tracy, Mr. John Gubbins, Mr. William 
Glover, &c. The three last mentioned are alive in 1864. The amateurs played in support 
of the public charities, particularly the House of Industry, and the receipts were considerable. 
Near the theatre was the principal hotel of Limerick, which was a well conducted establishment, 
and in this hotel (the house though dilapidated is still in existence, about the lower part 
of Cornwallis-street, and is recognisable by its stone-front and flight of steps), Mrs. Siddons is 
said to have lodged during her visit to Limerick. The other leading actors generally lodged in 
the house of a Mr. Williams in the same street. It was from this theatre that George Frederick 
Cooke, the celebrated comedian, went out one night, his head full of the fumes of a little keg of 
whiskey to which he had been paying attention, and arrayed in the broad-brimmed hat and 
whimsical dress of Pelruchio, which character he had been playing, stumbled into the house of 
6ome poor people, from which the wail of woe was dolefully issuing, chaunting as the inmates 
were in full chorus over a dead body. Plunging sword in hand into the midst of the group, 
Cooke advanced towards the bed, on which the corpse of an old woman lay, and suiting the action 
to the word — exclaimed, 

" How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags, what is't ye do ?"* 

The result may be imagined, it cannot be described. 

James Vaughan, whose sister Miss Vaughan, was the heroine of a memorable trial in Enni9, 
, for abduction, in which she acquitted herself with the utmost honour, should not be forgotten 
among the amateur corps of the old theatre. 

8 Walker's Magazine: The bog of Newtown is now in a great measure reclaimed — and 
the land of fair quality. 

* Knight's Dramatic Table Talk. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 365 

of the canal, to which we have already referred, were attacked for bread by 
a famishing crowd, during the Mayoralty of Mr. Christopher Carr, (Titz 
Christopher). Mr. Carr called out the soldiery, and had the mill occupied 
bv a Serjeant's guard, who tired on the exasperated people, when three men 
w'ere killed on the opposite side of the canal, and on the following day the 
military were again called out, when three more persons were killed in the 
Irishtown. 1 

The House of Industry was founded on the North Strand in 1774, by Grand 
Jury Presentments on the County and City, to which was added £200 by 
Dr. Edward Smyth of Dublin, towards providing thirteen cells for the 
insane. 3 

The condition of Ball's Bridge had been for some time rather dangerous ; 
but a high tide on the 4th of February, 1775, did considerable damage to 
that ancient structure. 3 On the 1st of February, 1776, a loyal corps, called 
the Limerick Union, the uniform of which was blue faced with buff, and the 
motto, " Amicitia Juncta " was formed by Mr. Thomas Smyth ; a troop of 
horse and a company of foot were raised ; and enrolled in this corps, were 
the principal citizens — all of the Protestant persuasion. The exigencies of 
the times caused the regular soldiery to be called away to more active and 
stirring duties abroad, and the Union did garrison duty in the city. 

On the 27th of August in the same year, the Duke and Duchess of 
Leinster arrived at the house of the Bight Hon. Edward Sexton Pery, 
speaker of the House of Commons, in Newtown-Pery, as the new portion of 
the City was now called, and which Twiss, the traveller, in his visits to the 
city a year afterwards, describes as containing a few straggling brick houses, 
and from which he went to view the remarkable lake and antiquities of Lough 
Gur, within ten miles of the city. 4 

In the next year, the first stone of the Exchange was laid by Thomas 
Smyth, Esq. on the 25th of June, and a civic jubilee was held in Limerick, 
which attracted very general interest. 5 It commenced on the 12th of August, 
the Prince of Wales' birth day, with a fancy ball, which was attended by 
the elite of the four conterminous counties, viz., Limerick, Tipperary, Clare 
and Kerry. On the 13xh there was a play at the old Theatre; on the 14th 
a u Yenitian" breakfast in the gardens of Mr. Davis ; 6 after the breakfast a 

1 To this day the above lamentable occurrence is spoken of, to the condemnation of Mr. 
Christopher Carr ; among those killed was a poor -woman — a milk woman — who was sitting at 
the time at her can of milk in Broad-street. 

2 On the 26th of March, in 1774, the Stamp Duty came into operation in Limerick. 

3 Several of the houses on Ball's bridge fell in consequence, and a Mr. Berry who was sit- 
ting in one of them, fell through the floor, and was borne down the stream to the New 
bridge, and was rescued by the intrepidity of a sailor named John Fitzgerald. 

In this year fire engines were given to St. John's, St. Mary's, and St. Munchin's parishes 
by the Right Hon. E. Sexton Pery, Charles Smyth and Thomas Smyth, Esqrs. 

In this year also Sir Boyle Roche, Bart., beat up for recruits in Limerick with great suc- 
cess, in consequence of war between England and America, Lord Kenmare gave half-a-guinea 
bounty to each recruit. 

* Loughgur gave title to the family of Fane. Charles Fane, Esq., of Bassilden, a cadet 
of the Earl of Westmoreland's family, being created in 1718, Baron of Loughgur, and Vis- 
count Fane. His only son Charles died without issue in 1782, when his estates in the county 
of Limerick devolved on his sister's descendants, of whom, Mary had married Jerome Count 
De Salis in Switzerland, and Dorothy married John Earl of Sandwich. 

5 Walker's Magazine gives a long account of this jubilee. 

6 Limerick has been famous for its gardens. There were Carr's Gardens, &c. Roche's Gardens, 
or the Hanging Gardens of Limerick, as they have been called, bore testimony also to 
the taste of their projector and proprietor, the late William Roche, Esq., M.P. Those 
gardens which are now in a very ruinous condition, were at one period a principal attraction 
of the new town, and extend from the rere of the house, No. 99, George's-street, to 



366 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

regatta ; on the 15th an oratorio in St. Mary's Cathedral; in the evening a 
grand ball at the Assembly Rooms, at which the ladies appeared in Irish 
manufacture; on the 16th a concert of vocal and instrumental music ; and 
between these displays, viz., on the 12th, the most imposing display that 
had hitherto been made by the Corporation and the guilds of trade, was that 
which took place on the riding of the bounds, or franchises — the rendezvous 
was on the King's Island, from which they went all over the city and county 
of the city. This memorable jubilee originated with Colonel Thomas 
Smyth, whose corps, the Limerck Union, took also, a prominent part in the 
procession. This corps, in the year after, with their president, Colonel 
Smyth, and the Friendly Knot, with their president, John Prendergast 
Smyth, met at the Assembly Rooms, and entered into resolutions to form 
the Loyal Limerick Yolunteers, of which Mr. Thomas Smyth was unanimously 
chosen colonel. In a month afterwards they assembled in their becoming 
uniform of red, faced with white, at a grand civic ceremony commemorating 
the accession of the Hanoverian dynasty ; and on the 7th of August in the 
next year, they were presented by the Government with 500 stand of arms ; 
and to the county of Limerick a present of arms to the same amount was 
given at the same time. The times were stirring. A new spirit had 
begun to operate in the midst of the people. The new town of Limerick 
was. now assuming a shape, notwithstanding the absurd sneer of Richard 
Twiss, so ludicrously punished by the wits of Cork. Men of enterprise 
had already begun to take ground and to build ; one was Mr. Patrick 
Arthur, merchant, 1 who built a Quay, which soon became the most 
fashionable part of the city, ("Arthur's Quay" is now, 1865, occupied only 

Henry-street, and occupy about an acre of ground; they are formed on arches varying in height 
from 25 to 40 feet. Flights of steps lead from one elevation to another — the side terraces are 
150 feet long, by 30 wide— the central one 180 feet long, by 40 wide, and the lower 200 feet 
long, and 100 feet wide, exclusive of what had been the melon and cucumber ground, which is 
80 feet square. The top of the highest terrace wall is 70 feet above the street, and commands 
an extensive view of the Shannon, the Clare Hills, Tervoe, the residence of the Eight Hon. 
William Monsell, M.P., Farranshone, the estate of the Marquis of Lansdowne, &c, &c. The 
redundant moisture i3 conveyed away through tubes concealed in the butments of the arches to 
the main sewer. The tubes are stopped in summer to retain the moisture. The damp is pre- 
vented from penetrating to the extensive stores under the gardens by flags cemented together. 
Those stores are rented by the crown on a very long lease, at a large sum per annum, and have 
been used as bonding stores for many years by the Customs. The House' which had been the 
Banking House, and residence of Mr. Roche, has been rented since 1858 to the Limerick In- 
stitution, which removed from the house No. 49, on the south side of the street. The Institution 
was established in 1809, with reading and news rooms, and library. The admission is by ballot, 
and payment of an annual subscription, or the purchase of a life membership. 

1 With this ancient name of Arthur in connection with Limerick, the reader of this History 
must be already perfectly familiar. But the name claims a more special notice than we have 
hitherto devoted to it ; there were no less than forty-eight Arthurs, mayors, &c. of the city ; 
commencing at a very early date, and proceeding downwards, in rapid succession, until the change 
brought about in and after the days of Queen Elizabeth, since which period, the name has 
appeared, " few and far between," on the Municipal Roll. In the Catholic Church too, the Arthurs 
flourished as bishops and priests, and they gave many an illustrious member to both orders in 
the ministry, and several who have reflected credit on our country. Dr. Thomas Fitz William 
Arthur, from whose MSS. I have so frequently quoted in the course of this work, gives, what 
he designates a genealogical idyll, which occupies some pages of his most interesting MSS., and 
in which he traces up the family to a remote antiquity, stating that Arthur is a Latin name in 
Juvenal, drawn from the goodly fixed star, Arcturus, and that from Arctus, which is the bear, 
as Ursinus amongst the Romans. Learnedly quoting Camden, Usher, Mathew Paris, &c, 
he gives the names of ancestors so far back as the year 10G6 ; and states, that the first of the 
name who came to Ireland, arrived with t'.ie invader, Henry II., in 1170 — who conferred high 
honors on him in 1178, as well as great quantities of land — and having related the achievements 
of Thomas Arthur, who died about A.D. 1204, aged 76 years, he proceeds to narrate the 
actions of others of the race and name, including Nicholas, who died about A.D. 1246, aged 
72— John, who died, about A.D. 1274, aged 74 — of Thomas, who died, aged 7i5, about A.D. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 367 

by petty dealers and turf-vendors), and a line of streets branching therefrom, 
with excellent houses. Amongst those who followed the example set by 

1326 — of John, -who distinguished himself highly as mayor, in A.D. 1340, and who died about 
A.D. 1352, aged about 64 — of Martin, who was wealthy and powerful, and who built a magnifi- 
cent peristyle of marble to the Church of St. Saviour (the Dominican), and who died about the 
year A.D. 1362, aged 66 years — of Thomas, who was raised to the Episcopacy, by Bull of 
Pope Boniface, dated at Rome, 2nd of April, A.D. 1400— of William and Richard, the former 
of whom died 4th of March, A.D. 1483, and the latter in A.D. 1484. The Latin metre proceeds 
at further length in reference to this family, and as a specimen of the matter and manner of this 
curious family idyll, we subjoin the following which we have translated: — 

Thomas, whom the Mayor's retinue distinguish, had raised the pinnacles of your ancient 
house. As Mayor, he fortified Limerick where it extends to the south, with lofty tower walls ; 
at his expense, was built to the Blessed Virgin, the elaborate f acade of the choir, of lofty 
marble. Hence, it bears the escutcheon of the family of Arthur, on the outward door, and near 
it a work is distinguished, with the pedigree of his wife: — she was Johanna Muryagh, ances- 
trally descended from Cork, the noble heiress of her sires. To her, being his kinswoman, 
Thomas, surnamed Kildare, gave at Rebog, meadows, lands, tillage fields and houses. These 
lands acquired by the valor and might of ancestors, you presently get O'Nicholas,* and many 

* I translate from the quaint Latin of the Arthur MSS. a statement of curious facts, over 
which John Banim or Gerald Griffin would have rejoiced, as furnishing abundant materials for 
the basis of many a life-like national story, certain passages in the life of the above Nicholas. 
The person respecting whom these romantic details have been recorded by Doctor Arthur seems 
to have been a leading citizen of Limerick, and one of a class, whose adventures some four 
hundred years ago, give us a vivid idea of the manners and of the troublesome character of the 
times in which he lived. The piratieal event to which it refers took place about six years after 
the commencement of the building of the walls of the southern suburbs of Limerick, and two 
years after the gate dedicated to John the Baptist and the eastern walls had begun. The Duke 
de Bretagne, who is spoken of in the extract, must have been Jean the V. so remarkable for his 
vacillating or perfidous policy, which attached him at one time to French, at another to English 
interests, but which enabled him to save his Duchy until two years preceding the adventure of 
Mr. Arthur, at which time the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France for the English party, 
devastated his territory. The early felt importance of the salmon fishery at Limerick is indicated 
in this family history : — 

" The life of Nicholas Arthur, my great grandfather's grandsire, the first of his name. 

Nicholas Thomas Arthur, born at Limerick, about the year 1405, was a man capable of under- 
taking high and difficult enterprises, and engaged in respectable mercantile transactions. He 
was in the habit of exporting for the use of the King of England, its princes and nobles, horses 
of generous breed, hounds, falcons of powerful wing, scarlet mantles, and the skins of otters, 
martens,* squirrels, and other soft-furred animals ; besides pillars and tables made of polished 
(dolato) and variegated marble, whereby he acquired high favour and no little wealth. 

Now about the 10th of the Calends of July (June 22nd), A.D. 1428, sailing out the port of 
Limerick in a hired vessel belonging to one John Chirch, a citizen of London, as he was crossing 
over to England with merchandise of the above kind, he fell in with certain pirates, who were 
subjects of the Duke of Armoric Brittany, at that time a bitter enemy of our sovereign. — These 
pirates having plundered all his property, which amounted in value to 700 marks, put into St. 
Malo with the skipper, vessel and crew, and there they sold the ship and the whole cargo by 
public auction, detaining himself moreover in a state of captivity in the Mount called St. 
Michael's for the space of two years, until he at last recovered his liberty by the payment of 
400 marks. 

As soon as ever he had recovered from these distressing reverses he proceeded to wait upon his 
Majesty, the King, to whom he perseveringly complained of the loss sustained by himself and 
his friend, John Chirch, and did not cease to press his claims until he obtained letters patent 
from the King, dated London, 29th July, 1430, authorising him to make reprisals to the value 
of £5,332 13s. 4d. sterling, from the property of the subjects of that Duke wherever found 
within the dominions of the King of England, whether by land or sea. Which reprisals he 
bravely, energetically, and perseveringly levied even to the last farthing, and wrested from them 
perforce. 

Nor did the munificence of his most Serene Highness, King Henry the VI., confine itself 
within these limits. For as a further token of his gracious disposition towards Nicholas, worthy 
of the everlasting gratitude of posterity, he gave him license to construct a fishery suitable for 
the taking of salmon and other fish on the bank of hU farm at Castle Blath,f to the mid channel 
of the river Shannon (but in such a way that free passage was left for all vessels sailing to and 
from the port of Limerick), confirmed by his seal on the 26th of Feb., 1430. 

* Martens are said to have been rarely met with in the woods of Clare up to a recent period. 

t Quere Castle Beagh. 



3 68 HISTORY OF L1MEKICK. 

Mr. Patrick Arthur, were Sir Harry Hartstonge, who made an embankment 
at Sluice Island, at a great outlay of money, and built a mall, and several 

more acquire. The celebrated firmness of your renowned race, and the probity of your charac- 
ter, and the integrity of your heart, had restored thee, who, wast dear to King Henry, surnamed 
the 6th, to his paternal uncles and princes, to whom you had presented gifts suitable to his 
rank, fair tokens of your grateful mind, falcons, and large dogs fit for hunting, and black 
marble, sculptured with a team of leopards — now Spanish steeds ambling with equal steps, now 
pearls, which " Eleaunius '' had produced. Hence the Royal Castle of Limerick was committed 
to thy faith — a great trust at a doubtful time, which thou didst discharge, conspicuous with war- 
cloak, sword, shield and gleaming helm. The honour of the Mayoralty presently sought thee, 
and the purple worn through unnumbered years, boasts of clothing thee. Catherine Skyddy of 
Cork found thee a match, and at the same time added immense wealth. Her parents endowed 
her with all their manors, houses and wealth. Thee too she blesses with a numerous progeny. 

[Thomas Arthur, above referred to, made his will on the 18th of March, 1426. Johanna 
Moryagh, was heiress of David Moryagh, senator of Cork, who survived him as widow, at least 
twelve years, dying about the year 1439.] 

For he (Nicholas) begot six sons, of whom the third was deemed worthy of the Episcopal 
honor of the city of Limerick, four obtained the rank of city procession (Mayor), and the sixth 
was bailiff by the voice of the people. One of these brothers shall be celebrated with a dirge of 
ours — Peter, ! my great, great grandfather, my muse shall sing thee for ever — that John Bud- 
stone, whose bells resound in the shrine of the Virgin, had chosen thee for a son-in-law. Alas ! 
thou wert presently torn from the chaste arms of Margaret, leaving thee two sons as pledges, 
whom to be brought up for nine lustres (45 years) their careful mother attended to, loving them 
like a widowed turtle ; and Catherine, the Countess of Kildare, who was given in marriage to 
Purdon, withdrew them from their mother. And the patrimony which your father Budstone 
left to his widow, these, your gentle parent, made over to thee, William,* some houses at Kil- 
mallock, before the doors of the church, situated at the right, as you go to the sacred shrines, 
and had given thee two monuments of her ancestors, both bearing the name of Budstone, and 
presenting, added, a fair [just] part of the Chapel which represents the name and aid of Magda- 
len. In truth, she wisely loved genius and the arts, and the splendid tokens of intelligence which 
you manifested. Though knewest right skilfully to touch lyre and harp ; thou didst open thy 
hospitable house to princely men. Hence the mightiest of Earls, the renowned hero of Desmond, 
bound thee to himself by the tie of friendship. Anon civic honors rejoiced to repose upon thy 
shoulders— thou wast bailiff by the voice of the people. Nor did the Nymph, whom Galway 
first gave to light, blush at soliciting thy nuptual torch. Ellen Dathy, born of the great John, 
whom your love drove far from your country. 

Thomas died on the 15th December, 1581 ; he had been married to Johanna Creagh. 

Of this wife he begat seven sons and three daughters ; and he left two of both sexes alive, 
and dying cherishes with the ashes and the monuments of his great grandfather, of his brothers, 
and parents and wife. The younger Thomas, who was a merchant on the Spanish coast, died 
unmarried, being a bold and opulent man. Ellen Johanna, who was married to long Cromwell, 
sustained both the rights and the honour of a nation. Thou next, by no means unworthy of so 
great ancestors, eldest born of thy father, William, my father, f He died on the 14th of 
March, 1622, at the age of sixty years. Thy person was handsome, symmetrical and upright thy 
form — a long beard graced thy cheeks ; courteous and polite, mild of eyes, of voice, of aspect, 
thou wert munificent, clement and kind — the prayers of all bless thee ; and thou wert first chosen 
bailiff, the honour pays thee the meed of merit. Thine old age was venerable ; far from thee 
was wrath, treachery, malice, and the crime of odious avarice. Grave, dignified in merit and 
aspect, a worshipper of faith and of God, and estimable for thy guileless simplicity. Hence your 
generous house was open in hospitality to foreign exiles. Anastatia Ryce enjoyed in firm wed- 
lock thee and thy hand for thirty-five years, who rendered thee happy by a numerous offspring. 
She long abstained from meat and wine ; and on the 1st of March, 1640, died at the age of 
70 years. 

Edmund died on the 15th of November, 1651. Here ends the idyll. 

After experiencing with unaltered spirit these vicissitudes of adverse and favourable fortune, 
Nicholas, intent upon the preservation and propagation of his family having been pressed to 
procure a suitable match in the person of a lady of rank, at length entered into a nupital alliance 
with the family of John Skiddy " Senator" of Cork, with whose daughter and heiress, Catherine, 
he obtained a fortune of 40 (quere 400?) marks, Oct. 30, 9 Henry VI. A.D. 1431, after an 
interval of one year, having first obtained a dispensation from the Sovereign Pontiff, on account 
of his being doubly related to the bride in the fourth degree of consanguinity. 

But after *the due celebration and consummation of the marriage, it appearing upon closer 
enquiry on the part of their friends that they were bound in the hitherto latent and closer tie of 

* William published his will in August, 1533. 

f This William was the father of Dr. Thomas Arthur. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 369 

fine houses, 1 which, being without the walls, were free at the time from 
Corporate claims, or other city taxes. Mr. Thomas Mark, a Quaker mer- 
chant, built some very fine stores, which were called Marks's buildings, near 
the new bridge. Houses were built in various parts of the new town, by indi- 
viduals, who, though they consulted their peculiar tastes, preserved uniformity 
in their construction, and thus early began to show what the new town 
was destined to become — one of the handsomest cities in the British Em- 
pire — with a noble street leading through from east to west, intersected to 
the north by several good streets leading to the river, and admitting 
pure ah' from the Clare hills, which might be seen from every portion of 
them — and intersected to the south, by an equal number of streets uniform 

consanguinity in the third and fourth degree, they had recourse as soon as possible to the 
clemency of the Apostolic See for the dissolution of the marriage, from Fondanus, Bishop of 
Saxdes, Penitentiary of the Supreme Pontiff, and succeeded in obtaining a dispensation, given at 
St. Peter's, Kome, on the nones (7th) of May, in the second year of the pontificate of Eugene 
the Fourth, and of our Lord's incarnation 1432. From this marriage there was a numerous 
issue, who arrived at the years of maturity and discretion, and obtained sundry civil dignities. 
For the eldest, John, became the dignified heir of the family honors as well as possessions ; and 
the others, Peter, George and Eobert, became men of senatorial rank ; and the sixth and 
youngest, David, Duumvir or Bailiff of Limerick — a position not to be despised ; and lastly, the 
third, Thomas, being dedicated to God, became a Canon of the Cathedral Church of Limerick, 
and afterwards Prior of the house of St. Mary and St. Edward the King, in the same city, being 
subsequently Treasurer of the Church of Limerick, and finally orthodox Bishop of Limerick in 
the year 1469. 

This Nicholas, following the example of his forefathers, devoted his exertions to the increase 
of his property, and he received by bequest of Nicholas Creagh, a citizen of Limerick, in his 
will, published on the Monday next before the Feast of St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr, A.r>. 
1435, two messuages adjacent to each other in Limerick, in the parish of St. Nicholas, between 
the tenements of Patrick Long, on the south side, and Thomas Comyn, on the north ; and two 
other messuages in the same city, lying in Pullmanagh, between the tenements formerly held by 
Gilbert Overy and Thomas Spicer, on the south, and the passage leading to the manor of the 
Church of St. Mary of Limerick on the north ; (which last two tenements Nicholas gave to hia 
second son, Peter Arthur, who built the same into lofty houses of stone). He also got from 
Johanna Flowre, the aforesaid (?) widow of Eobert Gardiner, a messuage in the city of Cork, 
next to the house of his father-in-law, John Skyddy, on the north side, and of John Nangle, on 
the south, which (messuage) also reaches to the western walls of the said city, 4th Feb. 1443, 22 
of Henry VI., and on the i2th of March, next ensuing, appointed his son, John Arthur, to obtain 
seizin and possession of that messuage from John Muyriagh and Richard Skyddy, to whom the 
aforesaid Johanna Balflowre previously granted that power, which they honestly and justly 
discharged. 

That noble and powerful man, Thomas Geraldine, second son of the Earl of Desmond, to whose 
safeguard and fidelity His Most Serene Highness King Henry VI. committed the care of the 
Castle of Limerick, reposed such confidence in this Nicholas that he appointed him his substitute 
for the discharge of this duty, and gave him an equal division of the Royal salary thence accru- 
ing, according to an arrangement made between them on the 3rd of November, 1461, in presence 
of Thomas, Bishop of " Kilmacduagh," (sic.) and William, Bishop of Limerick, and Patrick Torger, 
at that time Mayor of Limerick. To him the government of the city of Limerick was thrice 
entrusted ; for he was Mayor for the first time 1436 ; second time 1446 ; third, in the year 1452. 

At length yielding to fatal necessity, having made his will on the vigil of the nativity of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary, A.D. 1465, and having received the holy viaticum of our Lord's body, and 
being fortified by the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, he fell asleep in the Lord. Catherine 
survived him full ten years and seven days, devoted to works of piety and mercy, and at length 
departed this life for a better on the feast of the exaltation of the holy cross, on the 13th calends 
of October (14th September), in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1475 ; and her body was laid 
■with that of her husband in the ancestral monument at the left wing of the altar of St. Catherine, 
" Virgin and Martyr," (in the Church of St. Mary's Limerick.") 

"We fear that not a few of our readers may be of opinion that in giving some of the above de- 
tails, which we have translated word for word from the original, we have laid as great a stress 
on trifles as Dr. Burnet in Pope's impersonations of that historian, in the celebrated memoirs of 
" P. P., Clerk of the Parish." But such minutiae, give us a better insight into the character of 
our ancestors than much more imposing generalities. 

Till -within the last few years martens, squirrels, and Badgers were not uncommon in the woods 
of Clare (Cullane, for instance) and Limerick. 

1 Called Sir Harry's Mall— now gone to complete ruin — the site of its fine houses utterly 
neglected. 

John Reilly, a blacksmith, who died in the year 1782, left a house in Mungret-street to the 
Blue School, which, in 1818 produced £21 per annum. —MSS. Notes of Mr. Ouscley 



370 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

in breadth with those to the north — and equally well circumstanced in every 
particular. Indeed it already became apparent that the new town, or as 
it had been called, South Prior's Land, w r hich had been granted, as we 
have already seen, to an ancestor of the Earl of Limerick, would, in 
the course of a few years, supplant the old, and that the seat of trade 
and commerce, as well as of fashion and wealth, would be changed to the 
one, to the detriment, and ultimate decay, if not ruin, of the other and the 
more historic town. To name the streets of Newtown Pery was an object which, 
was soon accomplished. 1 A palace for the Protestant Bishop, and a mansion 
house for the Earl of Limerick, were built close to each other, as early as 1784, 
in an open place, called Henry-street, which was speedily built on at either 
side, and which enjoyed a desirable situation parallel to the river, with 
noble views northward and westward. 2 

But we anticipate events : in 1780, Lady Hartstonge having resolved to 
bring fever, which now prevailed, under one roof, laid the ground work of one 
of the most useful charities of which the city of Limerick has had to boast 
viz., the Fever Hospital, by converting a small house which had been a guard- 
house to the citadel of St. John, into a temporary hospital. An association 
was immediately formed — subscriptions poured in; the families of Harts- 
tonge and Pery gave large sums; and in 1781, an act of Parliament was 
passed in sustainment of this invaluable institution. 3 In the midst of the 
turmoil and excitement of the times, the Dominican Eriars, whose order had 
been in the city for many centuries — indeed since the days of St. Dominic, 

1 Few streets of Limerick (new) had particular names before the year 1786, in which year Sir 
Christopher Knight, Mayor, made many useful regulations for the city. In his mayoralty the 
city (old) was paved and lighted with globe lamps, flagged the footways, caused the ancient 
projecting windows, pent houses and signs to be taken down, most of the streets to be named 
and boarded labels fixed with the name of the street at each corner. The following are the dates 
of some of the names of the streets : — 

William Street, N. end, July 1st, 1789 ) n , 

Do. S. end, June 2nd, 1789, | 0n Stone - 

Both, 1789. 

Crosbie Row, 1791. 

Cornwallis Street, August 7, 1799 (called from Lord Cornwallis). 

George's Street, 1770 (from King George). 

Denmark Street, 1770. 

Ellen Street, 1805. On Stone. (From Miss Ellen Arthur). 

Francis Street, no date. (Mr. Francis Arthur). 

Thomas Street, ditto. 

Nelson Street, 1804. (Lord Nelson). 

Kelly's Lane, no date. 

Stephen's Alley, no date. 

Barrack Alley, no date. 

Bedford Row, no date. (Duke of Bedford). 

Sexton Street, 1797. 

Patrick Street, 1 780. (Mr. Patrick Arthur). 
In July and August, 1811, new Board Labels with the names of the streets, were put up through 
the entire of the new town by order of the Commissioners, for paving, lighting, and watching, &c. 

2 The Bishop's palace continues to be the residence of the Protestant Bishop — the Mansion 
House of the Earls of Limerick has been purchased by Messrs. J. N. Eussell and Sons as a store 
or warehouse in connection with their great linen factory on the North Strand, in which this 
enterprising firm give employment to gieat numbers of males and females. 

3 This Hospital is capable of containing 500 patients, including convalescent wards, and has 
attached to it nearly three statute acres of land, airing ground for the patients ; it continued to 
be of essential advantage to the poor of Limerick, until the year 1861, when the Corporation, 
which, since the enactment of the Improvement Act of 1853, has been the taxing body of the 
city, and which performs the functions of a Grand Jury in that particular, withdrew the sum 
which it had annually contributed, in continuation of the Grand Jury grant, for the support of 
this charity. Six members of the Corporation had been placed on the Hospital Committee some 
time before, but they withdrew when the grant ceased. In 1846, the Hospital was greatly en- 
larged, chiefly through the exertions of William John Geary, Esq., M.D. and J. P., lately one of 
the Medical Inspectors under the Poor Law Act. In times of epidemic it had been of much 
public service. The County of Limerick Grand Jury continues its support to the Hospital, which 
receives county patients ,• and a few patients from the city are also received, in consequence of 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



371 



... £86 10 





12 


10 





29 


19 10 


43 


10 


3 


... 400 








12 


7 10 


11 


4 






according to the ancient Book of the Friars Preachers of Limerick, preserved 
in the British Museum, rented a house in Eish-lane, off Mary-street 1 which 
in 1780 they converted into a chapel. The Augustinian Eriars huilt an excel- 

certain bequests made for that purpose. The following are the particulars of estated property 
and funds for 1864 : — 

Annual Parliamentary Grant for 1863, 
Daniel Gabbett's Bequest, per annum, 
Mrs. Banks' do. do. 

Miss White's do. do. 

Cash invested in new 3 per Cent. Stock, 
Interest on above £427 6s. 8d., new 3 per Cent. Stock, 
Bent of small houses purchased, ... 
There were eighteen Governors for life in 1864. The Committee is composed of the fol- 
lowing : — The Protestant Bishop of Limerick; Edward Bernard, Esq., J.P. ; Richard Russell, 
Esq., J.P. ; Joseph Gabbett, Esq. ; Reuben Harvey, Esq. ; Rev. David Wilson ; Rev. John Elmes ; 
John Wilkinson, Esq., M.D. ; W. J. Geary, Esq., M.D., and J.P. ; Patrick M'Namara, Esq. 

I have been furnished with the following interesting statistics of the number of patients that 

have gone through this Hospital for forty-five years to December, 1864. There was no record 

kept before the year 1820 : — 

In 

1820 

1821 

1822 

1823 

1824 

1825 

1826 

1827 

1828 

1829 

1830 

1831 

1832 

1833 

1834 

1835 ... 

1836 

1837 

1838 

1839 

1840 

1841 

1842 

On stones in the wall of a house built in addition to the Hospital, are the following in- 
scriptions ; — 





In 




1164 


1843 


1311 


944 


1844 


1593 


1645 


1845 


5228 


1368 


1846 


2204 


1658 


1847 


3525 


1923 


1848 


2922 


2783 


1849 


5097 


2980 


1850 


3334 


951 


1851 


2992 


689 


1852 


1165 


994 


1853 


967 


1217 


1854 


745 


1219 


1855 


864 


1031 


1856 


633 


1121 


1857 


475 


1671 


1858 


439 


3269 


1859 


337 


2846 


1860 


352 


1783 


1861 


563 


2184 


1862 


452 


2449 


1863 


417 


1877 


1864 to December 


248 


1713 







H. S. Baker 

Architect 
T.' O Brien 
M Gearin 
Builders 
A D 1828 



Hughes Russel 

Esqr 

Treasurer A. D 1828 



The following inscriptions on stones which appear to have been picked up from the ruins of the 
old walls, or those of St. John's Gate, are inserted in the walls of the Hospital, opposite to the 
gateway, being the first portion of the Hospital that was built: - 




I-H- S 
16 45 



1 The chapel, or what had been the chapel, may yet be seen in Fish Lane, and the pillars which 
propped the galleries, &c. remain in 1865, as they had been ; though the chapel has been for some 
time used as a store ; and rooms over it, in which the friars lived, are occupied by poor artizans. 



372 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

lent chapel in Creagh-lane-— two years before — which they opened on the 6th 
of December, 1778. St. Michael's Parochial Chapel was opened in Denmark- 
street, on the 29th of September, 1781; and the Franciscans opened their 
new chapel in Newgate-lane, on Christmas day, 1782. These events show that 
the Catholics were at length assuming their place after nnheard-of suffer- 
ings, cruelties, and horrors, which came in rapid succession after the violation 
of the Treaty of 1691, and that a spirit of toleration had begun to prevail 
very generally. 



CHAPTER XLY. 

A EETEOSPECT. — HOW THE PENAL LAWS OPEEATED. — LISTS OP CONPOEMISTS. 

While recording the social, material, and political progress of Limerick, 
we cannot omit an important element in the construction of the frame- work 
of society, which has hitherto not received the attention to which it has a 
just claim for the effects which it has produced in the domestic relations, the 
position of families, and the transfer of property from one line to another. 
It is a curious fact in this age of exhaustive enquiry and patient investigation, 
that except a passing reference to changes of religion, we have nothing that 
at all resembles an account of how or when many of our principal Irish families 
changed their faith from the Catholic to the Protestant, although it is well 
known that change was in many cases attended by very important con- 
sequences, not only to the parties immediately concerned, but to the society 
to which they belonged; for not to multiply examples, the adoption of the new 
creed in several instances occasioned the substitution of the junior for the 
elder branches in some of our great Irish houses ; and the intermarriages into 
Protestant families by the new conformist, gave a completely different colour 
to the tastes, the feelings, the habits, the politics, and the social status of 
the descendants of the original conformist, who from being more Irish than 
the Irish themselves, was often, or rather always converted into a most 
determined stickler for English interests, and for the promotion of his newly 
adopted views. Until we enjoy what England already in a great degree 
possesses, the advantage of county and family histories, we do not expect 
that this original and interesting department of history will receive any 
particular attention, more especially as the subject is what is generally con- 
sidered a delicate one, and unless for those who have access to family 
memorials and public libraries, one which is attended with very considerable 
difficulty. The following documents will, we are convinced, possess a very 
high degree of interest for the general as well as the local reader. They have 
been obtained from the Egerton MSS. in the British Museum, and may be re- 
ceived with undoubting faith as the legalised and authentic records of the chief 
conformists in the counties of Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, as well as in 
other localities with which these counties have been associated by inter- 
marriage and other means. We are not aware that any similar document 
has ever been published, or even exists in a collective form, and we hope 
that any of our readers who may have occasion to avail themselves of it will 
acknowledge the source from which they have derived their information. 
Eroin the reign of Queen Anne to the time at which we are now arrived, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



373 



viz., about the year 1782 — the following are the principal local conformists, 
with the places to which they severally belonged, and the dates at which they 
conformed. Earlier occurrences of the same kind are freely noticed in a few 
of our local annals, but in more recent times some hesitation was felt to open 
up what began to be regarded as family secrets, and to disturb the pleasing 
notion that certain families had been Protestants from the earliest period of 
the Reformation. My object in giving these particulars, is solely to add to the 
historical interest of this work, and I am convinced that so far from feeling 
offended at such details, such of my readers as are descended from the 
latest conformists among the local families, will do justice to my motives in 
pubhshing these unquestionable facts. 

EGERTON MSS. 77 IX BRITISH MUSEUM—LIST OF CONVERTS AND PROTESTANT 
SETTLERS IN IRELAND. 

I. Alphabetical List of Converts from Popery to Protestant Religion in Ireland, from Commencement 

of Reign of Queen Anne, to 1772. — P. 1 to 153, filed in Rolls Office, Dublin 

The P. seems to mean Parish — D. Diocese. 

There are Limerick names so far as Counties stated, but many of the names have no Counties, 

and many Country people came up to Dublin to perfect their papers, and are so described as of 

Dublin. A County Limerick man can read the names easily. 



A. 

Arthur, A—, of Ennis, Co. Clare. May 26, 1754 
Audly, and Castlehaven, Lord. July, 21, 1758 

B. 
Browne, Vail, of Ellestrin, Dio. Tuam. 

Dec. 24, 1726 
Bernard, alias Pierce Mary, of Tralee. 

March 31, 1728 
Burke, Lucy, Daughter of Lord Riverston, -wife 
to Doragan Burke. January 12, 1734 

Butler, John, of Kilcash, Co. Tipp. July 15, 1739 
Brenan, Bridget, alias D'Lacy, wife to John 
D'Lacy, of Kilkenny, Gent. Feb. 24, 1739 
Browne, John, of Elinogery, Co. Limerick. 

June 21, 1721 
Butler, Wm., Co. Tipperary. Feb. 9, 1744 

Bourke, Win., of Bruff, Dio. Limerick. 

Dec. 7, 1746 
Barry, Frances, of Limerick, Spinster. 

Sept. 13, 1747 
Brien, Michael, of Cloheen, Co. Tipperary, and 
Brien, Catherine, his wife. Sept. 27, 1747 

Bourke, M'Michael, now of Dublin. May 24,1761 
Bourke, Walter, P. St. Mary, Limerick, Gent. 
July 6, 1760 
Bourke, Edmund, P. St. Munchin, Limerick. 

Dec. 18, 1763 
Boland, M. Anthony, of Limerick. May 20, 1765 
Barry, David, of Rath, Co. Limerick, Farmer. 
July 10, 1766 
Bourke, David, Co. Mayo. July 18, 1767 

Barnewall,Thos.Lord Tremlestown, May 2,1767 
Blewitt,Anne, of Limerick, Spinster, Oct.30,1770 

C. 
Connor, John, a Priest. April, 29, 1739 

Cave, Thos., of Tullybraky, Co. Limerick. 

March 21, 1741 
Callaghan, Jeremy, of Ballysalagh, Cahercon- 
lish, Co. Gal way. Jan. 5, 1745 

Cantillon, John, P. Croom, D. Lim., Gent. 

March 1, 1746 
Creagh, Bridget, of Lk., Spinster. July 15, 1750 



Croker, M. Pierce, P. Whitechurch. July 7, 1751 
Comane, John, of Drew's Court, Lk., Farmer. 

August 2, 1752 
Conloghty, John, P.Fedamore, Lk. July 18,1753 
Considen, Daniel, of Limerick, Merchant. 

Sept. 26, 175G 

Canny, Bliss Jane, of Limerick. April 1, 1759 

Cholmondeley, Hon. Mrs. Mary. July 23, 1760 

Creagh, Miss Mary, of Coonagh, Co. Limerick, 

Spinster. April 22, 1760 

Corban, Blartin, of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, 

Farmer. January 1, 1764 

Carpenter, Elinor, wife of Joseph Carpenter, of 

Limerick, Gentleman. June 25, 1769 

Collipy, Edmond, of Clahane, D. Limerick. 

Sept. 17, 1769 
Cullen, M., of Nenagh, Co. Tipp. Wig Maker. 

Nov. 5, 1769 

Cahane, alias Keane, F.obt., of Tullybrackey, 

Co. Limerick, now of Dublin. Jan. 8, 1771 

D. 

Dalton, Edmund, Gent., of Killeshenally, Co. 

Tipperary. Oct. 10," 1731 

Donnell, Jeremiah, Gent., of Clonmell, Co. 

Tipperary, Dio. Lismore. April 21, 1734 

Dobbins, Elinor, wife to John Dobbins, of 

Limerick, Merchant. Nov. 26, 1732 

Duhigg, Arthur, of Tuorin, Co. Limerick. Gent. 

May 20, 1744 

Dowdall, Humphry, Dio. Ardagh) ^ t1fl1 „ Q 

„ Magerv, ,. > ' 

Dwyer, Mat.P.Abbington, Co. Lk. May 23,1763 

E. 
Eustace, John, of Ballynuna, Co. Limerick. 

May 18, 1746 
F. 

Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Rosslevan, Co.Clare, and 
Joan, his wife. Nov. 6, 1713, & Oct. 17, 1 714 

Fitzgerald, John, Gent., Eldest Son of Thomas 
Fitzgerald, of Glyn, Co. Limerick, Knight 
of the Glyn. August 23, 1 730 

Fitzgibbon, Thos., of Limerick. Nov. 1, 1736 



374 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Furnell, John, of Kilkerilly, Co. Limerick, Gent. 
Sept. 10, 1737 
Fitzgerald, Richard, of Glynn, Co. Limerick. 

July 17, 1740 

Edmond, Gent, of Glynn, Co. Lk. 

Oct. 18, 1741 

Fitzgibbon, Mrs. Margt.', D. Lk. July 4, 1743 

„ Elizabeth, P. St. Nicholas, D. Lk., 

Spinster. May 4, 1746 

Fitzgibbon, Mary, P. Adair, D. Lk., Spinster. 

July 29, 1750 

Fulham, Joan, wife of Isaac Fulham, of Lk., 

Shoemaker. Oct. 20, 1751 

Fulham, Joane, wife of Isaac Fulham, of Lk., 

Cordwainer, certify receiving the Sacrament 

only. Nov. 3, 1751 

Fitzgerald, Catherine, P. Adair, D. Limerick. 

March 10, 1753 

„ Gerald, of Lk., Gent. Dec. 5, 1756 

Farrell, John, of Limerick. Feb. 4, 1759 

Fitzgibbon, John, Co. Lk., Gent. July 17, 1763 

Friend, Mary, alias D'Arcy, wife of George 

Friend, of Co. Limerick, Gent. April 9, 1766 

Furnell, Thos., of Killdery, Co. Limerick, Gent. 

July 20, 1766 

Fullerton, Elinor, P. Tullebracky, D. Limerick. 

Sept. 17, 1769 

G. 

Greatrakes, Edmond, late of Co. Limerick, now 

of Dublin. March 18, 1759 

Gough, Mary, alias Clarke, wife of Thos. Gough, 

of Toureen, Co. Liberties of Limerick, Gent. 

January 20, 1765 

H. 

Herbert, Frances, alias Browne, of Kilcow. 

Sept. 6, 1724 
Hussey, Ignatius, Gent., late of the Middle 
Temple, now of Dublin, received into the 
Church by the Bp. of London. Aug. 10, 1740 
Hill, Mary, wife to John Hill of Ardee, Co. 
Limerick. May 8th, 1734 

Hoar, Maurice, Dio. Limerick. April 23, 1732 
Hartney,Patk. of Limerick, Sadler.June 25,1782 
Hierlihy, David, of Ballintobber, Co. Limerick, 
Gent. July 1, 1744 

Hayes, Edward, of Lim. glazier Oct. 28, 1753 
Hanrahan, Margt. P. Shanagolden, D. Lk., 
Spinster. Jan. 27, 1754 

Hourigan, alias Bradshaw, Mary, Daughter of 
David Hourigan, and wife of Griffith Brad- 
shaw, Gent.,both of Ballyadden,Co. Limerick. 
February 4, 1770 
K. 
Kenny, Mary, of Limerick. June 1, 1760 

Keane, Robt. P. Tullebracky, D.Lk. Nov.3,1754 
Kirby, Patrick, of Glanogra, Co. Limerick. 

August 28, 1763 

L. 

Lacy, Mr. Michael, of Ballinderr} r , now of 

Dublin. February 2, 1733 

Lacy, Edmond, PMonegai, D.Lk.Aug. 20, 1738 

Leake, Mary, alias Yeoman, late of P. St.John, 

Limerick. July 24, 1757 

Loyd, Mr. Francis, late of Limerick, now of P. 

St. John, Dublin. Nov. 20, 1761 

Lyons, Patrick, of Limerick -weaverNo v. 1, 1761 

Lynch, Mrs. Mary, late of Galway, now of 

Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, July 11, 1762 



Leary, alias Marret, Anne, of Lk. July 26, 1767 

M. 
Moore, Amb., Gent. D. Limerick. Mar. 23, 1717 
M'Donnell, alias O'Brien, of Ennistymon, wife 
to Christopher M'Donnell, Gent. Nov.23,1718 
Mason, Fran, alias Lacy, of Knockarnane. 

April 5, 1730 
Mahon, James, Gent. D. Limerick. July 8, 1733 
M'Nemara, John, of Limerick. Mar. 17, 1733 
Mullins, Bryan, of Limerick, Gent. June 18,1738 
M'Nemara, Mrs. Elizab., D. Lk. Aug. 13, 1738 
Magrath, v Mr. Jas. of Limerick. Aug. 20, 1749 
M'Sweeney, Owen, Romish Priest, D. Meath. 

July 30, 1749 
M'Duff, Hannah, alias Russell, wife to Peter 
M'Duff, of Limerick, Gent. Sept. 24, 1749 
Martin, Daniel, P. Newcastle, D. Limerick. 

Feb. 3, 1750 

M'Namara, Mary, late of Limerick wo., now 

wife to Edmond Cotter Lieut., of General 

Otway's Fort. August 18, 1751 

Moore, Jane, of Limerick, Spinster. Jan.20,1754 

Mahony, James, of Mount Collins, P. Killeedy, 

Co. Limerick, Gent. ~ June 7, 1752 

MacKenna, Edward, Captain in the Dutch 

Service, now in Dublin. Jan. 22, 1757 

Mangane, Thomas, of Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, 

Farmer. April 8, 1764 

Murphy, Mary, of St. Francis' Abbey, D. 

Limerick. Jan. 14, 1767 

N. 

Nagle, Daniel, of Clogher. May 23, 1703 

Napper, Mrs. Margaret, wife to Mr. Thomas 

Napper, of Limerick. Jan. 27, 171 1 

Netterville, Nicholas, Lord Vt. Oct. 27, 1728 

Nugent, Lady, Riverston. Oct. 21, 1731 

Nugent, Lord, Riverston. Jan. 28, 1738 

Nash, Mr. James. April 21, 1745 

Neale,Mary, of Limerick, Spinster. May 18,1746 

Nash, Frances, of Ballycullen, Spinster. 

June 21, 1747 

Neagh, Garrett, of Gortgarrold, P. Fedamore, 

D. Limerick. April 7, 1754 

Nash, Mary, P. of Mary, Limerick.April 2, 1752 

Nihell, Cathe P., Kilmurry, D. Limerick. 

May 13, 1760 
Nugents — plenty of. 
Nagles, do. 

Nunan, P.W., Pluly, D. Limerick. July 9, 1771 

O. 
O'Bryen, Michael, a Popish Priest, P. of Togh- 
enna and Killegerill, Co.Galway. Dec.28,1718 
O'Briens — Plenty. 

O'Neal, Chas. of Cloneduff, Co. Limerick, Gent. 
Oct. 1, 1752 
O'Brien, Mathew, of Newcastle, Limerick Co., 
Gent. Nov. 5, 1752 

O'Sullivan More. July 7, 1755 

O'Loghlin, Jeremv, of Limerick, Priest. 

August 14, 1766 
O'Hurly, Murtough, a Priest, D. Cashell. 

June 4, 1769 
O'Callaghan, Dank, of Lk., Esq., Oct. 20, 1771 

P. 
Powers — Plenty. 
Peppard, Mr. Patrick, of Kilmacow, Co. Lk. 

March 14, 1739 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



375 



Pierse, Dorothy, P. Ballingarry, D. Limerick, 

Spinster. May 26, 1765 

Piers, Garrot, of Tralee. Nov. 3, 1 745 

Pierse, Richard, of Foxhall,Co. Limerick, Gent. 

Dec. 30, 1753 

„ Mrs. Anne, of same. March 10, 1751 

„ John, of Limerick, Gent. April 9, 1758 

„ Anne, of Foxhall. YTd. April 6, 1760 

„ Barbara, of same, Spinster. Apr. 6, 1760 

„ Honora. July 18, 1762 

Power, EEvd. John, now of Tallow. Jan. 9, 1763 

Potter, H, of Lissnemurk, P. Creagh. 

Sept. 30, 1764 
Purcell, Pierse, of Dublin. Nov. 16, 1765 

Q. 

Quinn, James, of Limerick, Slater. May 6, 1759 

R. 
Rice, Ellen, of Limerick. March 7, 1729 

Roche, Dominick, of Limerick. March 27, 1739 
Rice, Thos., late of Co. Kerry. March 19, 1749 
Ryan, Matthew, late of Tipperary, now of 
'Dublin, Gent. June 10, 1754 

Reilly, Cathe, of Ballytarsney. Sept. 4, 1787 
Redden, John, Gent. P. St. Mary, Limerick. 

Dec. 9, 1759 
Reval, Jane, D. Limerick. April 6, 1764 

S. 
Supple, Elizabeth. April 18, 1718 

Sheehy, Boger, of Dublin. June 15, 1732 

Scanlan, Honora, alias Burgh, D. Limerick. 

April 15, 1739 



. Certificates of Converts having taken the Oaths of Conformity, filed in Rolls Office 



Sarsfield, Dominick. May 4, 1710 

St. Alban, M. Victor, aFrenchGent.Aug.28,1763 

Supple, Thos. Gent., D. Limerick. Oct. 28, 1764 

Sweeny, Rev. Patk., D. Kilmore. Mar. 25, 1770 

Swyny,Edmond, of Limerick, Gent. Oct. 13, 1771 

., „ late of Thurles, now of Dublin, 

Gent. March 29, 1772 

T. 

Townsend, Helena, wife to Philip Townsend, 

and daughter to John Galway, of Cork. 

August 20, 1709 
Touchett, Coll. James. Oct. 21, 1710 

Taaffe, Thos. Dillon, now of Dublin. 

March 22, 1770 
Y. 
Vandelure, Elinor, of Garrane. March 19, 1737 

W. 
Walsh, Mr. Richard, of Ballentubber, Co.Lk. 

May 7, 1710 
White, John, of Rossgownan, Co. Limerick. 

April 21, 1736 
„ John, of do. „ „ 

Walthoe, Bridget, alias M'Mahon, Wd. of Ed- 
ward Walthor, late of Annagh, Co. Limerick, 
Gent. May 3, 1741 

Warren, Sir Peter, K.B. July 9, 1752 

Westmeath, Thos., Earl of August 9, 1754 
Welsh, Michael, of Limerick, Grocer, and 
Ellinor, his wife. June 17, 1746 

Y. 
Yelverton, Francis, of Dublin. April 13, 1772 



Duh 153 fo 231. 



B. 

Byrne, Sir John, Baronet. 1727 

Butler, Hon. Edmond. 1736 

„ Edmond, his son. 1746 

Bourke, Wm. of Bruffe, Co. Limerick, 

Chandler. 1747 

Buckly, John, of Limerick, Baker 1750 

Bourke, Edmond, of Madabuy, Co. Limerick, 

Gent. 1761 

Barnewall, Mat., son of Ld. Tremleston. 1763 
Bellew, Patrick, Ensign 1st Rgt. Guards. 1766 
Bindon, Mrs. Anne, wife of Henry Bindon, 
of Limerick, Esq. 1771 

C. 
Creagh, Pierce, jun., Esq., of Dangan. 1738 
Connor, John, a Priest, Cahir. 1739 

Commane, John, of Drew's Court. 1752 

Crowley, Rev. Cornelius, Tralee. 1753 

Considine, Daniel, of Limerick, Brewer. 1756 
Castlehaven, James, Earl of 1758 

Collapey, Edmond, P. Tallabrakey, Co. 

Limerick, Farmer. 1769 

Cahane, Owen Kean, R.M., Gent., hereto- 
fore of Tullybrakey, Co. Limerick, now 
in Dublin. 1771 

D. 
Darcy, Rev. Francis, in Dublin. 1739 

Dwyer, John, of Limerick, who was for- 
merly an apothecary. 1763 
Dwyer, Mathew, P. Abbington. 1763 

F. 
Fitzgerald, John, of Glynn, Gent. Lk. 1730 



1736 
1756 
1750 
1763 
1763 
1766 
1766 
1769 



Fitzgibbon, Thos., of Limerick, Gent. 
Fitzgerald, Gerald, of Limerick, Gent. 
Furnell, John, of Killderry, Gent. 
Fitzgibbon, Gibbon, of Limerick, Esq. 

„ Thos. late of St. Nicholas, Lk. 
Furnell, Thos., of Kilderry, Gent. 
Fitzgerald, Gerald, of Limerick, Gent. 
Fullerton, Elinor, P. Tullybrakey, Co. Lk. 

G. 
Goonan, Cornelius, of Limerick, Innkeeper. 1742 
Garrett, Rev. John, Co. Galway. 1744 

Grady, Joseph, of Grange, Esq. 1773 

H. 
Hierlihy, David, of Ballintubber, Co. 

Limerick, Gent. 1744 

Hogan, James, Ennis. 1758 

Hare, Rev. Patrick. 1769 

K. 
Kenny, Mrs. Mary, P. St. John, Limerick. 1 760 
Kirby, Mr. Patrick, of GlanogeraCo. Lim.1764 
Kenedy, Daniel, of Aghaculare, Co. 

Limerick, Farmer. 1767 

Kearney, Ml. of Killmalloch 1767 

Kenney, Rev. Jas. Clerk, A.B. Ennis 1773 

L. 
Lacy, Joan 1730 

This is a certificate only of the Curate, or a 
Justice of the Peace, that they frequently 
attended Church in tbe year 1714 
Lacy, Edmund, Lh. 178S 

Loftus, Nichs. Cornet in Genl. Conky's 

Regt. 1753 



376 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Lowth, Countess of 1763 

Lacy, Henry, of Dublin, gent. 1770 

M. 

Mayo, Vt. 1709 

Mahony, Mr. of Mount'Collins, Lk. gent. 1755 

Mungan, Thos. of Shanagolden 1763 

Macnemara, Maria, now Lady Dunboyne 1773 

N. 

Nugent, Wm. Lord Riverstown 1738 

Nash, Jas. Esqr.|of Killmorey 1756 

Nash, Jas. ' 1745 

Nugent, Edward, Col." 1st Guards 1763 

Nugent, John. Capt. 32nd Foot 1764 

0. 

O'Bryen, Rev. Michael, Co. Galway 1718 
O'Brien, Mattw. of Newcastle, Co. Limk.,"* 

M.D. 1753 

O'Hurly, Murtogh, Priest 1769 

O'Callaghan, Dl. of Limk., Esq. 1772 



O'Callaghan, Edwd. of Limk., now of 
Dublin 

P. 
Peppard, Patk. of Kilmacow, gent. 
Pierse, Rd. of Foxhall, gent. 
Pierse, Hannah, Do. spinster 
Power, Rev. John, Tallow 

R. 
Reddan, John, Jun. of Limk., gent. 

S. 
Sexton, otherwise Creagh, wife of George 

Sexton, of Louth, Burgess 
Skinner, Wm. of Cahirconlish 

W. 

Walshe, BridgidW. of Annagh 
Walsh, Michael, of Limk., groom 

Y. 
Yelvertou, Thos. of Portland, Co. Tipp. 



1772 

1740 
1754 
1762 
1763 

1760 



1760 
1769 



1741 
1764 



1773 



List of Protestants who under act 13 Car. 2, took the oath of allegiance and supremacy, &c— 
P. 231 to end. 

CLARE AND TIPPERARY NAMES AND ADDRESSES, &c. 



1 1747 
| 1747 

| 1747 

1750 
1753 



A. 

Angier, Mary, Dioc, Cashell 1735 

Aylmer, Mrs. Anne, of Ennis, spinster 1741 

Arthur, Thos., of Clonyconry, Clare 1750 

Archer, Jas., late Co. Tipperary 1751 

Arthur, Catherine, Ennis, spinster 1754 

Audlv, Lord. 1758 

B. 

Butler, Jas., of Castlekeale, Clare 1714 

Burke, Wm., Ennis j ^ 1728 
1733-1734 

Butler, John, of Kilcash, Tipperary 1739 

Butler, Wm., Co. Tipperary 1744 
Bradshaw, Rob., Shanbally, Tipperary 

,, Mary, wife 
Burnett, Jas., of Shanbally, farmer 
Burnett, Ellinor 
Brien, Michael, of Cloheen 

„ Catherine 
Bolton, Peter, of Ennis 
Bryan, Honor, P., Abbey, Tipperary 
Bellew, Mrs. Mary, of Ennis, wife of Rchd. 

Bellew, Esq. 1753 

Bourke, Jas , of Killeen, Clare 1756 
Brudenell, Patk., of Ballyvaughan, Clare 1758 

Burke, Anne, of Feacle, Clare, spinster 1759 
' Butler, John, of Garryriken, heir of Walter 

Butler, of Cashell 1764-5 

Bourke, Dd. Co. Mayo 1767 

Barnwall, Ld., Trimelston 1767 

Buckly, John, Cullen, Tipperary 1768 

Barnes, D., of Griegeloyhy, Tipperary 1769 

C. 

Cunningham, Matthew, of Ennis 1715 

Carroll, Jas., of Tulla, Tipperary 1706-9 

Cunningham, W. of Crebal, Clare 1736 

Creagh, Pierce, J. of Dangan, Clare 1738 

Casey, Mrs., of Mountscot, Clare 1739 

Connelly, Timothy, of Cashell 1740 
Clanchy, George, of Caherbane, Co. Clare 1740 

Clanchy, George, of Cratloe, Clare 1743 

Curtin, Dl., of Shanbally, Tipperary ^ , ~,~ 

„ Ellenor, his wife ) ' 



Corkery, Dl., of Clogheen, T. mercht. 1747 
Crowley, Rev. Cornelius 1751-1754 
Connell, Richard, of Knockaninane, Clare, 

gentleman 1754 
Considine, Barthomlow, of Dromedrehed, 

Clare, gent. 1754 

Cormack, Anne, Cashell 1754 

Carroll, Wm., Ennis 1758 
Comyn, Laurence, of Caherblonyg, Co. 

Clare, gent., jr. 1758 

Creagh, Michael, of Ennis, gent. 1760 

Carroll, of Ambuglin, Co. Clare, gent. 1762 

Clewen, Patk., of Burrisasakan, Co. Tip. 1763 

Corban, Martin, of Nenagh, farmer 1764 

Cronin, Wm., Cashell 1764 

Carey, Mary 1765 

Carmudy, Walter 1765 

Comyn, Michael, of Doolen, Clare, gent. 1767 

Connolly, Thos., of Derrymore, Clare 1768 

Clearv, Dl., Cashell 1768 

Connell, Jas., „ 1769 

„ „ Fethard, Tipperary 1769 

Conner, Catherine, Cashell 1769 

Crafford, Pat, of Smithstowne, Clare 1770 

Cullin, Jno., of Nenagh, wig maker 1769 

D. 

Daniel, Pierce, of Derregrath, Tipperary, 

and Mary his wife 1725 
Dalton, Edmund, gent., of Keilishenall, 

Tipperary 1731 

Donnell, Jeremiah, of Clonmell 1734 

Daly, Dl., Cashell 1734 

Donnell, Rd., Carrick, D. Lismore 1743 

Dwyer, Denis, Cashell 1744 

Dannel, W. Rev., Clonmell 1747 
Dawe, John, D Cashell 

Danton, Joseph, Carrick Lennon 1749 

Davett, Domk., of Ogonnello, Clare 1759 

Dowling, Maurice, Cashell 1758 

Dalton, Michael, Kelmur, Tipperary, gent. 1758 

Daniel, James, of Abbey, Tipperary 1 761 

Dunn, Catherine, Rathnonan, Tipperary 1762 

Danniel, Peter, Clonmell, Tipperary 1763 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



377 



Davoran James, Killelagh, Clare 1765 

Darcy, Donik., Rockvale, Clare, gent. 1768 

E. 
Ellis. George of Ennis 1708 

Egan, John, son of Cornelius Egan, of ^ 

Carowle, Tipperary, gent., "conformity >- 1722 

6 years ago" 3 

Egan, Mr. Carbery, of Clooninihy, Tippy. 1736 
Egan, Constance, of Broadford, Clare, 

Cloathier 1757 

England, John Michael, of Cahircalloe, 

Clare, Esq. 1761 

Ellott, Rose, of Garrangibbon, Tipperary 1768 
Egan, Darby, of Burrisokane, Tipperary 1770 

F. 
Fitzwilliam, Lord Viscount 1710 

Fogarty, Timothy, of Garane, Tipperary 1709 
Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Kosslevan, Clare, 

6 Nov., 1713, married Joan Prender- 

gast, of Racaghan, and said Joan con- 
formed 1714-1718 
Fitzgerald, Chas., of Castlekeal, Clare, 

gent. 1740 

Foster, Patrick, of Bankeell, Clare, gent. 1744 
Fenesy, Richard, of Shanbally, Tipperary, 

farmer, and Catherine his wife 1747 

Fitzgibbon, Andw., of Cloheen, Tipperary, 

shoemaker 1847 

Fitzgerald, Garrett, of Carrakeale, Clare, 

gent. 1754 

Fitzgerald, Cath., of Ennis, Clare, spinster 1757 
Finucane, Bryan, of Ennis, gent. 1758 

Fitzgerald, Charles, of Castlekeal, gent. 1763 
Foster, Patrick, of Corrofin, Clare, gent. 1763 
Flanery, Michael, of Gortinagy, Clare, 

yeoman 1764 

Fitzgerald, John, of Fethard, Tipperary, 

Mary, alias Taylor his wife 1766 

Foster, Patrick, of Kells, Clare, gent. 1768 

Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Ballynairavn, 

Clare, gent. 1768 

Fogerty, James, of Castlefogerty, Esq. 1770 
Fay, Mr. Patrick, parish curate of Navan 1771 

G. 
Grace, W. Oliver, son to James Grace, of 

Cassistown, Tipperary 1704 

Glison, Edward, Co. Tipperary 1763 

Glysson, Daniel, of Kirekilly, Tipperary, 

farmer 1769 

Gorman, Silvester, of Drummillehy, Co. 

Clare 1750 

Gorman, Jas., of Kilelahane, Clare, gent. 1758 
Guinane, Michael, of Cloheen, Tipperary 1759 

„ Catherine his wife „ 

Gray, Patrick, otherwise Kane, of Clifden 

Co. Clare 1763 

Gilfoyle, Wm., of Lessmacken, Co. Tippy., 

farmer 1765 

Griffith, Esq., Tubrit, Co. Tipperary 1765 

Gorman, Thady, of Shyan, Co. Clare, gent. 1766 
Griffith, Elsth., of Burgess, Tubird, Tippy. 1766 
Geeree, Wm., P. Clonmell, Tipperary 1767 

Glisson, Roger, of Nenagh, carpenter 1769 

Gleeson, Edmund, son of Morgan Gleeson, 

of Lisduff, Co. Tipperary, farmer 1771 

H. 
Hickie, John, of Six-Mile-Bridge, Clare, 

gent. 1715 



Hogan. Wm. of Reneroe, Clare 1709 
Hart, Elizth. wife to Rd. Hart, of Lis- 

lofin, Co. Clare, gent. 1729 
Holland, Ellen, wife to Geo. Holland of 

Erebnl, Co. Clare, gent. 1729 
Harte, Elizth. wife to Ed. Harte 1728 
Hinshy, Peter, of Finagh, Clare, gent. 1735 
Hickey, Maurice, of Clogheen, Tip. pe- 
ruke-maker 1747 
Hogan, Elizth. of Killadangan, Co. Tip. 1749 
Hays, Morgan, of Shanrahan, Tip. 1749 
Hogan, Edmd. of Cragmohullen, gent. 1752 
Hanly, Pat. of Nenagh, Co. Tipp. 1756 
Hare, Pat. of Ennis, Clare 1756 
Hehir, Joseph, of Knocknamucke, Clare 1757 
Hogan, Jas. of Ennis, M.D. 1758 
Hogan, Mrs. Bridget, of Ennis, wife 1763 
Henessy, Jno. of Temple Etny, Tipp. 1 764 

J. 
levers, Mary, wife of John Jevers, of 

Drimellan 1748 

levers, Chas. of Moyne, Clare, gent. 1749 

K. 

Kearin, Terence, P. Ennis, gent. 1751 

Kennedy, Mary, of Rathronan, Tip. 1763 

Kyff e, Manus, of Clogheen, Tip. 1 704 

Kelly, Jas. of Cragaknockin, Clare, gent. 1765 

Kenely, Laurence, of Cahir, Tip. 1768 

Kerin, Patk. of Corofin, Clare, gent. 1768 
Kelly, Pierce, of Garlickhill, Co. Clare, 

gent. 1768 
L. 
Lalor, Patrick, of Modrinny, Tip. 1706 
Lincoln, Walker, of Buresleagh, Co. Tip. 1780 
Lysaght, Chas. P. & D., Kilfenora 1737 
Lenahan, Dl., gent., Clerk to Corns. 
O'Callaghan, Sen. Esq. of Bantyr, 
Co. Cork 1737 
Leary, Denis, of Clogheen, Co. Tip. apo- 
thecary 1747 
Lucett, John, of Ballybay, Cavan 1747 
Lucett, Elinor, his wife 1747 
Lynch, Jas. of Moyfrala, Co. Clare, gent. 1755 
Lysaght, Nichs. of Ennis, gent. 1759 
Lysaght, Andrew, of Ballynagrave, Clare 1763 
Linchy, Jas. of Morgh, Co. Clare, farmer 1767 
Lardner, Michael, of Cooreclare, Co. Clare, 

gent. 1768 

Lysaght, Jas. of Bally keal, Co. Clare, gent. 1768 

Legat, alias Dowdall, Cathr. of Dublin 1770 
Long, Bedmond, of Killoran, Co. Tipp. 

now of Dublin, Esq. 1771 

M. 

M'Mahon, Terence, of Ballymorlow, Co. 

Clare, gent. 1720 
M'Nemara, Francis, of Cleenagh, Co. 

Clare, Esq. 1708 
Mathew, Geo. of Thomastown, Co. Tipp. 

Esq. 1709 
M'Donnel, Elizth. alias O'Brien, of Enys- 

tymon, wife to Chas. M'Donnell, Esq. 1718 

M' Car thy, Mrs Helena, of Cahir 1732 

Morris, Jno. Gen. of Lafferagh, Co. Tipp. 1726 
Mandeville, Jno, of Ballynaghymore, Co. 

Tipp. gent. 1729 

Meara, Mrs. Anne, of Nenagb, spinster 1728 

Magher, Charles, of Thurles, Co. Tip. 1740 



378 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Malhew, Geo. of Thomastown, Esq, 1740 

Morres, Jno. of Tipperary, Esq. 1740 

Molony, Corns. P. Tulla, Co. Clare, gent .1711 
M'Mahon, Mr. Chas. of Leadmore, Co. 

Clare 1745 

Madden, Hugh, of Kellturoe, Co. Tip. gent. 1766 
Murphy, John & Elizth. of Ballyboy, Co. 

Tip. "farmer 1747 

M'Nemara, Thady, of Eannah, Co. Gar 1747 
Meagher, Connor, D. Cashel 1748 

M'Swiney, Owen, priest 1749 

Morony, Elizth. of Castietown, Co. Clare 1749 
Mahon, Jas. of Ennis, merchant 1750 

Molony, Dd. D. Cashel 1749 

Murphy, Jas. of Kilbarne, Co. Tip. yeoman 1750 
Martin, Domk. of Ennis, Mr. J 1752 

Magrath, Elizt. Co. Tipperary 1754 

M'Nemara, Dl. P. Tulla 1757 

Molony, Dl. of Doouas, Co. Clare 1757 

Molony, Patrick, of Tulla 1757 

Molony, Pat, of Ardboly, farmer 1758 

Mandeville, Edwd. of Ballydine, Esq. 

eldest son of him, &c. 1759 

Mandeville, Jas. of Ballydine, gent. 1760 

Mathew, Thos. of Annfield, Co. Tip. Esq. 

now of Capel st. 1762 

Mandeville, Jas. gent. 3rd son of Thos. 

of Ballydrine, Esq. 1762 

Macnamara, Timothy, of Tormoyle, Co. 

Clare, gent. 1763 

M'Keogh, Dl. P. Ardfinan, Co. Tip. 1763 

M'Mahon, Terence, of Ballykinnakura, 

Co. Clare, gent. 1764 

Molony, Dl. of Glandire, Co. Clare, 

mason, and Mary his wife 1764 

Martin, Mary, of Ennis, Tipperary 1765 

Martin, alias M'Namara, Mary, of Gra- 

gan, Co. Clare 1766 

Malone, Judith P. Shanrahan 1766 

Molowny, Grace P. Tubrid 1766 

Mandeville, Edwd. Esq. M.D., P. Car- 
Mrick, Co. Tipperary 1767 

athew, Chas. late of Thurles, now of 

Dublin, Esq. 1768 

M'Carthy, Chas. late of Ennis, now of 

Dublin 1768 

M'Nemara, Jno. of Cahirinagh, Clare 1768 
M'Nernara, Florence, of Richmond, gent. 1788 
Molony, Jno. of Derrymore, Clare 1768 

Miniter.Patrick, of Do. 1768 

Murphy, Corns, of same, farmers 1768 

M'Namara, Anne, of Doolen, Clare, spinst. 1768 
M'Namara, of Six-Mile-Bridge, Clare, 

gent. 1769 

Meagher, Anne, daughter to Dl. Meagher, 

of Clonmel, D. Lismore 1770 

N. 
Nagle, Jas. Mr. of Garnavilly, Tipp. 1765 

O. 
Oldis, Cathe. alias Wright, of Ballylanigan, 

Co. Tipperary 
O'Meara, Darby, of Knockbragh, Clare 
O'Brien, Thos. of Tipperary, gent. 
O'Callaghan, Mrs. Hannah, and Mr. 

Donat of Kilgorey 
O'Connor, Garrett, Craghreagh, Clare 
O'Carroll, Timothy, of Prospect Hall, 

Co. Tipp. servant 



1724 

1728 
1740 

1743 

1745 

1767 



O'Dwyer, Edm. of Kilforbey 1751 
O'Meara, Patrick, of Knockbehagh, Clare, 

gent. 1759 

O'Brien, Hy. of Ennis, gent. 1759 

0. Bryan, John, P. Temple Etney, Tipp. 1762 

O'Keeffe, Jas. of Fortanmore 1763 

O'Brien, Wm. of Cahirbolane, gent. 1764 

O'Brien, Mathew, of Coolreagh, Clare 1765 

O'Brien, Christ, of Ennistimon, gent. 1768 

P. 

Pierse, James, Esq. 1726 
Pedder, Mary, wife to Jno. Pedder, of 

Cashel 1739 
Power, Mr. Pierce, Co. Tipp. 1740 
Pierse, Dorothy, P. Ballingarry, Tip. 1745 
Piers, Garrott, gent. 1745 
Purcell, Andw. now of Cahir 1762 
Power, Mary, P. Kilgrane 1763 
Purcell, Mary, D. Cashel 1765 
Pearce, John, of Six-Mile-Bridge, apo- 
thecary 1765 
Q. 
Quilly, otherwise Woods, Jas. of Castle- 
hill, Co. Clare 1767 
Quinlan, Jno. of Youghal, Co. Tipp. 1769 

R. 

Roach, Johana, D., Cashel' 1728 

Ryan, Philip, of Clonmel, clerk 1743 

Roach, Margt., D., Cashel 1746 

Reddan, Mrs. Marv, of Cullane 1750 

Ryan, Math.'D., Cashel 1750 
Ryan, Matw. late of Tip. now'of Dub- 
lin, Esq. 
Ryan, Timothy, of Clonoulty & Cashell, 

gent. 
Ryan. Thomas, P. Clonmel 
Roe, Cathe. Marianne, otherwise Mathew 
wife of Philip Roe, gent. dr. of Thos , of 

Thomastown, Co. Tipp. Esq^ 1763 

Ryan, Jno. gent. D. Cashel 1763 

Reardan, Edward, „ 1766 

Reardan, Jas. „ 1764 

Ryan, Alice, D. Cashel 1765 

Raymond, Ellen, P. Tubrid 1765 

Reardon, Wm. D. Cashel 1766 

Ryan, Jno. P. Clonmel 1766 
Ryan, Edwd. eldest son of Philip Ryan 

of Cardangan, farmer 1768 

Reardan, Cathe., D. Cashel 1769 

Russell, Bryan, of Ennis, M.D* 1771 

Ryan, Francis, D. Cashel 1771 
Rogers, Chas. Dom. Friar and Romish 

Priest of Elpbin 1769 



1754 



1760 
1761 



Stapleton, Wm. of Bryan's Castle, Co. 

Clare, gent. 1742 

Stapleton, Jno. his son 1743 

Shepherd, Dd. and Mary of Cloheen 1747 

Sarsfield, Maurice, of Carrighvohull 1747 

Sullevan, Jno. of Shanrahan 1747 

Shea, Rd., D. Cashel 1757 
Stanley, Elizh. of Burrasakan, Co. Tip. 

D. Killoloe, spinster 1758 

Shenan, Thos. Jun. of Killdyna, gent. 1763 
Skerrett, Hyacinth, late of Tinvara, Co. 

Clare, now of Dublin 1766 
Shennan, Thos. now of Dublin, late of 

Clounbonv, Clare . 1767 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



379 



Shenan, John, of Kildyma, gent. 

Skinner, Wm., D. Cashel 

Swyny, Edmd. late of Thurles, now of 

Dublin, gent. 
Three-fourths of the " S." are described 
of Dublin. 


1767 

1768 

1771 

as now 


T. 




Thouhy, Owen, of Ballyea, Clare 

V. 
Vnadeleur, Ellinor, wife to M. Yande- 
leur of Garane, gent. 


1765 


1757 


W. 




White, Jno. D. Cashel, Esq. 


1732 



Walsh, Thos. of Shanbally, farmer 1747 

Westmeath, Earl of 1724 

Woulfe, Ignatius, of Emlagh, gent. Clare 1758 

Woulfe, Stephen, of Killarnan 1758 

Walsh, Jas. of Ballypooreen, Tipp. 1761 

Welsh, Jas. of Ballypooreen 1761 

White, Andw. of Corofin, Mr. 1763 

Woods, Ed. D. Cashel 1760 

Weldon, Hugh, P. Eathronan 1764 

Walsh, Ed. D. Cashel 1767 

White, Andw. of Corofin 1770 

Woulfe, Jno. of Cahirrush, Clare, gent. 1771 



Few, indeed, of the Catholic clergy fell in any part of Ireland; and 
it is indisputable that without exception the conformists changed, not from 
principle, but in order to save their estates and properties from the hands 
of the discoverer and informer. A curious anecdote is related of a Eev. 
Edmond Palmer, commonly called Parson Palmer, who filled the office of 
president of a Benevolent Annuity Society of Limerick in 1768-9, and who 
was said to have been a most energetic " discoverer," and Mr. Andrew Creagh, 
a member of the ancient Catholic family of that name. Palmer had already 
made several discoveries, and inflicted considerable mischief, and Creagh 
having heard that he was a marked man, proceeded to Dublin to take the 
oath, and have his name duly enrolled in the list of those who had abjured the 
faith, in order to preserve property. As he was leaving the office where the 
enrolment took place, he met Palmer going in, and jocosely said to him " you 
perceive, Mr. Palmer, that I am before you/'' Returning to Limerick, he kept 
his property and gave the legal tokens that he had complied with the provisions 
of the No Popery laws. He died, soon after, and was buried in the cemetery 
attached to St. Mary's Cathedral, where his tomb-stone may yet be seen 
recording the fact, that though he lived a legal Protestant he died in the 
Catholic faith. 1 It may be remarked in contrast with those days when con- 
formers were frequent, that probably in no part of Ireland would be possible to 
find anything like the good feeling which has in latter times prevailed between 
members of different creeds in Limerick. This harmony, so completely 
different from the state of things in other localities, where Catholics are not 
in the majority as they are in Limerick, is attributable in some measure to 
the amiable character of many members of the superior orders of the clergy, 
whose personal character smoothed away the religious asperities arising from 
differences. But we believe that most of our readers will concur with us in 
opinion, that this harmony is rather ascribable to the progress of education, 
to the restoration of Catholics to a position of greater equality with their 
fellow-citizens of the Protestant persuasion, and though last not least, to the 

J This curious tomb-stone has the following inscription : — 



HEEE EESTETH ANDREW CEEAGH 

EDWAED who lived in esteem I AND 

DIED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH 15th Sep. 1763 



Arms and crest cut in relief with the 
motto " Virtute et numine." 



Broken 



380 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

strenuous efforts of Irish patriots in latter times to establish a good under- 
standing between Irishmen of all opinions. 

It may be here remarked, that though the commerce of the port had 
been increasing considerably, and though a large business was transacted 
with Spain, Holland, &c, the export of corn was but little known up to 
this period ; and when it was commenced by Mr. Honan, an enterprising 
merchant, who built a portion of the quays of Limerick, called after himself, 
and known to this day by the name of Honan's quay, he had every difficulty 
that it is possible to imagine to encounter, from the humbler classes of the 
citizens,! who looked upon the export of cereals as the greatest visitation 
that could befal them, and who were backed by the Mayor and the authorities 
in their interference with the course of trade. 1 Captain Topham Bowden, 
who wrote a book of travels in Ireland, visited Limerick soon after these 
times, and speaks of the state of society in the highest terms of praise. Dr. 
Campbell, author of a Survey of Ireland, speaks of the Milesian manners, and 
of the fondness of the citizens for music when he wrote, about ten years before. 
In 1786 : — George Smyth was Recorder. 

Henry Hallam, Town Clerk. 

George Yincent, Weigh Master. 

Robert Hallam, Water Bailiff. 

J. Prendergast Smyth, Chamberlain. 

Christopher Carr Christopher, City Treasurer. 

James Russell, Clerk of the Market. 
At this period the Common Council of Limerick, in which the election of 
magistrates and all civil power was vested, was composed of fifty-nine per- 
sons most of whom had served the office of mayor or sheriff, and of the 
following forty-seven who did not serve either office : total of the Common 
Council, 106, on the 2nd day of October, 1786 :— 
Date of admission. Members. 

1727, ... ... Richard Yincent 

1748, ... ... Lord Yiscount Pery 

* The following is an extract from a letter of Mr. Honan, written in June, 1786, on this sub- 
ject, and which I give as affording proof of the state of commerce at the time : — 

~ 1st June, 1786, 
" Our Mayor still continues to harass us in the purchase of corn. Last Saturday he brought 
out the army to hinder Mr. Lyons taking to his store some oats that came by boat, which could 
not be then weighed for want of proper scales. If scarcity comes on I will be sent to Tyburn. 
38 "White Boys" have been arrested and put into jail here. The county people for revenge say 
they will not allow any potatoes or corn to come to market till they are set free. God send the 
corn factors dont suffer if any scarcity should happen. The export of oatmeal has caused such a 
scarcity of that article as to give great discontent to the mob and to the publick in general. Our 
Mayor called over each of us that promised to supply him last January with that article. None 
of the gentlemen were in any respect prepared to do it, I could not an instant hesitate. I am 
selling those three days past oatmeal at cost price, I have gained great favour with a turbu- 
lent unruly set and our corporation assures me of every protection in their power in future, so 
that the corn trade will be easier to me than any one else. I continue to supply the mob at cost 
price, had I refused the consequence would be fatal, for the mob would have it from me, and pre- 
vent all future exports, not alone of that article, but prevent my loading the " Endeavour" with 
oats. New houses building near Arthur's-quay, to the rere of one of them is a piece of ground 
which I had in view to take for some time past, I will see to-morrow if I can. _ It is the most 
eligible place in this city for the corn trade, as you could load the ships immediately from any 
of the lofts. If I can I will get some spot near the river to build on. Our Mayor and Mr. 
Pery our representative, called a meeting of the millers and merchants to determine about grind- 
ing oats for the city, Mr. Brady seemed unwilling to let his mills* for the purpose, till he was 
told that^his own term of them wasTexpired and would not be renewed— they all thanked me 
for the supply of .meal I gave the city. 'J. must continue to do so for a few days, till I load the 
ship in the pool." 

* The great mills on the Canal, now in the possession of Messrs. J. N. Kussell and Sons. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 381 

1776, ... ... Eight Hon. Silver Oliver 

ditto, ... ... Eight Hon. Thos. Connolly 

ditto, ... ... John Minchin 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Charles Smyth 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Eickard Lloyd 

ditto, ... ... Standish Grady, of Elton 1 _ 

ditto, ... ... Caleb Powell, of Clonshavois 2 

ditto, ... ... Simon Pnrdon, of Tinnerana 

ditto, ... ... George Quin, of Qninsborough 3 

ditto, ... ... JohnTuthill 

ditto, ... ... Robert Cripps 

ditto, ... ... Benjamin Fr end 

ditto, ... ... John Croker 

ditto, ... ... James Godsell 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Thomas Burgh 

ditto, ... ... Edward Win. Burton 

ditto, ... ... Thomas Gabbett 

ditto, ... ... Henry Prittie 

ditto, ... ... Thomas Lloyd, of Prospect 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Jaqnes Ingram 

ditto, ... ... Simon Davies 

ditto, ... ... William Lovd, of Tower Hill 

1781, ... ... Eev. Thomas Smyth Geo. 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Thomas Smyth James 

ditto, ... ... Martin Tucker 

ditto, ... ... Darby O'Grady 4 

ditto, ... ... William Smvth John 

1782, ... ... PurefoyPoe 

ditto, ... ... Thomas Hobson 

ditto, ... ... Thomas Lloyd, of Eldromin 

1 784, ... ... Wm. Cecil Pery, P. Bishop of Limerick 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Thomas Shepherd 

ditto, ... ... Henry Yereker 

ditto, ... ... Charles Smyth George 

ditto, ... ... Carew Smyth James 

ditto, ... ... Eev. Eowland Davies 

1785, ... ... Eichard Townshend 

ditto, ... ... Amos Yereker, Henry 

ditto, ... ... Eichard Newenham 

ditto, ... ... John Yereker 

ditto, ... ... William Eurlong 

1786, ... ... Frederick Lloyd, of Cranagh 

ditto, ... ... Arthur Ormsby 

ditto, ... ... Eichard Piercy 

1 Father of Lady Ilchester. 

2 Caleb Powell, born in 1728, was fifth son of Robert Powell, of New Garden. 

3 Father of the Marchioness of Headford. 

4 Father of Chief Baron O'Grady, afterwards Lord Guillaruore. 



382 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

CHAPTEB XLVI. 

THE HUSH VOLUNTEERS. — THE CAREER OE JOHN EITZGIBBON, EARL OF 

CLARE. AN ELECTION. THE REBELLION OF '98. TRIAL OF FRANCIS 

ARTHUR, ESQ. THE REIGN OF TERROR. THE ACT OF UNION. PROGRESS 

OF EVENTS, &C. " GARRYOWEN." IMPROVEMENTS, &C. 

What Irishman is ignorant of the glories of 1782, when his country, 
awaking from a long night of degradation, sorrow, and slavery, rose brilliant 
and fair as the morning star, radiant with new-born freedom — when liberty 
spoke the word, and up rose at her call 150,000 armed volunteers — owing 
no allegiance to the government, and fully equipped with artillery, arms, 
and all the munitions of war ? Silently, rather than sullenly, the volunteers 
occupied Dublin in overwhelming force, and the earnestness of the patriotic 
spirit that animated them is sufficiently evident from the legend inscribed on 
the scroll that surrounded their ordnance, "Eree Trade or Speedy 
Revolution \" 1 Then a corrupt Parliament met, largely composed of 
the pensioners, or place holders of the crown, and the nominees of the 
proprietors of rotten boroughs. But coerced by the spirit and realities 
of the times, they unanimously passed Mr. Grattan's celebrated resolution — ■ 
u That the kingdom of Ireland is a distinct kingdom with a Parliament of 
her own, the sole legislature thereof — that there is no body of men competent 
to make laws to bind the nation but the King, Lords, and Commons of Ire- 
land — nor any Parliament which hath any authority or power of any sort 
whatsoever in this country, save only the Parliament of Ireland/'' 

This resolution was unanimously passed by the Irish House of Commons 
on the 16th of April, 1782; and thus after seven hundred years of subjuga- 
tion — of woes unmitigated — of sorrows unrelieved — of complaints unheeded — • 
and of tyrrany unparalelled in the history of nations — Ireland in one bold 
struggle burst her fetters, and gained her freedom ! 

One of the most curious incidents that occurred on this celebrated occasion 
was the speech of John Eitzgibbon, afterwards Earl of Clare. He had always 
been in hostility to the principles of this resolution. He was the ready tool 
in the hands of the Governement, which they used in the most unscrupulous 
manner to oppose the cause of Irish independence, and therefore, it was not 
without amazement that the Commons heard him deliver a speech, every 
word of which was at variance with the political principles which he was 
known to entertain, and which he had, on innumerable occassions, publicly 
professed. " No man," said Mr. Eitzgibbon with great emphasis, " can say 
that the Duke of Portland has power to grant us that redress which the 
nation unanimously demands — but as Ireland is committed, no man I trust 
will shrink from her support, but go through, hand and heart, in the 
establishment of our liberties. As I was cautious in committing, so I am 
now firm in asserting the rights of my country ! My declaration, therefore 
is, that as the nation has determined to obtain the restoration of her liberty, 
it behoves every man in Ireland to stand iirm \" 

This extraordinary speech was received with universal feelings of contempt 
and disgust. No person gave him credit for a tittle of sincerity or good* 
faith. Mr. Eitzgibbon was utterly destitute of the smallest spark of 
patriotism. The part he took was generally vehement and over-bearing, 
but was, nevertheless, the result invariably of selfish calculation. In giving 
utterance to this policital recantation, it is probable he considered the inde- 

1 M'Nevin's History of the Volunteers, p. 118. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 383 

pendence of Ireland achieved for ever, and that he therefore took the earliest 
opportunity of siding with the strong, and of betraying his friends ; but there 
are those who hold the opinion that the Government were even then planning 
the deep laid scheme which finally resulted in the Union, and that Eitzgibbon 
got directions to adopt this hue in order to gain greater facilities to betray. 
In less than two years afterwards he was appointed Attorney- General. 

For a short time Ireland assumed a new aspect — she rose majestically from 
her ruins — and a season of unexampled prosperity and progress blessed a 
peaceful, contented, and industrious people. 1 But even then treason was at 
work, and soon the splendid fabric of national greatness, underminded by 
her own unnatural children, fell to rise no more. Among those most active 
and most reckless in effecting her ruin was John Eitzgibbon. In the 
commencement of his career he purchased considerable landed property in the 
county of Limerick, including Mount Shannon. He attended but little to 
the duties of his profession, but on the death of his elder brother and his 
father, who, though originally a Catholic destined for the Catholic priesthood, 
became a member of the Irish Bar and a conformist, he found himself in pos- 
session of all those advantages which led him rapidly to the attainment of his 
objects. Considerable fortune — professional talents — extensive connexions 
— and undismayed confidence, elevated him to those stations on which 
he afterwards appeared so conspicuously seated ; while the historic eye as it 
follows his career, percieves him lightly bounding over very obstacle, which 

1 Previously to 1782, (namely, in 1779), there-were two grand reviews at Lough Gur, when most 
of the regular army had been withdrawn from the kingdom, and though the Govrnment had 
hitherto looked with a jealous eye on the Irish Volunteers, their worth and strength were now 
sent down for the city and the county regiments — viz., five hundred for each. It was on 
the 17 of August, in 1780, that the first meeting was held at the Tholsel, in reference to a con- 
templated review of the different corps which had been already formed. On the 17th of the 
previous December the greatest rejoicings that had been known for many years before took place 
in the city in consequence of the intimation given in Parliament by Lord North, of offering 
certain propositions to the House for granting free trade to Ireland. At the meeting, which was 
held at the Tholsel, the chair was taken by John Thomas "Waller, Esq., an unparalleled amount 
of enthusiasm prevailed. Surrounded by thousands of their admiring countrymen, the following 
corps were reviewed by Lord Kingsborough, Reviewing General, on the 10th of October 
following :— 

CAVALRY. 
Corps a>~d Ccoesianders. 
I. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. 
II. Kilfinnan Horse, William Ryves, Esq. 

III. Coonagh Rangers, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Deane, Bart. 

IV. Small County Union, John Grady, Esq. of Caher, Esq 
V. County Limerick Royal Horse, Hon. Hugh Massy. 

VI. Connelloe Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq. 
VII. County Clare Light Horse, Edward Fitzgerald, Esq. 
VIII. Newport Horse, Right Hon. Lord Jocelyn. 
IX. True Blue Horse, William Thomas Monsell, Esq. 
INFANTRY. 
X. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. 
XI. Kilfinnan, Volunteers, William Ryves, Esq. 

XII. County Limerick Fencibles, John Thomas Waller, Esq. 

XIII. Castle Connell Volunteers, Right Hon. Sir Robert Deane, Bart. 

XIV. Ennis Volunteers, Right Hon. Earl of Inchiquin. 
XV. Loyal German Fusiliers,* Henry Brown, Esq. 

XVI. Adare Volunteers, Windham Quin, Esq. 
XVII. Rathkeale Volunteers, George Leake, Esq. 
XVIII. Royal Glin Volunteers, the Knight of Giin. 
XIX. Newport Volunteers, Colonel Waller. 
In 1781, on the 11th and loth of August, Lord Muskerry reviewed the following corps at 
Loughmore ; he was accompanied by Lady Muskerry, who presented the Volunteers with several 
elegant stands of colours. His Lordship was elected Colonel of four '^different corps by the 
Volunteers : — 

* Composed of the " Palatines-people" who had been introduced from Germany some years 
before by Lord Southwell, who had established a colony of them at Castlematress, Co. Limerick. 



884 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

seemed to check his course to that goal where all the trophies 'and thorns of 
power were collected for his reception. 1 

.CORPS AND COMMANDERS. 

I. Royal Glin Artillery, Colonel John Fitz Gerald. 
II. County Limerick Horse, Colonel John Croker. 

III. Counagh Rangers, Colonel Lord Muskerry. 

IV. Small County Union, Colonel John Grady. 

V. Connelloe Light Horse, Colonel Hon. Hugh Massy. 
VI. Connelloe Light Horse, Colonel Thomas Odell. 
VII. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. 
VIII. County Tipperary Horse, Sir Cornwallis Maude. 

IX. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. 
XII. Castle Connell Rangers, Lord Muskerry. 

XIII. German Fusileers, Colonel Henry Brown. 

XIV. County Limerick Fencibles, Colonel John Thomas "Waller. 

Lord Muskerry, on the 22nd of September following, was elected General in Chief of the 
Volunteer army in the county and city of Limerick. At this period the Irish Volunteers num- 
bered 40,000 men ; the finest in Europe ; and they obtained the thanks of both Houses of 
Parliament as follows : — 

" Martis, 9 DIE Octobkis, 1781 
Resolved Nem con. 
" That the thanks of this house be given to the Volunteer Corps of this Kingdom, for their 
exertions and continuation, and particularly for their spirited preparations against a late 
threatened invasion." 

Thomas Ellis, cler. pari. dom. com. 
Die Mekcuii, 16 Octobris, 1781. 
" Resolved by the lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, that the thanks of 
this house be given to the several volunteer corps in this kingdom, for the continuation of their 
efforts in defence of this country, and for their spirited offers to Government on the late alarm 
of an hostile invasion meditated against the kingdom." 

W. Watts Gayer, ? n p , 
Edward Gayer, $ Uer * ^ arL 
In 1782, the Limerick Independents, under Major Caleb Powell, and the Loyal Limerick 
Volunteers, beat up for recruits for the navy, twenty thousand men being demanded for that 
arm of the service ; they were successful to a considerable extent, and on the 20th and 21st of 
August, the following corps were reviewed at Loughmore* by the Earl of Charlemont : — 
Corps and Commanders. 
I. Glin Artillery, John Fitz Gerald, Esq. 
CAVALRY. 
II. Tipperary Light Dragoons, Sir Cornwallis Maude. 
III. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. 
IV. County Clare Horse, Edward Fitz Gerald, Esq. 

V. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. 

VI. Kilfinnan Light Dragoons, Wra. Ryves, Esq. 
VII. Small County Horse, John Grady, of Cahir, Esq. 

* At Loughmore, where these reviews took place, and which is situated in the South liberties, 
and Parish of Mungret, is a natural curiosity, not noticed, or even mentioned, by any historian 
or tourist as far as I can learn : — It is situated within three miles of Limerick, and not far from 
the once famous Abbey of Mungret. It is a lake for several months in each year — in frosty 
weather a favorite resort for skating — covering about 50 acres of a flat piece of ground adjoining 
the Church lands of the see of Limerick, and forms a commonage for the tenantry, for in summer 
it throws up a great quantity of grass The water usually begins to rise about the 1st of October, 
but earlier in a wet season ; in a dry season it begins to decrease about the 25th of March, but 
in a wet season not till the 1st of May; it is not supplied by any river, but by the rains, and 
the overflowings of the red bog of Anaherrosta, distant about two miles and brought by subter- 
ranean passages. When the flat ground is extensively flooded, the water begins to break up 
through subterranean passages near Mungret Church, and in two other places. These three 
streams unite in one small river near the Castle of Mungret within one mile of the river 
Shannon. As soon a3 the lough becomes dry, these rivers and passages become dry also. It is 
usually without water between four and five months each year, but much depends on the season. 
The general depth of the water is from four to five feet. There are no fish of any kind found in 
it, except in very wet seasons a few eels. A Mr. Launcelot Hill, about fifty years ago expended 
large sums of money in endeavouring to make a course for the waters, but failed. This lake 
much resembles in quality that of Lindnig in Germany. 

» Maxwell's Irish Rebellion. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 385 

The period that elapsed from the time Fitzgibbon earnestly applied his 
mind to his profession until he attained the summit of his ambition, was 

Till. Counagh Rangers. Lord Muskerry. 
IX. True Blue Horse, "William Thomas Monsell, Esq. 
X. County Limerick Royal Horse, Hon. Hugh Massy. 
XL Connelloe Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq 
XII. Riddle3tovrn Hussars, Gerald Blenerhassett, Esq, 
INFANTRY. 
Corps axd Ccodia>-deb3. 
XIII. Ormond Union, Henry Prittie, Esq. 
XIT. Tipperary Light Infantry, Sir Cornwallis Maude. 
XT. Ennis Tolunteers, Earl of Inchiquin. 
XTI. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Earl of Inchiquin. 
XTIL Cashel Tolunteers. Richard Pennefather, Esq. 
XTHL Ealnnnan Tolunteers, Right Honorable Silver Oliver, 
XIX. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. 
XX. County Limerick Eencibles, John T. Waller, Esq. 
XXL Castleconnell and Killaloe Rangers, Lord Muskerry. 
XXII. Adare Tolunteers. Sir Richard Quin, Bart. 
XXIII. Rathkeale Tolunteers, George Leake, Esq. 
XXIT. German Fusiliers, James Darcy, Esq 
XXT. True Blue Foot, William Thomas Monsell, Esq. 
XXTI. Limerick Independents. John Prendergast Smyth. Esq. 
It was on the 10th day of April in this year that the Catholics of the city, on the resolution 
of Martin Harold, Esq., and the invitation of Major Caleb Powell, of Clonshavoy, joined the 
corps of Limerick Independents ; their uniform was scarlet lined with green, with silver lace 
and other silver appendages. Their Adjutant, James Russell, Esq. was presented with ag old 
medal by the corps. On the 30th of June they marched to Clonmel, under the command of 
John Prendergast Smyth. Esq. and were with other corps there reviewed by Colonel Henry 
Prittie, reviewing General. The Catholics of Limerick were admitted to take part in the move- 
ment, and the following resolutions were passed — (History of the Irish Volunteers.) : — 

"Ata time when religious prejudices seem entirely laid aside, and a spirit of liberty and 
toleration breathes unanimously through all sects, we see with concern so loyal and respectable 
a part of our brethren, as the Roman Catholics, stand idle spectators of the glorious exertions 
of their countrymen in the Tolunteer cause. Actuated by these principles, the Limerick Inde- 
pendents think themselves called upon to step forward, and invite their fellow-citizens of the 
Roman Catholic persuasion to unite in the common cause, and enrol themselves under their 
standard. By Order, " John Harbison, Secretary." 

'• Such gentlemen as wish to join the corps, are requested to send in their names to any of the 
officers or committee, that they may be balloted for. 

•■ The Roman Catholics of the city of Limerick, impressed with a just sense of the honour 
conferred upon them by the Limerick Independents, are happy in this public testimony of their 
acknowledgments to the corps, for the very liberal invitation of associating themselves with so 
respectable a body of their fellow-subjects. — Whilst they feel a most grateful sense of the late 
removal of many of their restraints, and look forward with pleasure to the approaching period 
of emancipation, it is their most earnest wish to maintain those principles of virtue and loyalty, 
which are the glory of a free people, and have so eminently distinguished the character of Irish 
Tolunteers. 

'• Limerick, April 10th, 1782. 

'• Mahtix Harold, Esq. in the Chair." 
It is due to the Limerick Independents to state that they were officered by a thoroughly liberal 
gentleman, Major Caleb Powell. 

At Loughmore, on the 28th July, 1783, one of the most successful reviews of the Irish 
Volunteer army, which created much interest in those days, was held — Colonel Thomas Smytb, 
M.P. was the reviewing general, and came in from Roxborough in military state, escorted by 
Colonel Pery's fine Regiment of Horse. His aides-de-camp on this occasion were Standish 
O'Grady, afterwards Chief Baron and Tiscount Guillamore, and Henry Tereker, elder brother 
of the second Tiscount Gort, who was unfortunately shot in a duel, nine years later, by Mr. 
Furnell of Ballyclough. 

CATALRY. 
Corps and Commanders. 
I. Clanwilliam Union. Lord Clanwilliam. 
II. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. 

III. Small County Union, John Grady of Cahir, Esq. 

IV. County Clare Horse. Edward Fitzgerald. 
T. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. 

TI. Limerick Cavalrv, Edmond Henrv Perv, Esq. 

26 



386 HISTORY or LIMERICK. 

unusually snort. Soon after the death of his father in 1780, he became 
a conspicuous member of the Irish Parliament. In 1784 he was appointed 
Attorney-General. In 1789, on the death of Lord Lifford, he was appointed 
Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and raised to the peerage as Baron Eitzgibbon. 
In 1793 a Viscount's coronet was bestowed on him, and two years after he 
was created Earl of Clare. The title of Earl of Clare was conferred on him 
in 1795. 1 He married in the year 1786 a sister of " Jerusalem" Whaley, 
who was so called in consequence of a foolish bet he had made and won ; 
that he would walk on foot (sea only excepted) the whole way to Jerusalem, 
and after playing ball against the walls of the Holy City, that he would 
return again in the same way to Dublin within a specified time, which he 
did. 2 

Sir Jonah Barington gives a gorgeous account of the splendour and hospi- 
tality with which Lord Clare supported his office. He expended four 
thousand guineas for a state carriage ; and in all other respects far outshone 
all precedent. But then his family connexions or followers absorbed the 
patronage of the state, and so skilfully did he revive or create new offices, 
and so judiciously did he bestow them, that in a short time he became, as a 
subject, almost as powerful as an absolute monarch. His ambition knew no 

INFANTRY. 
VII. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. 
VIII. Ennis Volunteers, William Blood, Esq. 
IX. C. Connell and Killaloe Rangers, Sir Richard De Burgho, Bart. 
X. Rathkeale Volunteers. 
XL German Fusiliers, James Darcy, Esq. 
XII. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Sir Hugh Dillon Massy, Bart. 
XIII. Limerick Independents, John Prendergast Smyth, Esq. 
XIV. Sixmilebridge Independents, Francis Macnamara, Esq. 
"We have thus given the fullest details of the grand volunteer movement in city and county 
at this eventful period. Not only in Limerick, but in Tipperary and Clare, many Catholics 
were enrolled among the defenders of their native land. Mr. Francis Arthur, the son of Mr. 
Patrick Arthur, equipped a corp3 of artillery at his own expense ; hut the fact did not prevent 
him from falling under the ban of Government a few years afterwards ; his life was sought 
through the infamous agency of a perjured informer of the name of Maum -when he was charged 
with overt acts of high treason in 1798. 

1 This title, lately become extinct, had been held by Edmond Burke's father-in-law. Lord 
Clare thought to give a prestige and appearance of antiquity to his title by selecting that of an 
elder member of the Peerage — of whom, indeed, the public know little, save that he once gave 
Goldsmith a haunch of venison — but as Robert Burns has it : 

" For a' that and a' that, 

Their dignities, and a' that, 
The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, 
Are higher ranks than a' that !" 

2 The following are the principal local events not already noticed of this period : — 

In 1786, a windmill was built on the banks of the Shannon, near Limerick, by Lant. Hill, Esq., 
it was burnt down January 29, 1803 ; again burnt down November 19, 1813, in this last fire the 
machinery was all in motion, though on fire, a brisk gale of wind blowing, the night dark, and 
the spectacle awfully and sublimely grand. The Globe Insurance lost by the last burning 
£1339 19s. 5d., which was paid February 10th, 1815, to Laurence Durack. 

In 1793, the King's County Regiment of Militia, commanded by Sir Laurence Parsons 
(afterwards Earl of Ross) consisting of 612 men, was the first newly raised Militia Regiment that 
did garrisou duty in Limerick. In June this year (1793) the City of Limerick Regiment of 
Militia was raised, consisting of 469 men, J. P. Smyth, Esq. commandant. The County of Limerick 
raised, consisting of 612 men, Lord Muskerry commandant ; the other regiment, that of the 
King's County raised about the same time. 1798, June 1 — Precedence of yeomanry corps drawn 
by lot at the Castle of Dublin, by counties ; Limerick drawn No. 12. In a few weeks after there 
were raised in the county and the city, &c, 16 troops of yeomanry cavalry, and 8 companies 
of yeomanry infantry. The Merchants' Company commanded by Thomas Maunsell, Esq., and 
the Revenue Company commanded by George Maunsell, Esq. raised in August, 1803, were 
particularly respectable. In 1793 Mr. John Ferrar, burgess, and author of the History of 
Limerick, gave £7 a year for ever to the Blue School. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 387 

bounds, his thirst for power was unlimited, and he supported the administra- 
tion that plotted the destruction of Irish liberty, because he saw no other 
mode of retaining his power. The Government who could not dispense with 
his aid, literally refused him nothing ; and he knew that his opposition would 
at once lead to his downfall. The facility with which he had triumphed over 
the obstacles that impeded his rise to the summit of his profession, gave him 
the feelings of a conqueror. He felt he had grasped the coronet and placed 
himself on the woolsack by his own unaided genius ; and he considered the 
country, in the government of which he filled so conspicuous a place, as 
belonging to him by right of conquest ; and in disposing of her liberties he 
only looked to his own aggrandisement. Ireland even appeared to his eyes, 
dazzled by success, to afford too small a field for the exercise of his brilliant 
talents, and he looked forward with pride to the position he was destined to 
fill in the Imperial Parliament. But sadly was he disappointed. In England 
he found that the acts of political profligacy with which he was familiar 
created disgust, and that his self-sufficiency and arrogance only excited pity 
and contempt. He had been used as a base tool for unworthy purposes, and 
as soon as his employers had sufficiently made use of him, he was contemptuously 
discarded. He was chiefly instrumental in fomenting the rebellion of 
1798. 1 He only survived the subjugation of his country, which he was 
so instrumental in effecting, for two years ; and died broken hearted — a 
miserable example of disappointed ambition — of fallen hopes — and of wayward 
talents that had over-reached themselves. 

Shortly after the declaration of independence of 1782, to which we have 
already referred, and which was adopted by the English Government in its 
integrity, serious apprehensions filled the minds of the patriots. If it required 
150,000 volunteers to overawe, or at least to see that the Irish Parliament 

1 In order to the clearer discernment of this eventful year, I here subjoin the several incidents 
that could be gleaned of what took place in Limerick, city and county, during that period : — 

January 2nd. — The Limerick Navigation Company elected the following gentlemen as a 
committee of ten : — Stephen Roche (John), John Howly, George Maunsell, James O'Sullivan, 
Laurence Durack, Michael Gavin, Henry Brady, Francis Arthur, Rev. Dr. Maunsell, and 
William Marritt. 

January 9th. — General Duff reviewed at Newcastle the following regiments of which the 
garrison was composed : — The Earl of Roden's 1st Fencible Cavalry, Royal Irish Artillery, 
Longford and South Cork Militia, and Devon Fencibles. 

A meeting of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Limerick Merchants' corps, 
was held for the purpose of presenting an address and sword to their adjutant Henry Rochfort, 
Esq. 

January 16th — By special command of the Lord Lieutenant for a general day of thanksgiv- 
ing to Almighty God, for the victories obtained by the fleets ; all the shops &c. were closed, 
divine service was celebrated in all the churches, chapels, and meeting houses, the troops in 
garrison and corporation in full regalia attended at the cathedral. 

Mr. Fitzgerald of Ballineety, proceeded to Caherconlish on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th to 
administer the oath of allegiance to all persons desirous of taking same. 

March 9th. — A meeting of the merchants, bankers, traders and inhabitants, was held in the 
City Tholsel, for the purpose of getting in voluntary subscriptions for the defence of the country. 
Resolutions were passed in furtherance of the object. The Mayor, Sheriffs, Right Rev. Dr. 
Young, R.C.B., the Recorder, Sir Christopher Knight, Eaton Maunsell, Esq., Rev. Thomas 
Shepherd, and Rev. Michael Seawright, were appointed a committee for carrying the resolutions 
into effect. 

The sums contributed were large, including £500 per annum, from John and Thomas Maunsell 
£100 per annum, Stephen Roche, John, £50, John Howley, Right Rev. Dr. Young, 1 year 
£1 1 7s. 6d. The resolutions, &c. were laid before the Lord Lieutenant, who in a letter from Mr. 
Secretary Cooke, highly approved of them. 

The officers and privates of the City of Limerick Regiment of Militia, commanded by Colonel 
Vereker, subscribed eight days' pay per year during the war, to the exigencies of the state, 
amounting to about £100. 

On Monday, 19th of March, Joseph Cripps, Esq., Mayor of Limerick, as a county magistrate, 
went to Mont Pellier (O'Brien's Bridge) when the Rev. Mr. Crotty, Parish Priest thereof, and 



388 BISTORT OF LIMERICK. 

did its duty, what security was there that the Parliament might not at some 
future time (when the volunteers were disbanded) become again the servile 
agents of a tyrannical Government ? The people were unanimously in favour 
of Irish Independence, but the Parliament did not represent the people. The 
majority of members were either the pensioners of the Government or the 
nominees of close boroughs, in whose election the people had no voice. It 
was evident that a reform of Parliament — rendering it really the representative 
assembly of the country — was essential to place Irish liberty beyond the 
reach of English gold or domestic treason. But Parliament was too rotten 
to reform itself, and the evil influence of Pitzgibbon was even then at work. 
This reform the volunteers felt, could only be effected through their agency. 
Accordingly it was resolved to hold a Grand National Convention of Ireland 
in Dublin, composed of delegates selected from the different volunteer regi- 
ments. The selection was made in November, 1783, and consisted of 300 
delegates, who shortly afterwards repaired to Dublin, where they commenced 
their sittings with much pomp and military display. The first duty that 
devolved upon the delegates was the selection of a president — unfortunately 
they selected the Earl of Charlemont. To this selection the downfall of 
Ireland maybe traced. Charlemont was one of the most upright and honourable 
men of his day; he never wilfully did wrong; but he was unsuited for the 
position in which he was placed, and for the crisis in which he lived. He 
was punctiliously loyal, attached to regularity, law, and order, courteous to all 
men, a friend of the people, but devoted by sympathy to the aristocracy — 
fond of popular applause, but yet fonder of securing the good opinions of those 
in the higher classes, for whom his education and tastes taught him to enter- 
tain a polished and courtly respect. Lord Charlemont soon found that the 

149 of his parishioners voluntarily came forward in the sessions house and took the oath of 
allegiance to His Majesty. 

The Eight Eev. Dr. Young sent the following letter of Thomas Maunsell, Esq., chairman of 
the committee for receiving voluntary contributions: — 

" Sir — I am much flattered by the honor done me in being appointed a member of the committee 
for carrying into effect the resolutions which you proposed and were agreed to at the meeting. 
As an earnest how much I approve of them. I beg leave to inclose my subscription, and regret 
that I cannot contribute more ; but trifling as it is, it will give me pleasure to continue it every 
year, if I can, every year as long as it may be necessary ; at the same time I am concerned to 
add that the distance I live from town, added to a complaint which has confined me for some 
time back, and which I am not quite rid of yet, renders it rather inconvenient for me to attend 
the meetings of the committee yet ; with the best wishes for the success of their laudable exer- 
tions,! have the honor to be, sir, your obedient and humble servant, 

Bathbane, Monday. t John Young." 

Great disturbances prevailed throughout the country ; several houses were attacked and robbed 
of fire arms. Lieutenant- General Sir James Steward, and Major-General Sir James Duff, 
reviewed all the troops in the garrison at Newcastle, on the Wednesday previous. 

March 14th. — Collisions between the yeomanry and rebels were constant, not only in the County 
of Limerick, but in Tipperary, where, in one skirmish near Cashel, five united Irishmen were 
killed, and 25 were taken prisoners, most of whom were severely wounded. 

28th March. — A unanimous meeting of Magistrates was held, to apply to the Lord Lieutenant 
to proclaim the County and Liberties in a state of insurrection. With this application his Ex- 
cellency complied. Detachments of the garrison were despatched to be stationed at Newport, 
Castleconnell, cavalry and infantry nightly patrolled the city and suburbs. 

April 7th. — The Penguin sloop of war was sent round from Cork, by the Admiral of that 
station, to convoy merchant vessels from the Shannon to the English Channel. 

Several houses in this County were attacked and demands made for money and arms. Ten 
persons belonging to the party called " Defenders" were removed from the County jail and sent on 
board the fleet. Several persons suspected of treasonable practices were pilloried in this City. 

April 10th The following notice was issued in this City : — 

" The Commander-in-Chief gives this public notice, that the Lord Lieutenant and Council have 
issued orders to him to quarter troops, to press horses and carriages, to demand forage and provi- 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 389 

convention over which he presided was practically all-powerful in the country, 
and that he as president wielded the destinies of Ireland. But he trembled 
at the power with which he was invested, and was seized with dread of the 
very institution he had originally been so active in creating. His pride pre- 
vented his resignation ; visions of greater men succeeding him, and regen- 
erating Ireland, oppressed him as horrible phantoms in a night-mare. He 
was too high to be commanded : too feeble to control. Lord Clare saw his 
embarrassing position, and in conjunction with the Lord Lieutenant and 
Government assailed him in his weakest point. He had taken, he was told, 
a place of fearful responsibility, but the crown relied implicitly on his loyalty. 
He held in his hands the peace of the country — it lay with him to control 
the angry elements he had conjured up, or, if they became unmanageable, his 
duty as a loyal man required him to dissolve the convention — thus would he 
retain the confidence of his sovereign, and have his name transmitted to 
posterity as the saviour of his country. This language won over the feeble 
Charlemont ; and thus the Government gained by flattering his foibles, a 
triumph which they would gladly have given millions to have secured ; and 
that too from a man, who, had millions been offered to him to purchase the 
fatal course he pursued, would have spurned the bribe as dross, and chastised 
the person who had the audacity to trifle with his honour ! The convention 
was dissolved : the volunteers were disbanded ; the Parliament remained 
unreformed. The Irish rebellion was carefully nursed and tended, and in 
1800, in opposition to the people of Ireland, whose representatives they were 
falsely called — the Houses of Lords and Commons sold the birthright of the 
Irish people, and extinguished for ever the Nationality of their country. A 
list might easily be given of places, pensions, and peerages obtained at the long 

810119, and to hold court-martials for the trial of offences of all descriptions, Civil and Military, 
•with the power of carrying into execution the sentences of all such court-martials and to issue 
proclamations. 

" The Commander-in-Chief calls on the general officers to procure of the Magistrates the last 
accounts they can give of the number of arms taken from the yeomanry and the -well-affected, of 
arms that have been concealed and of pikes that have been made, which are to be recovered and 
taken possession of by the military. 

" They are also to communicate to the people through the priests, and by one or two men selected 
from each townland, the purport of the following notice : — 

" That the order if complied with -will be a sign of their General Repentance, and not only For- 
giveness will follow but Protection. 

" That they must be sensible, that it is infinitely better for them to remain at home quietly 
minding their own affairs, than committing acts which must bring on the ruin of themselves and 
their families." 

As it will be impossible in some degree to prevent the Innocent from suffering with the Guilty, 
the Innocent have the means of redress by informing against those who have engaged in unlawful 
associations, and of robbing houses of arms and money. 

The people must be very ignorant not to know that notwithstanding the fair promises of the 
French that they have first deceived and then plundered ever}* Country into which they have 
come, and they are therefore forewarned that in case of Invasions from the French, if they should 
attempt to join the enemy or communicate with him, or join in any insurrection, they will be 
immediately put to death and their houses and properties destroyed. 

The general officers call on the people to know why they should be less attached to the govern- 
ment now than they w r ere a year ago, when they showed so much loyalty in assisting His 
Majesty's troops to oppose the landing of the French. Is it not became they have been seduced 
by wicked men ? 

Why should they think themselves bound by oaths into which they have been seduced or 
terrified 

The people are requested to bring in their arms to the Magistrate or Commanding Officer in 
their neighbourhood, who have directions to receive them and no questions will be asked. 

(Signed) James Duff, Major-General. 

Another notice referring to the preceding, appeared, signed by Joseph Crips, Mayor, George 
Smyth, Recorder, Eaton Maunsell and Thomas Shepherd, requesting gentlemen and others to 



390 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

instance of Lords Clare and Castlereagh, for all who were willing to barter 
their country for ministerial favours. 

But space will not permit us to review minutely the conduct of the Govern- 
ment, principally acting on the advice of Lord Clare, which preceded the 
rebellion of 1798; In the glorious days of the volunteers, political and 
religious animosities were unknown in Ireland, and therefore the country was 
great and powerful. There were but two parties — those in favor of, and those 
opposed to Irish liberty. But from the dissolution of the volunteers, the 
Government (and in this sketch we have always referred to the English 
Government as opposed to the Irish patriots), left no means untried to 
divide and to sow suspicion between different classes of Irishmen. In 
this work none was equal to Lord Clare, and when at length the dis- 
turbances of 1798 broke out, the Protestants were first made to believe that it 
was an effort of the Eoman Catholic party against them (though in fact it 
originated with Protestant republicans) and then, once this feeling got root, 
and once the Roman Catholics became the leaders of the rebellion, instead 
of its tide being stayed with a strong hand, Lord Clare iniquitously allowed it 
to gain gigantic proportions, in order that the Protestant party might fly 
from Popish enemies to English traitors for safety. Indeed one of the very 
first in Limerick to join and subscribe to a fund raised in 1790 for the defence 
of the country from the French invasion, was the Eight Eev. Dr. John 
Young, Catholic Bishop of Limerick. Had the disturbances of 1798 been 
put down, as they might have been in a few days, the Act of union could 
never have been carried, and no one knew this better than Lord Clare. 

A memorable achievement in '98 was the battle of Colloony, which is re- 
ferred to fully in the note, and for which the city of Limerick Eegiment of 
Militia, and its gallant commandant, Colonel Yereker, obtained the highest 
applause. 

In February, 1785, in the course of a debate in the House of Commons on 
the abuse of attachment in the King's Bench, Curran made use of some 

communicate -without delay, and promising that secrecy respecting the givers of the information 
should be observed as far as possible. 

General Duff left Limerick on Sunday, 15th of April, having previously arranged that he 
should be met by some yeomanry corps on the borders of the counties of Limerick and Tipperary. 
He then proceeded to Cappawhite, and arrested 29 persons charged with being defenders. 

A circular letter from Lord Castlereagh was received by the commanders of yeomanry corps 
stationed in this city, requesting to know what men of approved loyalty, not exceeding 50 in 
number, they could add to their corps. 

During this month (April) yeomanry corps are scouring the county in all directions, seizing 
arms and making arrests. 

On the 19th, at the Quarter Sessions of this city, a man named Thomas Ryan, was sentenced 
to be publicly whipped, for an alleged assault on two soldiers. 

May 1. The inhabitants of Emly having refused to surrender their arms, military detachments 
were quartered upon them. 

May 5. Twelve persons from the neighbourhood of Pallas, charged with being United Irish- 
men, were brought in and lodged in the County Jail. 

122 stand of arms were brought in from Kenry by Captain Waller's corps, and lodged in his 
Majesty's stores. 

May 9. Ten men were sentenced by the Magistrates, assembled at Special Sessions, to serve 
His Majesty abroad. They were convicted under the Insurrection Act. 

May 12. Notice was given by General Duff, that he would supply with arms all Gentlemen 
who would undertake to defend their houses against the disaffected. 

The garrison at this period was composed of the Komney Fencible Cavalry, the 54th Regiment, 
the Perthshire Highland Fencibles, the City of Dublin, and the Kildare Militia. 

May 16. General Duff marched 100 of the City Dublin Regiment to Dooharra, between Killa- 
loe and Nenagh, and quartered them on the inhabitants, until they would surrender their arms. 

May 19. The High Sheriff of Tipperary (John Judkin Fitzgerald), acting on secret informa- 
tion, had a man arrested in Nenagh, upon a charge of being a Defender, and had him publicly 
whipped, until he was forced to disclose the names of his associates. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 391 

expressions towards Fitzgibbon, then Attorney-General, which being warmly 
replied to, led to a hostile meeting between these two celebrated personages. 
The combatants fired two cases of very long pistols at each other with very 
bad success, and very little eclat : for they were neither killed, wounded, 
satisfied, nor reconciled — nor did either of them express the slightest disposi- 
tion to continue the engagement. 

As a lawyer Lord Clare filled but an indifferent position, and his decisions 
are seldom referred to. It was to his promptitude, vigour, clearness, and 
courage that he owed all his success. His triumphs have stained the annals 
of his country with calamities and sorrows. He was a hard man dealing with 
a gentle and confiding people ; yet during all the misfortunes of Ireland the 
mild voice of conciliation never escaped his lips ; and when the torrent of 
civil war had ceased to rage, he held out no olive branch to show that the 
flood had subsided. His favourate expression being, " that he would make 
Ireland as tame as a mutilated cat." 1 — an expression that never was forgotten. 

1 Barrington, vol. ii. p. 215. 

2 Lord Clare died two years after the 'passing of the Union, and was interred in St. Peter'3 
Church, Dublin. Just as the coffin was being lowered into its last resting place a large number 
of dead cats were thrown upon his coffin, evidently as a commentary on the bitter phrase with 
■n-hich he had insulted his countrymen. Showers of dead cats too were thrown over the coffin 
from Ely-place to St. Peter's Church. Thus it is that the misconduct of an entire life will be 
freely f orgotton ; while the keen edge of a bitter sarcasm will long continue to irritate and invite 
revenge. Lord Clare was succeeded by his eldest son John, who died without issue. His second 
son, Colonel Richard Hobart Fitzgibbon, Lord Lieutenant of the County Limerick, and formerly 
M.P. for the county, succeeded his brother John. But having died in the year 1864, and his only 
son Lord Fitzgibbon, having some time previously been killed in the Crimean War, the title became 
extinct. A bronze life-size statue to Lord Fitzgibbon, executed by P. Macdowall, Esq. R.A. 
was erected on the Wellesley Bridge, Limerick in 1855. It is placed on a granite pedestal, 
eleven feet three inches high, which has the following inscription : — 



To Commemorate the bravery of 

VISCOUNT FITZGIBBON, 

8th Royal Irish Hussars ; 

And of his gallant companions in arms, 

Natives of the County and City of Limerick, 

Who gloriously fell in the Crimean war. 

1855. 



On the front of the pedestal is inscribed the word — Balaklava, over a has relief in bronze 

representing the famous cavalry charge, in which Viscount Fitzgibbon was killed. 

On the north side — Alma. 

On the south side — Inkerman. 

On the 60Uth side of the Statue the following is inscribed : — 

Robinson and Cottam, 

The Statue Foundry, Pimlico. 

And on the north side the name of the sculptor, P. Macdowall, R.A. London, Sculptor. 

May 23. At the Quarter Sessions held in St. Francis's Abbey, 11 men were condemned to serve 
in His Majesty's Navy, and four others were sentenced to imprisonment, and public whipping. 

May 26. Messrs. O'Meara, Talbot and Fulton, Charles Elliott and Laurence Kennon, were 
brought in and lodged in the County Jail, by a party of the 7th Dragoon Guards. They were 
convicted before and sentenced by the Nenagh magistrates, to serve on board His Majesty's Fleet. 
The charge against them was administering and taking the Defender's oath. They were next 
morning sent off with 10 others to Duncannon Fort. 

May 26. Patrick Brien, who was convicted of making Pikes, was whipped through the city. 
The operators on the occasion were the Farriers and Drummers of the garrison. 

May 30. Non-arrival of the Dublin Mail — all the troops called out by order of Brigadier 
General Morrison, who commanded in the temporary absence of General Duff. 

Messrs. Francis Arthur and George Hargrove arrested and lodged in jail. Martial Law pro- 
claimed in the city. Night patroles of Yeomen, Cavalry and Infantry, commenced. The Mail 



392 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Important events took place in the City of Limerick during the days of 
the Earl of Clare,, which also witnessed some of the most momentous 
occurrences in the History of Ireland,, including the period from the time of the 
volunteers to that of 1798 and the Union ; a brief but happy and exceptional 
interval in our history, which has frequently been referred to with just pride 
as exhibiting a progress and prosperity unexampled in any other country. 
In the ten years which intervened between the embodiment of the volunteers 
and the Irish militia, that is, from 1783 to 1793, the external appearance of 
the city was completely changed by the improvements to which we have 
already referred ; while the internal Government was seriously modified by 
the exemption of^the new streets from the jurisdiction of the Corporation ; by 
the changes which took place in the parliamentary representations, and lastly, 
by the restoration of Catholics to the elective franchise. Election riots pre- 
ceded and followed the visit paid to the city by the Duke of Rutland, then 
Lord Lieutenant, who was as much pleased at his reception as the late Earl of 
Carlisle in our own day. The building of I\Tewtown-Pery raised Limerick to 
the position of the third city of Ireland, and the change of the representatives 
was followed by the embodiment of the yeomanry corps in city and county, 

Coach from this city to Dublin stopped near Kildare, and destroyed. General Duff endeavouring 
to open communication with the metropolis.* 

* Owing chiefly to the evil influence of the Earl of Clare, was the fierce and terrible persecu- 
tion which was sustained by Francis Arthur, a merchant of eminence in the city of Limerick, 
possessed of considerable estates in land, and houses built by himself, daily improving his native 
city, and adding to its embellishment ; his commercial concerns employing a very considerable 
capital, requiring credits to the surrounding counties of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, and Kerry, 
and making, from this source, a rapid augmentation to his fortune. His character and conduct 
had procured him a high degree of estimation among his neighbours, and he appeared distinguished 
by a zealous attachment to the constitution, in the year 1796, when the French forces were in 
the Shannon, on which occasion he displayed the utmost activity in the service of government, 
and among other exertions, raised, under the direction of General Smyth, then commanding in 
Limerick, a corp3 of yeomanry Artillery, of which the General obtained for him the command, 
with the rank of Captain. This corps was trained by him with great assiduity, and at consider- 
able expense, till the loth of May, 1798, wnen it was disbanded. There were, nevertheless, 
points in Mr. Arthur's character which clashed too much with the opinions of other individuals 
not to render him an object of jealousy, and of something stronger, to those persons. The 
Eoman Catholics of Ireland, under the oppressive penal laws formerly enacted against them, and 
still suffered to continue en the statute books of the kingdom, resolved to appeal to the breast of 
their Sovereign for redress, confident that His Majesty would, at all times, attend to the griev- 
ances of his people, when humbly and dutifully represented. It was, therefore, deemed expedient 
to call a meeting of the entire body, by its delegates, from every county and town in the kingdom, 
to assemble in Dublin early in the year 1793. Circular letters were issued by the committee of 
the city of Dublin, stating the general purport of the intended meeting, the mode of electing 
delegates, and soliciting the early attention of the several counties and towns, in its execution. 
The issuing of these letters caused a general outcry against the claims of the Catholics, and gen- 
tlemen high in office, influence, and power, exerted themselves in all parts of the kingdom, to 
intimidate and prevent such meetings being held, or delegates appointed. Notwithstanding 
which, and the violent resolutions of their Protestant fellow-subjects, the meeting took place in 
Dublin, and an humble address was agreed to and presented, which induced His Majesty to 
recommend their case with such gracious efficacy to Parliament, and thereby procured relief to 
that body from many galling and unnecessary restrictions. Among others, John Fitzgibbon, 
afterwards Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, and Earl of Clare, became conspicuous in his 
attendance at a meeting of the magistrates and freeholders of the county of Limerick, called by 
the High Sheriff, at which meeting resolutions were entered into inimical to the Catholic claims. 
Mr. Arthur, concurring that his Lordship and the great body of the county would give a patient 
hearing to such representations as might be urged on the part of the Koman Catholics, and as 
chairman of that body in the city of Limerick, engaged a counsellor of eminence, a freeholder of 
the county, Mr. Powell, to plead the cause of the oppressed community. This gentleman, with 
the spirit and resolution which ever characterized him, though he very well knew the risk he ran, 
in his professional pursuits, by thus appearing openly in opposition to the measures of the noble 
Lord, discharged the sacred duty he owed his unfortunate clients highly to his honor. His single 
opposition, however, availed but little, and the resolutions were carried as proposed, and published 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 393 

to whom were shortly afterwards committed the important military duties of 
the garrison. The latter event took place in 1796, about the same time that 
the Orange Institution, so fatal at all times to the peace and happiness of 
Ireland, was first recognised as an organised body, though it had originated 
in September of the preceding year; and been baptised, as might be expected, 
in blood. This accursed institution, which, though nominally dissolved in 
1836, was remodelled and reconstructed in 1845 under legal advice, 1 on the 
old basis of intolerance and exclusiveness, and is at the moment that we write, 
not only still existent, but busily employed at its old wicked work, as far as 
the spirit of the age will tolerate. It soon gave evidence of its use and results, 
and received such official support from Lord Camden in about two years after 
its organization, that the whole Catholic population of Ireland was actually 
menaced with extermination. 2 The spirit, if not the full organization of the 
Orange system rapidly extended to Minister also, and its deadly effects were 
soon felt "there as elsewhere, though not in the same degree, owing to the 
preponderance of the Catholic element in the population. The effects of the 
rebellion of 1798, which burst like a hurricane over the whole country, 
though its incidence was not felt so severely in Limerick as in many other 

1 Suggested by the legal ingenuity of the Right Honourable Mr. Napier. For an admirable 
history of this baneful institution, see Madden's introduction to his History of the United Irish- 
men, fourth series, 2nd edition. 

2 Madden — a copy of the oath by which Orangemen are said to bind themselves to " extermi- 
nate the Catholics of "Ireland, as far as lies in their power," may be seen in Plowden's " Historical 
Disquisition on the Orange Societies in Ireland, " 1810, page 54, though its authenticity has been 
disclaimed by several of the Orange party. But if it is not authentic, why did Lord Clare 
and the secret committee who acted under their directions, question Arthur O'Connor whether 

-Government had anything to do with their oath of extermination ? Plowden might have added, 
as Dr. Madden well observes, that the extermination of 7000 Catholics in Armagh would be im- 
possible if such an obligation did not exist. 

at large in the newspapers of the day. The Roman Catholics, to do away, in some measure, 
with the odium cast upon them by the county resolutions, felt it necessary to lay a statement of 
their claims and intentions, in their thus persevering to appoint delegates, contrary to the sense 
of that meeting, before the public ; which statement was signed on the part of the Catholics by 
Mr. Arthur as chairman, and was published accordingly. This open and avowed conduct of Mr. 
Arthur drew down upon him the indignation of the Lord Chancellor, who, finding that the 
Catholics had appointed Mr. Arthur one of their delegates to the general committee of the Catho- 
lics of Ireland, to be then shortly holden in the metropolis, was doubly incensed against him, and 
openly expressed his resentment. Stephen Roche John, Esq., his Lordship's confidential agent, 
and Sir Christopher Knight, an alderman of the city of Limerick, and a magistrate for the 
county, represented to Mr. Arthur how far he had incurred the Chancellor's displeasure ; that, 
moreover, his Lordship had heard many things to the prejudice of Mr. Arthur, and they cautioned 
him to take care, in future, how he conducted himself. To these threats, made so early as the 
year 1792, Mr. Arthur only replied that his conduct would, at all times, bear the strictest 
scrutiny, little expecting that a time woidd come when the administration of all law and justice 
would be suspended, and when every honest man who had the misfortune to incur the displeasure 
of a man in power, would be exposed to the most unwarrantable attempts on his life and pro- 
perty. Perhaps, also, much of Mr. Arthur's unmerited persecution might be attributed to his 
having had the hardihood to propose a respectable banker of the city of Limerick, Thomas Maun- 
sell, Esq., as a proper person to represent that city in Parliament at the general election, in 
opposition to a coalition (as it appeared to Mr. Arthur) formed by two principal families, for the 
purpose of reducing his native city of Limerick to the condition of a dependant borough. 

A man, therefore, of those independent principles, whose weight and influence on future elections 
might become formidable to such a coalition, was to be put down, and the time, though not yet 
arrived, was looked forward to, by the parties concerned, with anxiety. He, however, acknow- 
ledges these facts, and the consequences cannot induce him to regret them ; because he believed 
that, in taking those steps, he was fulfilling the duty of an honest man, and his reflection, after- 
wards, had never shaken this persuasion. 

The ill-will excited by this opposition of sentiment to the views of men in power and their 
retainers, had probably been long increasing in virulence, during the irksome silence which Mr. 
Arthur's private life and public behaviour imposed on his enemies, till the opportunity occurred 



394 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

localities, were soon apparent in the usual accompaniments of the avengers of 
the outraged laws, and not unfrequently on occasions when no law had been 
outraged. The Orange Institution played an important part in this reign 
of terror. The new bridge of Limerick like the old bridge of Wexford, was 
in this respect rendered remarkable, though not equally memorable by scenes 
which are still remembered with horror by some of the survivors of these 
atrocities — atrocities which Government might have prevented over the 
length and breadth of the land had they a will to do so, and had they not 
been anxious to utilise, if they did not actually create this rebellion for the 
purpose of carrying the ill-omened Act of Union. 1 

One of the warmest contests for the representation of the city that had 
taken place up to 1897, signalised that year. The election commenced 
on the 31st of July in that year, and ended on the 9th of August. The 
sheriffs were Messrs. Eobert Briscoe and Andrew Watson. The candi- 
dates were Colonel Charles Vereker, who was proposed by Colonel J. P. 
Smyth, seconded by Sir Yere Hunt, Bart. Thomas Maunsell, Esq., proposed 
by Captain Francis Arthur (whose trial and persecution in 1798, we give in 
the note in the fullest detail) : seconded by Alderman William Eitzgerald ; 
Henry Deane Grady, Esq., proposed by Sir Eichard Quin, Bart., seconded 
by Sober Hall, Esq. ; Joseph Gabbett, Esq., proposed by Eyre Burton 
Powell, Esq., seconded by Eobert Maunsell, Esq. Colonel Vereker was the 

1 According to Madden and his authorities the rebellion, cost the British Government 70,000 
lives (about 50,000 being of the Irish party), and upwards of twenty millions of pounds sterling ! 
The Irish population even then exceeded 4,000,000. In William's three campaigns, which cost 
about half the money, (see Stowe and O'Callaghan) the Irish population were only 1, 500,000, of 
whom 100,000 were slain, and 300,000 ruined of the Catholic portion of it. 

of blending their personal animosity with the epidemic fury of the times. On Thursday, the 
12th of May, 1798, a gentleman observed in Mr. Arthur's presence, how happy it was that the 
spirit of disaffection, which had shown itself in other parts of the kingdom, had not been dis- 
cernible, in any instance, in this neighbourhood. Lieut.-Colonel Cockell, assistant adjutant- 
general of the district, immediately answered, " this is not the case, for on Tuesday next some 
persons will be taken up, who will astonish the public." Vague surmises of plots and conspiracies 
were so continually insinuated at this unhappy period, as to have lost the power of exciting the 
curiosity of any body ; and as Lieut -Colonel Cockele did not seem to allude to any body for 
whom Mr. Arthur could feel interested, it did not occur to Mr. Arthur to ask any questions on 
the subject. 

On Saturday the 26th of May, Captain Lidwell, who was superintending the flogging of some 
wretched being at the Market-house in Limerick, turned to the crowd that was collected on the 
occasion, and proclaimed a reward from one hundred to two hundred guineas, for any person who 
could inform against the late artillery corps. He then desired a Mr. John Connell to search for 
arms, adding that some of that (the artillery) corps had advised the inhabitants to secrete them. 
So direct an imputation on the artillery corps must have expounded Lieutenant-Colonel Cockell's 
meaning, and have operated as a decisive hint for Mr. Arthur to flee the country had he been 
conscious of guilt ; as it was he regarded it as a shallow artifice to induce him to quit the city and 
avoid the disgrace of being arrested, when his retreat would have been called an attempt to 
abscond, and furnished a pretext for the plunder of his property. He treated the matter with 
contempt, little dreaming that his life would be imperilled. On the following Sunday, the 27th 
of May, Major-General Duff marched out of Limerick, and Major-General Edward Morrisson re- 
mained in command. On Tuesday, the 29th of May, while Mr. Arthur was at breakfast with 
his family, the Eecorder, Mr. George Smyth, entered his house, and expressed a desire to speak 
to him in another room. No sooner had they withdrawn than the Eecorder informed Mr. 
Arthur that he was arrested then and there, by order of Major-General Morrison. The Recorder 
produced no warrant ; nor could Morrison issue any such order, Martial Law not having been 
proclaimed at the time, nor had any information been laid or examination taken. The Recorder 
demanded Mr. Arthur's keys which were delivered up. The Recorder called Mrs. Arthur into 
the room and compelled her also to deliver up her keys to him. The Recorder immediately told 
Mrs. Arthur to quit her town house, for it would be forthwith occupied by soldiers. She re- 
monstrated — but in vain — she and ber children retreated to the house of her father. The 
Recorder then sent for Mr. Francis Lloyd, one of the sheriffs of the city, into whose custody he 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 395 

Tory and Corporation candidate. Mr. Grady was induced to second the 
views of that party, and permitted himself to be put in nomination accord- 
ingly ; but, thinking himself free after the election, he made his own terms. Mr. 
Maunsell was the liberal independent candidate. Mr. Gabbett, who compiled 
the Digest of the Criminal Law afterwards, and a man of enlightened views, was 
pu tup, more as a fag than with any real design that his return could be effected 
— he gave what aid he could to Mr. Maunsell and the independent party. His 
proposer, Mr. Powell, 1 was a leading and courageous liberal — he was ready at 
the sword as well as the pen; and in an encounter with Mr. H. D. Grady, high 
words were followed by a challenge ; the parties met and exchanged shots, 
and there was no cordial reconciliation subsequently. A contest in those 
times w r as synonymous with a combat. The election lasted nine days. 

The great bulk of the electors consisted of freemen, creatures of the Smyth 
and Yereker factions, who swamped the honest electors in every effort to 
break down the scandalous coalition which had so long existed against their 
liberties. Some of the electors, anxious to stand well with Yereker and 
Maunsell, and play a double part, divided their votes between both parties — 
but these instances were rare. 

The result was the return of Colonel Yereker and Mr. Grady against the 
liberal interest, represented by Mr. Maunsell and Mr. Gabbett. Mr. 

1 Father of Caleb Powell, Esq., Clonshavoy, who represented the County for many years on 
thoroughly independent principles. 

delivered Mr. Arthur without having produced authority or warrant of committal. Brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel Garden with officers and a guard of the 54th regiment, then informed Mr. 
Arthur that he was his (Garden's) prisoner, by order of Major-General Morrison, thus changing 
the commitment into a military imprisonment, equally illegal. On the arrival of Major-General 
Morrison, Mr. Arthur informed him that he would hold him personally responsible for a sum of 
one thousand guineas in specie, besides a quantity of paper, and other valuables which were in 
the house ; and on this intimation Morrison sent for Mrs. Arthur, on the express condition, how- 
ever, that the seals which he then put on the counting-house and private drawers, (of which he 
held all the keys) should not be removed. A minute search was then made of the house, cellars, 
&c, even the vaults were emptied of the fuel by order of Sheriff Lloyd. Nothing having been 
found, the keys were delivered up to Lieutenant- Colonel Darby of the 54th regiment, then 
quartered in the garrison. The detention of these keys effectually put a stop to the extensive 
business in which not only Mr. Arthur was engaged, but in which his father, Mr. Patrick Arthur 
was a partner. Meanwhile, Morrison with the Mayor, Sheriffs, Constables, and a large body on 
horse and foot, proceeded to Mr. Arthur's house, bore him off from that to the city Marshalsea 
prison, in Mary street, where he was confined without commitment or warrant of any sort. Mr. 
Arthur wa3 imprisoned. He did not apply for a habeas corpus, because he could not obtain it 
from the governing powers at the time. Mr. Arthur was confined in a narrow front room of the 
prison, on the third floor ; he was denied the use of pen, ink and paper, as well as the sight of any 
human being but the turnkey ; and for further security against his escape, a sentinel was placed 
opposite his window, with positive orders to fire upon him if he approached it. Humanity might 
have dictated the cautioning him against subjecting himself to the danger ; but no intimation was 
given to him ; and Mr. Arthur, as was natural, did once approach the window, when luckily 
observing the sentinel cock his musket and present it at him, he retired in time from the danger. 
That the sentinel was posted merely to intimidate Mr. Arthur and prevent his planning any mode 
of escape, is the supposition that will present itself to the mind of the reader. But this supposi- 
tion is removed by the fact that the sentinel, seeing a person come to the next window, which was 
in another house, (though the uniformity of the building made it appear the same house) mistook 
him for Mr. Arthur, deliberately fired at him and grazed his skull. After this " accident" the 
front of Mr. Arthur's room was whitewashed, in order to mark where he was — but Mr. Arthur 
received not the most distant intimation of this precaution or the reason of it. So hot was the 
weather and insupportable the wretched room in which Mr. Arthur was confined, that he peti- 
tioned for air — and one pane of glass was broken in the window, and on a subsequent occasion 
a second pane. It was on the occasion of a visit of Mr. Patrick Arthur, father of Mr. Francis 
Arthur, to the prison, in company with Colonel Cockell, that the second pane was permitted to be 
broken. It was on this occasion too that Mr. Arthur demanded upon what charge or upon 
whose accusation he was arrested. The reply of Colonel Cockell was : — 

" You have been arrested and confined by order of Government ; whether you will be tried here 



396 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Maunsell had contested the representation in 1794, on the same interest against 
Mr. Smyth and Lord Glentworth, on which occasion the contest was equally 
fierce, equally energetic — but the voters was not so numerous on behalf of 
the liberal candidates. Some powerful broadsides were opened on Lord 
Glentworth, Mr. Smyth and their supporters. 

Old men remember with horror, and shudder when they speak of the terri- 
ble events of '98 in Limerick. Pull swing was given to the Sheriffs Lloyd 
and Webb, who made themselves acceptable to their patrons by the worst 
possible excesses. To be accused was in most instances to be condemned, 
and the details which will be found below, tell in simple but steady language, 
for how little justice and mercy these awful times were remarkable. Trade 
and agriculture were now neglected; famine and famine prices prevailed. 
At Kilrush in the County of Clare, oats rose to 2s. per stone. The Govern- 
ment had everything its own way; each succeeding day gave strength and 
power to its minions, whilst the lash and the gibbet were in constant requisi- 
tion, the shrieks of the victims heard in every quarter ; and the roof- tree of many 
a dwelling was fired by the hands, not only of an infuriated yeomanry, but in 
many instances of men of rank and station who thus manifested the black 
feelings with which their hearts were filled. It was after these horrors 
that Lord Castlereagh and the Earl of Clare, were able to carry the Act of 
Union, to destroy by that nefarious measure, the independence of a country 
which had given birth to both of these unmitigated enemies to its pros- 
perity ; thus inflicting serious misery on the trade and commerce of Limerick, 
as well as of all Ireland. By the Act of Union Limerick lost one represen- 
tative, and the boroughs of Askeaton and Kilmallock were disfranchised. 

or in Dublin I know not. The only charge we have yet against you, conies from a man, who 
has never seen you and does not know you. If you are tried here you may depend on the honour 
of the present Court Martial." These were ominous words and merit the most marked attention, 
Mr. Patrick Arthur asked would the assistance of council be allowed if his son were tried in 
Limerick. " No," answered Colonel Cockell, " that is not customary." That it is and has been 
customary, however, is notorious. 

Nineteen days after the seizure of his effects, namely on the 17th of June, through the pressing 
solicitations of Mr. Patrick Arthur (as partner with his son in trade), Colonels Darby and Cockell 
were so far prevailed upon that they gave up certain bills then about becoming due, but they 
absolutely refused to deliver up the thousand guineas, though the money was imperatively 
demanded to pay duties and freights of cargoes. Owing to the perseverance of Mr. Patrick 
Arthur, the house was thoroughly searched, and the vaults, bureaus, drawers, &c. when the 
keys of the warehouse were given to Mr. P. Arthur ; but Colonel Darby retained those of the 
counting-house, as well as those of the vaults, drawers, &c. In Mr. Arthur's case, the principle 
of law which regards every man as innocent who is not found guilty, was subverted and ignored. 
All that could be done was done to persecute and depress him, irrespective of every other 
consideration. The application of Mrs. Arthur to the General, in order that Mr. Thwaytes, 
the military surgeon, should attend him, was rejected. The reply to the application was that 
the General had not heard Mr. Arthur was ill, but he wonld enquire about it ; but there was 
no enquiry, and Sheriff Lloyd continued his brutality. Seeing some whey brought to Mr. 
Arthur's prison-door by a servant, Lloyd ferociously called a Serjeant to hold the poor servant, 
while he (Lloyd) beat him, the unoffending man, so brutally that he returned home covered 
with wounds and blood ! Whilst sick in bed on the evening of the 22nd of June, Mr. Arthur 
received a notice that he would be tried next morning. He got no intimation of the charge. 
He was brought up to the Council Chamber accordingly on the morning of the 23rd, where 
the Court Martial, composed as follows, was then sitting : — 

Lieutenant-Colonel Darby 54th Regiment, President. 

Lieutenant- Colonel Cockell 54th Regiment. 

Captain Spence 54th Regiment. 

Major Carlisle of the Kildare Militia. 

Captain Mannel of the Perthshire Fencibles. 

Lieutenant Donald M'Can of the 24th Regiment, Assisting Judge Advocate. 

There was no swearing of the members of the Court in presence of the prisoner. 

The Judge Advocate preferred the charge in the following terms : — 

" Francis Arthur, you stand charged with having aided and assisted in the present rebellion." 



HISTORY OF LDILTUCK. 



397 



The sense of the County and of the City of Limerick, having been declared 
against a Legislative Union, at meetings constitutionally held by the respective 
Sheriffs, it would be unnecessary for the individuals of those counties to 
deprecate a measure that had already been marked with general reprobation. 

But a list of signatures having appeared in favour of the proposed Union, it 
was thought necessary by many of the gentry of city and county, as they them- 
selves stated, to publish their names, and show the world that the sense of 
those counties had not changed, was not changing, but remained unalterable 
on the subject — " and we trust and hope" (they continued) " our represen- 
tatives in Parliament will concur in opinion with us, and will therefore use 
every exertion in their power to resist such a measure should it again be 
submitted to Parliament/'' 

The following are some of the names which appeared in this counter de- 
claration against the Union : — 



De Vesci. 

Massy. 

Hon. John Massy, Massy Park. 

John Prendergast Smyth, Limerick. 

Edward Croker, Ballinegnard. 

William Thomas Monsell, M.P. 

Hon. Edward Massy, Limerick. 

Christopher Tuthill, Faha. 

John Wolfe, Forenaughts, M.P. 

Standish Grady, Elton. 

George Evans, Bulgadeer, M.P. 

Thomas Vereker, Limerick. 

Wm. H. Armstrong, Mt. Heaton, M.P. 

Bev. Thomas Grady, Littleton. 

Charles Vereker, Boxborough, M.P. 

Balph Westropp, senior, Bosborough. 

Bichard Harte, Coolruss. 

William Johnson Harte, Do. 

Frederick Lloyd, Limerick. 

Balph Westropp, Attyflin. 

John Westropp, Attyflin. 

Michael Fnrnell, Ballycahane. 

Standish Grady, Grange. 

(Then follovj a large number of names, 
and city, in alphabetical order.) 

The proof of this was to be made out in three counts. First, offering, although not advancing, 
money for the use of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, after notice of his rebellious purposes. Second, 
employing one Higgins to raise men in the west. Third, having pikes and fire-arms concealed 
in hogsheads. The only witness brought to substantiate the first charge was William Maume, 
a low person then actually under conviction and sentence of transportation for life to Botany 
Bay, for treasonable practices. In his progress to Waterford for this purpose, he was stopped 
by an order of government, and immediately taken into the protection and management of Mr. 
Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald, sheriff of Tipperary, and Colonel Foster, of the Louth militia. 
Maume, from his arrival at Limerick, was handsomely maintained and permitted to go at large. 
His evidence was prevaricating and inconsistent. The two witnesses to the second and third 
charges, having nothing but heresay evidence to offer, and declaring their utter ignorance of 
Mr. Arthur, made no impression on the court. The court declared the prosecution closed on 
Saturday, and ordered the prisoner back to his confinement under a double guard, with orders to 
prepare for his defence on the Monday ; but he was not allowed in the intermediate time to 
speak or communicate with any human being, not even the turnkey. On Sunday the prisoner 
was visited by Colonel Cockell, who refused his pressing entreaties for an extension of time, and 
the means of aid, assistance, or counsel. On the opening of the court on Monday morning, 
Maume was called in by the president, who, without any suggestion, told the court, that Maume 



Joseph Gabbett, High Park. 
William Gabbett, Prospect. 
Thomas Mannsell, Plassy. 
Bobert Maunsell, Limerick. 
Bolton Waller, Bushy Park. 
Hon. George Massy, Holly Park. 
Hon. George E. Massy, Stagdale. 
George Massy, Stagdale. 
Bichard Taylor, Holly Park. 
Hugh Ingoldsby Massy, Bochestown. 
Hon. Bobert Moore, Dublin. 
Bichard Maunsell, Quinsborough. 
Edmond Browne, Newgrove. 
Henry Baylee, Loughgur. 
Bev. Thomas Lloyd, Castle Lloyd, 
James Cooper, Cooper Hill. 
Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. 
Henry Fosbery, Carron. 
Francis Fosbery, Curra Bridge. 
Thomas F. Maunsell, Ballybrood. 
Thomas Boche,Merchant, Limerick. 
Henry Bevan, Camas. 

of less prominent inhabitants of the county 



398 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

The descendants of those men so far from blushing for the patriotism of 
their predecessors, will admit that it was with a certain foresight of what 
was to come/ that their fathers pronounced against the Union, which was 
fatal to the influence they had enjoyed, as it was ruinous to the best interests 
of every class and party. 1 

Though enterprise and public spirit were perceptibly checked by the Act 
of Union, the new town of Limerick continued to increase in size and in 
importance. Some of the finest stores in Ireland now occupied ground which 
had been a swamp some few years before : a prince merchant, Philip Eoche 
(John) Esq. had expended in 1787, an enormous sum of money in building 
the great stores at Mardyke, which to this day are scarcely paralleled in 
magnitude, &c. in any part of Ireland. When Mr. Eoche purchased the 
ground on which he built these stores, and a range of houses on the south 
side of Eutland- street, and the south side of Patrick- street, a Catholic was 
not permitted by the Penal Laws to buy land, and Mr. Eoche bought in the 
name of his friend and relative the Eight Eev. Dr. Pery, Protestant Bishop 

1 The Summer of 1799 produced the greatest quantity of white thorn blossoms ever remem- 
bered — the hedges were like bleach places covered with linen ; the succeeding winter was very 
severe. 

A house for the reception of deserted infants, on Merchants' Quay, was established in 1799, as 
appeared by a date painted on the figure of a cradle. This institution has long since disappeared. 

was now cooler and would correct his evidence of Saturday. He was called in and prevaricated 
still deeper. And when a letter written by himself to Mr. Peppard, was produced, acknow- 
ledging -he had never seen Mr. Arthur in his life, he answered in confusion to the president, 
" You know, Sir, that it is but lately that I gave information against Mr. Arthur, and that I did 
not wish to do it." Between the close of the prosecution on Saturday and the opening of the 
defence on Monday, Mrs. Arthur and her friends procured some material witnesses from Char- 
leville and other places ; and ten of his witnesses, all respectable inhabitants of Limerick, had 
engaged a room in the hotel, adjoining to the court-house, to be at hand to answer the call of 
the court. The Rev. Avril Hill gave in a paper to the president, and the court declared there 
was a revolutionary Committee sitting in the adjoining tavern :* on which the Judge Advocate 
was despatched to take them into custody. Centinels were placed in the front and rear of the 
house, with orders to let none escape till the breaking up of the court. They seized all the 
papers and written documents which had been procured for the prisoners, and they were kept by 
the president Mr. Sheriff Lloyd complained that some other of the prisoner's witnesses were in 
waiting, and issued orders that all papers and communications relating to the prisoner should be 
first given into court. All Mr. Arthur's friends were forcibly kept out of court ; and with the 
utmost difficulty, some of the first characters in Limerick prevailed on the sheriff to permit Mr. 
Arthur's father to be present at the trial of his son. The greatest part of Mr. Arthur's witnesses 
having been kept out of court, the defence was closed on the same day. 

And now we come to the crisis of this most extraordinary and remarkable conspiracy against the 
life of an unoffending and most respectable citizen. The next witness brought into court was Mr. 
William Ward.f He was brought forward to corroborate a statement made by the perjured 
wretch Maum, as to Maum's having purchased certain articles of silver plate, &c. at his shop, on 
Baal's Bridge, where he then carried on business, in February, 1798, but Mr. Ward like a man 
of business, entered on the day he sold the articles to Maum, the particulars of the purchases so 
made ; and from the Day Book it appeared that the articles were bought about Christmas, that 
is, shortly after Twelfth Day, instead of in February, as Maum had distinctly sworn, J Nothing 
could be clearer as to the date, the transaction, &c. &c. Maum had no previous acquaintance 
with Mr. Ward, but he had a design in making his acquaintance, in order that he might be made 
available in the corroboration of his testimony afterwards. Mr. Arthur had, among other things, 
refused peremptorily to subscribe to a fund which was being collected at the time against the war 

* Mr. John Tubricly's house in Exchange Lane. 

f This gentleman was father of Francis Ward, Esq. T.C. George's-street, Limerick. 

% I have now before me the leaf of the original Day-book in which the entries of the purchases 
were made by Mr. William Ward ; and this leaf contains, in addition, the marks or braces (^-< — ) 
made by the President of the Court Martial, when he read the entries of the articles sold and 
the day of the month, &c. I am indebted to Mr. Francis Ward for these very interesting par- 
ticulars, and for an extract from the original leaf which is in his possession. The leaf, no 
doubt, ought ever to be cherished as a precious heir-loom, of which any family ought to be proud. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



399 



of Limerick. Until his death in 1797, Mr. Boche carried on a vast trade 
with Holland, in rape seed, flax, &c. and he supplied large provision contracts 
to Government. 1 The old town continued under the tender care of the 
Corporation, which did its very best to provide for the requirements of its 
own members, who were regardless of the condition of their peculiar charge, 
or of any other consideration, except that of alienating the public property, 
and dividing among themselves the loaves and the fishes. From the year 
1757 to 1800, they had made but eight leases, and these were for a term of 
999 years : — 







A. R. P. 




Ground on the Quay 


James Smyth, Esq. 


10 


1757 999 


Ground adjoining Munchin's Church 


Bishop of Limerick 




1757 


999 


Ground on Lock Quay- 


Francis Russell 




1766 


999 


Ground an acre in extent North of the 










city- 


Thomas Norris 


9 


1782 


983 


Ground in Nicholas-street 


Thomas Vereker 


7 


1800 


999 


Ground between Mass-lane and Joice's 










mill, lr. lip. 


Peter F. Sargent 


2 10 


1769 


999 


Quarry and parcels of ground near 










Thomond gate 


David Roche 


3 


1770 


999 



1 These stores are now the property of Thomas Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View, and are rented 
by the customs as bonding stores. Philip Roche (John) was married to Miss Margaret Kelly, 
daughter of John Kelly, merchant, who erected the altar of St. Mary's Chapel in 1760. John 
Kelly's son, Michael, was married to Miss Christina Roche, sister of Philip Koche (John), who 
was thus the uncle doubly, of John Kelly, Esq. D.L. of Pery Square, Limerick, and of Thomas 
Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View. Mrs. Frances Mac Namara, sister of these gentlemen, and widow 
of the late Charles MacNamara, of Limerick, wine merchant, has erected, at a cost of £1000, 
the magnificent middle altar of marble in St. John's Cathedral, Limerick. Mr. John Kelly's 
son, James Kelly, Esq. D.L. of Cahircon, Co. Clare, represented the city of Limerick in par- 
liament, on thoroughly independent principles, and is married to Miss Roche, of Trabolgan, Co. 
Cork, sister of Edmond Burke Roche, Lord Fermoy, by whom he has a numerous family. 
George Ryan, Esq. D.L. of Inch House, Co. Tipperary, is grandson of Philip Roche (John) ; as 
was also the late Garret Standish Barry, Esq. D.L. of Lemlara House, Co. Cork, who died on 
the 27th of December, 1864. Francis Grene, Esq. of Dublin, is married to Miss Kelly, daughter 
of Thomas Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View, by whom he has several children. 

with America or France ; he had also made himself remarkable in using his influential position 
in sustainment of the Catholic claims. — Dean Crosbie was a bitter enemy of his, as were all the 
members of the dominant party at the time. He was a marked man, but one of the means used 
by Maum to sacrifice this innocent gentleman was that by which Providence confounded the plot ; 
and to Mr. William Ward's book and accuracy may in the main be attributed the damaging blow 
inflicted on Maum's evidence and the destruction of the conspiracy. It is proper to observe that 
Mr. Ward never saw Maum before he came into his shop to make the purchases ; in those old 
times shopkeepers were hospitable, and Mr. Ward asked Maum, who was a fellow of polished 
address and had been a tutor, in to breakfast — it was early in the morning. Maum at once 
complied ; and after breakfast they walked out to Newcastle to see the troops reviewed ; Mr. 
Ward little dreaming what a villain he wa3 in company with at the moment. The evidence of 
Mr. Ward was quite clear as to the facts stated, and saved Mr. Authur's life. 

There never yet was a fouler, a baser, a more iniquitous conspiracy concocted than that to rob 
Mr. Arthur not only of property but of life ; and the aim would be attained were it not for the 
accidents referred to in the course of the trial, there can be no doubt whatever. Mr. Ward did 
his duty well ; the confession of Maume showed the diabolical nature of the plot of which he 
was the instrument. Mr. Hare* acted admirably ; the immediate family of Mr. Arthur manifested 
thorough readiness and the most energetic devotion. An innocent man was saved from the 
ignominious fate that awaited him at the hands of Mr. Sheriff Lloyd and Mr. Sheriff Webb. 
Lloyd lived to see a termination of his schemes. Webb was found dead in the gutter one 
morning, into which he fell and broke his neck the night before, as reeling homeward from a 
debauch, he missed his footing and stumbled, and was suffocated in the channel, from which 
there was no sympathising hand to raise him, until the coroner came, and had him brought a 
black and noisome corpse to his grave. He ate oysters to repletion, washed them down with 
whiskey punch — it was an awful fate ! Lloyd's common language in 1798, to the poor sufferers 

* Mr Hare was father of the late Major Hare, uncle of Mathew Hare de Courcey, Esq. 
Treasurer of the Limerick Corporation. 



400 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Colonel Vereker was lord paramount — he did whatever he thought proper 
with the body of which he was the chief, and which he ruled with a stringent 
discipline, which did not permit a murmur to escape the lips of any one of 
his subordinates and creatures, by whom the Common Council of Limerick 
was composed. In the otherwise generous and admirable traits of character 
which this gentleman manifested, these spots appear to dim what would be 
bright and lustrous ; but it cannot be denied, that he not only did not form 
a becoming estimate of his own position, but that he used those under him 
for his own party and political purposes. However, whilst he resolutely 
opposed reform, he conjured up a spirit among the citizens at large, which 
proved its strength in the progress of important events, and caused a change 
in after years, which struck a fatal blow for ever against not only local 
monopoly and oppression, but against the irresponsible iniquity of Irish 
municipalities, from one end to the other of Ireland. In the stand made 
against the Corporation, the " Eree Citizens/'' of whom we have written so 
much in a preceding portion of our History, were succeeded by the et Inde- 
pendents/' who fought the good fight with manly vigour and success ; and 
who, not confined to one class or persuasion, embraced Catholic and Pro- 
testant alike, and gave promise that citizens who differed in religion would 
co-operate on an equal platform for the attainment of privileges which should 
be common to all. 

who came before him, was — " You shall have singing and dancing enough ! !" The singing was 
the screeches of the victims, as the infernal lash of the drummer tore the flesh from their backs ; 
and the dancing was the dying throes of the victim who swung in the air as he was turned off 
from the gallows at the then new bridge— now the Mathew Bridge ! 

The prisoner was remanded, and a sentinel with a drawn bayonet quartered upon him in his 
narrow cell. His trunks also were taken from him. At nine o'clock on that night, Colonel 
Cockell brought him the following sentence of the court-martial — " You are to be transported to 
Botany bay for life, to be sent off to-morrow morning at six o'clock, to pay a fine of £5000 
to the king forthwith, or your entire property will be confiscated.'' When the trial was over Mr. 
Arthur's witnesses, who had not been examined, were called in and severely rebuked by the pre- 
sident as a revolutionary committee. This Mr.Hare, a permanent serjeant, who had received Maume 
into his care and management, and who had deposed that Maume had written a certain letter from 
General Morrison's apartments to Mr. Peppard, which the sheriff declared had saved Mr. Arthur's 
life, was committed to jail without any charge or warrant, and on the next morning was tried 
and found guilty by the same court-martial of a breach of trust, in having permitted Maume to 
write that letter to Mr. Peppard. As Mr. Sheriff Lloyd was conducting Hare to prison, to 
which he was committed as well as dismissed from the office of permanent serjeant, he told him 
explicitly, that that severe sentence was not passed upon him for having permitted Maume to 
write the letter, but because he had appeared too sanguine in favour of the prisoner. Hare 
justified his obligation of obeying the summons : observing, that " had he not appeared the man 
would have been hanged." " To be sure he would," was the sheriff's reply. " and had you re- 
mained at home, the court would have overlooked it." An application was made by Hare's son, 
through Lord Matthew, for the liberation of his father ; which was acceded to. But Colonel 
•Cockell admonished the young man, that his father's was a serious breach of trust and grievous 
offence ; for the letter he had permitted to be written by Maume had saved Mr. Arthur's life. 
On the 20th of June Lord Cornwallis arrived in Dublin ; and it accidentally happened, that a 
young gentleman of the name of Gorman,* a nephew of Mr. Arthur, lately arrived from London, 

* James O'Gorman (who was the fourth son of Daniel O'Gorman and Mary Roche, daughter 
of Philip Roche of Limerick), was born in the Castle of Bunratty, Co. Clare, in 1681 ,• he lost 
his property, and went to live in Limerick in 1724, where he married Christina Harold, third 
daughter of Thomas Harold and Alicia Enraght. He died in 1736. He had three sons and 
one daughter. His second son Thomas was born in 1724, and went to England in 1"47, to 
claim for his relative Mrs. Margaret Daly Walsh, estates, as heir-at-law to Sheffield Duke of 
Buckingham, and succeeded in establishing her right. He afterwards established himself as a 
merchant in London. He died in 1800, and the mercantile house, a somewhat eminent one, was 
continued under the firm of Gorman, Brothers. He had fourteen children. The period at which 
he dropped the O' was after he went to London. The names of his sons were Edmond Sexton, 
Alicuthouse, Thomas Harold, James (Michael Arthur), William, Silvester, Charles, James 
Denis, Charles, Thadeus, and George. It was James, we believe, that gave evidence for Mr. 
Arthur. Edmond A. Gorman, Esq. of East Berghall, Suffolk, represents this family. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



401 



It cannot be omitted that the state of the old town at this period, was 
utterly neglected by the Corporation ; there were no watchmen to look after 
the property of the citizens, or to call the hours at night, except a few decrepit 
old men who were paid a few pence weekly by each shopkeeper. The principal 
item of intelligence in the local journal for the month of July, 1800, is the 
existence of a gang of shop-lifters and robbers from Cork, who broke open 
and carried off Several pieces of linen, &c, from shops in Broad-street. 1 

But there were others not in the rank of depredators or spoliators, who 
at this time made a noise in the old town ; and the parish of St. John in 
particular rang with the echoes of their wild revelry, whik they caused 
their own names and fame to be wedded to verse to the immortal air 



» In 1801, cocked hats taken away from the grenadier and battalion companies of the several 
regiments of English infantry, and low felt caps substituted in their room ; about the same time 
the soldier's long clothing disused, and jackets substituted. In 1803, an applotment of £81 
Is. lOd. was made on St. Munchin's Parish, the Rev. J. Duddell, rector — this was the proportion 
of City Rate made on the parish at spring assizes. The applotment is dated May 23rd, 1803. 

The" population of the City and Liberties of Limerick, as returned by Government in 1802 by 
Mr. Arthur Tracy, Hearth-money Collector : — 



City. 



Abbey 
North Liberty 



Parishes. 
St. Munchin 
St. Mary 
St. Michael's 
St. John 



Spittle 

Killaloe 

St. Laurence 

St. Patrick's 

Derrvgalvin 



Numbers. 
2962 
9331 
5672 
5961 
1135 
3718 



28779 

1808 

703 

407 

1498 

646 



City. Parishes. 

South Liberty, Donoughmore 
Carrigparson 
Cahirnarry 
Cahiraraby 
Knocknagaule 
Mungret 
Stradbally 
Kilmurry 



Total 



Numbers. 

1372 

332 
1276 

469 

402 
2918 
1586 

629 



14.046 
28,779 

42,825 



being unknown to any of those -who had undertaken to keep the court clear of Mr. Arthur's 
friends, "was present at the trial on Saturday. Anticipating the result of the proceedings, he set 
off for Dublin, -where on the next morning he presented a petition to Lord Cornwallis, stating 
the circumstances, and praying that if sentence should be given against the prisoner, the exe- 
cution of it might be respited, till his excellency should have revised the minutes of the court- 
martial. This prayer -was granted. It also occasioned a general order from Lord Cornwallis, 
that in future no sentence of a court-martial should be summarily executed, as was then usual, 
without the confirmation of the Lord-lieutenant. On Tuesday morning, Mr. Gorman being in- 
formed that General Morrison was determined to exact the fine of £5000 from his uncle, waited 
on him to remonstrate against the manifest infraction of his excellency's commands, to which 
General Morrison laconically replied, " I have received Lord Castlereagh's letter respecting Mr. 
Arthur, and shall use my discretion for the contents. I order the money to be paid." Accord- 
ingly the collector of his majesty's revenue took a bag from Mr. Arthur's desk, containing 1000 
guineas in specie, and compelled his father instantly to make up the remainder. Notwithstand- 
ing the remonstrances of General Morrison to Lord Castlereagh's communication of his excel- 
lency's remission of the sentence, Lord Cornwallis sent a preremptory order, that Mr. Arthur's 
fine should be repaid him, and he be allowed to go to Great Britain, or any other part of his 
majesty's dominions. 

Though the order for Mr. Arthur's acquittal and delivery bore date the 30th of June, 1 798, 
yet was he kept in close confinement till the 6th of July, when, for the first time, Mr. Arthur 
was made acquainted with his excellency's order for the repayment of his fine and his liberation, 
through Colonel Cockell, by order of General Morrison. Colonel Cockell said to Mr. Arthur, 
" You must go to your house in a hand-chair, the curtain drawn about you. You are not to 
stir out of your house, and in twenty-four hours, you are to quit Limerick. Mr. Arthur was 
called upon to give security for his quitting Limerick within that time. But no such condition 
having been imposed upon him by his excellency, no one was found competent to take his recogni- 
zance. The limitation of time, though not required by his excellency, was again enforced, and 
Colonel Cockell observed, " half an hour more or less will not be taken notice of." Mr. Arthur 
set off for Dublin, on the 7th of July, where he remained till October ; constantly urging the 
Lord Lieutenant to reverse the sentence of the Court Martial, and allow him to prosecute 

27 



402 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

of " Garry o wen" 1 — an air which is heard with rapturous emotion by the 
Limerick man in whatever clime he may be placed, or under whatever cir- 
cumstances its fond familiar tones may strike upon his ear. Not even the 
Eanzes des Yaches has so many charms for the Swiss Exile as Garryowen 
possesses for every individual who claims Limerick as his birth-place or even 
as his residence. The words to which this air has been wedded contain 
allusions not only to the state of society as it existed in Garryowen in these 
days, but to certain local worthies, and principally the late John O'Connell, 
Esq., the proprietor of the Garryowen Brewery, who was deservedly much 
esteemed. 

THE ORIGINAL SONG OF "GARRYOWEN," WITH TRANSLATIONS 
INTO LATIN AND GREEK. 

[It is due to the translator, Thomas Stanley Tracy, Esq. A.B. Sch. T.C.D. 
to state that these translations were quite extemporaneous, and were never 
retouched.] 

Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed, 
But join with me each jovial blade ; 
Come, booze, and sing, and lend your aid 
To help with me the chorus : — 

Instead of spa we'll drink brown ale, 
And pay the reckoning on the nail, 
No man for debt shall go to jail 
From Garryowen in glory ! 

1 Garryowen signifies " John's Garden" — a suburb of Limerick in St. John's parish, in which 
in these times there was a public garden which the citizens were accustomed to frequent in great 
numbers. The opening scene of Gerald Griffin's beautiful novel of the " Collegians" is laid in 
Garryowen, and from this novel Mr. Dion Boucicault has obtained materials for his famous 
drama of the Colleen Bawn. The " Nail" here mentioned is a sort of low pillar still extant in 
the Town-Hall, upon which payments used to be made in former times. 

Maume for perjury, that he might be in pos_session of formal and authentic documents to clear 
and justify his own character. Mr. Cooke and Mr. Taylor, the under secretaries, as well as Lord 
Castlereagh, threw every difficulty in his way. The evidence of Maume they alleged was notori- 
ously known to be false. He was already sentenced to Botany bay for life, and the necessary 
delay of prosecuting Maume in a civil court would break in upon Mr. Arthur's wishes to go to 
England. Government did not, however, scruple in the intermediate time to employ this per- 
jured miscreant to give evidence at Cork against some persons there under military prosecutions. 
Mr. Arthur was still naturally anxious for every justificative document that he could procure. 
He pressed to have copies of his excellency's different orders for respiting the sentence of the 
Court Martial, liberating him, and repaying the fine. He was assured, that all these orders had 
been verbal ! ! ! and that his excellency could do nothing more for him. Mr. Cooke, to put an 
end to Mr. Arthur's further importunity, wrote him the following letter on the 10th of October, 
. 1798. 

Castle, 10th October, 1798. 
Sm, — I examined William Maume, whose evidence I am clear is false ; he will be sent off and 
transported, and there cannot be any objection to your going whither you think most eligible. 
As far as 1 can give testimony to your character, I shall ever do it by saying that I think it by 
no means implicated from any thing asserted by Maume; and I certainly never heard any asper- 
sion upon you from any one else. I am, &c. E. Cooke. 
To Francis Arthur, Esq. 
Maume in the mean while was daily seen walking the streets of Cork. In January, 1799, 
he advertised his intention of publishing the whole of Mr. Arthur's trial, and all the means used 
to induce him (Maume) to give false evidence against him. He was instantly arrested, and 
thenceforth confined to the barracks (though in an officer's apartments) where he was frequently 
visited by Mr. Judkin Fitzgerald. Thence he was sent on board the Minerva transport, 
bound for Botany bay. Despairing now of his pardon, and repenting or pretending to repent, 
of his having borne false testimony against Mr. Arthur, he swore to, and signed a full and min- 
ute avowal of all the falsities he had given in evidence against Mr. Arthur, in order to criminate 
him capitally. This was done in the presence of Joseph Salkeld, the master, and Henry Har- 
rison, the mate of the ship Minerva; Thomas Holmes, Esq. late captain of 54th, Kilner Brazier, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 403 

We are the boys that take delight in 
Smashing the Limerick lamps when lighting, 
Through the streets like sporters fighting 
And tearing all before us. 
Instead, &c. 

We'll break windows, we'll break doors, 
The watch knock down by threes and fours, 
Then let the doctors work their cures, 
And tinker up our bruises. 
Instead, &c. 

We'll beat the bailiffs, out of fun, 
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run ; 
We are the boys no man dares dun, 
If he regards a whole skin. 
Instead, &c. 

Esq. late sheriff of Cork, Arthur Arthur and Peter Arthur, Esqrs. merchants of Cork. Mr Ar- 
thur's last resort to do himself justice was to obtain the consent of the castle, to publish in the 
newspapers the letters of Messrs. Cooke and Taylor. This was refused on pretext of the temper 
of the times. The most inventive novelist could hardly have combined a chain of circumstances 
peculiarly illustrative of the coercive system, under which Ireland now laboured. 

June 2. Communication with Dublin re-established— General Court Martial assembled at the 
Council Chamber. A man named Grant, charged with taking an oath to be true to the French, 
and accused of holding the rank of serjeant in the rebel army, was sentenced to receive 600 
lashes, 250 of which were inflicted immediately after, opposite the Main Guard, and the remain- 
der postponed until the ensuing Monday, to be" then carried into effect, unless he, in the interval, 
consented to give information, and disclose the names of his confederates. 

Mr. Peter O'Keeffe, George Murphy, John Quin, William Crowe, Anthony Hogan, John 
O'Hogane, William Hanabury, B. Connors, and P. Clancie, all citizens, were arrested. The first 
named, Mr. Peter O'Keeffe, charged with administering the United Irishmen's oath, was subse- 
quently tried by Court Martial, and acquitted. 

Messrs. Joseph O'Loughlin and John Fitzgerald were brought in from Rathkeale, escorted by 
George Leake, Esq., and a party of the Lower Connelloe cavalry, charged with using traitorous 
language, and being sworn United Irishmen. 

June 4. £200 was subscribed by the citizens, for the wives and children of the soldiers who 
went in pursuit of the United Irishmen at Kildare. 

John Hayes, of Bilboa, committed, charged with being an United Irishman, and attempting to 
shoot John Lloyd, Esq., C.P. for the county. 

June 6. Michael M'Swiney, charged with being a serjeant in the United Irishmen, was sen- 
tenced to 600 lashes. After having received 100 at the Main Guard, he requested to be taken 
down, promising to make some useful disclosures, whereupon the remainder of his sentence was 
remitted. 

Matthew Kennedy, charged with taking arms from the house of John Evans, of Ashroe, was 
executed on the new bridge, and his body buried in the yard of the intended new jail. 

John Moore, convicted of being a rebel captain, was hanged on the new bridge, and buried in 
the jail yard. 

Owen Ryan, convicted of being a sworn rebel, was sentenced to receive 500 lashes, and to be 
sent to serve in the West Indies for life. He received 300 lashes on the new bridge. 

The following notice was issued by Major-General Morrison : — " All Public Houses and Liquor 
Shops to be closed from 8, p.m. until 6, a.m. All peaceable and well-disposed persons are ear- 
nestly requested not to appear in the streets after dark. The Magistrates of the City and County, 
and of Clare, Kerry, and Tipperary, are hereby authorized to tender the Oath of Allegiance to 
such people as by their industry and labour, by carrying provisions into the towns, and by con- 
fessions and information shall show repentance of their former ill conduct, and that they are, by 
their good behaviour, contributing to the peace and happiness of the country." 

Persons are hourly brought in from the country, charged with aiding and abetting rebellion. 
The Doonas Cavalry brought in Francis Macnamara, Esq., of Ardclooney, near O'Brien's Bridge, 
charged with holding a captain's commission in the ranks of the disaffected. Major Purdon's 
corps brought in 20 from Killaloe, one of whom was a Colonel M'Cormick — also a quantity of 
captured pike-heads. Captain Studdert's corps from Kilkishen escorted three defenders, with their 
pikes hung round their bodies. 

June 13. Andrew Ryan, Patrick Carroll, Michael Callinan, and — Sheehy, charged with 
having pikes in their possession, were whipped by the drummers of the Garrison. 

Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gough, of the City Militia, dated Edenderry, June 7th :— 
" I take the earliest opportunity of informing you that General Champaigne ordered me to 
march at 11 o'clock last night with 100 of our regiment, and 60 cavalry, to attack a rebel camp 



404 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Our hearts so stout have got us fame> 
For soon 'tis known from whence we came ; : 
Where'er we go they dread the name 
Of Garryowen in glory. 
Instead, &c. 

Johnny Council's tall and straight ; 
And in his limbs he is complete ; 
He'll pitch a bar of any weight 

From Garryowen to Thomond-gate. 
Instead, &c. 

Garryowen is gone to wreck 
Since Johnny Connell went to Cork ; 
Though Harry O'Brien leapt over the dock 
In spite of judge and jury. 
Instead, &c. 

within six miles of this town. At five o'clock in the morning we arrived there, and found the 
rebels posted behind an amazing strong quickset ditch, and a bog in their rere. I ordered a troop 
of cavalry to get round them on the right, and so to be between them and the bog, which they 
could not effect, the country being so much enclosed. In the mean time the Infantry attempted 
getting round the flank of their camp, which they were so lucky as to effect, though iihey had 
to get over ditches strongly barricaded with strong stakes interwound with white thorns. The 
moment we entered the Rebel Camp they ran to the bog, to the number of 3 or 400, where they 
found we directly advanced, upon which they fired a general volley at us, accompanied with a 
loud huzza, and began to retreat. Finding that they would not stand, I ordered a general 
discharge, with such effect that they set running like furies ; we pursued them across the bog to 
an island on which they had a post ; this they abandoned on our getting near it ; we still pursued 
until we got near the dry ground at the other side of the bog, where I knew General Champaigne 
and Colonel Vereker had taken a position, with a strong body of our detachment. Unfortun- 
ately some houses were set on fire there, which caused the Rebels to change their course into the 
great Bog of Allen ; had it not been for that event every one of them must have either surren- 
dered or been cut to pieces. In our pursuit of five miles we found ten dead, but am convinced 
numbers more were lying in the long heaths ; for the first two miles they fired many shots, all 
which went over us. \ 

" It was surprizing to see how regular they had their outposts. Four miles from their camp 
we fell in with an advanced sentinel, capitally mounted and armed ; on his attempting to join 
the rebels he was shot. We then fell in with their advanced Piquet, who received so warm a 
reception, that they scampered off with the loss of their arms and some horses. 

" We found in their camp 48 fat sheep, 20 cows and horses, which I am going to cant for the 
benefit of our men, who are also returned loaded with great coats, blankets, shoes, pikes, &c. 

" Nothing could equal the ardour of our Limerick lads ; they would have burned down every 
house, and killed every man they met, had I not restrained them ; they are the most desperate 
fellows I believe on earth, and I am sure loyal ; not a man received the slightest wound." 
Letter next morning received by Lieut.-Col. Gough, from General Champaigne : — 

" Dublin, June 7, 1798. 
Sir, — I am this moment favoured with your report of the affair of Tuesday morning, for 
which I return you many thanks. I have not only acquainted the Commander-in-Chief, but the 
Lord Lieutenant, of your conduct and success, of which I was an eye-witness, and your not 
having lost a man in the action was a proof that your disposition of action was not only planned 
with judgment, but conducted with spirit. I am, with great esteem, 

Your obedient humble servant, 
Lieut- Col. Gough, City Limerick Militia. T. Champaigne. 

Thomas M'Swiney, for being a sworn officer of the Defenders, was hanged on the new bridge, 
and his body buried in the jail yard. David Touhy and Michael Dunigan received 100 lashes 
each ; a man named Ryan 600 lashes — afterwards transported ; David Carroll 200 lashes, and 
transported. Those punishments were inflicted in the yard of the new jail. 

June 16. Francis Macnamara, Esq., of Ardclooney, was tried and acquitted. The only pro- 
secutor was a man named M'Swiney, who had been flogged for being a serjeant in the rebel 
force. 

June 20. The Mayor ordered that the names of all male inhabitants of houses in the city 
whose ages exceed 14, should be posted on a conspicuous part of the ground floor. All persons 
neglecting to comply to be reported to the Court Martial. 
The following sentences were this day passed : — 
Daniel Hayes, to receive 800 lashes, and be transported for life. 
John Collins, 100 lashes, and transportation. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 405 

CARMEN GARRYOWENIENSE. 

Baccheidse impavidi, 
Adsitis compotanti mi ! 
Ut decet vos fortissimi, 

Ad pulchre concinendum. 
Chorus — Cervisiam fuscam pro aqua bibamus ; 
Symbolam promptam illico damus, 
Absit ut nexi in viucla eamus 
Ex Ganyowen insigui ! 

Juvenes sumus qui talia curent — 
Frangere lychnos dum splendide urunt 
Et Lirnericenses in plateis jurant 
Nos cunctos depugnare ! 

Fenetris domorum et foribus cassis, 
Et ternis quaternis vigilibus ls3sis, 
Signa inspiciat medicus necis 

Et illinantur vulnera ! 

James Kelly, same punishment. 

Richard Kelly, 600 lashes, and transportation. 

Thomas Frost, transportation for life. 

William Walsh, sentenced to death, respited, and transported. 

John Moyuene, transportation for life. 

Mr. Bartholomew Clancy, merchant, and Mr. Patrick O'Connor, attorney, tried and acquitted. 

June 23. The Mayor issued a proclamation against the lighting of bonfires on John's Eve. 

Trial of Francis Arthur, Esq., commenced. 

Sentences : — 

Francis Arthur, Esq., transportation for life to Botany Bay, and a fine of £5,000. ^ 

Mr. Joseph Anderson, prevarication in his evidence on Mr. Arthur's trial, pilloried opposite 
the Exchange. 

June 27th.— Thomas Kennedy (brother of Patrick Kennedy hanged on the 4th instant) con- 
victed of taking arms, was removed to Down, under escort of the Royal Limerick Cavalry, and 
hanged in pursuance of a sentence of a Court-martial. 

June 28th Dr. Robert Ross, and Mr. George Hargrove, were tried by Court-martial, and 

liberated by giving bail in £500 each to appear when called on, and to keep the peace for 7 years. 

Patrick O'Neill, a most active rebel, convicted of swearing several persons to assist the French 
when they landed, was sentenced to be hanged and beheaded in the neighbourhood from whence 
he came. He was conveyed to Askeaton and his sentence there executed. 

July 4th.— Extract of a letter received from an officer of the City Limerick Militia stationed 
in Edenderry : — 

July 1st, 1798. 

I am just returned in after giving the rebels a good drubbing. I marched against 300 of 
them with 60 men (infantry) ; I sent some cavalry to surround the hill where they were posted, 
but the moment I appeared they fled, keeping up a hot fire on us in every direction ; however, 
we routed and drove them to the cavalry who gave them a warm reception. I am certain upwards 
of 300 of them were killed. There was a Priest and a Captain Casey at their head, who were 
both killed ; the latter being this townsman we brought him back where he now remains hanging. 

Sentences passed by the General Court-Martial — William Ryan Stephen taking arms, and 
swearing people, to be hanged at Caherconlish, his body to be brought back and thrown into 
Croppies' Hole in the New Jail. 

Messrs. John O'Hogan, William Crowe, M'Knight, Andrew Kenny, M. Considine, to give 
bail for their good behaviour. 

Patrick Wallis, for collecting subscriptions for procuring the assassination of Chas. S. Oliver, 
Esq. to be hanged at Kilfinan, his head to be affixed on one of his own pikes, and placed on the 
Castle. 

July 7th Sir Vere Hunt, Bart, received, in the most gracious and flattering manner, 

authority from His Royal Highness the Duke of York to raise a regiment of 600 men, with 
right to appoint his own officers. 

Twenty prisoners under sentence removed from Jail to Duncannon Fort. 

By order of General Morrison, John M'Daniel, Martin Sweeny, Thomas M'Knight, Theobald 
Burey, Matthew Dea, Daniel Cotton, Edmond Sheeby, and James Grant were discharged from 
prison. 



406 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

Ludentes pulsabimus omnem lictorem, 
Prsetorem urbanum et genus horam— 
Nequis efflagitet ses debitorem, 

In Garryowen insigni. 

Virtus nostra famam quaerit — 
Unde^enimus nemo bseret — 
Quum nomen tuum terrorem ferat, 
Garryowen insigni s ! 

Johannes O'Connell procerus et fortis 
Cujusvis oneris sudibus tortis, 
Ex Garryowen ad Thomondi portas 
Projiciet insignis ! 

Sed Garryowen sublabi sivit, 
Ex quo Johannes Corkagian ivit — 
Et Harry O'Brien ex vinclis salivit, 
Coram Judice et juratore. 

Mr. Francis Arthur was liberated by the Lord Lieutenant, upon condition of giving £500 
security that he shall remove himself into Great Britain, or any other part at peace with hia 
Majesty, until he shall be licensed to return to Ireland on the expiration of the present troubles. 
At a meeting ot the Subscribers to the Royal Coffee House, notice being duly given, it was 
unanimously resolved — That Francis Arthur, lately convicted before a Court-martial, of aiding 
and assisting in the present rebellion, be expelled this House, and that the waiter be ordered to 
erase his name from the list of Subscribers to said House. Signed by order, 

Maurice Crosbie, Chairman. 
July 14th. — George Fitzgerald, who gave evidence against Thomas Kennedy, executed at 
Doon, was murdered on the mountains near Bilboa. 

The Mayor, Sheriffs, and Corporation passed votes of thanks to Generals Duff and Morrison, 
and voted them the freedom of the city. They also passed a vote of thanks to Lieut.-Colonel 
Darby, and the Officers composing the Court-martials, for their temperate and decided conduct, 
wisdom and justice. 

August 1st. — Two gentlemen, named Orpen, from the County of Kerry, were brought in and 
lodged in the gaol, to await their trial by Court Martial. 

Thomas Lyons and Peter Coghlan, privates of the Kildare Militia, were tried by Court 
Martial, and convicted and sentenced to be shot. Thomas Lyons was marched by his own regi- 
ment to the King's island, where he was shot by 8 men selected for that purpose. Being a 
Catholic, he was attended by the Kev. Mr. M'Grath ; after the execution, the troops marched in 
slow time past the body, which was afterwards interred in the Fort of the island. 

August Gth. — Court Martial assembled at the Council Chamber, for the trial of Horatio 
Townshend Orpen and Richard Orpen, Esqrs., of the County of Kerry, charged with aiding 
and assisting in the Kebellion. The following members composed the tribunal — Col. Foster, 
Louth Militia, President; Lieutenant-Col. Garden, 54th Regiment; Major Carlisle, Kildare 
Militia; Major Sirle, Perth Highland Fencibles; Captain Crawford, Royal Irish Artillery; 
Captain Gibson, 54th Regiment ; Captain Spence, Do.; Captain Frederick, Do ; Captains Filgate 
and Faircloth, Louth Militia ; Captain Monsell, 2nd Fencible Cavalry ; Captains Compton and 
Manuel, Perth Highland Fencibles. 

Counsel for the prosecution — H. D. Grady, Casey, and Going ; Agent, Meredyth Monsell, Esq. 
Counsel for the prisoners — Messrs. Hartwell, Keller, John Dickson, and Stephen Dickson. 
Agent, Henry Hassett, Esq. 

At the close of the prosecution, the Court adjourned; at its re-assembling, the Messrs. Orpen 
entered upon their defence, after which, they were pronounced not guilty, and liberated. 

At a meeting of the Croom Cavalry, held at Castle Connell, on the 26th of July, G. Croker, 
Esq., in the Chair, thanks were voted to Major-General Sir James Duff, &c. 

August, 1798— Complaints were constant during those times of the non-arrival at regular 
periods of the mail coach from Dublin. 

September 1st. — Accounts reached Limerick this day, that a report to the effect that the 
City Militia were in action at Castlebar on the 27th of August, was untrue. They were on that 
day at Carriek-on-Shannon, en route to join General Lake. Laut. Hill, Esq., of Limerick, who 
had been on a visit to Killala, and taken prisoner by the French on their landing, was liberated 
on parole. The French were at Castlebar up to 3rd of September and afterwards ; their cavalry 
were picketed at Lord Lucan's Lawn. 
September 12th — On this day letters were received from the city, stating that on the 5th 



HISTOKY OF LIMEFwICK. 407 

OAE TAPPmENIA. 

Tov Bax%pu iiiov ou rgssa; 
IvvsXdri ang yzwaBag, 
n/ve/v r ahuv iKrovzysaas 

Avti fftfysou 'idarog 
Thou/isSa cryp^cy fifeo;, 
Toig tivufidkoig afyxi 10 * — 
Ex Tacgiusv crep/xXyrou. 

Oyfo/s it liGiLorrpja. 

Tov zovpuw oang y^aiPsrai 
Ta; y.a;j^rabag fvgevlgBU* 

Tow Aj/asmxqv a/j,a^irov, 
Tag odovg tfwg^u^qc&gyap, 
UaiZpvrsg ug /^ap/oy/xavwy, 
Ka/ rravrct a|a^avrwv. 

Tag ^/5as ?j<5s Sy^a; 
SrggE^ty&qii za/ (puXaxag 
Ba/.oy/xsv ava rstffl&ga^, 

largorg dovreg rgav/Aara. 

instant Colonel Yereker having received information of abont 300 rebels intending to plunder the 
small village of Colooney, five miles from Sligo, where he was quartered, marched with part of his 
regiment to disperse them, but on his arrival had found that the entire of the French force had 
come up during his march — the conflict was maintained by the Limerick Regiment with great 
courage and obstinacy for two hours, when, at last, as may be expected, they were obliged to 
retreat back to Sligo, with loss of some prisoners and very few killed or wounded ; the loss on 
the part of the French exceeded 200 killed. 

Fatal duel between Mr. Robert Rodger, merchant, and Lieut. Levingston, Perth Highland 
Fencibles. They met on the Roxborough road, both fired together ; the ball from Sir. R's pistol 
entered his antagonist's right hip, of which he languished for some days and then died ; both were 
natives of Scotland, and up to the time of the dispute were intimate friends. 

Ensign Thomas Rumley, City Limerick Militia, died of wounds received in the engagement 
with the French. 

General Sir James Duff sent official notice to Captain Commandant Johnstone, " that wishing 
to release the Yeomanry of this city from any unnecessary duty, thought himself justified, in the 
present state of the country, to discontinue the permanent pay and duty of the corps under hi3 
command from this day. 

The following question wa9 put to Oliver Bond, Esq., upon his examination before the Secret 
Committee of the House of Lords — 

Was there any person sent from Dublin to organize the south? 

Reply — There was last winter, and I understand he had made considerable progress in Limerick, 
and other places. 

The following is the list of the vessels of war stationed on the coast at this period for its defence 
At Cork. Between Cork & Cape Clear. On passage from Plymouth to 

join. 
Glenmore, 36 

Shannon, 32 Ramilies, 74 

Cerberus, 38 La Revolutionare, 44 

Diana, 32 Dryad, 36 

Unicorn, 32 Hazard, 16 

October 2nd. 
On opening the Commissions for the City, Judge Day alluded in the following laudatory terms 
to the City Militia — " The City of Limerick Militia, whose intrepid courage at the battle of 
Colooney was the admirations of Great Britain and Ireland, and stamped indelible honour on their 
Commander, Colonel Vereker, whose little band of heroes following his example, first arrested the 
career of the French Invaders." 

October 8th. — The following ships of war arrived in Carrigaholt, Caesar 80 ; Terrible 74 ; 
Superb 74 ; Melpomene 44 ; Naid 38. 



Saturn, 


74 


Triumph, 


74 


Lancaster, 


64 


Polyphemus, 


64 



408 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

'PaSdovxpn; ds tftnai^cuv irag 
Ikiragxpv yds wgoLyrogag, 
Aiwfyi, — oud' ztir o\g 7]/xag 
Atfairefcj ra xgsara. 

'Evbo^ot xakotg yt^haig, 
Ta% bkv y)X,o/j!,7}v o/dug ; 
Tw ovo/xa rgsfci ds nag 

Tom Ta^iuzv tfegixXvrov. 

Imamtf O'KovvsWog 
Mzyag o^o? rs s6ti og 
Pz-sJ/s) fiugvrarov (3z\oz 

Ex Ta^icazv Qb/jjovds. 

OXuXs Ta^iwzv ds or 
O'KovvzXXog Kogxovds tor 
Ugocfrix,?}, — rov bzgfjjov ds ror 
Amaffrcov asxrin, 

'Evgziog %gu (lev O'Bgztovog, 
E^spuy' s^aXko/jjSvo? — 
CL Qdoz avrt vdarog, 

Ev Ya^iwzv irsgixXvro I 

The Corporation of Dublin voted to Colonel Vereker the Freedom of the City for his conduct 
at Colooney,* and deprived Henry Grattan and Henry Jackson, Esqrs., of same for supposed 
connexion with the rebellion. 

November 1st — A fearful hurricane swept over this city and the neighbouring counties. 
Several houses were unroofed and many altogether prostrated. Trees of great age and immense 
size were torn up from their roots, or shivered to pieces. 

November 7th. — All the Yeomanry of Clare have been put off permanent duty. 

The Hessian. Troops arrived are a fine body of men, and consist of Cavalry and Infantry. 
The dress of the Infantry is green jackets, light blue pantaloons, a very high cap shaped like a 
turban with a feather on the top, and exclusive of bayonets are all supplied with daggers or 
short swords. The uniform of the Cavalry is nearly the same, but much more superb ; instead of 
blue they have red cloth pantaloons, with half boots and spurs screwed to them, elegant swords 
and carbines, the latter very short and rifle barrels. They have all a most wicked appearance, 
the hair on the upper lip being two or three inches long, which is never shaved. 

* The Right Honourable Charles Vereker, afterwards second Yiscount Gort, was the son of 
Thomas Vereker of Eoxborough, by Julia, daughter of Thomas Smyth, for forty-five years one 
of the representatives of Limerick in the Irish Parliament, and grand-daughter of Sir Thomas 
Prendergast, the last Baronet of his illustrious line. He was born in the year 1768, in the old 
Mayoralty house in Limerick, his father being at the time Mayor of that city. At the age of 
fourteen, he was entered as a midshipman in H. M. S. Alexander of 74 guns, then under the 
command of the late Lord Longford. A short time after he had joined his vessel (in 1782), 
he was ordered to sail for the Mediterranean, to form one of the fleet under the command of 
Lord Howe. The fleet was destined for the relief of Gibraltar, from that siege, which the 
heroic defence of General Elliott has engraven for ever on the page of history. The combined 
French and Spanish fleet were at this time cruising off Gibraltar, in order to prevent any succour 
from without reaching the straightened garrison. Three of the British vessels, laden with pro- 
visions, contrived to elude the vigilance of the enemy, and to steal unperceived into the bay. 
Among these was the Alexander, and it is recorded, that foremost in the service of danger, 
attending the disembarkation of the stores, and indeed the first person, in the first boat's crew 
to leap ashore, was young Vereker.* The ships having effected their purpose, again put to sea, 
and a sharp action ensued between the hostile fleets. Here the courage of the young midship- 
man was again conspicuous, and won for him the public acknowledgments of Lord Longford. f 
The fleet returned after these successful operations to St. Helen's, on the 15th November, 1782. 
Peace preliminaries were signed on the 30th of the same month, and the force of the navy 
being largely reduced, young Vereker retired from the service, and accepted a commission in 
the 1st Royals ; which regiment he left on coming of age, in the year 1789, being then a 

* Dublin University Magazine, vol. xix., p. 336. f Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 409 

I have been favored with another version of this favorite song, written in 
1811 by a soldier, a Limerick man, serving at the time with the army in 
Portugal : — 

GAKRYOWEN. 1 
Written in Portugal, April, 1811. 
Let am'rous poets channt soft lays, 
Who bask in Love's meridian rays, 
I sing the soul-enliv'ning praise 
Of Garryowen a Gloria. 
A theme so bold it well may fire 
The heart and hand that gnide the lyre, 
And every gallant son inspire 
Of Garryowen a Gloria. 

Old Garryowen, so high renowned, 
Whose sons with vict'ry's laurels crowned, 
Have always made the fame resound 

Of Garryowen a Gloria. 
In days of yore once proudly stood 
The bulwark of the public good, 
Till treach'ry, under friendship's hood, 

Sold Garryowen a Gloria. 

1 I received those lines from the late lamented Eugene O'Curry, Esq., M.R.I.A., in July, 1862, 
shortly before his death. 

Lieutenant, and having thoroughly mastered the details of the military profession. Shortly 
after the Irish Militia was embodied, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and in 1797, Colonel 
of the city of Limerick Militia ; and in 1790, he was elected M.P. for the city of Limerick. 

During the unfortunate period of the rebellion, which distracted this country, Colonel 
Vereker, with the rank of Brigadier-General, commanded the British forces in various disturbed 
districts. When the Government became alarmed at the prospect of a French invasion, which 
private information assigned as intended for the western coast of Ireland, Colonel Vereker and 
the Limerick Militia were ordered to move from Athlcne to Carrick-on-Shannon, and ultimately 
were sent to Sligo, next to Castlebar one of the most important stratagetical positions in the 
neighbourhood of the landing. This selection was made, not only in consequence of the confi- 
dence the Government placed in the skill, activity, and courage of their Colonel ; but in a great 
measure also, on account of the well known loyalty, excellent discipline, and manly bearing of 
the fine regiment he commanded. The prudence of the Government was justified by the event. 
The French force under General Humbert, effected a successful embarkation at Klllala bay, in 
the month of August, 1798, and being joined by thousands of the disaffected, they promptly 
marched upon Castlebar. The -whole country was at once plunged into terror. The English had 
not yet crossed bayonets with the French, nor taught them in terrible lessons that they were not 
invincible. Their name was clothed with terror. Europe had beheld every day, mighty armies on 
her continent scattered in dismay by a vastly inferior force of French troops. Everywhere victory 
accompanied her banners, and so uniformly successful had she been, that her officers and soldiers 
alike, came to look at a resistance to her arms as an absurdity, and at defeat as a simple impossi- 
bility. It is necessary to keep these things in view, in order to understand correctly the subse- 
quent events that occurred. 

As soon as the landing of the French was known, Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded 
in the Province of Connaught, and who, with Major-General French was in Galway, moved 
towards the Counties of Mayo and Sligo. The troops which he eventually led to reinforce the 
garrison of Castlebar, constituted an imposing force, and comprised the Kerry Militia, a detach- 
ment of the Fraser Fencibles, the Kilkenny Militia, the Longford Militia, a detachment of Lord 
Eoden's Fencible Dragoons, or Fox-hunters as they were called, and four six pounders, with a 
howitzer.* The garrison of Castlebar, previous to receiving these important reinforcements, had 
consisted of the skeleton of the 6th Regiment of foot, a subaltern detachment of the Prince of 
Wales' Fencibles, a small corps of Galway Yeomanry, Infantry and Cavalry, consisting of the 1st 
Fencibles, a large body of the 6th Dragoon Guards, (Carbineers), and some Yeomanry Cavalry, 
with a company of the Royal Irish Artillery. The Earls of Ormond, Longford and Granard, 

* Musgrave's History of Rebellion. 2nd Ed., p. 591. 



410 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In vain were William's red-hot balls 
Directed 'gainst her Royal Halls, 
Her warlike sons were Iron Walls 

Round Garryowen a Gloria. 
And though betrayed by traitors vile, 
She sunk to Royal William's smile, 
Revived the Phoenix of our Isle 

In Garryowen a Gloria. 

Deep graven in Historic page, 
Tradition hands from age to age, 
In mem'ry of Forefathers sage, 

In Garryowen a Gloria. 
Who yielded not to England's lord, 
Till he had signed the Great Reward, 
The glorious treaty, GjjtitJt/s Guard, 

In Garryowen a Gloria. 

were also present with their respective Regiments. Undeterred by this formidable force, General 
Humbert at once attacked Castlebar, although he had but nine hundred bayonets under his com- 
mand, and some thousands of the insurgents. It is not within the scope of this work to give a 
detailed account of the disgraceful defeat of the British troops, by this small French force— a 
defeat so signal and complete as to have obtained the appellation of " the races of Castlebar." 

But it is important, in duly estimating the gallant conduct of the Limerick regiment at 
Colooney, to bear in remembrance the bad example shown them by a vastly superior force, con- 
sisting in a great measure of regular troops, fully armed and well supplied with every requisite. 
So complete was the defeat at Castlebar, that " although no attempt to follow them was made, 
a panic seemed still to operate on the troops, who retreated so quickly, as to reach the town of 
Tuam, thirty miles from the scene of action, on the night of the same day, and renewing their 
march they retired still further towards Athlone, where an officer of Carbineers with sixty of his 
men arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday, the 29th, having performed a march of 63 miles, the 
distance between Athlone and Castlebar, in twenty-seven hours."* Hence the name, "the races of 
Castlebar" — The Carbineers were shortly afterwards disbanded. The Artillery taken in this dis- 
graceful defeat consisted of 14 pieces, of which four were curricle guns. " It is almost im- 
possible,"says Maxwell," to conceive anything more disgraceful and unaccountable than the defeat 
of the Royalist army at Castlebar. The spirit of the troops was excellent, and with a superior 
Cavalry and Artillery — the latter particularly well served — the contest should not have lasted ten 
minutes. But Humbert's estimate of the British commanding officers will give a key to the secret 
of their defeat — " I met," he said, when asked to give up his sword to the Marquis of Cornwallis, 
" I met many generals in Ireland, but the only soldier among them was Colonel Vereker."f 

An authentic letter was received from Dublin, mentioning that the General-in-Chief of the 
French Army (Humbert) made public mention of the gallantry of the City Limerick Militia 
Regiment. 

Extract of a letter from Major-General Nugent, to Colonel Vereker, Limerick City Regiment : — 

EnnisJcillen, /September 9th, 1798. 

" I am extremely happy to find, on enquiry, that although the City of Limerick Regiment has 
suffered much, in the action which they sustained with the French Force at Colooney, the officers 
are in general likely to recover from their wounds. 

I congratulate you upon the gallantry manifested by the whole corps upon the occasion, and 
beg my best compliments may be presented to Lieut.-Col. Gough and all the officers." 

Return of officers killed and wounded of the Limerick City Regiment at Colooney, on Wednes- 
day, September 5th, 1798. 

Ensign Rumley, shot through the body — dead. Captain Crips, (severely wounded), shot 
through neck and jaws. 

Slightly wounded-— -Colonel Vereker, Lieut.-Col. Gough, Major Ormsby, Captain Nash, Ensign 
Bindon. 

Return of privates killed, wounded and missing. 

Killed— John Wallace, Edward M'Mahon4 
• Missing — Timothy Sullivan. 

Badly wounded — Corporal Kain. 

* Maxwell's History Rebellion, 6th Ed. p. 235. t Maxwell, 236. 

X This man afterwards returned to Limerick, not having been as reported killed, but taken 
prisoner by the French. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 411 

Now o'er the once embattled plains 
Bright Commerce holds her goodly reign, 
'Midst rising Fabrics — (bevy's vain 

Of Garryowen a Gloria. 
High raised her wealth — high raised her fame, 
Wide o'er the world extends her name, 
And rival cities see with shame 

New Garryowen a Gloria. 

Not marked alone for lists and arms, 
And souls whom kindness ever warms, 
Who has not heard how beauty charms 

In Garryowen a Gloria. 
Soft as the native gloves they wear, 
Her daughters every heart ensnare, 
Circassia's self won't stand compare 
With Garryowen a Gloria. 

Slightly wounded — John Hickey, Patrick Hynes, Michael Harrison, Jeremiah Leahy, James 
Sullivan, Patrick Nelson, Denis Godfrey, Nicholas Purcell, Timothy Bryan, Corporal Mahony. 

Copy of a letter from a Sligo gentleman, describing the action at Colooney : — 

" As I find there has not an accurate account of the action at Colooney, so honourable to the 
Limerick City Regiment, come to your hands, I take this opportunity of describing it to you. 

On the 5th of September, Colonel Vereker, who commanded here, received information that 
part of the French and Rebel army, had advanced to Colooney, and purposed attacking this town 
that night in two columns ; considering it would be advisable to dispossess them immediately from 
that post, he ordered Captain Vincent and 100 men, as an advanced guard, to march and watch 
their motions, while he moved on with 20 of the 24th Dragoons, 30 Yeomen Cavalry, 250 
Limerick City Militia, 20 Essex Fencibles, and 30 Yeomen Infantry. On the advanced guard 
coming near the enemy, they sustained a smart fire which checked them a little, when Colonel 
Vereker ordered Captain Waller and the Limerick Light Company to advance and support 
them, whilst he formed his line and arranged his plan of attack upon the main body, which 
duty Captain Waller executed with great steadiness. On his line being formed, he ordered 
Major Ormsby and one company to take post on a hill which covered his right, and prevent the 
enemy from turning that flank, whilst the Colonel advanced on the right of the line with two 
curricle guns. Lieut.-Col. Gough was ordered to the charge of the left. In a few minutes the 
whole came into action, and supported on both sides an unremitting fire of musketry and grape 
shot for near an hour and a half — never was a more obstinate contest — at last superior numbers 
prevailed. Major Ormsby's detachment was obliged to retreat from the hill, and that post being 
given up, the enemy began to press round in numbers to the rere of the line. 

A retreat was then absolutely necessary to save those gallant fellows, who even then main- 
tained their post, although their ammunition was nearly expended ; never did any man show greater 
gallantry and coolness than Colonel Vereker at this trying moment ; he never quitted his post 
whilst a man could stand by him, and when his artillery horses were so badly wounded, that 
they could not bring away his guns, he attempted to have them brought off with ropes, and not 
until nearly surrounded on all sides did he leave them. The gallant and steady manner the 
officers and soldiers resisted the attack of the united French and rebel army of above 4000 men, 
strongly posted, with nine field pieces, reflects the greatest honour on them, and has saved this 
town from ruin. The entire loss on the side of the king's troops, was 6 killed and 21 wounded. 
The enemy had above 50 killed and wounded ; many of the latter have since died in hospital here. 
The French fought with great bravery, and acted with humanity to the wounded officers and 
men who fell into their hands. 

It is singular that the three field-officers of the Limerick City Regiment were slightly wounded. 
Even the French General allows he never met a more gallant resistance, or a better served fire 
than from the Limerick Regiment that day. 

It would be impossible to describe the universal dismay produced by " The Races of Castlebar." 
The loyal were paralysed, the disloyal were filled with hope and courage, and the waverers or 
indifferent were inclined to side with the strong. Meanwhile, the number of the French was 
exaggerated, and those invincible arms which had swept their enemies on the Continent before 
them as sheep, appeared destined speedily to expel the British from the island, and to establish 
an Irish Republic under the protection of France. Flushed with success, Humbert determined to 
march to the North, to join another body of French troops, whose landing on the coast of 
Donegal was daily expected, and with that object in view he proceeded towards Sligo. Every 
hour that passed and every mile he marched he received new accessions of strength, whilst the 
Royalists were proportionably depressed and weakened. Sligo was at the time occupied by a 



412 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Garryowen, my native home, 
Though parting seas between us foam, 
My heart's with thee while far I roam, 

Fair Garryowen a Gloria. 
Oil may thy Commerce prosperous thrive, 
And glorious freedom long be thine, 
May &i|t]t)r/s boast be richest Mine 

In Garryowen a Gloria. T. K. W. 

[I think na gloria, the genitive case of the Irish article, should be read 
instead of a gloria in these verses.] 

force of about 600 men, -who, under the influence of the panic that prevailed, "'and the fear 
inspired by the French name, were ordered at once to evacuate the town, and retreat.* But 
fortunately for the country and for British honor, this order was not obeyed. Colonel Vereker, 
then commanding in Sligo, having received intelligence of the enemy's movements, and feeling 
the imperative necessity there existed, either that some decided victory should be gained, or at 
least that some such stand should be made as would check Humbert in his victorious career, de- 
termined to give him battle. It is thus that superior genius, in the midst of National hesitation 
and confusion, manifests itself, by seizing with promptitude on the precise moment for inflicting 
upon the enemy an effective and crushing blow. Collecting all the disposable troops, which com- 
prised only a few dragoons and yeomen, and the Limerick regiment, he marched to Colooney, a 
village about five miles from Sligo, to meet the French and their insurgent allies, who were at 
least ten times more numerous than the troops he commanded. 

The disposition of his little army was most judiciously made, and the site he selected was well 
calculated at once to protect and disguise the numerical inferiority of his force. The Colooney 
river covered the right wing, whilst the left wing occupied the side of a rugged hill, thickly 
planted with trees, which sloped down to the high road on which his guns were placed. Such 
a position, occupied by a body of determined men, was not only difficult to take, but afforded 
singular facilities for a well ordered retreat. The French had about 900 men, about 250 of the 
Longford and Kilkenny militia, who had deserted after the Races of Castlebar, and a numerous 
body of rebels ; and the total force under Colonel Vereker did not exceed 800 men, with two 
curricle guns.f The action began at half-past two o'clock on the 5th of September, 1798, and 
lasted one hour and thirty-eight minutes. Of the French 28 were killed and a good many 
wounded. They left behind them at Colooney 18 of their men, who were desperately wounded. 
Vereker returned his casualties at nine killed and twenty-two wounded. He was himself 
severely wounded. After the action, the grenadiers represented to General Humbert that it 
would be useless and cruel to compel them to endure the calamities of war any longer, but the 
General said, " he could not think of surrendering to so small a force."! Thus it nearly fell to 
the lot of a few citizens of Limerick to capture the force destined by Napoleon Bonaparte for the 
conquest of a kingdom ! And at a meeting of the town council of Limerick, held on the 8th of 
October, 1798, it was unanimously resoived " that the steady, loyal and gallant conduct of our 
fellow-citizens, the City of Limerick Kegiment of Militia, who on the 5th of September last, 
under the command of Colonel Vereker, so intrepidly engaged and so successfully opposed the 
progress of the whole French and rebel army at Coloony, merits our sincerest thanks and warmest 
applause — a conduct which has not only covered them as a regiment with eternal honor, but has 
also cast an additional lustre on their native city — already so eminently distinguished. § 

This brilliant action saved Sligo, and crushed the French invasion. Colonel Vereker crossed 
the Colooney river in good order, and the French General believing from the undaunted courage 
and confidence displayed by the enemy, that they formed the advance guard of Lord Lake's 
army, determined to retreat with precipitation, and shaped his course towards Manor-Hamilton, 
in the County of Leitrim, leaving on the road, for the sake of expedition, three six pounders, 
and dismounting and throwing five pieces of artillery over the bridge at Drummahair into the 
river.|| Their guns being abandoned, the French army lost its efficiency, and the French inva- 
sion may be said to have virtually terminated ; although it was not until some days afterwards 
that Humbert surrendered to Lord Cornwallis. 

At this distance of time, it is scarcely possible to estimate the important effect of this gallant 
enterprise. Lord Cornwallis, with an army of 20,000 men under his orders, was cautiously 
wandering in a wrong direction on the banks of the Shannon, and only for the blow he received 
at Colooney, Humbert might, according to the supposition of Sir Jonah Barrington, have marched 
to Dublin and seized the capital by a bold coup-de-main, joined by 40,000 rebels, who were 

* Musgrave, p. 605. f Ibid- t Ibid. 

§ Dublin Evening Post, 28th October, 1798. The same paper contains a complimentary 
address of the same character from the High Sheriff and Grand Jurv of Sligo. 
|| Maxwell, 211. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 413 

A temporary check was given to the happy state of things which was 
"beginning to prevail in the city and throughout the county, by an attempt of 
the infatuated party of Thomas Addis Emmett, in 1803, to capture Limerick ! 
Baggot, a teacher in Ballingarry, and a man of remarkable energy and resolu- 
tion, was the instrument chosen for the accomplishment of this design ; he 
was arrested, as were some of his associates, and he paid the forfeit, as did 
those who conspired with him on the occasion. The event had but a transient 
effect in disturbing the friendly relations in which the better ordered among 
the Protestants had begun to regard their Catholic fellow- citizens. The 
Emmett party had but few sympathisers among the more dispassionate and 
right thinking, and the entire affair was soon forgotten. 

Immediately after the detection and defeat of Emmett's enterprise, the Cor- 
poration met on the 4th of March, Joseph Sargent, Esq., Mayor, in the chair, 
and passed an address to King George III., congratulating his Majesty on 
the result. On the 13th of May, it was resolved in Council " That it is the 
opinion of this Council that every future Mayor may receive one salmon or 
two peal per week from the Salmon Weir Company, and no more/ - ' It 
must have been that their Worships trespassed too much on the Weir 

assembling at Crooked wood, in the Co. Westmeath, only 42 miles from Dublin.* Such a stroke 
if successfully accomplished, might have terminated for ever the English occupation of Ireland. 

The nation thus relieved from the terrors of foreign invasion, was not ungrateful to her brave 
defenders. The thanks of Parliament were voted to Colonel Vereker and the gallant men, who, 
under his command, had saved this country. Medals were struck with the word " Colooney," 
and at the return of the Limerick regiments to their native city, they were received with uni- 
versal acclamation. On Colonel Vereker and his heirs, a royal grant conferred the privilege — 
one exclusively peculiar to peers, of bearing supporters to the family arms, and adopting as the 
family motto the word " Colooney." 

Colonel Vereker was again elected M.P. for Limerick in 1797, the poll being : — 

Vereker, 666 Grady, 522 

Maunsell, 284 Gabbett, 44 

This was the fatal parliament whose corrupt members sold in the most shameless manner for 
peerages and pensions Ireland's nationality, independence, and honour. Colonel Vereker, faithful 
among the faithless, adhered to his country with unshaken constancy to the last ; and it is 
recordedf that Lord Castlereagh anxious to win over the popular and brilliant officer, approached 
him with that bland machinery of patronage and diplomacy which he had so often used success- 
fully with others. But the gallant soldier's reply was simple and dignified — " Having defended 
my country with my blood, I shall never betray her with my vote !" In every debate Colonel 
Vereker raised his voice against the Union ; and his name is recorded in every division ; but by 
the dint of a profuse expenditure of gold the measure passed and Ireland was ruined ! He was 
again elected M.P. (now the sole one), for Limerick after the Union. Under the administration 
of Mr. Pitt, he filled the office of a Lord of the Treasury, from May, 1807, to August, 1810. In 
1802 he was appointed Governor of Limerick, and in 1809 Constable of the Castle of Limerick, 
being the last to hold that office, which he held till his death. 

The late Lord Gort was a brave man, and therefore a kind-hearted and generous man. On 
one occasion, while crossing Bank-place, in Limerick, he saw a crowd and heard " the human 
groan assailing the wearied ear of humanity." On approaching the crowd he recognized the 
servant of Mrs. Ross-Lewin, fastened to a cart and cruelly scourged by the direction of an officer 
who was by. (The city being then under martial law.) Colonel Vereker, who was also in uniform, 
remonstrated with the officer, who instantly ordered an additional measure of punishment to be 
administered to the wretch in consequence of his patron's interference on his behalf. Colonel 
Vereker already disgusted with the brutal conduct of the officer, was not the man to brook such 
an insult. Desiring him to defend himself, he drew his sword. A terrible battle ensued, but it 
was not of long duration. In a few moments the officer lay weltering in his blood ; run through 
the body by Vereker's sword. 

Daniel O'Connell and the late Lord Gort always differed in politics ; but O'Connell respected 
Lord Gort's high and honorable character, and felt grateful to him for the good part he had 
enacted in opposing the Union, and it is a curious fact that the above anecdote might never have 
found its way into print, had it not been related by O'Connell in a speech which he delivered in 
Limerick, for the purpose of damaging Colonel Vereker's political influence in that city, which 
he then represented. He, however, carefully avoided, at the same time, the least expression 

* Barrington'3 Historic Memoirs, Vol. 2, p. 280. f University Magazine, Vol. 19, p. 338. 



414 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tenant to induce the passing of such a resolution. On the 10th of October, 
same year, the Corporation presented the freedom of the city in a silver box 
to the Eight Hon. Standish O'Grady, Attorney- General, as expressive of " the 
warm approbation felt for his upright conduct during the whole of the late 
State Trials at the Special Commission held in Dublin, and just now 
terminated.'" 1 

With the rapid increase of the New Town, and the equally rapid decay of 
the old, arose conflicting interests manifested their existence in various hostile 
over acts on the part of the Corporation. The Merchants early resolved on 
providing a becoming building for themselves. 2 The Independent Citizens 
who desired self government and control over taxation, were every day becoming 
more numerous, freer from the trammels of party and faction, and more 
resolved on possessing for themselves the means of governing the New Town 
at least, on just and equitable principles. The growth of the New Town in 
rapidity and beauty, resembled more that of some Australian city, than 
anything to which we can compare it ; and hence it became imperative on the 
inhabitants not only to resist every effort of the Corporation to possess 
authority in the New Town, in the way of taxation, but to provide for the 

1 These were the trials of the sympathisers and active agents in the Emmett movement — a full 
report of whose cases was given hy Mr. Ridgeway, the Barrister, in separate pamphlets. 

2 About this time the merchants of the city, seeing the necessity of having some suitable place of 
resort, thought of erecting an ornamental and commodious building for their body. Hitherto they 
had their room in Quay-lane. To carry out a project which was creditable to their public spirit, 
funds were raised in shares of £65 each — Over one hundred of these shares were subscribed for, 
with a sura of £15 deposit on each. The first share was taken by Mr. George Alps, Mr. James 
Anglim took the third ; the late Mr. Henry Watson acted as secretary for some time, and was 
succeeded by Mr. D. F. G. Mahony, who was succeeded by Mr. John Carroll, who continued in 
the office for many years, and subsequently, when the Chamber of Commerce was removed to 
George's-street- He was succeeded by his son, the present efficient secretary, William Carroll, Esq.* 

The Commercial Buildings, now the Town Hall, Rutland-street, was thus erected at the ex- 
pense of the Mercantile Body, in 1805. It contained one of the most spacious and elegant coffee 
rooms in Ireland, and a number of fine apartments appropriated to the business of the Chamber 
of Commerce. On the 1st of October, 1805, articles of agreement were entered into between the 
members of the Commercial Buildings Company ; and on the 2nd of June, 1815, they were in- 
corporated by Royal Charter, under the name of " The Chamber of Commerce of Limerick ;" at 
-which time they also agreed to be governed by bye laws ; John M'Namara was the first Presi- 
dent; Thomas Westropp, Yice-President ; Martin Creagh, Joseph Fisher, William Hill, William 
White, Alan Francis O'Neill, and Thomas Kelly, Esqrs., Directors. 

* The Chamber of Commerce continued to be located for many years in the Commercial 
Buildings, until in 1833, the mansion house of the late M. Gavin, Esq., in George-street, was 
purchased for a considerable sum by that body, and the Commercial Buildings declined so much 
in subsequent years that it was alternately rented into subdivisions. The Limerick Evening Post 
and Clare Sentinel and afterwards the Star were published in a portion of it ; the great room which 
had been a coffee room was used as a sugar store ; the offices in the rere and beneath were 
•neglected ; the shares became valueless. The noble edifice went back to the landlord, Thomas 
Kelly, Esq., Shannon View ; and it was not till the Reformed Corporation in 1843, determined to 
occupy it as a Town Hall that it was saved from abandonment. It is now an excellent Town 
Hall, with Council Chamber, Mayor's, Town Clerk's Treasurer's, &c, offices ; apartments for the 
serjeants-at-mace in charge; a watch house and lock-up underneath. A news room, which for 
size is one of the best adapted for the purpose in Ireland, occupies a large portion of the ground 
floor. 

that might have personally hurt him. O'Connell adds : — " But there is an additional fact Avhich 
is not generally known, which perhaps Colonel Vereker himself does not know, and which I have 
learned from a highly respectable clergyman, that this sad victim of the system of torture was 
at the time he was scourged in an infirm state of health — that the flogging inflicted upon him 
deprived him of all understanding, and that within a few months he died insane, and without 
having recovered a shadow of reason."* 

It is lofty traits like these that elevate the name of O'Connell far above the politician, and 
llustrate the magnanimity and true greatness of his character. His biographers have not here- 

* Life and Speeches of O'Connell, by his Son. Vol. I., p. 201. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 415 

public exigencies by means demanded by the circumstances. A bill was 
accordingly brought forward for the self government of Newtown-Pery. 

Alarmed at the consequences, a special meeting of the Common Council 
was held to discuss this matter as of great importance. The bill was intro- 
duced in Parliament for " the improvement of St. Michael's Parish ." This 
was a step which the Corporation felt would prove most injurious to the 
chartered monopolists, and to an irresponsible system of public plunder ; and 
every opposition that the council and its adherents could give the efforts of 
the citizens to right themselves, was cast in their way by that body. A 
long and angry petition against the measure, was agreed to at this meeting 
of the council. To show how their honours the Corporators felt on the 
occasion, they allege in this petition, " that if said bill be passed into a Law 
it will authorise certain Commissioners, whose names are altogether unknown 
to Petitioners, many of whom are housekeepers and inhabitants of said parish, 
to appoint an unlimited number of officers, clerks, &c. at unreasonable 
salaries., and empower them to raise taxes for the purposes of said bill, 
far exceeding what the occasion will require, — will subject persons to fines for 
trivial and undefined offences, as well as to be deprived of their property, 

tofore done him justice. They have paid too much attention to the politician, and too little to 
the man. 

In the year 1817,, the Eight Honourable Charles Vereker succeeded his uncle as second 
Viscount Gort, thus vacating his seat for Limerick, which he had represented continuously for 
twentj^-seven years, and having been elected M.P. on seven occasions — always by larger majorities. 

Charles Viscount Gort died in the year 1842, and was succeeded by his eldest son John Pren- 
dergast, the present and third Viscount, who married in 1814 Maria, eldest daughter of Standish, 
first Viscount Guillamore (better known as Chief Baron O'Grady), by whom he has a large 
family. The present Viscount Gort is Colonel of the City of Limerick Artillery, of which his 
eldest son, the Honourable Standish Prendergast Vereker is Major-Commandant. His second 
son, the Honourable John Prendergast Vereker, filled the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1863. 
The present Lord Gort represented the City of Limerick in Parliament, and was twice Mayor 
of Limerick. 



The following remarkable events occurred in the year 1811, and in the years following, as 
they are written : — 

In the beginning of May this year, a ferry boat was established to ply between Newtown and 
the North Strand, Christopher Meade, proprietor. It plied from the shore under the Bishop's 
(Protestant) palace, to the steps of the Revenue Houses which were then at the opposite side of 
the river. 1 

Subscriptions were raised in the City and County of Limerick for the relief of the Portuguese 
who had suffered so severely by the atrocities of the French. 

On the 15th of June the patients were removed to the new County Hospital or Infirmary. 
In this infirmary was a large room in the rere for the reception of the bodies of executed 
murderers, who by Act of Parliament (since repealed) were ordered to be given to the several 
County Infirmaries of Ireland for dissection. The hospital has 60 beds and can accommodate 
a large number of patients. The male and female departments are strictlv separated. The building 
cost £7000. 

A windmill in the N. Liberties demolished, and the materials sold. It had been built about 
six years before, by James Mahon ; it was situate on the right of the Ennis Eoad, about a mile 
and a quarter from Thomond Bridge. 

A new Church, with a spire and steeple, built in the E. Liberties at Kilmurry, on the former 
site — Rev. Henry J. Ingram, Rector. 

1 In this month an African black arrived in Limerick in an American brig to which he was 
cook ; he asserted that he had acquired the power of reading the Bible by " intuition," that he 
had struggled eight whole days with the Almighty God, that he never read any other book but the 
Bible, and uttered many such absurdities. It is scarce credible what a multitude attended him 
— he was invited to the houses of some respectable people (Methodists), and followed thither by 
most of the " faithful" of that sect. In this month also, the preceding spring having been un- 
commonly rainy, the bed of the river Shannon was higher than in the memory of the oldest man 
at the same period of the year. An uncommonly great quantity of blossoms on the white thorn 
such as has been remarked to have happened in the year 1799. 



416 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

without any provision made for recompense ; and further, that though the 
usual appeal in such cases is inserted in the heads of this bill, yet such 
remedy is entirely omitted in the bill itself, which constitutes the Commis- 
sioners final judges of complaints against the acts of themselves, their officers 
or clerks, unless persons aggrieved resort for redress to the Court of Queen's 
Bench, at the distance of more than one hundred and twenty miles from the 
said city." Parliamentary opposition was given to the bill by Colonel 
Vereker, M.P. ; and all that the influence of an enraged faction could do was 
exerted towards defeating the measure, but without success ; the more the 
Corporation became vexed, the more did it stimulate the citizens to persevere. 
Ultimately, and after a strong and earnest struggle, the bill became law ; 
the New Town was placed under the control of a certain number of Com- 
missioners who watched, lighted, cleansed, paved and flagged it in a manner 
so faultlessly done, so completely economical, that the rate was not felt as a 
burden. On the contrary, the citizens always with a ready cheerfulness con- 
tributed towards funds which were admirably expended. The Commissioners 

Stone for building a new church at Longhill, in this county, imported, from Bath by Stephen 
Rice, Esq., Church consecrated August 12th, 1812. 

On the 28th of August the Cardigan Regiment of Militia, marched into Limerick to do garri- 
son duty ; this was the first English Regiment of Militia that arrived in the city on the new 
Interchange. 

A comet was visible during many nights at Limerick, it rose in the N.W. and proceeded West 
— its nucleus appeared about the size of a star of the first magnitude ; it was surrounded by a 
luminous faint vapour, and had a very long conical vapour tail, more illumined than the sur- 
rounding vapour of the comet. The month was uncommonly fine, the thermometer for several 
days stood so high as 74 degrees. The second time, the earthquake at Messina in Sicily hap- 
pened. 

A sunk tank at the new County infirmary, for the reception of the rain water from the leads 
of the house, to be used in washing only : this was a subterranean vaulted cistern, very com- 
mon in warm climates for preserving water for the purposes of life ; the first of the kind seen in 
Limerick. 

November 15th and 16th — A very heavy gale of wind at S. W., did much damage ; tore up 
several trees, one a very large willow about 80 years old, and 7 feet in circumference, on the 
bank of Mr. Carr's garden. The new steeple at Kilmurry Church suffered damage. 

1812 — January 27. A committee appointed at a general meeting held at the Commercial 
Buildings, to draw up rules and regulations for a system of education for the benefit of the poor, 
on the Lancasterian plan. Mr. Joseph Lancaster, who had arrived in Limerick a few days 
before, attended, and read public lectures at the assembly house twice on the subject of education. 

February 4. A dreadful storm arose from N.W., about four o'clock, a.m., and did much 
damage to the shipping in the harbour — the tide rose to a great height, and covered the quays — 
the morning was dark, and the gale quite unexpected. The preceding night had been nearly 
calm. The mercury in the barometer stood at 29 three-tenths inches ; part of the roof and side 
wall of the old diocesan school, which had been long since abandoned as a seat of literature, and 
was a mere lazaretto, inhabited by a number of most indigent poor, fell, and in the fall buried 
man}' in the ruins. No lives lost — the building totally eradicated in the next year. 

Thomas O'Brien, aged 110 years, died at Abington — he had lived for three generations in the 
family of John Evans, Esq., of Ashrow. Cornelius Madigan died at Cahir Murphy, Co. Clare, 
aged 117. — Limerick Chronicle, March 28$. 

1812, April 1st. — Amount of the cost of corn, flour and meal sold in the City of Limerick, 
from 29th September, 1811 to this date :—«£43 1,150 8s. 2d. 
The price of corn at this day : — 



_ d. 
Wheat 3 6 to 3 . 
Barley 2 to 2 1 >■ per stone. 
Oats 



s. d. s. d. 

3 6 to 3 7 ) 

2 to 2 1 y 

1 8 to 1 9 ) 



April 4th. — A female Hottentot exhibited in this city under the name of Venus. She died in 
Paris, May, 1816 — she remained in Limerick five days, and much to the credit of the people, was 
visited by very few. 

May 1st. — An hospital for lying-in women and for incurables, first opened for the reception of 
patients in Nelson-street. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 417 

of St. Michael's Parish, as they were called, continued in existence until 
December 1st, 1853, when the Acts of Parliament, by which they were con- 
stituted a taxing body for the New Town, viz., 47 Geo. III. c. 75, and 
51st Geo. III. c. 104, were repealed by the Limerick Improvement Act, 
16th Victoria, which received the royal assent on the 15th of August in 
that year (1853). The power which had been so long and so well exercised 
by the Commissioners, was transferred to the Eeformed Municipal Corpora- 
tion; and in the same year "the Limerick Corporation Act/'' 16th and 17th 
Vic, c. 73, was passed, by which the five wards into which Limerick was 
divided by the Municipal Reform Act of 1842, were divided into eight wards ; 
and other changes were made in the constitution of the Town Council, 

The New Town increased in size and importance under the Commissioners, 
and became proverbial for cleanliness and order. On the 14th May, in 1807, 
at a Common Council, held in the Council Chamber, Exchange, Richard 
Harte, Esq., Mayor, in the chair, the freedom of the city, in a gold box, was 
voted, with a complimentary address, to the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieu- 
tenant of Ireland ; and on the same day it was also unanimously resolved that a 
congratulatory address and the freedom of the city in a gold box, be presented 
to the Eight Hon. Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., and Chief Secretary to the Lord 
Lieutenant. In this address it is said that Sir Arthur "Wellesley is closely 
attached by noble birth and hereditary property to this part of the Empire. 
It was further resolved, that Colonel Charles Vereker, M.P., should present 
the addresses, which he did in a suitable manner, and for which His Excel- 
lency and Sir Arthur Wellesley returned their warmest acknowledgments. 

The 25th of September was a very memorable day in Limerick ; the Duke 
of Eichmond arrived in the city, and was received in the warmest manner 
by the citizens. His Grace was accompanied by the Duchess of Eichmond, 
Lord March, Lady Mary Lennox, and his staff. A number of men, principally 
from the brewery of Mr. Wilkinson, had a drag and ropes prepared as the 
carriage came within a short distance of the city ; the ropes were covered 
with red cloth, and the drag was becomingly ornamented. His Grace, who 
had been in Killarney visiting the Lakes, entered the city by Boherbuoy, 
went through Thomas-street, and GeorgeVstreet, to the Bishop's Palace 
in Henry-street, where he remained during his visit. On the Sunday which 
he spent in Limerick, His Grace and the Duchess of Eichmond asd staff 
attended service at St. Mary's Cathedral. Never before or since was 
witnessed so large a procession of carriages, or so extraordinary an exhibition 
of local wealth and influence in Limerick. Conspicuous among the carriages 
was that of Lady Clare, which was a grand turn out ; it was drawn by six 

Prices of corn, April 12th, 1812 :— 

s. d. 
Wheat, per stone of 14 lbs. ... 3 7 

Barley, do. do 2 6 

Oats, do. do 1 10£ 

May 1st. — Catherine M'Daniel died at the North Strand, aged 103. 

The officers of the several Infantry Regiments began to disuse the cocked hats and long regi- 
mental clothing, and substituted in their place caps and jackets — the bullion epaulettes again re- 
stored to subalterns— order, dated December 24th, 1811. The order for taking away the 
bullion epaulettes dated February 19th, 1810, when Sir D. Dundas was Commander-in-Chief. 

May 15th. — News by express, reached Limerick, that the Right Hon. Spencer Percival, first 
Lord of the British Treasury, was assassinated on the 11th of May, in the lobby of the House of 
Commons. It took place at about twenty minutes past five o'clock, p.m., by a pistol shot through 
the heart — death was instantaneous. The assassin was John Bellingham, a broker of Liverpool, 
and a native of Huntingdonshire— he was executed for the murder on the 18th of May. 



418 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

horses, had footmen, outriders, 1 &c. An excellent charity sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Henry Gubbins, in aid of the Female Protestant Or- 
phan School, to which their Graces most generously contributed — nothing ! 

Addresses were presented to his Grace by the Corporation and public 
bodies, and the Duke was invited by the Corporation to a public banquet on 
the 4th of October ; his staff consisting of Earl of March, Lord Loftus, Sir 
Charles Yernon, Knight Chamberlain, A.D.C.s., were likewise presented 
with the freedom of the city. The banquet was provided by Mr. Swinburne, 
a hotel-keeper, who had many relatives that rose to distinction in the British 
army, and was given on a grand scale. 2 

There was a record at the previous Cork Assizes about the salmon weir. 
A petition for the more equal distribution of the taxation and the improvement 
of the city and liberties was agreed to by the Corporation, and presented to 
Parliament by Colonel Yereker. 

The artillery barracks were completed this year (1807) and made capable 
of containing a brigade of artillery and 5000 stand of arms. 

In this year (1807) Surgeon Sylvester O'Halloran, the Historian died. He 
was a man of genius ; a great lover of the antiquities of his country, and an 
accomplished gentleman who moved in the first society, where his conversa- 
tion was esteemed and appreciated. His History of Ireland is a work of 
great merit, when we consider the comparatively slender materials which were 
at this period available to the searcher after information concerning the affairs 
of our country. The death of O'Halloran created deep regret in the literary 
world. 3 He had been attached to the county infirmary as surgeon until the 
time of his death. 

The Chamber of Commerce began to initiate several movements for the de- 
velopment of industrial pursuits in the county as well as in the city of Limerick ; 
it gave premiums for the produce of linen, and for yarn and flax sold in the 
market ; it built, or contributed to build, at an expenditure of some thousands 
of pounds, a Linen Hall 4 in Carr-street, which has long since fallen away 
from the purposes to which it was originally dedicated ; it erected Scutching 
mills at Abington and Bruff, in the County of Limerick, which mills are also 
numbered among the things of the past ; it imported seed wheat, barley and oats, 

1 It was on this occasion that his Excellency conferred knighthood on the Mayor, who then 
became Sir Richard Harte, and on the Sheriff, Sir Christopher Marrett. There was no city or 
town in Ireland visited by the Duke of Richmond in which he did not confer knighthood ono ne 
or sometimes on two or three persons, just as fancy suggested. 

2 The bill presented by Mr. Swinburne to the Corporation, for the banquet to the Duke of 
Richmond was, on the 25th of October, laid before the council and ordered to be paid : it amounted 
to XI 83 9s. 9d. Messr3. Sneyd, French and Barton's bill for two dozen and eight bottles of 
champagne and carriage, at £8 10s. per dozen (!) amounting to £23 12s. 4d. was discharged — 
and a sum of £17 17s. Id. to F. Wilkinson, Esq., "being Lacey's account for drag, ropes, &c, 
purchased to draw their graces into the city," as the exuberant loyalty of the citizens would not 
permit them to enter in the ordinary way, was also ordered to be paid by the liberal corporators ! 
The bankers and merchants entertained His Excellency, &c. on the 5th of October. 

3 He resided in the house, in Nicholas-street, near the Corporation Alms House. 

4 Long since disused as such ; and in 1865, after having been let to several persons in trade 
in succession, greatly dilapidated. 

On the 4th of June, 1812, Gilbert Keith of the 90th Regiment, on duty as sentinel at the 
King's Stores, was fired at — his cap was perforated and his head grazed. Robert Thompson of 
the same regiment was fired at while on duty at said stores on the 26th of September. Thompson 
was wounded, and his left leg was amputated. On the night of the 10th October, same year, 
Patrick Loughlan, of the Galway Militia, while on duty at the Commissariat Stores, in Clare- 
street, was fired at and wounded in the hand. Large rewards were offered for the discovery of 
the perpetrators of these outrages. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 419 

in oTder to enable the farmer to enjoy the best means of sowing his land; it 
aided the poor by purchasing provisions and selling them out, in times of 
distress, at reduced rates ; it promoted gigantic works in after years, such as 
the Wellesley Bridge and Docks, &c, of which we shall have to speak in 
their proper place. In the contests with the Corporation it sustained the 
Independent party. 

The country continued very much disturbed at this period ; and on the 
seventh of August in the same year (1807), several gentlemen who were re- 
turning from a party given by Lady Clare, at Mount Shannon, v/ere robbed 
and ill used by a gang of depredators, who also fired at the Eight Rev. Dr. 
Warburton, the newly appointed Protestant Bishop of Limerick, and wounded 
him with two slugs in the arm and in the ear. 

A new trade had been going on for some time before this year : a 
quarry was opened in Altamira in 1805, and in that and in succeeding 
years, to 1807, and again to 1809, mill stones of limestone, to the amount 
of 200 were quarried, and exported from Limerick to England for the pur- 
pose of grinding the materials that compose gunpowder, required to supply 
the army abroad. 

It was on the 1st of September in the same year that the foundation was 
laid of the County of Limerick Court-house. Colonel Prendergast Smyth 
got £500 for the ground up to low water mark. The building, at the time 
was deemed very handsome ; its greatest length externally, 121 feet ; its 
greatest breadth ditto, 94 feet ; Grown Court and Eecord Court, 50 feet by 
30 feet each; a magnificent Grand Jury Room unrivalled in prospect, 41 feet 
by 25, and 15 feet high ; a very ample hall, 34 feet by 26, and 30 feet high ; 
and every useful and convenient offices, &c. ; the architects, Messrs. Nicholas 
and William Hannon, brothers, were natives of the County of Limerick — the 
cost of the entire, without the portico, was £13,000. In the north front are 
18 windows, and a brake with six Doric pilasters which support an entablature 
surmounted by an Ionic balustrade of limestone — the first of the kind erected 
in the city. It was opened for business at summer assizes, July 17th, 1809. l 

1 The following inscription was written by a gentleman, and intended to be put up in some 
place most approved of ; — 

iEDIFICAM FUERUNT RM CURLE 

ANNIS 48vo. & 49no. 

GEORGII TERTII REGIS, 

PUBLICIS SUMPTIBUS 

Commitatus Limericensis 

Gulielmo Odell > i? nn :nu„ a 

Hon.W.Quinn j Equitibus. 

Opertae autem sunt justitiae 

Usui I 6mo. die calendarum Sextilis. 

Anno, 1809. 

THOMA A. ODELL, 

Vice Comite, 

NICHO. & GULIELMO HANNAN, 

Curantibus. 

The year was rendered remarkable by the fact that hostilities with America broke out in June, 
in consequence of an attack made by H. M. S. Leopard, 50 guns, Captain Humphries, on the Chesa- 
peak, American frigate, Commodore Barron, off the Cape of Virginia; It appears that the 
Captain of the Leopard acted under the orders of his superior officer, Captain Berkley. 

August 8th. — General Vallancey, the great antiquarian and celebrated Irish scholar, died in 
Dublin. 

August 13th. — New church at Drehidtarsna, near Adare, consecrated. 



420 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The portico, which consists of four massive columns of limestone of the Doric 
order and supports an entablature and a pediment, was not finished till July, 
1814. A gallery was erected at the bottom of the Crown Court, over the 
entrance, in the Spring and Summer of 1813. 

In the same year the Chamber of Commerce rented from the Corporation, 
the tolls and customs of the City of Limerick, for one year, for the sum of 
£1500. 

On the 13th of February, 1809, the freedom of the city was conferred in a 
" heart-of-oak box" ornamented with gold, on Captain Michael Seymour, a 
citizen, Commander of the King's ship Amethyst, for his brilliant exploit in 
conquering the French ship Thetis with a superior force. On the 17th of 
the same month, in the Corporation, not yet at rest, another petition was 
agreed to against the assessment clauses of the Act 33rd Geo. III., and the 
same reasons were advanced as those already set forth in a petition, in which 
reference is made to the St. Michael's Commissioners' Act which had passed 
the year before, and a call was made for the extension of the Act to the old 
parts of the city, and for an additional bridge down the river Shannon, as 
Thomond bridge had now become inconvenient and insufficient for the 
traffic. 1 

For the first time for a long series of years, a bell now tolled in the cupola 
attached to the north gable end of the house inhabited by the Friars of the 
order of St. Francis in Newgate-lane. During some years before this, Daniel 
O'Connell, afterwards the illustrious patriot and liberator of his country, had 
been going the Munster Circuit as a young barrister and visiting Limerick. 
Indeed his first professional advocacy in favour of prisoners was made in 
Limerick in 1798, when the late Mr, James Blackwell, then gaoler of the 
city gaol, was in the habit of retaining his services for persons about to be 
tried. O'Connell now formed the acquaintance of an energetic and stirring 
Franciscan, Father Dan. Hogan, 2 who is yet remembered by some of the old 
citizens, as a priest who had won the affections of all classes, and who was 
popular even with the Protestant party. Consulting as to how the Penal Laws 
could best and most safely be evaded, as to bells in chapels, and steeples 
in Catholic places of worship, O'Connell hit on an expedient, informing 
Father Hogan that there was no penal statute against erecting a cupola at the 
gable of his house, and putting a bell there if he chose. The good friar took 
the hint ; masons and carpenters were set at work ; the cupola was made ; 

* On the 17th Mar, an agreement was entered into between the Mayor and Corporation on the 
one part, and John Meade Thomas, Esq. on the other, for the erection of a main guard-house. 
On the same day the Mayor was granted a sum of £61 13s. 2^d. for clothing the Mayor's Ser- 
geants ! ! and £6 16s. 6d. were given for three tons of coal ; a sum of .£200 was given on the 
25th of July, to the Recorder for his " trouble," &c, in preparing a long and voluminous bill. 
A sum of £67 2s. Od. was voted to Redmond Walsh and Michael Fitzgerald for repairing the 
piers of Thomond Bridge ; and a small sum was granted for repair of Baal's Bridge. 

2 Father Dan. Hogan's portrait in full cauliflower wig, the fashion of the day, was admirably 
painted by Frederick Prussia Plowman, an able artist who visited Limerick. 



September 9th. — Great illuminations and rejoicings in the city, consequent on Wellington's 
victory at Salamanca, and the capture of Madrid. 

The harvest this year superabundant, beyond anything of the kind ever remembered, and the 
happiest continuance of fine weather to save it. 

August A fire engine for St. Michael's Parish, imported by John Norris Russell, Esq. 

October 11th. — The Earl of Limerick visited this city after an absence of three years, and was 
drawn into town from Rich Hill, attended by a meeting of the most respectable citizens, and the 
several guilds of the trades, with their banners and formalities. 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 421 

the bell was placed in its position ; its sounds were heard, and the citizens 
awoke in amazement and joy, not unmixed with a nervous apprehension of 
the consequences, when on the 1st of June, 1809, they heard the iron tongue 
sound for the first time within the memory of the existing generation, to 
call them to Mass. It was a most remarkable day in the annals of Limerick. 

Wakefield who had travelled through Ireland at this time, writes as follows, 
in his great work on the Political and Statistical state of the country : — 

" mO-'ll-'l^.— Much of the wealth that Dublin, Limerick, Cork and 
Waterford now possess has been acquired by Roman Catholics engaged in 
commercial pursuits. * * * * The Eoman Catholic 

grazier obtains his opulence by remaining quietly at home. * 
He invests his property in land, regardless of the income which he is to 
derive from it, his sole object is its security, and while within sight he con- 
siders it safe." 

It is certain that at this period the wealth diffused not only among the 
Catholic agricultural class, but among traders and merchants, nearly all of 
whom had grown rich in spite of every opposition, was enormous, and con- 
trasted with the Cromwellian and Williamite names that figure even in the 
list of "the fifteen Corporations," — the progress of Catholics and of 
Catholicity, and of Milesian and Celtic families, is something altogether 
marvellous. Only a few years before, it was penal for Catholics to aim at 
a respectable position in society — they had no standing place in the land 
of their fathers. Their names were blotted out from the local records ; they 
had nothing to which to look; they were helots, hewers of wood and 
drawers of water for cruel and unrelenting taskmasters. They now, 
according to Wakefield, had in their hands the greater portion of the wealth, 
the mercantile enterprise, &c. ; they were becoming educated ; colleges and 
schools were springing up around them and for them in every direction ; 
while their oppressors were fighting among themselves, or endeavouring to 
stave off the evil day by every means imaginable, well knowing that the 
reign of corruption must one day or other be brought to an end. Per- 
secution had done its worst. Elizabeth, Cromwell, William, Anne, and the 
1st and 2nd Georges had endeavoured to exterminate the Catholics from the 
soil of Ireland ; but thej did not succeed. 

November 13th.— Anchors and chains landed at the Custom House quay for the bark Fanny, 
in the service of the Government, to be moored in the pool of Limerick, commanded by Lieut. 
Philip Wright ; this vessel came into harbour the winter before in distress ; was sold, on account 
of the insurers, by auction, to Mr. Martin Creagh and purchased of him by Captain Robert 
O'Brien, regulating officer of this port, and fitted up as a receiving ship for volunteers and 
impressed men belonging to H. M.'s navy ; the moorings laid down December 8th, 9tb. 
They were the first of the kind ever let go in the river Shannon. Lieutenant Wright was 
superseded by Lieutenant Smyth, October, 1813— his three years of service having expired. 
The vessel was sold on the 9th of June, 1814. The anchors and mooring chains taken up out of 
the bed of the river, on the 10th and 11th of June by a part of the crew of the Virago, gun 
brig, and carried back to England. 



422 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



CHAPTER XLVIL 

STATE OJ? THE CATHOLIC CAUSE. — A CATHOLIC COLLEGE FOR LIMERICK DIOCESE. 
— AGITATION OE THE VETO. — -NOBLE CONDUCT OE THE CATHOLIC BISHOP AND 
CLERGY OF LIMERICK,, &C. — STATE OP THE COUNTY OP LIMEEICK. — 

WELLINGTON. — DR. MILNER. O'CONNELL. — GALLANT LIMERICK MEN 

ABROAD. — ROCHE. — DE LACY. — GOUGH — PROGRESS OP EVENTS, &C. &C. 

We have to go back a little to take a retrospect of the conduct and of the 
struggles of the Catholics of Limerick, soon after the series of events with 
which our preceding chapter has been so largely occupied. The rebellion of 
'98, the attempt of Emmett in 1803, the insolent bigotry and exclusive 
monopoly of the Orange party inside and outside the Corporation, the decay 
of trade, which to a great extent was influenced by the Act of Union and 
other causes, had clouded but not destroyed the dawning hopes of the 
Catholics, The Eight Rev. John Young, though a firm loyalist, and an 
anxious supporter of order, was at the same time thoroughly devoted 
to the best interests of his country, and the Catholic religion possessed in him 
a fearless and accomplished defender and advocate in all times and seasons. 
Learned, 1 indefatigable, devoted to study, and to the exacting duties of his ex- 
alted station, he was an example of piety and self-denial, and exercised an 
influence, by the unostentatious performance of his duty, which was widely felt 
beyond the confines of his extensive diocese. There was no diocesan 
seminary or college, at this period, in Munster, except the small one at 
Peter's Cell, Limerick, and that of St. John's, Waterford, which continues to 
flourish up to this our own day, when Dr. Young conceived the idea of found- 
ing a college, suited to the increasing requirements of the diocese. In this he 
was aided not only by the clergy, but by the Catholic citizens, who in 1805, had 
entered into large subscriptions for the purpose : the site was at Park, within 
the demesne of Park House, which Dr. Young had purchased for £1800, as 
a residence for the Bishops of the diocese ; he presided over the college, 
which sent out many distinguished clergymen. 2 In the agitation which now 
grew up, connected with the Catholic claims, nothing became of more absorbing 
and intense interest than the question of the Yeto — in other words, the 
permission of government interference in the appointment of Catholic Bishops 
— a proposal against which, the Catholic Hierarchy of Ireland had protested, 
.and not one of them with more simpleness of purpose and directness of aim, 
than Dr. Young in 1808, when a solemn synod was held in Dublin, and 
when their sentiments were expressed in language not to be mistaken or 

1 Dr. Young possessed the Black Book of Limerick, which bears the marks of his industry in 
his chronological division of its contents. He had a school for the poor in Newgate-lane, which 
was attended by his sister, Miss Young, with careful assiduity ; he had the catechism translated 
into Irish, and the English and Irish version published together by M'Auliff the printer in Quay 
lane, and several editions of it went through the press. He published the Diocesan Statutes 
before the close of the last century, and in the commencement of them he gave a succinct account 
of the state of religion in the diocese, from the time of the Right Rev. Dr. O'Keeffe, in 1721, 
who was the first Catholic Bishop who resided in the city after the last siege. He was a scholar and 
a divine of the highest order of talent, a great mathematician, an accomplished linguist, an ex- 
cellent historian ; and in love of country lie was never excelled. 

2 This college existed until 1830, when the students were drafted to "Waterford, Carlow, May- 
nooth, &c, but the building was not removed till the year 1864. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 423 

misunderstood. Certain Catholic citizens of Limerick conceived that they 
had a right to enter the arena on this occasion, and at a public meeting 
subsequently held in Limerick, William Boche, Esq., in the chair, a series of 
ambiguous resolutions were adopted, and the chairman, together with John 
Howley, Jun., Esq., (the present excellent Mr. Sergeant Howley, Q.C., chair- 
man of Tipperary), Henry Lyons and Michael Arthur, Esqrs*, were requested 
to prepare petitions to the legislature in accordance with those resolutions, 
which gave anything but satisfaction to the public, and which were strongly 
inveighed against at the time in a periodical which represented the views of 
the Hierarchy, clergy, and the overwhelming majority of the people. Dr. 
Young met every objection with consummate skill and mastery. In a series 
of powerful letters to the Most Rev. Dr. Bray, Catholic Archbishop of Cashel, 
he manifested his apostolic spirit and noble bearing throughout a contest in 
which the malcontents were aided by what had been designated the rescript 
of J. B. Quarantotti, vice-president of the college of the Propaganda, Home, 
which rescript was denounced by the Irish Hierarchy, almost without exception, 
and had also in the Eight Eev. Dr. Milner, in England, a staunch and able 
opponent. The question continued to be agitated for a short time after 
Dr. Young's death, but there can be no doubt that his exertions had been 
of great use in organising the successful opposition to it. 

The state of the county and city of Limerick in these years was otherwise 
extremely disturbed. In several parts of the country a spirit of resistance 
had arisen, which threatened the very worst consequences. Sir Arthur Wellesley, 
afterwards the great Duke of Wellington, on his departure for the Peninsula 
in 1808, wrote a letter in reference to the state of the county of Limerick 
at the time, which is eminently characteristic of the great man. The ability 
with which he condenses the wide range of his ideas— the attention which he 
nevertheless pays to the minutest trifles — and the extraordinary knowledge 
he displays of the secret springs of action in Ireland, are really surprising. 
Even if not unqualified admirers we can hardly help wondering at the 
character of the man who could enter with such minuteness and deliberation 
into these matters connected with an Irish county, at the moment when he 
was preparing to meet the mighty Napoleon Buonaparte face to face in 
the most terrible of struggles. No record exists of the then state of the 
county of Limerick, which could for an instant be compared for forcible 
illustration and accuracy to this: — 

TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL LEE, AT LIMERICK. 

Cork, lihJuly, 1803. 

" My Dear Sir, — According to the desire which you expressed in the conversation, 
which I had with you at Lord Harrington's on Wednesday, I proceed to give you 
my opinion on the nature and circumstances of the command which you are about 
to exercise in the County of Limerick. In the first place I must point out to you, 
that the situation of a general officer commanding in a district in Ireland, is very 
much of the nature of a deputy-governor of a county or a province. He becomes 
necessarily charged with the preservation of the peace of the district placed under 
his command ; and the Government must confide in his reports and opinions, for the 
adoption of many measures relating solely to the civil administration of the country. 
From these circumstances it is obvious, that it is the duty of every general officer 
to make himself acquainted with the local circumstances of his district and with 
the characters of the different individuals residing within it, in order that he may 



424 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

decide for himself according to the best of his judgment and information, and that 
he may not be misled by others. 

" This duty will be still more obvious, by a consideration of certain circumstances 
which exist in nearly all parts of Ireland. It frequently happens that disturbances 
exist only in a very small degree, and probably only partially, and that the civil 
power is fully adequate to get the better of them. At the same time the desire to 
let a building to Government for a barrack — the desire to have troops in the county, 
either on account of the increased consumption of the necessaries of life, or because 
of the increased security which they would give to that particular part of the 
country — would occasion a general rise in the value and rent of land, which probably 
at that moment might be out of lease, — or in some instances the desire to have the 
yeomen called out on permanent duty — occasions a representation that the disturb- 
ances are much more serious than the facts would warrant. Upon these occasions 
letter after letter is written to the commanding officer and to the Government ; the 
same fact is repeated through many different channels ; and the result of an enquiry 
is, generally, that the outrage complained of, is by no means of the nature or of 
the extent which has been stated. The obvious remedy for this evil, and that which 
is generally resorted to, is to call for informations on oath of the transactions which 
are complained of. But this remedy is not certain, for it frequently happens that 
the informations on oath are equally false with the original representations. The 
general officer then has no remedy, excepting by his acquaintance and communication 
with the magistrates and gentlemen of the county to acquire a knowledge of cha- 
racters, and to become acquainted with all the circumstances which occur. 

" It frequently happens that the people who do commit outrages and disturbances 
have reason to complain ; but in my opinion that is not a subject for the consideration 
of a general officer. He must aid in the preservation of the peace of the county, 
and in the support of the law : and he who breaks the law must be considered in 
the wrong, whatever may have been the nature of the provocation he may have 
received. 

*' It is possible that grievances may exist in the Couuty of Limerick ; provisions 
may be too dear, or too high a rent may be demanded for land, and there may be 
no poor-laws, and the magistrates may not do their duty as they ought by the poor. 
But these circumstances afford no reason why the general officer should not give the 
military aid he may have at his command to preserve the peace, to repress disturb- 
ance, and to bring those to justice who may have been guilty of a violation of the 
law. 

" In respect of the gentlemen of the county in which you are posted, I recommend 
you to attend particularly to the Lord Chief Baron 0' Grady ; you will find him well 
informed of the transactions in the County of Limerick, and well acquainted with 
the characters, and disposed to assist your judgment. I also recommend to your 
attention Mr. Dickson, the late High Sheriff of the County, and Colonel Vereker, 
the member for the City of Limerick. 1 There may be, and certainly are, other 
gentlemen in the County of Limerick on whose information you may depend. But 
I have requested Mr. Trail, through whom I send this letter, to apprise you con- 
fidentially of the names of those whom you ought to consult. Believe me, &c. 

"Arthur Wellesley." 

Just about the time that this letter was written by one who became so 
famous for all time, the County and City of Limerick were visited by 
another very remarkable and accomplished man ; not a soldier or a warrior, 
but an ecclesiastic and a prelate, the Eight Eev. Dr. John Milner, D.D. E.S.A., 

• Of these three men, particularly selected by Wellington, in Limerick, the son of one (the present 
Lord Gort) married the daughter of another (Chief Baron O'Grady and first Viscount Guilla- 
more) by whom Lord Gort has a numerous family. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 425 

who was then making a second tour through Ireland. Dr. Milner had oppor- 
tunities of estimating the state of the population, and the condition of the 
land. He states that the fertility of the County of Limerick, both in corn 
and pasturage, must strike the eye of every traveller ; but that this fertility 
is of no avail to its crowded population, who never taste the grain they reap, 
nor the beeves which they tend, as the same insipid root, the potato, if they 
can get even that, is their only food from one end of the year to the other. 
He adds, that in no part of the country had he seen the cabins, or the 
clothes and food of the people, more wretched than in the rich county 
of Limerick ; that their condition, in this respect, instead of exciting the 
scorn and ridicule of the reflecting stranger, who acknowledges a common 
nature with these suffering beings, calls for his commiseration, nay for his 
tears. 1 This may give a clue to the causes of those lamentable disturbances 
which prevailed \ and to which, it would appear, even he who was called the 
Iron Duke, could not close his eyes. In his visit to Limerick, Dr. Milner 
speaks of certain curiosities which particularly struck him — viz. what was 
shown to him as the Treaty Stone ; and the mitre, crozier, and register (the 
Black Book) of the ancient Catholic Bishops of Limerick. 2 

This state of society continued for some time longer to give much uneasi- 
ness to the Government, but no movement was made to mitigate the miseries 
of the people. In the years 1809 3 and 1810, the same causes produced 
the same effects. 4 In this last mentioned year, the citizens conceived the 
idea of building a theatre in the New-town, and they selected a site for the 
purpose, in that portion of George's- street, 5 which in some years afterwards 
became the centre of the street, and the principal portion of it for business. 

1 An Inquiry into Certain Vulgar Opinions concerning the Catholic Inhabitants and Antiquities 
of Ireland, by the Right Rev. J. Milner, D.D. Second Edition, London, 1809. 

2 These are described in their proper places. 

8 1809. In this year died in London, Sir John Macnamara Hayes, a native of this city, first 
physician to their Royal Highnesses the Prince of "Wales and the Duke of Clarence, Inspector- 
General of Ordnance Hospitals, &c. He was created a Baronet in the year 1797. He was a 
very skilful practitioner, and always was attentive to his countrymen, for many of whom he 
provided handsomely by his interest at Court. He raised himself by his personal merits. 

4 1810. On the 26th of March, Thomas Sullivan, John Croneen, and Thomas Halloran, were 
executed at Gallows Green, for the murder of John O'Neill on the 21st of October instant, at 
Wightfield, The Grand Jury presented the Mayor, Francis Lloyd with £60, being at the rate 
of £20 per head for the three men above named convicted, for his expenses, incurred in making 
the arrest and procuring informations. 

On the 10th of September, 1810, a Charitable Society was formed for the relief of indigent 
manufacturers and families in distress, much on the plan of the Strangers' Friendly Society in 
Dublin. This excellent Charity was begun on the 2nd of November ; several gentlemen went 
about in the different parishes, and collected Subscriptions for raising a charitable fund for the 
relief of the poor ; and it was designated the Jubilee Charitable Fund, in consequence of the 
time in which it was initiated. The following sums were collected : — 

In St. Michael's Parish ... ... ... ... £554 5 8 

In St. Mary's Do. 

In St. John's Do. 

In St. Munchin's 

By two Gentlemen not resident in these parishes ... 

£1112 1 4 

A public dinner was given to celebrate the event, on the same day ; and on the 26th, 27th 
and 28th instant, there were the most extensive and brilliant illuminations ever known, in this 
kingdom. The Jubilee Loan Fund continues to flourish, and in 1865 it has its office at No. 36 
Roche's-street. 

6 This theatre was in length 100 feet, in breadth 58 feet, total area 5800 feet; it exceeded 
the area of the old theatre by 2608 feet ; the depth of the stage was 40 feet. For some time 
the theatre took pretty well, and several stars appeared on the boards; but it fell off subse- 
quently, and in 1822, the Rev. Mr. Cronin, of the Augustinian Order, purchased the theatre, 



143 


H 


191 17 


84 


43 4 


n 


79 12 


6 






426 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The fisheries of the great Lax and salmon weirs which the Corporation 
continued to let to tenants, had not ceased to be a source of litigation and annoy- 
ance j while between the people and citizens generally, and the tenants and 
Corporation, feuds prevailed to a serious extent. On the 21st of August, this 
year, (1810), three large gaps were broken down in the Lax- weir, to the great 
joy of the public ; the centre gap was fourteen feet, which was to be constantly 
kept open ; stones, to the amount of one hundred tons which had been placed 
there, to prevent any advantage to the public from the gap, were removed 
in the presence of a crowded assemblage of people. This was effected 
through the zeal and determination of William Eyves, Esq. of New Garden, 
near Castle Connell, who at his own expense, instituted a suit against 
Thomas and John Burke, who rented and monoplised the weir, against 
whom he obtained a verdict with costs and damages £200, at Cork Assizes, 
August, 1809.1 

By way of contrast with these serious matters we shall here introduce a 
literary trifle for the sake of the associations with which it is connected. 
The "garden" of Mr. William Carr, 2 was famous at this period for its 
beauty, and was cultivated in the first style by an experienced gardener. Mr. 
Carr had three sisters who generally walked each day in the garden dressed 
in white in the fashion of the time, with large gold watches displayed. 
Mr. Francis Wheeler the father of the present Lady Lytton Bulwer, composed 
a song on the Garden, which became very popular, but which appears to be 
now almost entirely forgotten. The following is a copy of it : — 



BILLY CAEE'S GAEDEN IN 1809. 
To the tune of Mutiogh Delaney. 

You may travel the nation all over, 

From Dublin to Sweet Mullingar, 
And a garden you will not discover 

Like the garden of sweet Billy Carr ; 
Tis there that the tall trees were planted 

In the days of the old Tommy Parr ; 
And the soft winding Shannon is flowing 

Round the garden of Sweet Billy Carr. 

'Tis there the big praties are growing, 

Enough to supply all Dunbar, 
Where the soft winding Shannon is flowing, 

'Round the gardens of Sweet Billy Carr ; 
His sisters like sweet pretty posies, 

More beauteous than roses by far, 
They bloom like carnations and roses 

In the gardens of sweet Billy Carr. 

■which, by an outlay of about £600, he converted into a very beautiful Catholic Chapel, which 
continues in the possession of the Augustinian Fathers. In this Church the picture of the 
Ascension by Timothy Collopy, as already referred to, is placed over the altar. 

1 Another trial was to have taken place at Cork at the Summer assizes of 1810, when the 
Burkes knowing the injustice of the cause submitted, and the above opening was made. 

2 Mr. Carr's house was that in which the successive Parish Priests of St. Mary's Parish have 
resided for several years. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 427 

! may they be happily married, 

To a mayor, and a lawyer, and tar, 
How blest will they be when they're wed, 

With the sisters of Sweet Billy Carr I 

Now if you have a mind to live frisky, 

And trouble and grief would you mar — 
I'd advise you to go and drink whisky, 

Along with the Sweet Billy Carr ! 
In a room, Sir, he keeps a big bottle, 

Without either crack, flaw, or star, 
Which is often applied to the throttle, 

Of that thirsty gay soul Billy Carr. 

At this time Daniel Q'Connell had become a great favourite on the Munster 
Circuit, and was highly popular in Limerick : a pencil sketch taken of him 
while sitting in the City Court-House, Quay-lane, shows that he was then 
full of life and vigor, and equal to any contest physical or intellectual. 1 

The gallant conduct of several distinguished Limerick men serving in the 
Peninsula at this period, under Generals Lord Viscount Wellington and 
Marshal Beresford, was attracting immense attention. Colonel Roche 2 was 
one of these : General Sir William Parker Carroll of Tulla, near Nenagh, 
may be ranked as a near neighbour, if not a citizen ; John De Lacy of the 
48th regiment, a descendant of the illustrious warrior Pierce De Lacy, who 
did wonders at the battle of Albuera, was another gallant citizen of Limerick. 

The year 1811, was rendered memorable in the annals of Limerick, by, 
several incidents, among others the result of a very important law-suit, which 
had been pending between the Eev. Archdeacon Hill, as incumbent, and 
the parishioners of St. Michael's, relative to ministers' money, levied by an 
act passed in the reign of Charles II. in walled cities and towns. Judgment, 
on this occasion, was given against the incumbent and his successors, so 
that the rapid progress of the Newtown was not impeded by an imposition 
which was as hateful as it was tyrannical, and which a more enlightened spirit 
in the legislature more recently abolished, when, indeed, the incumbent 
himself, the Eev. John Elmes, joined in the popular clamour against its con- 
tinued existence. It would have been a bold stroke of the incumbent in 1811, 
had he been able to saddle the Newtown with so heavy and intolerable a 
burden, which would have added enormously to his revenues, and checked 
the growth of that portion of the city, which, for this reason among others 
well nigh equally strong, had become the favourite residence of every citizen 
who was able to build or to rent a house—and house rent now was exeeed- 
ingly high in the Newtown. On this occasion important evidence was given 
in sustainment of the opposition of the citizens by the Eight Eev. Dr. Young, 
who produced an ancient manuscript which showed that the Church of St. 
Michael was outside the walls, and near the water-gate, and that in the 

» This pencil sketch which was taken by Mr. John Gubbins, portrait painter, in 1810, 
represents O'Connell to the life, and is in the possession of the author. 

2 Sir Philip Roche, K.C.B., the son of Philip Roche, Esq., of Limerick, related to the Howley 
family of Rich Hill, &c. &c. Sir Philip realized a large sum of money in the Peninsula. He 
left all this money to two nieces, provided they took the name of Roche, and did not marry an 
Irishman or a Spaniard; and in the event of their so doing, the money was to go to the Duke 
of Wellington. One of them married Colonel Fane, and the other married Captain George 
Vaughan, of the Oth Lancers, father of Captain Vaughan, R. N., A.D.C. to the late Earl 
of Carlisle. 



428 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

time of Cromwell it had been thrown down. 1 As it stood outside the walls, 
it is more than probable that it was demolished by the citizens themselves 
before Ireton's siege, that it should not afford shelter to the enemy, and 
allow him to approach the walls under cover of it. 

The want of a gaol was now seriously felt for the city, the old gaol in 
Mary-street, having become a public nuisance ; 2 and accordingly, at the spring 
assizes of this year, (1811), on the 18th of March, the Grand Jury presented 
a sum £6123 4s. 3d., for the purpose, to be assessed off the city and the 
county of the city at the rate of £1000 per annum, and appointed twelve 
commissioners to carry out the object. 

A long contest had been going on in the county for the representation, 
between William Thomas Monsell, Esq., and Colonel O'Dell ; in these con- 
tests Colonel O'Dell had been successful ; and Mr. Monsell had been three 
times defeated. In this year he lodged a petition against Colonel O'Dell; 
the petition having been tried, Colonel O'Dell was declared duly elected in 
April. 

It was at this time that Sir Hugh Gough, a distinguished Limerick man, 
was achieving heroic deeds at the head of the gallant pAu-zj-^-BolUj, the 
87th Regiment in Spain : Barrossa had been fought, and in the achieve- 
ment the 87th and its gallant Colonel, under General Graham, behaved with 
extraordinary bravery. A meeting of the Common Council was held on the 
5th of April, when Sir Hugh Gough was admitted to the freedom at large 
of the city, and an order was made to present him with a silver box orna- 
mented with an eagle, an emblem of the eagle which was taken by him from 
the French in that battle. The career of this illustrious warrior in India, 
which he may be said to have saved by what the Times with little foresight 
styled his " Tipperary tactics/' is too well known to require repetition. He 
was born at Woodsdown, county of Limerick, on the 3rd of November, 
1779, and is now Field Marshal Lord Viscount Gough. 

We are reminded of Richard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnel, whose connexion 
with Limerick is spoken of in the history of the sieges by an incident that 
took place this year, by the death at Wilna, in Eussia, of George Carpenter, 
Earl of Tyrconnel. He followed the Eussian armies as a volunteer. Accord- 
ing to his letters to his friends, the instant the French left Smolensko the 
average number of human beings found frozen to death on the roads was 
1500 daily. Lord Cathcart, in his despatches from Petersburgh, dated 31st 
December, says, " His Lordship served with the army under Admiral T. 
Chichagoff, especially during the pursuit of the French from the Beryzina 
to Wilna ; a pulmonic complaint brought on the fatal effects of the disease 

1 From a plate in Sir George Carew's Hibernia Pacata it T appears that St. Michael's Church 
was outside the walls ; there are other and palpable evidences of the fact, even at this day, when 
it may be seen that the walls run off Carr-street, leaving a considerable distance between them 
and St. Michael's Churchyard. Such another instance of a church outside the walls having been 
demolished by the inhabitants for this cause, took place in Galway about the same period. The 
ground, except the Cemetery, was the property of the late Walter Joyce, Esq., Banker of Galway, 
who in 1809, eradicated the foundations of the Church, which was situated on the South side 
of the Castle Barrack opposite to a bastion, on which workmen were employed to demolish the 
bastion and the curtain on the Town wall in that year, (1809). 

2 The plans were perfected by Mr. Nash, Architect, and the place selected was the Dean's 
close, near the Cathedral of St. Mary's in Bow-lane, and washed by the river to the north and 
west. In this year the commissioners of St Michael's Parish, directed that the houses should be 
numbered. In many streets were vacant spaces for building, and 24 or 25 feet of frontage were 
allowed to each house intended to be built; and the existing houses numbered as though the 
street was perfect. Labels with name of the street were also fixed up. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 429 

with great rapidity — he first found himself to be ill on the 11th December, 
the day after his arrival at Wilna. Eield Marshal Kutusoff Smolensko ordered 
all military honours to be paid to his remains, and a monument to his memory 
in the Church of the reformed Beligion. 

Eor the first time for a great number of years, a convent of ladies of the 
order of St. Clara, or St. Clare, "was opened at Limerick on the 1st of April, 
1812, Mrs. Naughton being the first prioress. The house was situated in Bar- 
rack-street, and the gardens were bounded by the Eastern curtain of the Town 
wall. This house was built by Henry Rose, Esq., on part of the ground which 
had once belonged to the Dominician Convent. l 

In this year, through the liberality of Miss White a Catholic lady, who 
gave largely for the endowment of many charitable institutions in her native 
city, and of Mrs. Banks a Protestant lady, each having contributed £1000, a 
Lying-in Hospital was opened for the reception of patients in Nelson-street. 
In some years afterwards this Hospital was removed to Henry-street, where 
it has continued to be of great advantage to all who stand in need of its 
services. 

The efforts of the citizens at this period to free themselves from the 
incubus of the Corporation were extraordinary. A contested election took 
place this year ; the election lasted five days, and ended on the 21st of August. 
The independent interest was supported by young Lord Glentworth, whilst 
Charles Vereker, Esq. championed the cause of the Corporation. The 
Sheriffs declared Mr. Vereker elected; but one of the most magnificent 
ovations ever remembered was given to Lord Glentworth by the citizens — he 
was chaired through the city with a magnificence hitherto unknown. At least 
fifty thousand persons preceded and followed the chair in which the young 

1 This Convent continued for some years — but ultimately it was given up, and near its site 
the magnificent Convent, &c. of the Sisters of Mercy was subsequently founded. 

1813, April 19th. — A Coach commenced running between Limerick and the Grand Canal, 
through Nenagh, Birr, Tullamore, meeting the boat at Galten, five miles from Shannon harbour, 
and 58 from Dublin. 

April 28th. — An elephant, the first of the genus, brought to Limerick, and exhibited. 

Surgeon John Wilkinson performed the wonderful operation of taking off the whole upper 
part of the skull of a woman named Rourke, aged about 30 years, living in Creagh-lane ; the 
arches over the eyes, extending not in a direct line, but jagged, and as low on each side and the 
back, also came off. The woman retained her health and good spirits afterwards, and was the 
mother of children. A callous substance was growing very fast over the brain in place of the 
skull ; but Dr. Wilkinson did not think it would ossify. The Doctor declared the case to be 
unexampled in his experience or reading. 

May 27th — The mail from Dublin to arrive this day at 50 minutes after 2, p.m., and to leave 
Limerick every morning at 11 o'clock. The Ennis mail coach began to run, leaves Limerick at 
half-past three o'clock, p.m., each afternoon ; and returns at half -past ten o'clock, a.m. each morn- 
ing. 

May 29th. — News received in Limerick of the loss of the great Roman Catholic Bill in Parlia- 
ment. For the Bill, 247 — against it, 251 — majority against it, 4. 498 members voted — the 
greatest house remembered. 



The analysis : — 
England 
Wales 
Scotland 
Ireland 


Members. 
489 

24 

45 
100 


Voted 


658 
498 


Absent 


160 



430 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Lord was carried. Not an accident occurred to mar the proceedings of a 
joyous day. 

The local affairs of these years of the deepest interest and importance 
were confined for the greater part to the struggle of the independent citizens 
with the Corporation. On the 6th of August, 1813, in consequence of the 
application of the Independents, the Court of King's Bench granted a 
mandamus to try the several rights of the petitioners to the freedom of the 
city, which had been contemptuously denied them by the Corporation. The 
suit cost the Independents a sum of £1200 : the venue was laid in Clare, 
and as the jury was about to be struck at the assizes for that county in 
Ennis, the Judge (Day) who was remarkable for his charges, thought proper 
not to bring on the trial, no cause being assigned. The struggle, however, 
went on, as we shall see, and though the Corporation sustained itself by the 
public revenue, the citizens proved their spirit and resolution by liberal 
subscriptions which were freely given and judiciously applied. 

The want of a new bridge across the Shannon, to supply the requirements 
of the Newtown, was now generally felt. A meeting accordingly was held on 
the 11th of August at the Chamber of Commerce in Limerick — the Marquis 
of Lansdowne in the Chair. The meeting consisted of land owners, 

June 28th. — George Smyth, Esq., recorder of Limerick, resigned that office, which he held 
32 years (elected in 1781) ; in his room was elected Henry D'Esterre, mayor in the years 1793 
and 1794. 

July 8th. — The city brilliantly illuminated in consequence of the Marquis Wellesley's victory 
over the French army commanded by King Joseph, at Vittoria, in Spain. 

About June 10th of this year, a large new school house, to be conducted on the Lancasterian 
plan, began to be built on the north side of old Clare street, intended to be opened for the 
reception of children on the 10th September following — opened Nov. 1st, 1814. Fund subscribed 
to August, 1813 :— £950. 

Ground Kent, £20 per year. 



Carpenter's Estimate, £280 

Mason's do. ... .« ... 190 

Slater's do. 88 

Law agent's charge, 12 



£570 

Dimensions — 80 feet long— 32 wide — 14 high. In the clear, 2560 square feet. 

August 25th Two or three hundred swallows gathered on the rigging of a vessel at Lang's 

Quay. This is the first rendevous of that bird in this neighbourhood that has been remarked. 

September 9th. — About nine o'clock in the morning of this day, a very loud report was heard 
in the air, like rapid volleys of artillery, accompanied by a long and rumbling noise, like the fire 
of musketry, the wind being at the time S.W., nearly calm, and the mercury in the Barometer 
standing at 29 in. 8-10ths ; several stones were discharged from above, and fell in the village of 
Adare, and Patrick's Well. One remains in the possession of Mr. Tuthill, of Faba, weighing 
four stones weight. 

September 17th Account received of the death of the Hon. Wm, Cecil Pery, Lieutenant of 

H.M.'s 59th Regiment of Infantry, and son of the Earl of Limerick, at the storming of St. 
Sebastian, in Spain. 

Sunday, 26th A public form of prayer for H.R.H. Prince Regent of the Empire of Great 

Britain, read for the first time in St. Mary's Cathedral. 

October 31st. — Form of thanksgiving read for abundant harvest and plenty of this year. 

November 8th. — The city brilliantly illuminated, in consequence of a victory gained by the 
allies (Russians, Swedes, and Prussians) over Bonaparte at Dresden and Leipsic on the 19th of 
October. 

November 21st. — A house in May's Lane, outside Thomond Gate, blown up by gunpowder 
incautiously dryed in an iron pot — four persons were so miserably burnt that they all died in 
the County Hospital soon after ; the owner of the house worked in the quarries, and used powder 
in blasting — he was one of the sufferers. 

The new city gaol, with a stage in front, for the execution of criminals, finished in the latter 
end of this month ; the drop, or stage, has not been as yet ever used. 



IIISTOiiY OF LlilEiilCK. 431 

merchants, &c, of the first respectability in the counties of Limerick and 
Clare, and City of Limerick. A committee was appointed ; resolutions were 
entered into; subscriptions, to the amount of £16000 were taken down — and 
a site, that part of the Custom-house quay adjoining the new bridge was 
selected — the bridge to be called the Wellington Bridge. This project was 
soon abandoned, and it was not until some years after that the question was 
revived, when another site was chosen, and carried to completion by an 
enormous expenditure of money borrowed from the government. 

The death of the Eight Rev. Dr. Young occurred this year on the 23rd of 
September, mourned by every class and party. We shall speak of the revered 
Prelate's life and services in another part of our history. The Eight Eev. 
Dr. Charles Tuohy, who had been dean of the diocese, was elected vicar 
capitular on the 29th of the same month. 

The fight between the Independents and the Corporation was brought to 
an issue at Clare assizes before Baron Smith in 1814, when on the 11th of 
March, a verdict was given in favour of the Independents, by which they 
asserted their chartered rights to the franchise and freedom of the city, by 
birth, by servitude, and by marriage. Before this, no person whatever had been 
admitted to freedom, no matter their rights, who were not of the Smyth and 

December 1st — The Mayor, with Alderman Watson, and some other gentlemen, went through 
the town, and solicited the subscriptions of the citizens for the poor and indigent, in place of 
illuminations for recent victories over the French by the Allies. £80 was raised. 

In this month the new Gothic gateway in Bow Lane was finished ; it opens a communication 
for carriages to the great western door of the cathedral, which had been long since disused as a 
passage. Opened December 25th (Christmas day). 

Dec. 21st. — At an early hour this morning, the Eev. George Studdert, Rector of Kilpeacon, 
died at his house in the new Crescent. He accidentally fell into the unprotected area of a new 
building, on the S.W. corner of Glentworth street, on the dark night of the 18th instant ; and 
lost his life by the bruises he received in the fall. 

1814 — January 11th. — The Dublin Mail Coach, in its progress to Limerick, arrested for two 
days on the road, in consequence of a fall of snow. Reports state that the snow was ten feet 
deep in the Curragh of Kildare ; and the Dublin mail coach abandoned in it. 

Jan. 13th — Public thanksgiving in the Protestant churches for the successes of the allied arms 
over the French. 

The thermometer during these days was unprecedentedly low. 

Jan. 23rd The Abbey River frozen over, a circumstance that had not happened for thirty 

years before. Great numbers of people on the ice ; the Mayor active in inducing them to walk 
on the land, lest the ice should break under their weight. 

Jan. 25th. — The garrison so weak by the removal of the 71st Regiment, that dragoons were 
mounted with the infantry in the several guards — the 13th dragoons doing duty dismounted, and 
the succeeding day the drummers and fifer3 of the 81th Regiment, able to bear arms, put n 
guard duty. 

Jan. 29th. — The mail coach from Dublin arrived in Limerick for the first time since 11th inst. 
being impeded by the snow, and severity of the weather. 

Jan. 31st. — On the night of this day, eleven felons, confined in the new city gaol, broke a 
passage through the roof, and escaped by a rope on the side next the river. 

Feb. 1st. — A fatal duel between Daniel O'Connell, Esq., and John Norcott D'Esterre, Esq., a 
native of this city — the latter, mortally wounded, died on the 3rd instant. The duel took place 
at Bishop's Court, Co. Kildare. 

Feb. 2nd Died at Parteen, near O'Brien's Bridge, Martin Hartigan, aged 102 ; he kept his 

faculties and worked as a labourer till within a few months of his death — Limerick Chronicle. 

In this month Thomas F. "Wilkinson,. Brewer, and Mayor, was declared a bankrupt. This is 
mentioned as the first instance of the kind happening to a chief magistrate in Limerick. All 
his property seized and sold by his creditors in the ensuing month (March). 

In this month an American female named Mrs. Bragshaw, -without arms, legs, &c, exhibited, 
and displayed great ingenuity in embroidery, drawing, cutting cyphers in paper, &c. 

March 13th Forcing engine to supply water to the city gaol, put up — cost £120 — and put 

up by Mr. Paine, architect, the builder of the city gaol. 

At Cork assizes Miss Cluston, of Cork, got £4,000 damages against the Hon. J. P. Yereker, 
eldest son of Colonel Vereker, M.P. for this city, for breach of promise of marriage — set aside 
in Dublin afterwards. 



432 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Vereker party. The names of the jurors who gave this verdict deserve to be 

recorded : — 

John Bridgeman, foreman, Daniel Lysaght, 

Charles Brew, Nicholas Clarke, 

Tomkins Brew, Eobert Ivers, 

Erancis M'Namara, jun. John Lucas, 

Thomas Keane, Henry Butler, 

Erancis Sweeny, Eobert Parkinson. 

The Law Agents for the Independents were Mr. John Boyse and Mr, 
Matthew Barrington. 

Notwithstanding the march of liberalism thus far, it was not until the 
month of March in this year (1814,) that a second bell was placed in a 
Catholic Church in the City of Limerick ; when one being put up in the 
Parochial Chapel of St. John at this time. It is extraordinary, indeed, to 
look back, and view the humiliating position of the Catholics of Ireland at 
this rather advanced period of the nineteenth century. The veto had been 
universally condemned by the united voice of Hierarchy, clergy, and laity ; 
there never perhaps was more unanimity on any question, and union was 
synonymous with success to those who joined like brothers for a common 
cause, while it was disaster and ruin to their oppressors. A spirit had been 
at length aroused, which could not be subdued ; the Catholic cause had been 
making headway from the issuing of a celebrated circular of Mr. Secretary 
Pole to this period ; meetings had been held in several parts of Ireland, to 

March 30th. — The Brig Alice, owner F. A. O'Neill, Esq. foundered at Foynes Island, laden 
with wheat and provisions, on her voyage to England. 

Bow Lane made an inclined plane, and paved. 

April 9th Troops in garrison fired a feu de joie consequent on the news that the victorious 

allies had entered Paris, after a severe conflict, on the 30th instant. 

April 14th. — The city splendidly illuminated in consequence of a general peace on the Con- 
tinent by the abdication of the throne of France by Buonaparte on the 3rd instant. 

May 10th. — The Fanny Hulk, already mentioned, paid off, and put out of commission. 

June 1st. — The Inland Navigation re-opened this day, after having repaired the bursting of its 
banks, on 5th of February. The Directors of the Inland Navigation purchased the property of this 
branch from the proprietors for the sum of £17,666 13s. 4d., two-thirds of the original stock ; 
each share consisted of £250, for which the Directors- General paid two-thirds, £176 13s. 4d. — 
original stock 100 shares, at £250 each, £25,500. 

June 7th A luggage boat arrived from Dublin by the canal — the first that had come nearer 

to Limerick than O'Brien's Bridge since February, 1809, (when the banks burst.) 

June 8th. — The Mayor and Corporate body obliged to admit the following persons to the free- 
dom of the city, in consequence of a mandamus from the King's Bench, founded on the verdict of 
the jury at Ennis on the 11th of March previous ; — John Tuthill, Esq., and James O'Sullivan, 
, merchant. Lord Glentworth was likewise entitled, but did not attend to make his claim. 
Several new claims made. 

June 12th Major Stoddart, of the 10th Enniskillen Dragoons, killed by a fall over his horse's 

head on the Castle Connell road — was interred at St. Munchin's church with great honor. He 
had come to Limerick to assist at a general Court Martial, of which he was judge. 

June 20th Peace proclaimed in London — in Dublin on the 24th — 27th in Limerick, —prices 

daily falling in consequence of the peace. 

Definitive articles of peace were signed and ratified between Great Britain and the several 
sovereigns of the Continent on the 30th ult. 

The following were the extravagant prices provisions bore in Limerick, in the commencement 
of the present year : — Mutton, lid. per lb., Beef, lOd. per lb., Pork, 7d. and Sd. per lb., Wheat, 
3s. 8d. per stone ; and almost everything else in the same proportion. The gold coin had entirely 
vanished, the silver very scarce, and paper money universal ; all the effects of a war of 20 years' 
duration with France, happily terminated by the banishment (for a short time only) to Elba of 
Buonaparte. 

July 1st. — The Shannon so low, that the inland navigation has ceased. A luggage boat from 
Dublin grounded at Annabeg. Flour scarce — country millers without means of turning their 
mills — wheat this day down to Is. per stone ! 




HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 433 

vindicate the rights of petition, and to denounce the conduct of the govern- 
ment. Mr. John Howley, jun. 1 had presided at the Limerick meeting which 
took place on the 24th of August, 1812, and which was attended by Daniel 
O'Connell, Counsellor Casey, Counsellor O'Gorman, &c, and which was a 
noble meeting, where resolutions were adopted proclaiming the right of 
petition, thanking the most noble the Earl of Fmgal for having taken his 
proper place at the head of the Catholics of Ireland, thanking the honest 
Protestant, George Lidwell, Esq., and declaring their determination to co- 
operate with the general committee of the Catholics of Ireland for a redress 
of grievances. 2 The fight was carried on nobly, unflinchingly, and reso- 
lutely. The Catholic Board was formed by Daniel O'Connell, and continued 
to work zealously ; but on the 4th of June, 1814, the Lord Lieutenant and 
Privy Council issued aproclamation by which they declared the Catholic Board 
an unlawful assembly, and ordered all to abstain from its proceedings ! This 
did not damp the ardour of the Catholics . To add to the troubles of the times, an 
unexpected peace with Prance was proclaimed, by the banishment of Bonaparte 
to Elba. The peace was proclaimed on the 27th of June in Limerick, whenprices 
which the month before had been unprecedenteclly high, fell, to the ruin of many 
speculators. Among the militia regiments disembodiedinthemonth after, was the 
county of Limerick regiment, when a mutiny had nearly resulted, owing to the fact 

' The present Mr. Sergeant Howley, Q.C. 
2 State of the Catholic Cause, Dublin, 1812. 

July 7th. — General thanksgiving for peace. 

In this month, a wooden gallery built on the west wall of the City gaol over the river, and 
another on the north wall at the end of Newgate-lane, to prevent the escape of prisoners. A 
sentinel walks on the galleries. 

July 22nd Archdeacon Hill died in Dublin, and was buried on the 27th in St. Mun- 

chin's. 

July 26th The portico to the County Court House finished. Cost £700. 

July 29th. — The new Theatre in George's-street, opened. It was intended to open it with 
; ' Othello," but some of the tragedians not coming, the play was changed to the " Inconstant.'' 
Complaints of the gallery occupants was made of the old Theatre. Prices in the new : — boxes 
and lattices, 4s. 2d. — gallery, 3s. 4d. — pit, Is. 8d. 

In this month many failures in the different country banks ; credit at a low ebb ; the Limerick 
banks as yet stand safe, but refuse to discount any paper. So great and general is the demand 
for Bank of Ireland paper, that people will take nothing else. How changed, in everything since 
1797, when the annexed advertisement appeared in the public newspaper, the Limerick Chronicle : — 

" Pursuant to a requisition made for a meeting on Monday next, the 13th inst., several of 
the gentlemen, merchants, and traders, met for the purpose of taking into consideration the 
present state of the notes of the Bank of Ireland. Limerick, March 11th, 1797. 

John Harrison, Mayor." 

August. — The latter end of last month and what has passed of this, uncommonly stormy, 
wet, and inclement — though in the dog days, the thermometer did not rise above 60 degrees. On 
the 15th a vessel arrived at the Quay, dismasted and almost a wreck ; a Welsh brig loaded with 
slates, which sailed from Cardigan, and was bound to Sligo, met a dreadful gale off Sline head, 
and put into the Shannon in distress. 

In this month a new fire engine for St. Mary's parish, was purchased by the inhabitants ; it 
was made by Charles and Thomas Lee, smiths, and was the first ever made in Limerick ; it cost 
«£40, and the materials of the old engine, which was purchased in London, in 1768. 

The malt liquor so bad and debased, that what has been long sold as beer, scarcely possessed 
any of the qualities of that article, except those produced by chemical compounds. 

The conclusion of the month of August and the month of September, perfectly dry, and most 
favorable for saving a most luxurious harvest. 

September 11th About 9 p.m., the atmosphere over the city, stretching east and west, was 

a luminous vapour, arched like a rainbow — but the moon did not rise that night till 40 minutes 
after 1 o'clock; and there was no rain at the time. One end of it dissipated into various fan- 
tastical shapes, like northern lights ; it was a belt of white light, similar to the tail of a comet — 
the height of the extremities of the arch above the horizon about 20 degrees of a circle, of 
which it was a segment ; its breadth that of a rainbow— it rose in the west, appearing first in 

29 



434 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

that the men were not permitted to take their great coats, which the govern- 
ment alleged they required to clothe the naked soldiers who were coming 
home from the Peninsula — and thereby effect a saving of £30,000. — 
Miserable economy \ l 

In September, 1814, a third belfry was erected in a Catholic Chapel in 
Limerick, that of St. Mary's Parish, and a bell was put up in January 
following. 

The project of building the projected bridge over the Shannon from Cus- 
tom-House Quay to the opposite side of the river, was publicly abandoned 
on the 20th September this year (1814), when an advertisement appeared in 
the public journals of the city to that effect. At this time the north end of 
Thoraond Bridge near Castle-street, was only eight feet ten inches wide, 
though one of the greatest thoroughfares in the kingdom, and a resolution 
was adopted to widen and repair that ancient bridge. 

The state of the country this year and the following year was deplorable 
in the extreme : the people were in the greatest distress and misery, and 
crime consequently prevailed to a lamentable extent. In September, 1815, 
the several regiments that composed the garrison of Limerick marched under 
arms to their different places of worship : the County and Liberties of the 
City had been for a long time disturbed by nightly insurgents, who robbed, 
flogged, and deprived of their arms, many of the peaceable inhabitants. On 
the 26th of the month, an extraordinary Sessions of the Peace was held, and 
the Magistrates of the County assembled by public advertisement. The County 

1 In more recent years, a mutiny absolutely took place in the North Tipperary Regiment 
of militia in Nenagh, on the disembodiment of that regiment, when the men were refused 
their clothes, through a miserable economy also. On this occasion the mutiny was quelled 
by Major-General Chatterton, Commander of the Limerick Garrison. 



the constellation of Hercules, near to the Corona Borealis ; its motion to the east very perceptible, 
and as far as the eye could guide, uniformly accellerated ; it shot from the place where it 
originated, through the milky way, entering it in Beta eygon, passing through epsilon Cygani, 
through the south of Lacura, through Andromeda, between Beta and Gamma of that Constel- 
lation, through the bright star of Caput Medusas, and terminating in Persaeus near Auriga ; all 
of which stars were obscurely seen through its radiance ; it receded slowly to the south, and 
disappeared about two degrees further from the Zenith, than where it was first observed. 

Sept. 28th. — A large bird of the Heron species alighted, and remained half an hour on one 
of the pinnacles of the tower of the Cathedral, and drew some attention. 

In the Autumn of this year, the small pox very fatal in the city and neighbourhood, particu- 
larly to infants. 

In the latter end of the month of October, died at Bunnahow, in the Co. of Clare, Mrs. 
Butler, aged 105 years Limerich Advertiser, November 4^, 1814. 

In the Summer of this year, the old city Brewery, long since a ruin, began to undergo an 
entire repair; a new mill wheel, and all necessary machinery erected, by Mr. Michael 
Rochford, the proprietor. 

Died at Killaloe, John O'Meally, aged 104 ; he worked as a labourer till a short time before 
his death. — Limerick Chronicle, November 9th. 

November In this month, mile stones were erected on the canal and track ways between 

Limerick and Killaloe, with a double inscription, marking on two sides, the relative distances 
from each place. 

In this month, died, Miss White, a young lady of considerable fortune, who left the following 
charitable bequests to her native city : — 

£1000 for building a Magdalen asylum, in this city, and after the death of an old lady, £100 a 
year for its support for 20 years ; £50 per year for 50 years to the Fever Hospital ; £40 per year 
for 21 years to the House of Industry ; £80 per year to the Roman Catholic Schools ; £30 
each per year for 20 years, to the poor of the Parishes of St. Mary's, St. Munchin's, St. John's 
and St. Michael's ; £10 per year for 50 years to the Lying-in Hospital ; £50 per year for 35 
years to St, Michael's Chapel ; £5 a year for 20 years to the Dispensary ; £50 for the purchase 
of books for the poor, She has been the greatest benefactress to the poor since the time of Dr. 
Jeremiah Hall, — she was a Catholic— most pious — most devoted. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 435 

of Limerick, and the Liberties of the City were declared to be out of His 
Majesty's peace. Forty-three Magistrates attended. The County was pro- 
claimed on the 20th of September — the proclamation to begin to be in force 
from the 5th of October. The Liberties were also proclaimed. Sergeants 
Johnson and Joy were sent down by Government to hold Special Sessions in 
the City and County. A Special Commission of general gaol delivery was 
held at Limerick on the 1st of November, Chief Baron O'Grady presided as 
Judge in the County, and Mr. Sergeant Joy in the city. In the County 
were confined seven charged with murder, nineteen for assembling at night, 
and taking arms, nine for robbery on the highway, twenty for burglary and 
felony, five for flogging at night, two firing with intent to kill, one for 
abduction, one for assault on a magistrate, four for cow- stealing, nine for 
minor offences — total, 79. In the city one was charged with murder, four 
for taking up arms, four for assaulting with intent to kill, four for robbery, 
two for burglary, two for sheep- stealing, one minor offence — total, 18. 
Out of those there were eight executed at the places where their several 
crimes were alleged to have been committed; some were transported to 
Botany Bay for seven years ; some were flogged, and some were confined 
and obliged to give bail. 

While these lamentable proceedings were taking place, it was a relief to 

December — A monument erected in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, near the burial place of the 
bishops, on the south side of the Communion Table, with the following inscription : — 
To the Memory of 
LIEUT.-COL. RICKARD LLOYD, 
Who fell on the 10th December, 1813, 
While engaged in a successful contest 
Against superior numbers, 
Near the City of Bayonne, in the South of France. 
THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED, 
By the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, 
And Privates, 
Of the 2nd Battalion, 84th Regiment of Infantry ; 
As a testimony of respect for his valour 
AS A SOLDIER, 
And of affection for his virtues 
AS A MAN. 
This cenotaph was opened for the public on the 10th, the anniversary of Colonel Lloyd's death, 
when the 84th Regiment, then in this garrison, attended divine service, in grand funeral pro- 
cession at the Cathedral. It was executed at Dublin, and cost the Regiment £103 10s. 3d.— 

has the family arms, with the motto vi virtute — and on the top a pyramid of black marble 

with an urn and military trophies. 

December 16th — At a very early hour this morning, a tremendous storm arose from the S.W. 
quarter, and blew a hurricane more furious than any remembered by the oldest person living 
here ; it threw down several chimneys, and unroofed houses — it threw down a new house in 
Glentworth-street. About 7 o'clock, a Norway ship of about 200 tons, drifted from her fasten- 
ings at Shannon-quay, and was driven up to the lower end of Newgate-lane, abreast of the old 
Golden Mills ; a brig and a sloop, both laden, were driven completely over the weir of Curra- 
gower, and grounded under the S.W. tower of the Castle Barrack. The tide rose up to the 
houses on Merchants'-quay ; the lanes and passages were strewn with bricks, tile3 and slates, 
which had fallen from the houses ; the flag-staff, erected on St. Mary's Cathedral at the close of 
A.D. 1800, wa3 broken and carried away ; and the new wooden gallery erected in July last, on 
the west side of the City gaol, over the river, was totally destroyed. A new Scotch sloop, with 
rock salt, thrown on her beam ends, at O'Neill's-quay, and sunk. Great damage on the North- 
strand, and most of a new parapet wall, erected only last summer, swept clear away. Many of 
the river craft totally lost, together with many lives. The leads on the Custom House rolled 
up, and partly carried off. This storm very general throughout the kingdom ; upwards of 530 
large trees torn up from the roots at Adare ; 130 gross trees at Tervoe ; 200 ditto at Castletown 
waller ; 150 ditto at Hollypark (Mr. Taylor's) ; twenty farmers' houses were levelled to the 
ground on Kilgenny common, about 3 miles beyond Adare. An over grown elm tree at Clon- 
macken, in the N. Liberties, blown down— it had stood upwards of 150 years ; at Kilballyowen, 
130 trees — all in this county. The damage at sea was dreadful. At Liverpool, 4 vessels were 



436 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

observe the exertions which the Catholics of Limerick continued to make, in 
order to provide themselves with commodious churches. Early in the year, 
the foundations of the new Chapel of St. Patrick's were laid in Clare-street, 
under the directions of the Rev. Patrick Magrath, P.P. ; and the Dominicans, 
who had been for many years confined to their small chapel in Pish Lane, 
undertook the building of a noble church in Glentworth-street, which, for a 
long period, was the largest in the city ; the Eev. Patrick Harrogan, O.P. 
was prior at the time; and many of the principal Catholic citizens aided 
him in the project. 

The mills on the north bank of the canal, which were built by Messrs. 
Welsh and Uzuld, having become almost a ruin, were fitted up as a brewery 
by Messrs. Walker and Co. of Cork, at an expense of £25,000. This now 
became one of the first establishments of the kind in Munster ; but it did 
not prosper for any length of time. 

The Corporation, meanwhile, true to its instincts, persevered not only in 
opposing the legitimate rights of the citizens, but in plundering them 
remorselessly. 

On the 26th of June, 1815, the following accounts were submitted by the 

lost, at Newcome 1, at Falmouth 6, at Dover 8, at Cowes 5, at Greenock 3, at Leith Roads 4, on 
the Goodwin Sands 6, at Ramsgate 2, New Castle and Bristol 2, off Calais 8, Bologne 10, 
Dieppe 5, Hill 8, Scarborough 3. The mercury in the barometer, during the tremendous gale, 
stood at Limerick, so high as 28 inches eight- tenths. 

1815, July 10th. — The first square-rigged vessel ever built in Limerick, was launched from the 
Dry Dock, at Newtown, this day — tonnage 156 tons — Messrs. Mullock and Graham, owners. 

July 13th — The City of Limerick Militia re-embodied — the same day the County Limerick 
Regiment of Militia was re-embodied. 

At the conclusion of the month of August, the roofing of the Cathedral, from the western 
tower or steeple to the eastern gable was finished. It was begun in the month of April, the 
roof at the time, being in sC very tottering state, was partially stript. The rafters were all of 
oak, ten inches square, and much decayed and rotted, for about two feet from the bottom — by 
lowering the pitch of the roof, most of them were of great utility. The roof supposed to be 
coeval with the Cathedral. 

November 24th. — Peter Hehir, died in the Poor House, aged 102 years — he had the full exer- 
cise of his mental faculties to the last moment. — Limerick Chronicle. 

In this year, the fire arms of all the Regiments of Infantoy were coloured brown. 

In this year a tower, a beacon, began to be erected on the Beeve's Rocks, near Askeaton, to 
guide vessels at night. 

1816, January. — Early in this month, a very fine organ, built by Evans of London, erected 
in the Parish Chapel of St. Michael, it cost £1000, and is certainly the finest ever seen in this 
city ; the Chapel has been recently very much ornamented, enlarged and beautified by the Rev. 
Patrick Hogan, P.P. 

In this month, an American screw arrived in Limerick from New York, having the figure 
head of an Indian chief, with his pipe of peace, string of wampum and other pacific emblems of 
his nation. The history of this vessel is interesting ; it appears that the owner had sometime 
since lost a vessel on a remote coast of America, where a chief named Samopett ruled ; this chief 
afforded every kind of protection to the shipwrecked crew, and used his utmost efforts in preserv- 
ing their property, and sending them safe back to their own port. The owner built this new 
vessel, and in gratitude for favours received, named her the Samopett. 

The weather at this period was so severe that during the last ten or twelve days of the month, 
the setting out of the Dublin mail for Limerick from Dublin was altered for two nights from 
eight o'clock, p.m., to seven o'clock next morning, to avoid losing way in the snow, which covered 
the Curragh of Kildare. 

March 3rd and 4th. — The city was visited with another of those terrible storms which are of 
such frequent occurrence, and which have been noted, from the very earliest times, in our annals. 
Several vessels in the harbour drifted from their moorings. An old uninhabited house, opposite 
the old market house in the Irishtown, fell, and crushed to death a poor old woman of the name 
of Dairs. 

The severity of the past winter is said to be greater than was experienced for the twenty 
preceding years. 

On this day (5th of April) also, all the officers of the Assessed Tax Department are off duty, 
and their future services dispensed with. The assessed taxes comprised hearths, windows, male 
servants, horses, carriages, and sporting dogs. The duty on hearths and windows was abolished 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 437 

Chamberlain, (which we give as a small specimen of the way in which the 
public money was scattered broadcast in bootless litigation) : — 

£ s. d. 

Ordered — No. 1. The Prosecutor's taxed costs in the Cause — The King 
at the Prosecution of John Tuthill, Esq., against the Corpor- 
ation of Limerick, per Boyse and Bamngton's Bill, ... 840 10 1 

Ordered — No. 2. The Prosecutor's Taxed Costs in the Cause — The 
King at the Prosecution of James Sullivan, against the Cor- 
poration of Limerick, per same Attorney's Bill, ... 524 10 4 

Ordered — No. 3. The Prosecutor's Taxed Costs in the Cause — The 
King at the Prosecution of Lord Glent worth, and the Mayor, 
Sheriff, and Citizens of Limerick, per same Attorney's Bill, 581 6 7 
No. 4. Postage paid on the foregoing Costs, received in a 
Packet from Mr. Barrington, ... ... ... 179 

The manufacture of freemen still went on in the most barefaced manner, 
in order to swamp the liberal interest ; but while their ' honours' were going on 
after this scandalous fashion, sealing their inevitable doom, dividing the 
loaves and fishes, dressing up Sergeants-at-Mace at enormous figures, 
and acting throughout on the exclusive system, the Catholics who had 
passed through a fiery ordeal, but who were not as yet emancipated from 
the fetters of the penal laws, were up and stirring, and making their voices 
heard in every direction. 

in 1822 ; the other duties not until March, 1823. The Chancellor of the Exchequer declared 
that the last mentioned duties, viz. those on servants, &c, produced £1,000,000 a-year, and that 
the hearths and windows netted only £250,000. The expense attending the collection left the 
produce very little. 

In this month the fish and fowl markets were removed from Ellen-street, and the street 
opened and continued in a straight line towards the Corn Market, the cupola of which makes a 
pleasing termination to this vista. 

April 17th — The Catholic Emancipation Bill lost in the House of Commons — the adjournment 
of the House was carried as follows : — 

For the adjournment ... ... ... 313 

Against ... ... Ill 

Majority 202 

An address was presented by the Protestant Bishops expressing their objections to the altera- 
tions in the Tithe Bill : the address bears the signatures of the Archbishops of Dublin and Tuam ; 
the Bishop of Limerick, and thirteen other Bishops. The other Protestant Bishops who signed 
are : — Kildare, Kilmore, Down and Connor, Clogher, Cork and Boss, Elphin, Ossory, Waterford, 
Dromore, Killaloe, Ferns, and Raphoe. 

May 10th. — The City Sheriffs received an order from Government to transmit five men and 
three woman, under sentence of transportation, to the Penitentiary House, Cork. 

May 14th. — Mr. Thomas P. Vokes, appointed Police Magistrate for the County of Limerick — 
vice Richard Wilcocks resigned. Mr. Wilcocks retains his appointment as Inspector-General of 
the Munster -Police. 

It is deemed worthy of observation, and a proof of the change in the time, that the Mayor, on 
the 10th of May, actually and publicly advertised for estimates for the repair of the parapet wall 
on George's quay, and the three water slips on the same — two of them — the one near the new 
(now Mathew) bridge — and the other near Ball's bridge, were in a most deplorable and truly 
dangerous state, having probably, no attention paid them, since their erection in 1763 ; the slip 
at the end of Creagh-lane was well repaired in the Mayoralty of Andrew Watson, Esq. in 1812. 

June 6th. — In the King's Bench, William Taylor, one of the City Sheriffs, sentenced to one 
month's imprisonment, in Kilmainham Gaol, from the first day of term, for using and writing 
provoking expressions to John Norris Russell — inducing him to break the peace ; this matter 
arose out of the disputes between the Corporation and the Independents, of whom Mr. J. N. 
Russell was an efficient member. 

The Linen Board has granted 200 spinning wheels and 12 reels, to enable the unemployed 
females in this County to earn a subsistence. The grant to the several Counties in the Province 



438 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Another great suit was tried at Cork Spring Assizes, in the year after 
(181 6) , in which John Tuthill, Esq., on behalf of the independents, was 
plaintiff, and the Corporation defendants. The jury remained in two days 
and one night — they gave no verdict — eleven were for the plaintiff. One 
only, a Mr. William Taylor, for the defendants. Mr. Taylor was presented 
with the freedom of the city for this act, in a gold box, and was made Sheriff 
in the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822. 

On the 23rd of March, another trial took place, with the same plaintiff and 
defendants, on other grounds, in which the plaintiff was non-suited. 

At the commencement of this century one of the most ancient families 
in the County of Limerick, could lay claim to three distinguished individuals 
whose names are interwoven with the history of the time. We refer to 
Standish CVGrady, afterwards Chief Baron Q'Grady, afterwards Yiscount 
Guillamore. Harry Dean Grady, and Thomas Grady of Belmont, better 
known by the soubriquet of Spectacle Grady. 

We have already referred to the Rt. Hon. Standish O'Grady, far the most 
distinguished of the three. 

Harry Dean Grady was a barrister of great and rising talents. He 
represented Limerick in Parliament in conjunction with Colonel Yereker, 
and supported the fatal Union, against which his colleague voted on every 

of Munster, including Limerick, amounts to 1798 wheels and 383 reeb, at the total expense of 
£1000. 

Ball's Bridge, Mary-street, Nicholas-street, Castle-street, and part of Thomond Bridge, newly 
paved since the commencement of this year. 

In the Summer Assizes of this year, a change in the route of the Munster Circuit took place — 
since the Summer Assizes of 1796, when Tipperary and Waterford were added to the Leinster 
Circuit, the judges began at Ennis, thence to Limerick, thence to Tralee, and finished the judicial 
career at Cork. This year, they commenced at Cork, thence to Ennis, thence to Limerick, thence 
to Tralee ; and in consequence of the weight of the criminal business, return again to Cork after 
all the other business of the Circuit is finished. 

Messrs. Williams and Cockburn of Dublin, have contracted for the new Lunatic Asylum about 
to be built in this City, at a sum not much exceeding £20,000. This work will give employ- 
ment to the numerous distressed tradesmen at this period 

July 4th. — Two Dutch Boers or farmers have been brought by the Linen Board from Holland, 
to instruct the peasantry of this county in the cultivation and management of flax, which is a 
source of national wealth to Holland. Their tour will be the Counties of Cork, Limerick, Clare, 
and Galway. A great number of linen wheels and reels have, within a short period, been dis- 
tributed among poor young females here to encourage them to industry. 
Diary of the weather for June : — 

Thermometer — Highest, 70. Lowest, 45. 

Barometer— Highest, 30, 40. Lowest, 29, 30. 

Days of rain— 10. Cloudy— 6. Sunshine— 13. Thunder— 1. 
Wind, in general, N.E., N.W., and S.W. Quantity of rain — 1 inch six-tenths. 

July 12th The following will show the great depression in the articles of life. A boat load 

of potatoes was this day sold at the Poor House at three farthings per stone. 

July 26th. — At the Summer Assizes £4000 to be presented in the County for the Insurrection 
Act to the Judges ; £2000 to the Police. 

In the month of July a new Butter Weigh-house built in Carr-street, closely adjoining the 
new Linen Hall. The former Weigh-house outside Mungret Gate ejected for want of title. 

August 4th. — A man named Daniel O'Connell, who had been tried at the Assizes, was executed 
in froi-.t of the new County Jail for murder. He acknowledged that he was one of the party 
who broke into the house of Dennis Morrissey, on the 22nd of February, 1822 ; but he denied 
that he fired the shot by which Morissey was killed. 

August 7th Labourers commenced digging the foundations for the New Lunatic Asylum on 

tho Waterford and Tipperary road, Upper William-street. 
State of tho weather for July : — 

Thermometer — Highest, 69. Lowest, 50. 

Barometer — Highest, 29. Lowest, 0. 

Weather — Days with rain — 27. Cloudy and no rain — 3. Sunshine — 1. 
Wind in general W. S.W. and N.W. 
Quantity of rain upon each square foot of surface — 3 Inches. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 439 

occasion. He was rewarded with the office of " first Counsel to the Com- 
mons/' after which he slowly sunk into obscurity. Two of his daughters, 
Lady Muskerry and Lady Boche, were married to members of their native 
County. Mr. Thomas Grady's first appearance in public was at the meeting 
of the bar convened to discuss the Union on the 9th of December, 
1799. Of course the Father of the Bar occupied the chair, and Saurin, 
Plunket, Bushe, Jonah Barrington, Peter Burrowes, and all the most distin- 
guished members of the bar attended. St. George Daly was the first to 
speak in favor of the Union. Of him it was wittily observed, that the Union 
was the first brief he spoke out of. Thomas Grady was Fitzgibbon's spokes- 
man. " The Irish/' said Mr. Grady, following Daly, " are only the rump of 
an aristocracy. Shall I visit posterity with a system of war, pestilence and 
famine ? No i Give me a Union. Unite me to that country where all is. 
peace, order and prosperity. "Without a Union we shall see embryo chief 
justices, attorneys-general in perspective, and animalcula sergeants ? &c. &c" 
Mr. John Beresford, Lord Clare's pursebearer, followed in the same strain, and 
Thomas Goold, another Limerick man, practically closed the debate with the 
declaration, that " the Almighty has in majestic characters signed the great 
charter of our independence. The great Creator of the world has given 
our beloved country the gigantic outlines of a kingdom. The God of 

nature never intended that Ireland should be a province, and hy she 

never shall ! 

Loud applause followed, and the division being taken there appeared 
Against the Union, ... ... 166 

Forit 32 

Majority 134 

For his vote on this occasion, Thomas Grady was made a county Judge, 
worth £600 a year. 

August 16th — A wooden portico of four Doric columns with its entablature, erected at the 
entrance of the new Augustinian Chapel (lately a Theatre) in George's-street. 

August 18th. — Patrick Ivis executed at the New Gaol, pursuant to sentence at the last Assizes. 
He acknowledged his guilt ; he was sixty years of age. 

August 22nd James Connell and John Dundon executed at the New Gaol, pursuant to 

sentence at the last Assizes. Daniel Nunan, under similar circumstances, received a reprieve, 
a few minutes before his associates were led to execution. 

The vulgar tradition, " that if St. Swithin's day (15th July) is wet, it will rain for forty days 
after," was most completely exemplified this year ; probably a wetter autumn has not been 
remembered, Turf was taken by the country people from the Quays to Charleville, Bruff, 
Tipperary, Rathkeale, and all around in the County of Limerick, to the extent of twenty miles, 
the bogs being under water and inaccessible. At this period (August 26th; the crops are very 
luxuriant and promising ; but the heat is only 61 on Farenheit scale, whereas summer, or ripen- 
ing heat is always 76. 

August 30th. — Henry Rose, Esq. elected to serve the office of sheriff for the ensuing year, in 
the room of John Cripps, Esq. Jun. who was appointed to that situation on Monday after the 
24:th of June. 

From returns made to the House of Commons in the course of the last Sessions, it appears 
that the following Protestant Parochial Schools are in the sees of Limerick and Kerry : — 

Fifteen Parochial Schools which are attended by about twelve hundred children. The greater 
part of the population are Roman Catholics, and stoutly persist in refusing to permit their 
children to receive any instruction from a Protestant Establishment. 

Sept. 5th. — A Special Session of the Insurrection Act held at the Court-house ; a man sent off 
from the dock for transportation. 

Diary of the weather for August : — 

Thermometer — Highest, 72. Lowest, 41. 

Barometer — Highest, 30-10. Lowest, 29. 

Weather — Sunshine, cloudy, and rain more or less every day ; wind in general S.W., W.N.W. 
Quantity of rain— 1 inch. 



440 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Although possessed of great talents he practically failed at the bar. He 
was eaten up with the green-eyed monster, and if surpassed by any one, he 
cherished for him the most undying hatred, being totally incapable of 
understanding, that sooner or later we all meet our masters. Even his 
relative, Standish CVGrady, was not exempt from this jealousy, and many 
were the satires directed against him by his kinsman. Sick at heart and 
soured in disposition, Grady ultimately left the bar, and devoted much 
time to his pen. 1 

1 The character of this extraordinary man may be thus epitomised. — He was a gentleman of 
independent property, a good lawyer, but without judgment, an amatory poet, a severe and scarcely 
decent satirist, and an indefatigable tuft-hunter. He wrote the " Flesh-brush" for Lady Clare ; 
the " West Briton" for the Union, " The Barrister" for the Bar, and the " Nosegay" for Mr. Bruce 
the banker at Limerick, who it is said, refused to appreciate the value of some accommodation 
bills tendered to him in exchange for cash. The following extract from the " Nosegay" will 
show the characteristics of the poem. It represents Bruce tortured by his own conscience and 
reflections in the solitude of night : 

Yet in the dark and dreadful midnight hour, 
Oh God ! this caitiff owns thy sovereign pow'r ; 
It happen'd once, by some unlucky doom, 
I lay (not slept) in his adjoining room ; 
'Twas then I witness'd of his soul the pangs, 
The stripes of conscience, and of guilt the fangs ; 
Scar'd by fierce visions from his fev'rish rest, 
He saw ten thousand daggers at his breast ; 
"Murder ! ye villains ! murder !" he exclaim'd, 
And of his many victims some he named ; 
Now seem'd the pistol's muzzle to evade, 
And parried now the visionary blade. 
Now roar'd and bellow'd like one mad or drunk, 
And now to abject supplication sunk ; 
Now the most hellish imprecations utter'd ; 
Now, half suppressed, the Litany he mutter'd ; 
And now, confounding blessed spirits with evil, 
Invok'cl, at once, our Saviour and the Devil. 
Thus passed a night, which fear and fury share, 
A sad melange of blasphemy and pray'r ; 
And while his groans and suspirations rattle, 
I thought of Richard on the eve of battle ! 
«•■»#*##* * 

Oh ! Heav'nly Father ! merciful and kind, 
Subdue my passions, grant me peace of mind ! 
Peace with good men on earth to me be given, 
And glory be to Thee, on high in Heav'n ! 
And if this world one Atheist shall disclose, 
Thy sacred balm of mercy interpose ; 
Place him by night where he may fairly hear 
The ravings of this wretch's guilt and fear ; 
Atheist no more — reform'd, he'll bend the knee 
To truth and grace, to Majesty and thee. 

It is to be regretted that many passages in his works render them unfit for general perusal. In 
the year 1816 he published a second edition of the " Nosegay," upon which an action for libel was 
brought against him at Spring assizes, 1817, and £500 damages given to Bruce, though £20,000 
were sought. Th? following are the names of the jury before whom the case was tried : — Hon. 
George Eyre Massy, Foreman ; Edward Croker ; Stephen Edward Rice ; The Knight of Glin; De 
Courcy O'Grady ; Thomas Rice ; Michael Scanlan ; Edward Villiers ; George Tuthill ; John Greene ; 
Robert Cripps ; Alexander Rose, Esqrs. The local papers suppressed the trial, but portions of it 
were printed by A. J. Watson, Limerick, for the Editor, which caused much litigation after- 
wards. The damages Grady would never pay, and voluntarily expatriated himself for life. He 
died some few years ago at Boulogne. His works abound in curious anecdotes about Limerick 
people. The following anecdote about Bernard, Bishop of Limerick, in 1799, will afford a fair 
specimen of his dry humour : 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 441 



CHAPTEE XLVIII. 

LOCOMOTION. MR. BIANCONI. EDUCATIONAL REFORM. INTRODUCTION OF 

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS TO LIMERICK. THOMAS SPRING RICE, ESQ. 

CHAIRING OE MR. TUTHILL. DISTURBANCES AFTER VISIT OF GEORGE IV. 

TERMS OFFERED BY THE INSURGENTS, &C. &C. 



It was in the same year (1815), that Mr. Charles Bianconi, an Italian by 
birth, but an Irishman in heart, and of wonderful energy and ability, applied 
his active mind to the promotion of means for the public accommodation of 
passengers in the South of Ireland, which had been hitherto confined to a 
few mail and day coaches, which travelled with comparative leisure on the 
great lines of road between Minister and Dublin. 

From his peculiar position in the country, he had ample opportunities of 
reflecting on many things, and nothing struck him more forcibly than the 
great vacuum that existed in travelling accommodation between the different 
orders of society. 

" I never will forget the impression thi3 accomplished man (the Bishop) made upon me, the 
first day I sat in his company. It was at Lord Gort's — after dinner the conversation took a 
stupid turn upon our taxes, and particularly upon the window tax, then lately laid on this 
country, and I threw in some stupid observations, reprobating the tax and lamenting the miser- 
able five or six pounds a-year I had to pay for my house in Dublin — ' Sir,' says he, ' you have 
no taxes, it is idle to talk of taxes in this country. Sir, I had a house once in London that lay 
at the angle of two great streets. By consequence it had two fronts — each very extensive, and 
with more than the ordinary proportion of windows to each front — and sir, I had to pay for the 
window tax of that house (I think he said) £80.' This struck me with horror — proximus ardet. 
I had a prophetic anticipation of what had since happened, and in the state of despair arising 
from the coup a"ceil, I burst forth into the vulgar and indecent ejaculation of ' oh blood and 
'ounds !' I saw in an instant the lawn sleeves present themselves to my confounded imagination. 
I was sensible of the vulgarity and grossness I had committed, and I most humbly asked his 
pardon. He saw I was degraded and humbled in my own feelings, and fixing his eyes upon me, 
which sparkled when he was going to be playful, and gave notice of the coming flash — ' Well — 
you may say ' blood and 'ounds,' sir ! It was enough to make any honest man say ' blood and 
'ounds,' sir ! I can tell you, sir, it has made a bishop say ' blood and 'ounds,' sir.' The whole 
table was convulsed, and I was redeemed by the wit, the pleasantry, and good nature of this 
admirable man." 

O'Grady also wrote " Sir Phelim O'Shaughnessy," the " Two-penny Post-Bag," &c. 



September 29th. — Pursuant to Act 4th Geo. IV. the Freemen of the City assembled in the 
Tolsel Court, to elect a Common Speaker for the Court of D'Oyer Hundred ; John Barclay 
Westropp, Esq. was elected. There is no mention in the existing books of the Corporation of a 
Common Speaker being chosen since the 3rd of April, 1680, when Robert Smyth, Burgess, was 
chosen to that office. Mr. Westropp and Mr. Hughes Russell were the only Candidates for the 
office of Common Speaker, the former on the Corporation interest, the latter on the independent 
interest. The Rev. Henry I vers Ingram, the oldest resident freeman, presided in the Chair. 
Numbers for Westropp, 122 ; for Russell, 20. 

In this summer Rutland-street, George's-street, and Patrick-street, were newly paved. 

In this year the 29th Regiment quartered here ; they paraded to church every Sunday twenty 
boys and twenty girls. Captain Bridges was remarkable in the Regiment as a very wealthy 
man; he drove a bang-up coach and four-in-hand, the first seen in Limerick — he always drove, 
and was accompanied by several of his brother officers seated on the roof, with one or more 
servants in the hinder 3eat, blowing horns. 

October 3rd. — Ten men tried in Kathkeale, under the Insurrection Act, and sentenced to seven 
years' transportation ; and on the 4th, three more met a similar fate. 



442 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The inconvenience felt for the want of more extended means of intercourse, 
particularly from the interior of the country to the different market towns, 
gave great advantage to the few at the expense of the many ; and, above all, 
a great loss of time. 

In July, 1815, he started a car for the conveyance of passengers from 
Clonmel to Caher, which he subsequently extended to Tipperary and Limerick; 
at the end of the same year, he started similar cars from Clonmel to Cashel 
and Thurles, and from Clonmel to Carrick and Waterford, and he subse- 
quently extended this establishment, including the most insulated localities, 
and numbering in 1843, 100 vehicles, including mail coaches and different 
sized cars, capable of carrying from four to twenty passengers each, and 
travelling eight or nine miles an hour, at an average of one penny farthing 
per mile for each passenger, and performing daily 3,800 miles, passing 
through over 140 stations for the change of horses, consuming 3 to 4,000 
tons of hay, and from 30 to 40,000 barrels of oats, annually, all of which were 
purchased in their respective localities. 

His establishment originated immediately after the peace of 1815, having 
then had the advantage of a supply of first class horses intended for the army, 
and rating in price from ten to twenty pounds each, one of which drew a car 
and six persons with ease seven miles an hour. The demand for such horses 
having ceased, the breeding of them naturally diminished, and, after some 
time, he found it necessary to put two inferior horses to do the work of one. 
Finding he thus had extra horse power, he increased the size of the car, 
which held six passengers — three on each side — to one capable of carrying 
eight, and in proportion as the breed of horses improved, he continued to 
increase the size of the cars for summer work, and to add to the number of 
horses in winter, for the conveyance of the same number of passengers, until 
he converted the two- wheeled two-horse cars into four-wheeled cars, drawn 
by two, three, or four horses, according to the traffic on the respective roads, 
and the wants of the public. 

Oct. 6th. — New mayor and sheriffs sworn to office ; the sergeants-at-mace, bailiffs, and con- 
stables, appeared in new and hitherto uncommonly fine uniforms. Before this time it was not the 
custom to clothe them till the ensuing spring assizes. 

The toll on corn and grain this year is one penny per bushel. 

The decadence of theatricals throughout Ireland is instanced this year, not only by the change 
of the Theatre of Limerick into an admirable Catholic Church, but that at Kilkenny, so famous 
some years ago for its theatricals, has been changed into a hay market and corn store. The 
Patrick-street theatre, Cork, is appropriated to the fine arts, and the Wexford theatre converted 
into a dissenting meeting house. 

October 29th. — At a special sessions in the City Court House, under the Insurrection Act, a 
man sentenced to seven years' transportation, and sent out of the dock. 

October 30th and 31st. — Dreadful storms and shipwrecks on the English coast. This city, 
and Ireland generally, have escaped. 

December 3rd. — A great depression in the mercury, but no storm. 

Viscount Gort elected a sitting peer of the Kealm in the room of the late Viscount Powerscourt. 

Dec. 6th This day the Cork coach from this city leaves the Post Office at half-past eleven 

o'clock, a.m., and arrives in Cork at eight, p.m. ; leaves Cork at six, a.m., and arrives here at 
half-past two, p.m., performing the journey of fifty miles, Irish, in eight hours and a-half. 

Dec. 10th and 11th. — Special sessions at Rathkeale, under the Insurrection Act ; one man,*a 
country schoolmaster, an alleged writer of Captain Rock's orders, transported. 

In the summer of this year a vestibule or portico, supported by four wooden columns of the 
Ionic order, erected over the entrance into the new Augustinian Chapel, George's-street. 

Dec. 12th In the Court of King's Bench the will of the late Mrs. Hannah Villiers, of this 

city, fully established ; among many charitable bequests, she has left the sum of £288 per year 
for the support of twelve poor widows at £24 each. By this will an Alms House was built at her 
expense for their reception on a piece of ground adjoining St. Munchin's churchyard, and known 
by the name of the Bishop's Garden, which she had purchased several years before for this 
purpose. This Alms House is admirably built, and is beautifully situated in view of the 
Shannon, the Clare mountains, &c. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 443 

The progress of the establishment was wonderful. 1 Mr. Bianconi 
became one of the men of mark of his time. He has been also always 
prominent in the political movements of his time as a staunch and earnest 
friend of O'Connell, and his policy. He threw heart and soul and money 
into the movement for Catholic Emancipation ; he realised a noble fortune, 
portion of which he has invested in the purchase of estates in his adopted 
County of Tipperary, of which he is a Magistrate, a Grand Juror, and 
Deputy Lieutenant. The late Sir Robert Peel recognised his public services 
by a complimentary reference to them in the House of Commons, when the 
naturalization of Mr. Bianconi was granted. He relates himself that in 
1807-'8 he was located at Carrick-on-Suir, distant from T7aterford, by road 
sixteen, and by the River Suir about thirty miles } and the only public mode 
of conveyance for passengers between these two places, containing a popula- 
tion of between thirty and forty thousand inhabitants, was " Tom Morrissey's 
boat/'' which carried from eight to ten passengers, and which, besides being 
obliged to await the tide, took from four to five hours to perform the journey, 
at a fare of sixpence-halfpenny of the then currency. At the time the rail- 
way opened between Cork and Wat erf or d, in 1853, there was between the 
two towns horse-power capable of conveying by cars and coaches one 
hundred passengers daily, performing the journey in less than two hours, at 
a fare of two shillings, thus showing that the people not only began to 
understand the value of time, but also appreciated it. He subsequently 
became a contractor for the conveyance of several cross mails, at a price not 
exceeding half the amount which the Government had paid the postmasters 
for doing this duty ; and it was not until Lord O'Neill and Lord Ross had 
ceased to be Postmasters-General of Ireland, and that the Duke of Richmond 
became Postmaster General of the United Kingdom, under the Government 
of Lord Grey, and that the local postmasters were no longer appointed 
exclusively from one section of the community, that the conveyance of all 
the cross mails was set up to public competition, to be carried on the 
principle of his establishment. 

Notwithstanding the inroads made on his establishment by railways, and 
which displaced over 1,000 horses, and obliged him to direct his attention to 
such portions of the country as had not before the benefit of his conveyances, 
he still in 1865 employs about 900 horses, travelling over 4,000 miles daily, 

l The following interesting particulars as to the extension of the great locomotive establishment 
of Mr. Bianconi, show that this establishment has at least been fif ty years connected with Limerick ! 



Clonmel to 


Limerick 


Commenced 


1815 


Clonmel to 


Thurles, 




1815 


Clonmel to 


Water ford, 


10 o'Clock, A.M. 


1816 


M « 


" 


6 o'Clock, a.m. 


1820 


(i CI 


" 


3 o'Clock, p.m. 


1821 


to 


Cork, 




1821 


" to 


Kilkenny, 




1820 


Kilkenny to 


Waterford, 




1822 


Thurles to 


Kilkenny, 




1822 


Clonmel to 


Roscrea, 




1822 


" to 


Tipper ary, 


3 o'Clock, r.M. 


1828 


Limerick to 


Cork, 




1830 


Clonmel to 


Youghal, 




1831 


Limerick to 


Tralee, (Coach,) 




1833 


u « 


" (Car,) 




1833 


Tralee to 


Caherciveen, 




1834 


Kilarney to 


" 




1836 


Limerick to 


Galway, 




1837 


Galway to 


Tuam, 




1833 



444 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

passing through twenty- three counties, having 137 stations, and working 
twelve mail and day coaches 672 miles ; fifty four-wheel cars, with two and 
more horses, travelling 1,930 miles; and sixty-six two-wheel one-horse 
cars, travelling 1,604 miles. 1 

Almost contemporaneously with the introduction of this great locomotive 
improvement, the extension of the Schools of the Christian Brothers to 
Limerick in 1816, took place. The institute which has conferred wonderful 
good on Society, was projected by Mr. Edmond Eice of Waterford, who in 
the year 1802, had submitted the plan of the proposed association to Pope 
Pius YIL by whom he was encouraged to proceed with it, and by whom it 
was eventually approved of and confirmed in 1820. Since "that time the 
schools have rapidly extended, and continued to extend — and when the 
Commissioners who were appointed to enquire into the endowed schools in 
Ireland in 1858, made their examination, they visited the Christian Schools, 
though not endowed by the State, on the contrary, entirely separated 
from any state endowment whatever, and at that time there were 15,000 
pupils in these schools in Ireland, and 3,000 in England. In Limerick the 
schools have gone on in the most successful manner : there are no less than 
six of those schools in the City of Limerick, while there are schools also in 
Bruff, Adare, Eathkeale, &c. In 1858, there were 1,458 pupils in those 
schools. The Commissioners, of whom the Earl of Kildare was Chairman, 
reported that " the state of education is noticed as excellent. Several of the 
pupils could draw well ; their writing was generally unexceptionable ; and 
the answering in Euclid, mechanics, arithmetic, and all the ordinary depart- 
ments of English education, including dictation, was of a very superior order. 2 
~No greater blessing could be conferred on a community than that which has 
been extended through the influence and operations of these admirable 
schools, which in 1865 contain nearly 1800 pupils, in seventeen school- 
rooms, some of which contain over one hundred pupils each, and which are 
every day proving their superiority over all that has been done to check 
their growth, or win their pupils to other and more showy establishments 
on which the state has been lavishing enormous funds. 

The battle of independence was nobly fought in Limerick, nor could it ever 
have been fought so well, were it not for the wanton plunder of the Cor- 
poration, which, stimulated by the apprehension that its days were numbered, 
left no stone unturned to make the most of the time of respite, from a doom 
which all honest men heartily desired to see it receive. Daniel Q'Connell 
had already denounced the misdeeds of the Corporation, the annals of which, 
at this time, were nothing more than malversation of the public funds, out- 
rageous infringements on public liberty, corruption of the worst character, 
manufacture of freemen, &c. Eor some time Thomas Spring Eice, Esq., 
who had attained a prominent place in the public eye, by energy and atten- 
tion to public business, had identified himself with the popular struggles. 
This gentleman, connected with the city by family ties of ancient duration, 
and born in Mungret- street, 3 threw himself heart and soul into the ranks of 
the independents ; and well did he advance his own interests by the part he 
took, in promoting those of the citizens against the conspiracies of an un- 

i Papers Read before the British Association Meeting at Cork 1843. Before the same at 
Dublin 1857, and before the Social Science Congress in Dublin 1861. 

2 Report of Her Majestj^s Commissioners on the endowments, &c. &c. of all the schools 
endowed for the purposes of education in Ireland in 1858. 

3 In the house occupied by Mr. Parker, No. 1, Mungret-strect. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 445 

scrupulous faction. A Protestant, Mr. Spring Eice carried with him his in- 
fluential connexions and friends of that persuasion. Early in 1815, he wrote 
a pamphlet, in which he vehemently denounced the Grand Jury Laws. The 
Corporation had become rank in the nostrils of all classes, and every man wished 
to see an end to its ignominious reign of audacity and spoliation. Mr. Tuthill 
had fought the good fight, but was defeated by a combination of the most 
discordant elements. A great blow to the interests of all parties was struck 
at the declaration of peace, after the battle of Waterloo ; and as history re- 
peats itself, we have to record the fact, that in the years following 1815 the 
country fell from comparative prosperity to the very abyss of misery and woe ; 
bankruptcies in country and town were rife ; farmers and landlords, shop- 
keepers and merchants, brokers and money-changers, all fell in promiscuous 
ruin ; and no where was the visitation more severely experienced than in the 
city and county of Limerick. Of the several banks in the city, the bank of 
Messrs. Thomas and William Eoche, was the only private bank that with- 
stood the shock and braved the storm in Limerick. To the everlasting 
honour of the Eoches be it said, they paid every penny to every holder of 
their notes ; and, whilst others succumbed beneath an unexampled and un- 
foreseen pressure, they kept their credit and proved that confidence was well 
placed in their honor. 

At this time, Mr. Thomas Grady, of Belmont, wooed the Muses in the 
shape of an Ode to Peace, a remarkable production; and just when the 
country was convulsed by a social revolution, resulting from a sudden fall 
in prices, and its heart-breaking effects on society, the poet manifested a 
spirit capable of feeling for the miseries of the people, however bitter and 
unscrupulous his satire was against Mr. Bruce. 

Mr. Grady complimented several of the resident landlords of the county ; 
but it should be stated, that the social condition of the people had given the 
greatest pain and affliction, even before the peace of 1815, to the well- think- 
ing and reflecting amongst the highest in the land — -some few of whom were 
an exception to the overwhelming majority. If Judge Day wrote himself 
down as a truculent upholder of the state of things that existed, and went 
about charging, in a manner of which his friend Toler might well approve, 
there were other judges on the bench who saw the evil in its true features, 
and who did not hesitate to denounce the causes and the results with noble 
firmness, and the eloquence of truth and sincerity. Among those judges, 
Judge Fletcher stood in the loftiest grade — he was bold, honest, firm, and 
unflinching. 1 Would that the lofty bearing, the sterling honesty, the 
dignified power of Judge Fletcher, had those to imitate his judicial virtues 
and admirable character at this day ! Would that from the high seat of the 
judge, were poured into the ears of men in authority, words fraught with 
wholesome admonition, and lessons which, for the sake of the country, it 
would be well that landlords and others would take to heart, and profit by. 
If Mr. Thomas Grady wrote powerfully in reference to the multitudinous 
evils against which even he did not shut his eyes, Judge Fletcher about 
the same time, gave warning to those who should listen to his admonitions 



» His charge to the Grand Jury of the County of Wexford, edited by the late Frederick Wra. 
Conway, of the Dublin Evening Post, and given to the world at a moment when the iron had 
entered' into the souls of the people, was an expression of opinion from the judgment seat, on 
the wrongs of Ireland, which deserves an everlasting place in the grateful memory of all 
faithful Irishmen ! 



446 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

to put their house in order, and prepare for the evil time which so soon 
came upon them. He denounced, in terms not to be mistaken, the system 
which to this hour has acted like an anthrax in eating up the vitals of native 
prosperity, in oppressing and overloading the poor with an insufferable 
weight of wretchedness, in setting up land to the highest bidder, who, when 
he obtains it, tires of his bargain, and again becomes himself the victim of 
the same system which annihilated his predecessor. 

The battle of independence continued to wage in the city. Mr. Eice 
already the champion of the popular cause, was looked upon as the future 
representative in parliament of Limerick. At every meeting of the Indepen- 
dents he took a prominent part. — He aided all who stood forth against the 
irresponsible iniquity of the Corporation. As each sum was doled out by 
that body for corrupt purposes, he, and the Independents took note, and 
exerted themselves to check the wrong doings of their honors, but it was all 
in vain for a time ; the manufacture of freemen by the Corporation was such, 
that nothing could resist its bad effects in interfering with the exertions of 
the citizens, who, nothing daunted — persevered, knowing that truth and 
justice were on their side. "Magna est Veritas et pevalebit" 

Mr. Tuthill was chaired after a contest between him and Major Vereker, 
in which, however, the gallant Major was victorious. The local Tory organ 
did not publish a report of the popular ovation, because it had been always 
ranged on the opposite side ; but in a Dublin paper of the day, the chairing 
was described as an unparalleled popular triumph, during which Mr. Tuthill 
was surrounded by at least 30,000 people. 

On the chair were four labels in letters of gold ; the first was, God save 
the King ; the second, the Man of the People ; the third, the Champion of 
our Eights ; and the fourth, Tuthill and Independence. He was presented 
with favours from the several trades : with a beautiful sash from the 
clothiers. What heightened the scene, and excited the greatest enthusiasm, 
was the presenting him with a branch of laurel, the leaves of which were 
edged with gold, by Mrs. Eussell, of Glent worth- street. This was done 
amidst loud huzzas, waving of handkerchiefs and hats. The procession, in 
the following order, then moved on : first, the different tradesmen with cock- 
ades and favours, amounting to some thousands, their respective banners in 
front, and walking arm in arm, indiscriminately united. Next came a square 
car, with high railing, interwoven with shrubs and flowers ; in the middle 
was planted the tree of knowledge, representing the garden of Eden ; two 
children were standing at the step of the garden, dressed in buff to represent 
Adam and Eve in their innocent state ; a large eel was twined round the tree, 
in imitation of the serpent who alights on it, and was anxiously expecting 
Adam would take the apple from Eve that she was presenting him with. 
Then came the chair, preceded by gentlemen bearing banners, on which were 
inscribed, c Our Music is the Voice of the People :' and now our longing eyes 
beheld Mr. Tuthill surrounded with nearly all the wealth, talent, and res- 
pectability of Limerick. On the platform were Mr. William Eoche, the 
banker, Mr. Mathew Barrington, and other respectable gentlemen ; and the 
chair was followed by about 800 respectable citizens with wands, to which 
branches of laurel were bound. The procession was closed by an iiinumerable 
concourse of people, and proceeded through every quarter of the city, 
even to the liberties ; but in going through George Vstreet, Major 
Yereker stepped out on the balcony at the Club-house, respectfully bowed 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 447 

to Mr. Tuthill, and remained uncovered untill the procession passed by. l 
Returning, the procession stopped at the prison to pay a token of respect to 
Mr. Bryan M'Mahon, who had been sheriff in 180 8, with Mr. Abraham 
Colclough Stretch, and who became legally liable for the defalcations incurred 
by his colleague, was arrested and incarcerated after having voted for Mr. 
Tuthill, and hence the demonstration in his favor. 

Such was a chairing in the times at which our history has arrived, and 
such was the enthusiasm of the citizens, though success did not smile on 
their exertions. The Corporation, in the face of these demonstrations, pro- 
ceeded in its iniquitous and spoliating courses. Hundreds of freemen con- 
tinued to be manufactured. And about this time, it having been proposed 
by Lord Viscount Gort to become tenant to the several lots of ground, 
houses and premises, then just out of lease, at Thomondgate, Carr- 
street, Limekiln concern, West Watergate, Crotagh or Garryowen, John- 
street, Pennywell, Diocesan School and elsewhere, on a lease of lives renew- 
able for ever, " at a rent to be valued and ascertained by a committee of the 
Council to be appointed for the purpose/'' it was resolved that " the said 
houses, plots and concerns, to Lord Viscount Gort be let at the rent which 
shall be ascertained by the said committee, and that leases of lives renewable 
for ever be perfected to him of the same/'' The committee was appointed ; 
it consisted of creatures of Lord Gort ; the leases were perfected ; and the 
public property was dealt with as if it were a valueless nuisance. No 
wonder that the et rising star" of Thomas Spring Eice should be regarded 
under auspices so favourable to the interests he undertook to promote. 2 

On the 17th December, 1817, the Corporation moved an address of 
condolence to the Prince Regent on the melancholy and sudden death of the 
Princess Charlotte of Wales, Consort of His Highness Leopold of Saxe- 
Coburgh. An address was passed to the Lord Lieutenant, through whom 
the former address was transmitted. 3 

On the 4th of January, 1817, the Corporation presented, through the 
Lord Lieutenant, an address of condolence to the Prince Regent on the 
death of his mother, the Queen, and on the same day it resolved to defend 
a petition against Major Vereker, which was presented to Parliament, and 
to defray the expenses. 4 

On the 19th of June, 1818, the Mayor's salary, which had been £365 
per annum, was increased to £500 per annum; the Recorder's salary was 
increased to £200 per annum ; and the payment to the Mayor was ordered to 
be made in advance by the considerate Corporators. 

It is no wonder that legalised vengeance should have befallen the Corpora- 
tion. In the history of the world there has been seldom heard of such 
malversation, spoliation, and unblushing plunder. 

About this time, viz. in 1817, the County Gaol, on the Cork road, was 
commenced. At Spring assizes 1816, the Grand Jury had granted a sum of 

1 This mark of respect was certainly felt as it ought to be : it was of a piece with his conduct 
all through the election, which was highly honourable and praiseworthy ; and which we have 
no hesitation in saying, made a good many friends for himself. 

2 Mr. Tuthill, who had been the man of the people, fell, in some short time afterwards, from 
his high estate, and went over to the enemy, which he had expended such enormous sums, and 
so much energy and determination in opposing. 

3 By what means the Princess Charlotte died, history is silent, though the busy tongue of 
rumour has it that Her Royal Highness was put out of the way by the foulest means imaginable. 

4 The petition referred to the manufacture of non-resident freemen, and to the fact that mul- 
titudes of men were not granted their freedom who had the right. 



448 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

£23,000 to be invested in Commissioners for the purpose of building this 
Gaol. The Government in the first instance, advanced the money, to be 
repaid by instalments at the rate of £1,916 13s. 4d. each assizes : there had 
been a fund of 5,000 on hands for this purpose, 1 In 1821 it was finished 
at an expense of £23,000. 

Andrew Fletcher, of Saltouns, says he knew a wise man who believed it 
mattered not who made the laws if he had the making of the ballads. — 
These times were rife in ballads and poetical pamphlets. Mr. Thomas 
Grady, as we have seen, wrote from his retreat at Belmont, where it is said, 
when a happy thought struck him, it was his custom, at dead of night, to 
ring the bell, to ask the servant to strike a light, proceed to the library, and 
there sit up, perhaps, till morning, throwing off in verse the sentiments by 
which he was actuated, lest by postponement he should forget them. 2 There 
were other and not bad poets too, and ballad rhymers, at the time 3 . 

Just about the very time when the courtiers and flatterers of George the 
Fourth, and some sanguine Irish patriots, who believed in the reality of his 
favorable intentions towards Ireland, were calculating upon the happy results 
of the Royal visit, in August, 1821, disturbances of a very serious character 
again broke out in the County Limerick, and parts of Cork and Tipperary, 
as if in mockery of the predictions of the tranquilising effects of that visit 
which were made by Mr. W. Conyngham Plunket, and other admirers and 
beneficiaries of that deceitful and profligate Sovereign. Mr. Plunket, indeed, 
who had always acted with the small, but noble and energetic party who 
represented Irish national interests in the English House of Commons, the 
friends and followers of Grattan, Ponsonby Shaw, and Sir John Newport, 
had been appointed his Majesty's Attorney- General, at the King's particular 

1 Messrs. Pain and Harman's proposals for building the^new gaol was accepted by the Com- 
missioners on the 27th of March — their estimate was £21 250, which did not amount to more 
than l^d. an acre on the county at each assizes. The whole was repaid in six years. It was 
built on the modern model, similar to which nearly all the gaols in the country were afterwards 
erected. A sum of £2,000 was expended on a tread mill, kitchen, laundry, &c. It contains 22 
apartments for debtors, and 103 cells for criminals and convicts. There are five solitary, or 
what were denominated " condemned" cells. Immediately after its completion, it was thronged 
with prisoners, as it was just at this period that those disturbances commenced in the county, 
on which we shall have much to say, and which originated in the unsettled relations of landlord 
and tenant, and gave occasion for the greatest possible amount of irritation, &c., for a lengthened 
period. The former County Gaol was the one anciently adjoining the present City Prison, with 
an entrance from Crosby Row. The cost on the County and Liberties of the Insurrection Act in 
1816, was 

£ s. d. 
1160 on the County. 
766 13 6 on the Liberties. 



£1926 13 6 Total. 

2 I have this on the authority of a domestic who had lived with him for a long period. 

3 " Martin Farrel, Philomath," was a very powerful rhymer at the time. He published a long 
poem in four cantos, in 1820, which he " most respectfully dedicated to the Independence of 
Limerick" — and which has a vignette, very well engraved, of Mr. Thomas Spring Kice, in top 
boots, with wand in hand, trampling on the hydra of corruption. Mr. Eice holds the charter of 
" the rights of the city of Limerick restored," whilst a citizen, in top boots, is handing the keys 
of the city to him — and the angel of independence is crowning him with laurels. In the back 
ground is the temple of justice, and the arms of the city — the Castles, flag, &c. The poem des- 
cribes the state to which the country was reduced after the fall of Bonaparte— the crushing of 
banks, the ruin of the farmers, &c, and it pays to the Messrs, Roche a tribute of praise which 
they well deserved. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 449 

desire ; and hence it was not unnatural to expect that this eminent man had 
abated somewhat of the zeal which had distinguished him five or six years 
before when supporting the motion made by that able and patriotic states- 
man, Sir John Newport, in 1816, for a change in the coercive measures 
pursued towards Ireland, he declared that the state of the country indis- 
putably showed that some intrinsic vice was in the Government, which must 
be removed before tranquillity was restored. Civil disabilities, the brutal 
and offensive assertion of superiority by the Orange societies over the whole 
Catholic body, and the offering of designed offence to the Catholic Priesthood 
by the government of the day, were amongst the reasons assigned by Mr. 
Plunket for the evils which afflicted Ireland in those days — and, as one 
instance of the latter fault, he mentioned the case of a Priest in the county 
Limerick, who had been instrumental in quelling a disturbance, for which a 
letter of thanks had been sent him by the Eight Honourable Sir Eobert 
Peel, at that time Chief Secretary ; but, before it could reach his hands, it 
was published in the newspapers, in consequence of which this clergyman 
was held up to the suspicion of his fraternity and his flock, as a person 
aiding the tyrannical purposes of government. 1 He advised ministers to 
retrace the steps as exactly as possible which they had pursued in the govern- 
ment of Ireland, and to adopt, instead of the narrow principles of Protestant 
exclusion, measures calculated to secure the happiness of all classes. 
, Such was Plunket in 1816. But when Sir John Newport brought forward 
his motion in April, 1822, to enquire into the state of Ireland, Plunket 
justified the government, of which he was so able and energetic an official, in 
conferring additional power on the Irish government to arrest the prevailing 
outrages. 2 

While Mr. C. Hutchinson, Sir John Newport, Sir F. Burdett, Sir Lucius 
O'Brien, Mr. Spring Eice, and other members of Parliament of liberal ten- 
dencies, were recommending a policy of conciliation as a remedy for the 
prevailing disturbances, the aggravation, if not the commencement, of these 
agrarian troubles, in the county Limerick at least, was generally ascribed to 
the oppressive treatment of the tenants on the Courtenay estates, which were 
at this time under the management of an exceedingly unpopular agent. 
These immense and beautiful estates, granted to the ancestors of the Earl of 
Devon by Queen Elizabeth, had been in the hands of English trustees, 
the then owner, Lord Yiscount Courtenay, residing in some part of 
America. He had been selling this old forfeiture for some years, the sales 
amounting to some £200,000 ; but he had still remaining 42,000 Irish 
plantation acres — from which fact it will easily be inferred what great influ- 
ence for good or evil one individual possessed in a country where all depended 
on agriculture for their support. The agent was «a Mr. Hoskins, whose 
son was murdered by the followers of Captain Eock, and who was 
succeeded by a gentleman of a very different character, Albert Furlong, 
Esq., of Dublin. We shall mention a few others of the outrages which 
disgraced the country at this unhappy period. At the commencement of the 
disturbances, Major Going, a county magistrate, had been shot on the Com- 
mons of Eathkeale, and shortly afterwards Mr. Christopher Sparling, a 

1 Plunket's Speeches. Duffy, Dublin, 1859. 

2 It was en this occasion that he alluded to the happy effects of the King's visit, of which Lord 
Byron, with the instinct of genius, took much more correct views in his poem called the Avatar-, 
and on this occasion also he suggested the advisability of placing the landlords, whom he cen- 
sured, between the people and the Protestant clergy, of whom he spoke in favourable terms. 

80 



450 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

respectable Palatine farmer, as he was riding towards the town of Newcastle 
from a farm called Rourka, on which he had become tenant on the ejection 
of the late occupier. At a previous attack made upon his house in Patricks- 
well, he had made a spirited resistance, assisted by a respectable young man 
named Samuel Cross, from the city of Limerick, who was resident in the 
house at the time, and unfortunately killed in the attack. Three men were 
hanged for the offence, and one, who contrived to escape to America, was 
accidentally burned in his adopted country. 

It does not enter into our plan to describe the progress of Eockite insur- 
rection 1 at any length, but as a clue to the objects proposed to themselves 
by the insurrectionists, we may mention that after severe fighting at Church- 
town, county Cork, to which county the insurrection had extended, in which 
1500 insurgents were engaged, 

The following were the terms offered by the insurgents, on condition of 
their giving up their arms, and swearing allegiance to his Majesty : 

1st. A discharge of all prisoners taken. 

2nd. No Tithes or Taxes on Windows. 

3rd. All arrears of rent to be forgiven. 

4th. Lands to be lowered to a third of the present rents. 

The peasantry had previously arisen in arms in 1815 and 1817. But the 
failure of the crops in 1828, added to Special Commissions, &c. completely 
broke down the spirit of outrage, though the predisposing cause, the suffer- 
ings of the people, was still unremoved. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



ATROCIOUS MURDER OP ELLEN SCANLAN, ALIAS HANLY, IN THE COUNTY OF 
LIMERICK. — CONVICTION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN SCANLAN, HER HUS- 
BAND, THE MURDERER. PROGRESS OF EVENTS.* — THE INSURRECTION ACT. 

LOCAL ACTS, &C. 

In the spring of the year 1820, a trial as remarkable as any that has 
since taken place, occupied the attention of the public. Romances have 
been written and dramas enacted on the groundwork furnished by this 
terribly tragic event, which became the subject of judicial enquiry before 
the Right Hon. Richard Jebb (fourth Justice of the King's Bench), who, 
with the Hon. Henry Joy (first Sergeant), went the Munster Circuit at that 
assizes. A fearful murder had been perpetrated on the 4th, of the previous 
July, in the River Shannon, within the jurisdiction of the city, and under 
circumstances of the most revolting atrocity — circumstances which have 
awakened the indignation of every individual to whom they have become 
known in all parts of the world. The principal in that murder was a person 

1 A pamphlet called the " Old Bailey Solicitor," in which the most dreadful imputations are 
cast on Mr. Hoskins, and in which " Captain Rock" is described, appeared about this time. 
It enters into many details as to the alleged misconduct of Mr. Hoskins, and mismanagement of 
the Courtenay Estate by oppression, &c, and gives a statement respecting the trials and convic- 
tion of leaders of the Rockites. The original Captain Rock, whose name was Fitzmaurice, was 
tried in Limerick in 1822, and executed. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 451 

who had served in the Royal Navy as an officer, and who had moved in the 
highest ranks of society ; the victim was his wife. The wife, no doubt, be- 
longed to a grade much lower than that which the murderer had occupied, 
and hence he was inclined to get rid of her. Search had been ineffectually 
made for a long time for the murderer ; but it wasnot till the following Novem« 
ber, (1819) that he was arrested whilst enjoying himself in the house of a friend 
in the west of the county, conducted to the city gaol on the warrant of the 
Mayor, and brought to trial at the City of Limerick Spring assizes, which 
were opened on the 11th of March, 1820, before the Judges above named. 

Probably no murder ever committed has excited more attention than that 
of Ellen Scanlan, a fact which is chiefly owing to the treatment her 
melancholy story has met with at the hands of the authors of " The Poor 
Man's Daughter," a narrative in a serial entitled u Tales of Irish Life/ - ' 
another in the New Monthly } the beautiful novel of the truly gifted Gerald 
Griffin, the Collegians, and the extraordinarily successful drama of Mr. 
Boucicault, the Colleen Bawn. Captain Addison has also given a version 
of it in his adventures of Mr. Thomas Vokes, the Police Magistrate, 
who, he says, arrested Scanlan. 1 She was living with her uncle, one 
John Connery, a ropemaker, others say a shoemaker, in a small town in 
the County Limerick, who had adopted her, when she contracted her 
ill-omened marriage. Scanlan was defended by Daniel O'Connell, the 
Liberator, and Mr. George Bennett. Messrs Pennefather and Quin were 
Counsel for the prosecution. Scanlan is misrepresented in one of the 
fictions as having been a Catholic. He was a Protestant, and attended by 
the Eev. Henry Gubbins, who raised the cap from his face just before he 
was turned off, imploring him to make his peace with God by telling the 
truth. His answer was, 'I suffer for a crime in which I did not participate. 
If Sullivan be found my innocence will appear.' He thus died with a lie in 
his mouth. Scanlan's family were connected with some of the highest 
names in the county and city of Limerick. One of 3iis relatives rode from 

1 This, however, has been contradicted, as the gentleman by whom Scanlan was arrested was 
Gerald Blennerhasset, Esq. J.P. of Kidddlestown. 

2 The following are copies of the original depositions and indictments on which Scanlan was 
found guilty at the assizes above mentioned, and executed on the 1 6th March, forty-eight hours 
after he was convicted. Sullivan was tried before the Eight Hon. Charles Kendal Bushe in 
the year after, when he also was found guilty and executed, after confessing her guilt : — 
County of Limerick, ~| The Information of Michael Hanly, of Ballyclan, in said County, farmer, 

to wit. >- taken by me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for said 

y County. 

Informant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined, deposeth that on the 
night between the 13th and 14th of July last, informant's daughter, Ellen Hanly, between 15 
and 16 years of age, was seduced to go with John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan in a boat 
to cross the river Shannon, from Carrigafoyle to the county Clare, as informant is credibly in- 
formed by several persons, who will prove the same on being summoned in a proper manner ; and 
informant sayeth that his said daughter was on the aforesaid night stripped of the clothes she 
then wore in said boat to her shift, and then tyed her with a rope by binding her legs, thighs, 
and neck together, and did then and there barbarously and feloniously break her arm, and 
throw her into the said river Shannon, west of Tarbert, and drowned her ; informant sayeth, one 
Catherine Hogan, who is kept as a reputed concubine by said Scanlan, had devised, prompted, 
and put up the said Scanlan and Sullivan to murder and drown said Ellen Hanly as aforesaid, 
and that the said Catherine Hogan, after the aforesaid murder, had a pair of ear-rings, a locket, 
a silver thimble, and a gown, and other articles, the property of the said Ellen Hanly, which she 
was robbed of on the aforesaid night, and that there are several articles of her property distri- 
buted among several persons in Glin, Tarbert, and Ballylongford, and the neighbourhood thereof, 
who were privy to the aforesaid murder, a part of said articles being put and offered for sale by 
some of the aforesaid persons who sanctioned and encouraged said murder to be committed the 
day before the aforesaid night the horrid act was perpetrated. 



452 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the Court House, immediately on his conviction, through the country with 
a memorial for a respite to the judge. The memorial was Muentially signed, 
and presented by a number of influential persons ; but the judge inflexibly 
refused its prayer, stating that he had left for execution a poor man who was 
found guilty of a minor offence, and asking, how could he interfere in a case 
of such undoubted magnitude as Scanlan's. Scanlan was about 23 years of 
age, and of fair and prepossessing appearance. 

In the year 1821, Thomas Westropp, Esq., left several bequests for the 
charities of the city ; and in the same year Mrs. Bridget Honan left con- 
siderable bequests also for the poor of Limerick. 

Informant bound to our Sovereign Lord the King, in the sum of £20 sterling to prosecute this 
information at the next General Assizes. 

BllCHAEL HANLY. 

Sworn and acknowledged before me this 20th day of September, 1819. 
Thomas Odell. 

the inquest. 
County of Clare,'* An inquisition indented, taken at Carndotta, in the Parish of Killinna, and 
To Wit. > Barony of Moyart, in said County, in the 69th year of Our Lord, George the 

— .) Third, 

Before us : — 
John F. Fitzgerald, 

Knight of Glin. 
George Warburton, and 
Thomas Odell, 
Magistrates — upon the view of the body of 
then and there found dead. Upon the Oaths of 

Patrick Kelly, 
Michael Mangane, Timothy Inerheny, 

Michael Connell, John Flanagan, 

Michael M'Donnell, Michael Foran. 

Pat. Connell, Matthew O'Connor, • 

John Driscoll, Richard Cavanagh, 

Thos. Bennett. 
Ellen Walsh sworn — States that a person, a woman named Ellen Hanly, whom they" saw 
about seven weeks since in company with certain men, at the Quay of Kilrush, in this county, 
and also at Carrigafoil, in the county of Kerry — whose names will be hereafter stated — and 
which woman was supposed to have been murdered, had remarkable teeth on each side of her 
upper jaw. 

Patrick Keys, of Glin, sworn. 
Patrick Connell, jun., of Carndotta, sworn. 
Thomas Odell sworn. 

When the following verdict was returned : — 

Wo find, on a view of the body burled on the shore at Carndotta, that the woman exposed to 
our view was murdered. 

We find that such murder was committed on the River Shannon. 

We find that such murder was effected by strangling the body, with the rope found about 
her neck. 

We find that such murder was committed by John Scanlan or Stephen Sullivan, or by both. 

Pat. Kelly. 
Michael Mangan, Michael Cusack, 

Timothy M'Inerheny, John M Flanagan. 

Michael M Foran, Matthew M Connor, 

Patt M Connell, John M Driscoll, 

Thos. M Bennett, Richard M Cavanagh, 

Michael M M'Donnell. 
Taken before us this Tenth day of September, 1819, nineteen. 

J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. 
George Warburtok, Clerk. 
Thomas Odell. 
Present when acknowledged, 
Henhv Smith. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 453 

Early iu the summer of 1822, there was great scarcity of potatoes and 
other provisions for the poor, in consequence of the very wet weather during 

FURTHER LXEORMATIOXS. 

County of Limerick,"* The information of Ellen Welsh, of Glin, taken before John F. Fitz- 
* to wit. > gerald, Knight of Glin, and Thomas O'Dell, Esq., Magistrate of said 
) County. Informant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, and ex- 
amined, deposeth — That on or about the Thirteenth of July last, she left the town of Kilrush, in 
the County of Clare, in a boat, the property of John Scanlan, son of William Scanlan, Esq., of 
Ballycahane, in the county of Limerick, in -which boat were said John Scanlan, a young woman 
named Ellen Hanley, the reputed wife of said Scanlan, Patrick Caze, Stephen Sullivan, the 
boatman of said Scanlan, James Mitchell and Jack Mangan, intending to go to Glin. Deponent 
further saith that all said party put into Carrigafoyle, in the county of Kerry, from bad weather 
and contrary tide, all said party remained that night in Carrigafoyle, during some part of which 
time Stephen Sullivan forced a gold ring off the finger of the aforesaid Ellen Hanley ; early the 
next morning Patrick Caze, James Mitchell, and Jack Mangan, went by land to Glin, le£\vinc 
deponent on Carrigafoyle Island with the aforesaid John Scanlan, Stephen Sullivan, and Ellen 
Hanley. Deponent further saith that said Scanlan requested her to remain on the Island until 
he returned for her, during which time he said he would get rid of the said Ellen Hanley ; that 
deponent insisted on being put over the Creek, to enable her to walk to Glin, upon which "Scanlan 
and Sullivan, accompanied by Ellen Hanley and deponent, went across the creek. Deponent 
then set out on her way to Glin, and saw the boat depart with the aforesaid John Scanlan and 
Stephen Sullivan and Ellen Hanley. Deponent further saith that said Ellen Hanley showed her 
several articles of wearing apparel which were in a trunk in said boat, and some on her person 
and a gold ring. Deponent further saith that John Scanlan and Sullivan came very early into 
Glin the next morning, not having with them Ellen Hanley, saying that they left her at Kilkee ; 
that the aforesaid ring was on Scanlan's finger. In a few days after deponent saw a silk 
handkerchief, a grey mantle, a frock, a skirt, two silk spencers, together with several other arti- 
ticles, in the possession of Mary Sullivan, sister of Stephen Sullivan aforesaid, and several other 
persons. All which articles now produced to deponent, she swears are the same she saw in the 
possession of Ellen Hanley the night they were at Carrigafoyle. Deponent further saith not. 

Informant bound to our Sovereign Lord the King in the sum of £5 to prosecute this infor- 
mation at the next general assizes to be held at Limerick, 
her 

Ellex X Welsh. 
mark. 

Taken, sworn, and acknowledged before us this 10th day of September. 

J. F. Fitz&erald, Knight of Glin. 
Thomas Odell. 

Glin, Nov. 12, 1819. 

Mary Sullivan sworn — Deposed that she got the grey cloak now produced from her brother, 
Stephen Sullivan, who told her he bought it ; cloak was taken out of a round hair trunk in the 
possession of John Scanlan ; Nelly Welsh told deponent that was the trunk she saw in the boat 
with the woman who lived with John Scanlan ; John Scanlan gave deponent a shift, a pair of 
shoes, and a pocket, a cap and ribbon ; deponent saw a plain gold ring on Sullivan's finder : saw a 
ring on Scanlan's finger ; it was a figured gold ring ; Scanlan had money ; saw four gold guineas 
and a red leather pocket ; never saw any woman's clothes with Sullivan 'or Scanlan till the last 
time they came to Glin ; heard that Pat Scanlan's wife had silk stockings and a silk handkerchief - 
Sullivan told deponent that Scanlan, Nelly Welsh, Paddy Case, Mitchell, Jack Mangan, and the 
young woman, arrived at Carig Island the night before he came to Glin ; the hair trunk was 
brought by Sullivan the morning after they said they were in Carrig Island. 

Some days after deponent asked Scanlan where the young woman was ; he said he left her at 
Klrush ; in about a week after he told deponent that he left the young woman at Kilkee with 
his sister ; Scanlan sent a letter to Ballycahane by deponent ; saw Scanlan's sister at Ballycahane ; 
on deponent's return from Ballycahane she told Scanlan that his sister was there, bat did not 6ee 
the young woman there ; he immediately said that she went off with a captain of a ship. 

Signed, 



Sworn before us this 12th day of September, 1819. 



her 
Mart X Sullivax. 
mark. 

J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. 
Thomas Odell. 



Grace Scanlan sworn — Deposeth that Stephen Sullivan gave her a yellow silk spencer, a 
sprigged skirt, a pair of silk stockings, a silk handkerchief, and a pink handkerchief. Deponent 
saw a trunk with a round lid : saw ten guineas in the possession of John Scanlan, and a five 



454 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the last harvest. The sum of £1122 Is. 6d. was collected in the city for 
their relief. The people of England subscribed over £100,000 in aid of the 
Irish poor at this crisis. Limerick, Clare, and Kerry, suffered most severely. 
In Ulster and Leinster, matters were far and away better. Several cargoes 
of potatoes were imported to Limerick from Scotland. Three soup kitchens 
were opened in the city, capable of feeding 6000 people gratuitously each 
day. On the 23rd of May, a vessel arrived at the Quay from London, 
laden with 45 tons of potatoes, 38 barrels of Scotch herrings, and 26 cwt. 
of dried ling, the gift of a benevolent lady in England, to the poor of the 
city. 1 On the 21st of the same month, the Mayor received from the Mayor 
of Carlisle £200 collected there for the use of the poor of Limerick. To 
give employment to the wretched labourers, who were in the utmost misery, 
the pavement of the new Bridge was torn up, and a powdered pavement was 
substituted. Breaking stones to mend the roads was generally resorted to, 
and the new road from the Crescent, leading to the new Barracks, was thus 
much improved. 

The war between the citizens and the corporation continued. On the 
23rd of May, the House of Commons appointed the following 28 members 
to form a committee to take into consideration the petitions of the citizens 
of Limerick, complaining of the Corporation taxation, and the misapplication 
thereof : Mr. T. Bice, Mr. Goulburne, Sir John Newport, Mr. Dawson, Mr. 
Abercrombie,Mr. Edward Wodehouse,Mr.Beecher,Mr. ButlerClarke, Mr. Bux- 
ton, Sir Nicholas Colthurst, Mr. Evans, Mr. Eitzgibbon, Mr. O'Grady, Mr. 
Grattan, Mr. John Smyth, Mr. Wellesley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Eorde, Dr. Phili- 
more, Mr. Geo. Lamb, Sir Lowry Cole, Mr. Paris, Mr. Bumbold, Mr. White, 
Mr. Thomas Ellis, Sir Robert Shaw, Mr. Leonard, and Sir Arthur Chichester. 
Eive of these gentlemen, viz. Mr. Wodehouse, Sir Lowry Cole, Mr. Paris, 
Mr. Dawson, and Mr. Buxton, were members of the first committee who 
tried Mr. Bice's petition, when the opinions of the entire, except Mr. Daly, 

1 This excellent lady would not allow her name to he made known. 

pound Bank of Ireland note, and some small notes, a red leather pocket book ; saw a gold ring 
on Sullivan's finger and a gold ring on Scanlan's finger. Deponent asked Scanlan if he should 
ever see his lady ; said he left her at Kilkee with his sister ; expressed her surprise that Scanlan 
should permit Sullivan to make so free with the clothes. Scanlan then said that the young 
woman misbehaved with a captain of a ship; once or twice Sullivan wanted Scanlan to give him 
money, and on Scanlan's refusing it, said, I have as much right to it as you have. Deponent 
further saith not. All this happened since the beginning of July. 



her 

Grace X Scanlan. 
mark. 
Sworn before us. 

J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. 
Thomas Odell. 
Witnesses were — Ellen Welsh, Patrick Keyes, Grace Scanlan, Patrick Connell, John Driscoll, 
Catherine Collins, John Connery, Mary Sullivan, Thomas Odell, John Fitzgerald, Knight of 
Glin ; Thomas Spring Rice. 

The indictment was a very lengthy document, entering fully into all the particulars of the 
case ; and ends thus : — 

" And to the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do say that the said John Scanlan 
and Stephen Sullivan, the said Ellen Hanly, otherwise called Ellen Scanlan, &c. &c, in manner 
and form aforesaid, feloniously, wilfully, and of their malice prepensed, did kill and murder, 
against the peace of our said Lord the King, his crown and dignity, and against the statute in 
such case made and provided. 

The bill is endorsed — 

Ellen Walsh, 
e f c, no. 6. 
True bill for self and fellow jurors, J. P. Vereker. 



£ s. 


d. 


1841 9 


3 


708 19 


6 


935 19 


6 


358 14 


7 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 455 

(who was the nominee of Colonel Vereker) were in favor of Mr. Eice ; 
and Dr. Philimore and Sir Lowry Cole were members of the committee on 
Colonel Yereker's counter petition, when he lost his cause by a majority of 
eleven to four ; these gentlemen established the claims of the citizens, and 
secured Mr. Eice in his seat. 



On the 10th of June a jury assemhled at the Tholsel Court to examine the site of a new- 
Lunatic Asylum, for the counties of Limerick, Clare, Kerry, and the city of Limerick ; it is near 
Mr. Conner's brewery, and contains 7 acres, 2 roods, and 26 perches, valued at 20 guineas per 
acre, and allowing 20 years' purchase for same. The several claimants to be paid as follows : 

To John Coull, part tenant, 
Daniel Gabbett, lessee, 
Corporation, for reversion, ... 
Mr. Connell, in lieu of water course 

£3,845 2 10 

The heat was excessive in June. On the 19th (June) .£6,000 granted by Government to em- 
ploy the distressed poor in the Co. Limerick. 

June 15th and 24th. — Men transported from special sessions held in Rathkeale and in city of 
Limerick. 

July 5th On this day the hearth and window taxes expired in Ireland — the former took 

place in 1662, 14th K. Chas. II., the latter in 1806, 42nd K. Geo. III. 

The several streets of the city, with very few exceptions, were repaired, the pavement taken 
up, and powdered pavement substituted. All done by the committee for the relief of the poor. 
The greatest improvement was effected by the levelling of aclivities of the new bridge (now 
Mathew Bridge.) Before this, the pavement of this bridge rendered the passage for horses, &c. 
extremely dangerous in frosty weather, and at all times the passage was difficult. " King Wil- 
liam's Road" was also repaired — this road led to Park before the canal was cut. 

July 31st. — The report of the Committee of the House of Commons, on the petition of the 
citizens of Limerick, presented May 23rd, complaining of undue influence and unjust abuse of 
public money, printed by order of the House. 

August 3rd. — William Walsh, Edward Dooherty, Laurence Walsh, and William Martin, were 
executed at the new County Gaol for the murder of Thomas Hoskins, Esq , on the 27th of 
July, 1821. It is rather a singular circumstance that the unfortunate youth died of his wounds 
August 1st, 1821, and these wretched murderers were convicted August 1st, 1822, when they 
confessed their guilt. At this assizes upwards of forty persons had been convicted of capital 
offences, and awaited the sentence of the law. Mr. Thos. P. Vokes is said to ; have brought to 
justice the men for the murder of Mr. Torrence and Mr. Hoskins. 

August 5th. — Five men were executed in front of the new Co. Gaol, for the murder and rob- 
bery of Henry Sheehan, a post-boy, conveying the mail between Rathkeale and Shanagolden ; 
they acknowledged their guilt ; the crime was committed on the 1st of March. 

August 10th Jeremiah Rourke executed at the new gaol, for firing at Robert H. Ivers, 

Esq., a magistrate of this county. 

Commissioner Parsons held a court on the 4th and 5th days of August, at Limerick, when 45 
insolvents were discharged. 

The assizes ended for the present this day, and adjourned to the 4th of September. 

The following appeared in the public prints at this time, illustrating the cause of the present 
agricultural distress — but only one of them :- 



In 1722. 

The men to the plough, 

The wife to the cow, 

The girl to the sow, 

The boy to the mow, 

And your rents will be netted. 



In 1822. 
Best man — Tallyhoe. 
And Miss — Piano. 
The wife — silks and satin. 
The boy — Greek and Latin, 
And you'll all be gazetted. 



August 17th. — Two men executed in front of the new gaol, pursuant to sentences at the 
assizes, for burglary and taking arms. 

August 22. — A chimney erected in the distillery concerns of Messrs. Stein and Browne, 115 
feet high — the first of its kind ever seen here. 

The improvement in Thomond Bridge finished ; it consists in the opening the E. end of the 
Bridge at the bottom of Castle-street, by enlarging three of the arches on the N. side, and by 
throwing down an old house that projected into the street ; this passage had been long only eight 
feet ten inches width ; it is now increased nearly sixteen feet — it is much to be wished that the 
improvement be continued to the centre of the bridge. The road to the North Strand, at the S. 
end of the bridge, widened and much improved. 

On the 23rd of July, the Co. Limerick Central Relief Committee published their report : — 



456 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The present year was long afterwards memorable for a great depression in 
the value of the articles of life. 1 

The landlord who seven years ago might rate his income at £1,000 a year, 
did not this year net £300, except chief rents and old bargains. The next 
year was still worse, the middlemen were nearly annihilated. In the sum- 
mer of this year great improvements were made in the North Strand, and 
several impediments were removed. 

Again disturbances prevailed with the usual results, of which we give a 
specimen : — 

October 19th.-— Special sessions under the insurrection act satin Limerick. 
One man was sent off for transportation. 

October 26th. — Special sessions at Bathkeale under the insurrection act, 
two men sent for transportation for 7 years. 

October 30th. — Sessions at Limerick, no conviction on this day. Some 
offenders against whom serious matters are alleged, held over. 

1 Those are the market prices of the past week : — 

Bed Wheat, 8d. to lOd. per stone, 

White do. 9d. to lid. " 

Barley, 8d. " 

Flour, 26s. to 30s. per bag, 

Oatmeal, 10s. 6d. per cwt. 

Tallow, 5s. 6d. per cwt. 

Butter at different ^ 

prices, according to > £4 to £2 2s. per cwt. 

quality. ) 

Whiskey, 8s. 6d. per gallon, 

Beef, 3d. to 3£. per lb. 

Mutton, 2£. to 3d. per lb. 



By gross amount of receipts to this date as published, 

July 24th. 
Grant from the Lord Lieutenant, 

Grant from London Irish Distress Committee, for relief of the Parish of Kilgrane, 
and half Parish of St. Munchin's, Co. Clare, £50 British, 

July 27th. 
Grant from Liverpool Irish Distress Committee, £100 British, 

£10,932 5 6 
The total amount given by England to the several Counties in Ireland in aid of 

the prevailing distress, ... ... ... ... ... ... £128,921 

August 31st. — Patrick Hyslane sentenced at the Sessions of Rathkeale to seven years' trans- 
portation, and again transported in the city for sheep-stealing in the Liberties. 

September 4. — The assizes resumed, pursuant to adjournment ; there were several convictions, 
among which were Thomas Halpin, John Dogan, Patrick Hennessey, and Edmond Hennessey, 
convicted of the murder of Buckley, a crown witness at a former assizes. These men were 
executed on the 9th of September, at the front of the new County Gaol ; they all confessed their 
guilt, except Dorgan, who declared that he was not of the party. Same assizes, seventeen con- 
victs under sentence of death, respited. 

Sept. 17th.— The new church of Chapel Russell, West Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, consecrated. 

By the Census taken in 1821, there were 8,268 houses within the separate jurisdiction of the 
city— population, 66,042 ; in the city of Waterford, 4052 houses— 28,782 inhabitants. The 
report signed by W. S. Mason. 

1822, September 23rd. — A most abundant harvest; fruits in great plenty; a second growth 
of polyanthuses, sweet william, and other spring flowers. 

September 27th Twenty convicts who h?d received sentence of death at the assizes for 

various acts of whiteboyism, sent off from the county goal for transportation. 

The locks on the canal underwent inspection. 

October 6th. — The ships on the Quay suffered from a heavy gale from N.N.W. 

1822— A requisition to the High Sheriff issued by 52 magistrates, requesting a meeting at 
Adare on the 4th of November, to appoint 176 baronial constables of police in this county, 
under the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation for the better preservation of the peace during the 
following winter. Major Wilcox will have, the choice and recommendation of this body of men. 



£ s. 
9769 15 


d. 
6 


1000 





64 3 


4 


108 6 


8 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 457 

In 1823 an act was passed for remodelling the Corporation of Limerick, 
which, for so very long a time, had been so obnoxious to the citizens of every 
party and persuasion, and so injurious to the best interests of the city in 
general. In the same year the Wellesley Bridge Act was passed. In 
1825, another bill was passed for the erection of a bridge across the 
Shannon, at or near Athlunkard, and for making approaches thereto. 
The historical place selected for the erection of this bridge is near the spot 
where the army of William III. crossed in 1690 and 1691. In 1825, the 
exports consisted of 2654 tierces and 258 barrels of beef, 4417 tierces and 
9100 barrels of pork, 19,750 cwt. of bacon, 65,000 firkins of butter, 61,000 
barrels of wheat, 364,000 barrels of oats, and 12,500 barrels of barley. In 1792 
the population, as estimated by Dr. Beaufort, was 40,000, with 4,900 houses. 
In 1821, as was ascertained under Act 55 George III. c. 120, the city con- 
tained 7,208 houses, 12,419 families, 28,117 males, 30,928 females, making 
a total of 59,045 inhabitants. During these and subsequent years, the con- 
duct of the Corporation had continued to bring down upon it the indignation 
of the public. Mr. Eice grappled with the enormities of that body, but 
was unable to check its extravagance, which went on from day to day without 

November 4th Three men sentenced in the County Court to transportation under the 

Insurrection Act. 

November 6th 176 Baronial Constables, appointed for the County. 

November 14th — A violent gale of wind from the S.E., raised the tide to a great height, 
burst open the gates of the dry dock at Kidgell's Quay, (now the Steam boat Quay,) and threw 
a brig in it, under repair, on her beam-ends. The tower on the Beeves' Rocks much injured, 

November 16th. — At a meeting of the magistrates thi3 day, in the County Court, 44 Con- 
stables and 132 Sub-constables of police were appointed to preserve the peace during the ensuing 
winter. 

The police consist of one chief magistrate, his Secretary ; one chief constable, and fifty con- 
stables, and fifty sub-constables, six of which are mounted cavalry ; chief magistrate, — Drought, 
Esq. ; Secretary Mr. Gostlett ; Chief constable, Mr. Dames. 

The Chamber of Commerce, at considerable expense, &c, have renewed the navigation of the 
Shannon'safe — and noticed the several members over buoys, rocks, shoals, &c. 

December 5th A (most furious gale from S.W. ; did much damage in town, threw down 

many chimneys and stripped several houses. Said to have been the most inclement day ever 
remembered. 50 large elm trees were blown down in the demesne of the Bishop of Clonfert ; £4000 
damage sustained at Carton, the residence of the Duke of Leinster ; and great losses on the 
grounds of several noblemen and gentlemen in the County of Meath. 500 vessels of different 
descriptions are said to be wrecked off the coast of England, Wales, and Scotland. Two ships 
were sunk in Liverpool Docks, so terrible was the storm. 

The City Militia staff reduced, and 30 of the County staff. 

December 13th. — A Supersedeas arrived to the Clerk of the Peace, ordering a residing of the 
magistrates of this county. It contains the names of two who are dead ; eighteen who reside 
out of the bailiwick ; and fourteen who reside in the county A most useful measure of justice. 

The mail coach which runs from Dublin to this City, is conveyed by 17 sets or relays of 
horses ; each relay consisting of four, in all 52 horses. This was in order that it should perform 
a journey of 94 miles in 15 hours. 

December 23rd — Special Sessions in Rathkeale under the Insurrection Act. Two men sen- 
tenced to 7 years' transportation. 

December 25th A neat organ opened in St. John's Church ; it came from London and cost 

£150, the maker, a Mr. Layman. 

It is estimated that the jubilee loan, which commenced in 1810, has lent out up to the conclu- 
sion of this year, 1822, a sum of seventy thousand and eighty-five pounds. 

The annual amount of Dr. Hall's charity in 1822, £441 17s. 6d. 

Of Craven's Charity in 1822, £224 14s. 

December. — Messrs. Brotherton of Liverpool have renewed proposals for running the mail 
coach between Dublin and Limerick, at an accelerated rate : viz., to arrive at 10 o'clock, a.m. 
and be dispatched at 4 p.m.. On market days it is proposed that the coach should arrive an hour 
earlier (at 9 o'clock), It now arrives at 11 a.m., and is dispatched at 3 r.M. 

December 25th. — A Serjeant's guard placed in the old main guard house, on George's-quay. 

The amount of money lodged in the Limerick Savings' Bank at the conclusion of this year — 
£17,000. In Cork the amount for the year is £119,136 18s. lOd. 



458 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the slightest compunction or remorse on the part of its members. To mark 
the appreciation of his public services, the Chamber of Commerce had a full 
length portrait of Mr. Rice painted bj Sir Martin Archer Shee, President of 
the R.A. at a cost of £300, which was placed in their Reading-room on the 
19th of December, 1822. 

Just about this time, too, the Catholics of Ireland were up and stirring to 
obtain Emancipation, led by the illustrious Daniel O'Connell, who, by the 
fire and impetuosity of his character, infused vigor and courage into ranks 
which contained, hitherto, too many who were pusillanimous and cowardly — 
too many who were wavering between the temptations of government and 
the stern behests of duty. Some relaxations had been made in a partial 
shape in the penal code. Catholics filled the office of grand jurors in cities 
and counties — they had long been in the first place as merchants and as 
traders — they had pushed the old monopolists and task masters off their 
stools in various cities, and no where more than in Limerick, where they now 
numbered amongst them some of the first merchants, &c, in Ireland. No 
where had the Liberator more influential friends than among his supporters 
in Limerick, and these supporters always sustained his cause to the fullest 
extent. The Catholic rent was collected with the utmost regularity, and 
whenever O'Connell addressed his hearers in the old rooms at the Corn 
Exchange, Dublin, he never forgot the aid he received from the patriotic 
men of Limerick. 

Liberal opinions, in the midst of the events that were passing, were 
making steady headway and beating down the malignity and oppression 
of the old Corporate system. Mr. Rice, the popular member, who had 
proceeded to Dublin, in December 1822, with the Mayor and Sheriffs of 
Limerick, in order to present an address to the Marquis of Wellesley, on 
his escape from the bottle-throwing Orangemen in the Theatre Royal, was 
waited upon, on the 1st of January, 1828, by the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, 
Town Clerks, and Common Councilmen, in full costume, and with sword- 
bearer, mace-bearer, &c. to congratulate him, in a complimentary address, 
on his Parliamentary conduct. This address and the freedom of Dublin had 
been voted to Mr. Rice on the 18th of October, previously, but there was 
no means until now of presenting it in due form. The Lord Lieutenant, 
incapable from indisposition of attending to public business, did not receive the 
address of the Corporation of Limerick on this occasion, but he appointed 
the 30th of the same month, when Mr. Rice and the Mayor again proceeded 
to Dublin, when the address was read, and a suitable reply was returned by 
His Excellency. 

At this particular juncture a serious check had been given to the prosperity 
of Limerick, which, in its trade and commerce, had been falling away from 
the high ground which it had for so many years occupied. Foreign shipping 
had almost deserted the quays ; there was a diminished trade with England. 
The revenue of the port was little over that of Newry, and not near the 
revenue of the port of Waterford. The old rival, Gal way, had gone down 
in this respect, many years before ; and Limerick threatened to follow to a 
similar level. While the revenue of Cork was £234,010 — and that of 
Waterford £94,643— and Londonderry £72,137— Limerick was but £60,437 
— Belfast, at this time, was not near Newry, the revenue of the former being 
but £302,762. A contemporaneous writer ascribes the decay of Limerick 
to the prevalence of too much showiness and idleness on the part of those 
classes who ought to have been engaged in business pursuits ; but the real 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 459 

cause of the temporary decline may be discerned in the overwhelming 
miseries which befel the agricultural classes, on whom, in a great measure, 
the prosperity of the city had always depended. These classes, at this 
time, were suffering from various causes, and particularly from the fall in 
prices, the exactions of the tithe system, the oppressions of middle-men 
who were dying out, and the great changes which had come over the 
country since the declaration of peace. The Corporation, too, was rapidly 
on the wane. At the Spring assizes of this year (1823) there were only 
nineteen names on the City Grand Jury ; and among those was the name of 
Denis O'Brien, Esq. of Newcastle, a Catholic gentleman of fortune, for the 
first time. At the County of Limerick assizes, a trial of considerable 
importance and of deep interest took place, that of Patrick Neville and 
James Eitzgibbon for the murder of Eichard Going, Esq. They were ably 
defended by Daniel O'Connell and other leading Counsel. They were, however, 
found guilty, and on the 14th of March were executed. Eitzgibbon, who is 
represented to have been a hardened culprit, suffered much owing to the 
inexpertness of the executioner. The north liberties of Limerick continued 
to be greatly disturbed by nightly insurgents : houses were set on fire, 
among others the house of one Allen, a respectable farmer, who lost fourteen 
cows on this occasion, and the blaze of incendiarism was seen to arise from 
many other rooftrees during some months. A return to Parliament was 
now made of the yeomanry corps in the four Provinces,— -an inefficient and 
at all periods a partizan force. The total was 30,753, thus distributed : — 

In Leinster, 5,915. In Ulster, 20,131. 

In Connaught, 2,356. In Munster, 2,351. 

Sir Robert Peel's police force had not as yet done much towards proving 
their activity ; both country and town were subjected to multitudinous evils, 
owing to the distracted state of society. 

On the 27th of March, in consequence of these outrages, a special sessions 
was held under the Insurrection Act, when John Halloran was indicted for 
being absent from his house after prescribed hours — he was arrested by the 
police on the night of the 22nd of that month, when Mr. Allen's cowhouse 
and cows were burned. Halloran was sentenced to seven years transportation 
and conveyed to Cork at seven o'clock on the same evening — he was the son 
of an industrious and respectable father, an independent farmer, and neigh- 
bour to Allen. A short time before he had been tried for the murder of 
Allen's son and was found guilty of manslaughter. The prosecution being 
carried on by the deceased's father, it was generally believed that he owed 
Allen what they called in this country " Sweet's revenge ;" but he was not tried 
for the burning. He was rather in a better class of life, and well educated ; 
his example, it was considered, would strike terror into others. The distur- 
bances, however, not only continued in and about the liberties and in the 
counties of Limerick and Clare, but spread to those parts of the County of 
Cork, which adjoin Limerick, where there was a great deal of agrarian 
suffering and outrage. 

In April and early in May, special sessions under the Insurrection Act 
were held at the County Court House of Limerick, and at Eathkeale, when 
one man was sentenced to seven years transportation at the former, and two 
men to the same measure of punishment at the latter place. The Palatines 
had been about this time subjected to nightly attacks, their cattle slain or 
houghed, and their houses burned. The result was that many of them 



460 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

emigrated. Sessions were held in Bruff on the 16th of the same month, at 
which two men were sentenced to seven years transportation for setting fire 
to the village of Glenasheen in the preceding April. On the 20th of the 
month, an adjourned sessions were held at Eathkeale, at which thirty men 
were charged with being absent from their dwellings on two nights previously. 
Their defence was, that they had been at the wake of a deceased friend ; nine 
of them were relatives of the deceased; these were acquitted, twenty-one 
were committed and received sentence of transportation for seven years. 
Such was the severity of the times. On the 20th of June following, a sessions 
was also held in the County of Limerick Court House, under the Insurrection 
Act, when two men were sent off from the dock for Cork, to be transported 
for seven years. Early in July another sessions was held at Eathkeale and 
in Limerick with similar result ; and a few nights after — viz. on the 9th, 
Gerald Blenerhasset, Esq. and Chief Constable Keilly of the Constabulary, 
discovered sixty-eight pike-heads concealed in a wall on the most remote 
part of Knockfierna Hill, in the County of Limerick. 

Whilst the country continued thus disturbed, and the wail of sorrow was 
heard in many an humble homestead ; whilst the hulks were crowded with 
the victims of the law, and the gibbet groaned under its human burdens, 
there was a most active movement drawing to a successful issue, between the 
independent citizens and the city member, Mr. Eice, and the Corporation 
and its abettors. On the 6th of May, in the House of Commons, Mr. Bice's 
Bill for the better regulation of the city of Limerick 1 was read a secSnd time. 
Captain O'Grady, 2 one of the";County representatives, had stood up in his place, 
and moved that the bill be read that day six months; when Mr.O'Grady having 
sat down, and the Speaker asked who seconded the motion ? there was a dead 
silence, in the midst of which Mr. Eice again stood up, and made many ani- 
madversions on the conduct of the hon. and gallant member. Meantime, 
the Wellesley Bridge Act 3 had received the Eoyal assent, and public notice 
was given to that effect by the directors of the Chamber of Commerce. 
A meeting of the forty-eight commissioners named in the Bill, was convened 
for the purpose of electing additional new commissioners. The Corporation 
now began to set its house in order — in other words, to distribute among 
its members, the remnant of the property of the citizens which had survived 
up to this period the almost general plunder and spoliation of the public 
revenue. TheEegulation Act was passed in the teeth of an insolent opposition; 
but two days before it came into operation, the Corporators made a lease for 
ever to Sir Christopher Marrett, Knight and Alderman, and one of the Com- 
mittee of Accounts, at the rent of £34 2s. 6d. Irish, of the ancient island of 
Scattery, which had been granted to the Corporation by Queen Elizabeth. 
The island contains 103 acres, of which four are in possession of the Govern- 
ment, having been purchased from the Corporation in 1810 for the Ordnance 
Service. 4 Eor some lengthened period, the Chamber of Commerce, anxious 
to free the city from the intolerable nuisance and oppression to which farmers 
had been subjected heretofore, had carried out an agreement to pay the 
Corporation £1500 a-year for all their claim on tolls on corn and potatoes, 
with the intention of relieving potatoes from any charge, which they did 
accordingly. 5 This bargain was annually renewed from 1808 to 1823; the 

i The Limerick Regulation Act, 4 Geo. IV. cap. 126. 

2 Son of the Chief Baron O'Grady. 

3 4 th Geo. IV. cap. 94. 

* Report of the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 461 

Chamber of Commerce profited from £400 to £1000 a-year by the arrange- 
ment ; bnt the war against the Corporation lost none of its bitterness not- 
withstanding ; and the year at which we have arrived, witnessed, to a great 
extent, the realization of the hopes of the citizens, by a curb being applied to 
the overgrown licentiousness and irresponsible malversation of the public funds 
by the Corporation. During the prosecution of the suit in Parliament, 
serious charges were brought by Mr. Eice against Chief Baron 0' Grady. 
These charges became the subject of investigation : the principal charge 
against the Chief Baron being for alleged instituting and receiving exorbitant 
fees, not warranted by law, in the matters brought before his court. It was 
decided by a majority of the House on the 11th of July, that it was not 
necessary "to proceed farther with the investigation. Captain O'Grady, on 
this occasion, made a defence for his father which elicited general approbation 
manifesting as it did fine natural feeling, and noble self-possession. The 
Loyal assent, however, was given to the Eegulation Act on the 18th of July ; 
it having passed the House of Lords on the 14th without a division. Uni- 
versal joy prevailed throughout the city. The principal source of income of 
the Corporation was from the tolls and customs, which had been rapidly 
increasing every year, and which for the year ending 1833, were let for 
£3,706. The gross annual produce of them under favorable circumstances, 
had been estimated at £5,000 per annum. 1 This money was not expended 
in improving the city, or in relieving the citizens in any shape or form. The 
enormous sum of £10,393 19s. 10Jd. was spent before 1821 in the political 
contest between the Corporation and the Independents ; while to sustain the 
tottering power of the spoliators, a sum of £1011 14s. 7 ^d. was laid out 
for stamps provided for the admission of honorary and non-resident freemen 
alone 2 This expenditure entailed embarrassments of so serious a nature on 
the Corporation, that bonds were passed in 1824 ; and the discharge of those 
bonds, until 1833, and indeed during the term of its existence until 1841, 
not only deprived the Corporation of any surplus available to the public uses 
and charities of the city, but plunged it into debt. The Independents, in this 
long contest for their rights, did not spare their purses, but with open hand gave 
freely of their money to the good cause ; and it has been estimated that it 
cost them £30,000 in the prosecution of the contest against the Corporation. 3 
Never did a body of men act with a truer sense of what they owed to 
themselves and to the important interests of which they were the guardians, 
than the Limerick Independents, composed of Protestants and Catholics ; 
a feeling of liberality prevailed between them, arising from the fact 
that they were engaged in a common cause, and that mutual co-operation 
was essential for the success of the paramount objects on which they 
had set their hearts. They went on hand in hand, setting an example of 
perseverance and energy, while, though the Corporation continued to 
drag on a miserable existence for some few years, and expended annually 
a sum of £3,000 in the payment of the Mayor, Chamberlain, Corporate 
Staff, o:c. it held no place in the estimation of the citizens, but on 
the contrary was pronounced to be a disgrace and an abuse even by 

1 Report of the Commissioners, &c. 2 ibicL 

3 As an instance of the generosity of the citizens, we have the fact on the best authority, that 
the firm of Edmond Ryan and Son, merchants, gave no less than £1500 to the cause' of the 
Independents in subscriptionss. Edmond Ryan, the venerable patriot and friend of O'Connell, 
was grandfather of E. F. G. Ryan, Esq., R*M., Middleton, Co. Cork, and of Michael R. Ryan, 
Es«i. J. P., Templemungret, Limerick. Mr. Creagh gave a subscription of £500. 



462 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

those who in social life were on terms of intimacy and friendship with its 
members. 1 For several years before it was dissolved by the Municipal Eeform 
Bill, it had permitted the guilds of trade, which in the last century exercised 
such influence at Municipal and Parliamentary Elections, and which were 
designated " the fifteen Corporations/' to dissolve their connexion with it, 
simply because those guilds had ceased to be composed of Orangemen, and 
could no more control the votes of Tory partizans in favor of a particular 
candidate. It possessed scarcely a trace of the forty ploughlands which 
King John granted to the City, and of which there was an inspeximus by 
Henry VI. 2 and which we must confess were spoliated, to a considerable extent, 
a long time before. It made away with or scattered to the wiuds the records 
of its proceedings and misdeeds, so that except in the Birmingham Tower 
and the British Museum, where a few of its old books have found their way, 
there would he but little to tell of the evils it perpetrated, except in Law 
Courts, where true to its instincts, it has left its trace in a series of bootless, 
but to the citizens, ruinous law suits. 

An effort being made in 1824, to revive the Merchants of the Staple, who 
had been created by charter of James I., and who had become extinct, by 
order of the Lord Lieutenant in Council, on the 14th of August, 1824, 
thirty-two members of the guild were named, one of whom only was a 
member of the Common Council, though several of them were freemen. 
That effort failed — the guild became inoperative. The Chamber of Com- 
merce, on the other hand, went on steadily and well. Their funds were at 
first derived from rateable subscriptions paid by each member according to 
the extent of his export trade in the port of Limerick, and a schedule of 

1 In 1833 the Corporation proposed to borrow from the Commissioners of public warks £9,000 
on the security of the surplus revenues of £1,000, for the purpose of rebuilding Thomond 
Bridge. The bridge was built, but the money was never paid by the Corporation. 

2 Report of the Commissioners, &c. 

The noticeable events of this year were : — 

1824, January 31st. — The warrants appointing six magistrates under the Limerick Regulation 
Act issued ; the names of these gentlemen are as follows : — The Hon. John Massy, City of 
Limerick ; Rev. Josiah Crampton, Rector of Sradbally ; Alderman Joseph Gabbett, City of 
Limerick ; Major-General Richard Bourke, Thornville, South Liberties, William Roche and 
John Kelly, Esqrs. — Before this time the justices were constituted by Charter Jas. I., March 3rd, 
1609, and limited to six, the Mayor and Recorder for the time being always two of them. The 
remaining four were elected the second Monday after Michaelmas day, and it was usual to 
appoint the late Mayor when he had served his office, a charter justice for the succeeding year. 

February 7th. — Great joy prevailed in Limerick, on the arrival of the news that Mr. Rice 
had obtained the Lord Lieutenant's approbation of a grant of £60,000 for building the Wellesley 
, Bridge. 

February 17th. — On the evening of this day a very unusual circumstance occurred at the 
funeral of a Mr Laurence Durack, in St. John's Churchyard. The Rev. Mr. M'Carthy, a 
Catholic Clergyman, in stole and surplice, recited the usual prayers, &c, and was resisted by 
the Rev. John Fitzgibbon, Protestant Vicar, who remonstrated to no purpose. The surrounding 
crowd pushed and jostled Mr. Fitzgibbon and called him hard names. The ultra Protestants 
were annoyed ; but the affair did not create a feeling beyond them. 

March 3rd. — From a Parliamentary document just issued, the value of silver and copper coins 
now in circulation is estimated according to the market price of silver and copper : — 
Silver — the Crown or 5s. piece, at 4s. 6d. 

Half-Crown or 2s. 6d. 2s. 3d. 

The Shilling, 10a. 

The Penny, one Farthing. 

March 12th. — The Excise district of Ennis, annexed to Limerick, by which one Chief 
collector, one surveyor, and some subalterns are out of office. 

March 22nd James Bridgeman, aged 22 years, executed in front of the county gaol for the 

murder of Richard Going, Esq., late Chief Magistrate of Police of the County of Limerick, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 463 

these rates was fixed by a bye-law of the Chamber ; but this becoming too 
heavy on individuals, some of whom paid a contribution so high as £40, a 
maximum subscription of £12 was fixed, which, about forty years ago, was 
reduced to a subscription of £5 annually from each member. They first un- 
dertook the management of the butter trade of Limerick, by which they 
increased the export trade in that article wonderfully, and derived a good 
income. They applied their funds to the improvement of the port and 
harbour of Limerick, by clearing away rocks and shoals in the river, and 
mooring buoys ; in encouraging the linen trade ; in expending £1500 in one 
season of distress by purchasing provisions for the poor, and selling them at 
a reduced rate ; and about £1200 in opposition to the Corporation before the 
Committee of Appeal in 1820, on the rights of freedom. 

The population returns of the County of the City of Limerick in 1821 
was 59,045, and in 1831 according to the population returns printed by 
order of the House of Commons, it was 66,554 showing an increase in ten 
years of 7,509. The population of the parishes forming the city as built 
upon, was estimated in 1831, at 49,769. The number of inhabited houses 
in the county of the city by the returns of 1831, was 7,820. The number 
building 138. The number uninhabited 427. The number of families 11,953 
— of which there were chiefly employed in agriculture 2,798 — in trade, 
manufactures and handicraft 4,057 — all other families not comprised in the 
two preceeding classes 5,098. The proportion of females to males as 6 to 
5. The number of males over twenty years of age 15,663 — labourers 
employed in agriculture 2,561 ; ditto not employed in agriculture 3,618. 
Persons employed in retail trade or handicraft as masters or workmen 5,106 
— capitalists, bankers, professional and other educated men 1323 — occupiers 

14th October, 1821. The culprit acknowledged to be at the murders of Major Hare, and Mr. 
Bushe. It appeared from the declaration, that the murder of Mr. Going was in contemplation 
for three months, before an opportunity for executing it presented itself. Mr. Going, on the 
night previous, slept at Castletown, the residence of John Waller, Esq. He had choice of 
three roads which led to Rathkeale, on each of which four ruffians were posted, so that 
escape was impossible. Bridgeman appeared to have been the chief planner of all the mischief. 
He had been discharged at Spring Assizes, 1823, for want of prosecution. 

March 26th. — A Mr. Porter of London, on the part of the United General Ga3 Company, 

has agreed to light the Parish of St. Michael, from the first October next, with gas oil being 

hitherto used in the public lamps. Mr. Porter promises to do so at a saving of £30 a year to 
the Parish Commissioners, and to furnish the requisite apparatus, &c. at his own cost. He 
anticipates an expenditure of £4000 before the work is completed. 

March 31st. — Ten convicts embarked on board the convict ship at Cove, Co. Cork ; they 
pleaded guilty at last assizes for an attack on Glenasheen barracks, in the County of Limerick, 
and received sentence of transportation. 

April 6th. — For the first time in Limerick, a Columbian printing press, introduced by Messrs. 
Watson. 

April 10th. — Thomas Shehan executed in front of the county gaol, pursuant to sentence at 
last assizes, he being an accomplice in the crime of cutting Mr. Nagle's throat at Kilmallock. 

April 14tb. — Labourers employed this day in clearing quarries from which stones are to be 
raised for the Wellesley Bridge. 

April 17th — Three men executed at the county gaol pursuant to sentence at the last 
assizes. 

In the house of Lords, Earl Darnley states that the population of Ireland is 7,000,000, and 
that 50,000 of the number only are of the Established Church. 

April 24th. — Donovan and Russell executed in front of the county gaol for attacking 
Glenasheen barracks. They neither denied nor acknowledged guilt. 

St. George's Day, (April 23rd), the newly appointed time for celebrating the King's birth-day, 
happening in Easter week, firing of troops, &c, did not take place till the 29th inst. 

May 2nd. — The Emigrant Brig, Maria of Pembroke, from New Ross to Quebec, put into the 
harbour of Limerick in distress ; 89 passengers on board, in the utmost want. A subscription 
raised of £72 lis. 3d. for them. The Rev. P. Hogan, P.P., St. Michael's, realized £20 
additional for them by a charity sermon. 



464 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and others not included in the foregoing 3,055. The quantity of corn 
bought in Limerick in 1830 and 1831 was : — 

1830. 1831. 

Wheat, 147,400. 169,993. 

Barley, 85,558. 85,560. 

Oats, 296,070. 315,732. 

The increase of the grain trade in the forty years preceding, appears from 
a petition on the subject of tolls, presented to the Irish House of Commons 
in 1790, which states in the past year 1789, there were exported from 
Limerick : — 

21,693 Barrels of Wheat. 



24,906 „ 


>> 


Oats. 


568 ,, 


3) 


Beans, 


526 „ 


)i 


Barley. 


1360 cwt. 


of 


Elour. 


714 tons 


of 


Oatmeal. 



The tonnage too of vessels had increased in the same ratio, and Limerick 
was giving evidence of its progress in every respect notwithstanding a partial 
check to its prosperity a few years before this period. 

Concurrently with these improvements and projects, the Catholics of 
Limerick began to take energetic measures to join in the struggle for Eman- 
cipation : O'Connell had already established the Catholic Association, and 
projected the Catholic Eent. Limerick immediately threw its weight into 
the scale. On the 21st of June, 1824, a meeting of the Catholic parishioners 
of St. Michael's was held in the Parish Church ; resolutions were unanimously 
adopted to sustain the collection of the Catholic Eent, which was set on foot 
and pushed with vigorous alacrity. The parish was divided into districts ; 
the subscription was not less than one penny, or more than two shillings per 
month, from each contributor. A few days after the establishment of the 
Association in Limerick, a solemn service was celebrated in the same parish 
church for the repose of the soul of Erancis Arthur, Esq., who had lately 
died at Dunkirk, in Erance, and of whose trial and sufferings, and escape 
from an imminent death at the hands of military executioners and civic plot- 
ters, we have given an account in a preceding chapter. 

The Protestants of Limerick were, generally speaking, in favor of an 
adjustment of the Catholic claims ; there was, they said, but little use in 

May 13th. — A diving bell imported from Waterford, to be employed in the erection of the 
Wellesley Bridge — the first ever seen here. 

May 14th. — The first stone of the central building of the new Lunatic Asylum laid with much 
ceremony by Stephen Edward Rice, Esq., (as proxy for his son, Thomas Spring Rice, Esq., M.P. 
now attending his Parliamentary duties), in presence of the directors and several gentlemen. 
Johnson and Murray ; Williams and Cockburn, architects. 

May 14th. — A young gentleman of the name of Barnes, shot himself at the mail-coach hotel 
in George's-street — he languished in great agony till the morning of the 17th. Disappointed 
love was the cause. 

May 30th. — Keeper Hill covered with snow. 

The revenue establishment at Kilrush and Scattery Island done away with. 

The Castle Barracks ordered to be taken down and rebuilt in the most perfect manner. 

June 1st. — Great drought : a boy forded the Shannon from Custom House Quay to the House 
of Industry on the North Strand. 

May 30th. — Died in Dublin, Richard E. Crosbie, Esq., aged 68 years ; the first who ascended 
in a balloon at Dublin or any where else. He ascended from the rere of the House of Industry, - 
on the North Strand, on the 27th of April, 178G, of which the Hibernian Magazine gives a 
lengthened account. 

A woman aged 60, named Catherine Glynn, gave birth to a daughter at the Lying-in 
Hospital. 

June 14th.-— A sum of £300,000 per annum said to be drained out of Ireland by absentees. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 465 

resisting the rapid progress of liberality. A statement had been just made 
in the House of Commons which showed that in Ulster there were only five- 
eighths of the whole population, or 1,250,000 Protestants — inLeinster, one- 
fifth ; in Munster, one-twelfth ; in Connaught, one in twenty-five ; in all, 
1,840,000 Protestants to six millions of Catholics. The question of Eman- 
cipation was simply one of time. A return was published of the resident 
and non-resident Protestant clergy throughout Ireland ; and from this return 
it appeared that, while there was a very large proportion of non-resident 
clergymen elsewhere, the diocese of Limerick showed a larger aggregate in 
this respect than any other, there being no less than 47 non-resident clergy- 
men to 95 benefices. By another return it also appeared that the estates 
of the Protestant Bishop of Limerick consisted of 6,720 acres, and the 
reserved rent £2,102 18s. lid., and the customary renewal fines an equal 
profit. The total amount of acres in Ireland owned by Archbishops and 
Bishops (Protestant) 427,365 acres. 

One of those trials of deep interest between the Corporation and the 
Independents took place at Cork assizes this year ; it was of great importance 
to Limerick. Denis Lyons, Esq., merchant, represented the plaintiffs — the 
Chamber of Commerce. A verdict was given for the defendants. The trial 
occupied three clays, and a vast deal of old and new matter was produced, 
which it was thought would prove to be the forerunner of future litigation. 
It was alleged that the Corporation was possessed of immense estates. The 
charters of John, of Edward I., of Henry Y., the two charters of Elizabeth, 
and the charter of James I., were referred to fully. Nothing practical, 
however, eventuated from the trial for the citizens. 

Lord Combermere, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland, arrived 
in Limerick on the 9th of September, and inspected the troops in garrison on 
the parade of the New Barracks. 1 Immediately after, his Lordship left 
Limerick for Eockbarton, the residence of the Chief Baron O'Grady. 

1 These Barracks were built in 1798, and occupy about a square mile. They are capable of 
containing about 1000 men, including officers' quarters. They are on an elevation to the south- 
west of the city. In 1845 a district Military Prison was added, which in 1865 contains 87 
prisoners, and a staff consisting of chief warder and seven warders and servants. The prison 
consists of three corridors and fifty-nine cells. 



July 27th. — Prospectus of an Irish Provincial Banking Company issued ; local committees 
have been formed in different towns and cities. The following committee formed in Limerick : — 
John M'Namara, President, and J. N". Eussell, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce ; 
Joseph M. Harvey, John Kelly, Martin Creagh, John Hill, Michael Ryan, Ralph Westropp, and 
William White, directors of the Chamber of Commerce for the current year. 

August 20th — The sentinel at the Excise Office door made an attempt to break it open ; there 
were £1200 in an iron safe in the office. The sentinel, whose name was Wm. M'Kenny, a 
native of Ballyshannon, deserted. 

September 13th. — The Assembly House on Charlotte's Quay, having been again fitted up as a 
theatre, opened this evening with Shakspere's tragedy of King Richard III. The celebrated 
actor, Kean, played Richard. Kean left Limerick on the morning of the 18th of September, 
displeased at his reception — he had engaged with Mr. Clarke, the manager, to play twelve 
successive nights — he only played five nights, and those to almost empty houses. It is supposed 
his receipts did not cover his expenses. He returned for the races, and fulfilled his engagement, 
playing alternately tragedy and comedy. Country families attended the plays. 

Major Hedges Maunsell built the fiour mills at Plassy, within two miles of Limerick — mills 
probably inferior to none in Ireland. They were afterwards occupied for several years by Mr. 
Reuben Harvey. Mr. Richard Russell, J.P., rebuilt Plassy House in a superb style in 1863, and 
has added to the power of the mills considerably. 

September 29th. — The coach between Limerick and Tralee commenced running this day. 
Leaves Limerick at ll£, a.m., and arrives at Tralee at 11, p. m. : returns from Tralee at 3, a.m., 

31" 



466 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The country continued very much disturbed ; and the expense of the old 
Constabulary was excessive : for the half year, on the county of Limerick, it 
amounted to £1,846 12s., and the new police for the same time was 
£1,941 8s. 9d. 

The Corporation on the 11th of October this year, let the Lax weir, in 
Court, of D'Oyer Hundred, to a Mr. Thomas Little, at £450 per annum : 
the weir had been for some years wholly neglected, and abandoned, and had 
become altogether unproductive of any revenue. A Mr. Kelly had been for 
some months previously, engaged on the part of the Government in suppress- 
ing all private weirs and obstructions, both in the river Shannon and in the 
small rivers that run into it. Erom this it was conjectured that the take of 
salmon would prove to be abundant. Forty years before this time, salmon 
sold in Limerick for one penny and three halfpence per lb. It is stated that 
in old apprentices'' indentures, masters were bound not to give apprentices 
salmon more than three times a week for dinner. 1 

In this year a return to Parliament was made of the number of magistrates 
in Ireland : 4507 is the total number ; 1932, acting and resident ; %66, acting 
though not resident, — 187 attached to Limerick. 

Manufactures a few years after this time began to appear again in Limerick, 
which is largely indebted to one firm for sustained and persevering efforts to 
locate manufactures in the city. 2 Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons, one of 

1 In 1865, the price of salmon early in the season is 3s. and 2s. 6d. per lb., and throughout 
the season it is seldom below the sum of Is. 8d. per lb. William Malcomson, Esq. of the firm of 
Malcomson Brothers, Portlaw, county of Waterford, the tenant of the great Lax weir, sends 
off enormous quantities each day to the London, Dublin, and other markets in England and 
elsewhere. The take is fully as large, if it be not larger, than it ever had been. The trade in 
it realizes a vast revenue. Besides the fishery at the Lax weir, there are several boats em- 
ployed by ]\Ir. Malcomson in the fishery, and many fishermen who had been on their own 
account, are at present in the employment of Mr. Malcomson. Ice is used in preserving the 
fish fresh, and ice houses have been built near the weir, and at the Terminus of the Waterford 
and Limerick Railway, for the purpose. 

2 The Russells of Limerick (who were once numerous) are an old Protestant family that can 
clearty be traced to the time of Cromwell, though further trace of them is here lost, it is probable 
that their progenitors were citizens of Limerick at a period much more remote. The 9th Mayor of 
Limerick was John Russell, (styled John Russell, alias Creagh), and the 56th Mayor of Limerick 
was John Russell. Since then several of the name have filled the office of Bailiff and Sheriff. By 
inscription on front of the Old Exchange it appears it was rebuilt in 1777, Walter Widenham being 
Mayor, and Francis Russell and Charles Sargent, Sheriffs. This Francis Russell was grandfather to 
Francis William Russell, the present Representative in Parliament for the City of Limerick, and 
the last member of the family that filled the office of Sheriff, was his brother, Thompson Russell ; 
Hughes Russell was Sheriff for the city in 1837, and took part as a public officer in the civil and 
military procession through the streets of Limerick on the occasion of proclaiming Victoria Queen 

and reaches Limerick at 2£, p.m. — route through Patrick's Well, Adare, Crough, Rathkeale, 
New Bridge, Foynes, Loughill, Glin, Tarbert, Listowell, and O'Dorney — performing a journey 
of 50 miles and 3 furlongs in 1 1£ hours. 

The expense of the mill house, tread mill, and machinery for scutching flax, at the County of 
Limerick Gaol amounts to £806 2s. 5d. 

About the commencement of September, the foundation of a new Convent and Chapel for the 
Franciscan Friars laid in Henry-street. 

Nov. 3rd. — John Collins, aged 114 years, died at Manister, in this county — Limerick 
Chronicle. 

The Limerick Jubilee Loan gave on loans up to the end of this year (1824) £81,563. 

Bryan Salmon, a shoemaker, died in Mungret-street, aged 104 years. He retained his faculties 
to the day of his death. 

The Catholic rent collected in Limerick from May until the end of December (1824) amounts 
to £314 17s. Id. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 467 

the oldest, and for many years the largest merchants and manufacturers in 
the south-west of Ireland, in 1827, for the first time, added flour milling to 
their previously extensive business. They were the first in the city to see 
the advantage of steam power applied to manufactures, and in this year 
fitted up the Newtown Pery mills with steam machinery, much to the sur- 
prise and wonder of the people, £ts no one considered the plan either 
rational or feasible. 1 It is idle now to say that the new power did succeed, 
and as the business grew and enlarged itself under the upright, liberal, and 

of Great Britain and Ireland, and the first stone of the new Church of St. John's was laid by 
John Norris Russell, the year that he filled the office of Sheriff. In former days there was a 
branch of the Russells in Limerick who were of this family, but the connection was remote, 
having descended from the brother of one of the progenitors of the present family (Philip 
Russell, born in 1650). They have long since lo't Limerick, and are at present represented by 
the Venerable John Russell, Archdeacon of Clogher, whose sister Elizabeth was married to the 
late Right Rev. Charles Dickinson, Protestant Lord Bishop of Meath. There have been from 
time to time, and are at present, several of the name residing in Limerick, unconnected with this 
family. The burial place of the Russells is St. John's in Limerick, where for many years they 
used to inter in the interior of the old Church, until such interments were prohibited by Act of 
Parliament. The last person whose remains were interred in the interior of the old Church, was 
the widow of a Philip Russell (Miss Fosbery, of Clorane, in the County Limerick). Consequent 
on her decease having taken place a short time after the passing of this Act, her remains were 
interred outside the Church in the morning, and at night, with the sanction of the Vicar of the 
parish, who was a particular friend of the family, they were secretly removed, and placed in the 
tomb near the remains of her late husband. The tomb was situated near the passage leading 
from the communion table to the vestry room in the old Church, on the site of which the new 
one has been raised. 

There are now three vaults in the burial ground outside the Church, belonging to different 
branches of the family, one of which has lately become extinct by the decease of Francis Philip 
Russell, of St. Thomas's Island. Over the organ loft, in the new church, is a handsome wheel 
window with richly stained glass, in the centre of which are the arms of the family. 

The name of Russell is identified with the ancient Cathedral of Limerick so far back as the 
year 1272, Henry Russell being one of the Canons of the Cathedral at that period. 

Mayors of Limerick oj the Name of Russell. 

John Russell, (styled John Russell, alias Creagh). 
John Russell. 

Bailiffs of Limerick of the Name of Russell. 

Pierce Russell. 

David Russell, ... ... ... twice. 

Philip Russell, ... ... ... twice. 

Sheriffs of Limerick of the Name of Russell. 



Francis Russell. 
William Russell. 
Philip Russell. 
Abraham Russell. 
Francis Philip Russell. 



Hughes Russell. 
John Norris Russell. 
Richard Russell. 
Thompson Russell.' 



1 In front of the Newtown Pery store, in Henry Street, built in addition to the mills in 1837, 
is inserted a stone, which was formerly in front of the old Mayoralty house in Quay Lane, and 
was purchased by Mr. J. N. Russell, when that building was taken down. On either side of 
the stone is the date of the erection of the store, 1837 ; over this stone, cut in relief also, are the 
Russell arms, with the name underneath — 

JOHN NORRIS RUSSELL. 

In addition to the Newtown Pery Mills, the machinery of which is already — so rapid have 
been the improvements in steam machinery since its erection — old fashioned and comparatively 
expensive to work — the Messrs. Russell hold Lock Mills, situate where the canal joins the 



468 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

i - # --• ' -• i 

prudent course always before and since pursued by the firm, other mills fell 
from time to time into their hands, until they are now, in 1865, the largest 
millers in Ireland, if not in Great Britain. 

Abbey River; the large mills at Corbally, just above the last regulating weir on the Shannon; 
Plassy Mills, farther up the river ; Garryowen Mills, a large steam concern ; and extensive 
mills at Askeaton, situate several miles below the city, one of which is also driven by steam. 
These concerns give large employment to the people, and largely contribute to the commerce 
of the port, both by imports of grain, coals, etc., and by exports of flour and other commodities. 
A great portion of this is done by the sailing vessels of the firm, and by the line of steamers 
which they have largely contributed to maintain. The public benefits at all times resulting 
from these enterprises, need not be enlarged upon; but the advantage to the community was 
especially found, during the disastrous years of the famine, when the Messrs. Russell were 
enabled to provide breadstuffs to an enormous and unprecedented extent for the consumption of 
the neighbouring unions, then dependent on almost instant supplies to prevent famine taking 
possession inside the workhouses. At one period, in 1858, it was in contemplation by the 
guardians to apply for advances from the imperial treasury, in anticipation of the poor rates, 
for payment of the supplies provided, which their funds were unable to meet. Before the era of 
steam navigation the English and Scotch trade with the port was carried on by a line of sailing 
packets, of which Messrs. Russell were large proprietors ; but in 1850, when steam vessels 
became necessary to supersede the liners, they did not hesitate to take a very leading part in 
establishing the Steam Ship Company.* In 1858, when the Company was suffering from the 
opposition of railway competition, and the general depression of Irish public enterprise, Messrs. 
Russell took the shares of those whose confidence was shaken, and devoted themselves largely to 
restore the line. The success of these efforts is seen in the prosperity of the undertaking now, 
and the river vessels of larger size and power added to the fleet, winch now can boast of having 
as fine vessels of their class as any port of Great Britain or Ireland. In addition to ample 
accommodation for the general import and export trade of the city, this line is now enabled to 
provide large supplies of coals, and thus keep a wholesome check on the enormous prices and 
extreme fluctuations which always existed when the supply of coals was entirely dependent on 
sailing vessels. In 1851, Messrs. Russell commenced the erection of Lansdowne flax spinning and 
weaving factories at North Strand, and such was the energy devoted to this entirely new branch 
of manufacture here by them, that the buildings and machinery of the spinning factory were 
erected and started in October, 1853, and shortly afterwards the power loom factory was 
erected, giving further large employment in the manufacture of the yarns into lines. These 
fine, well proportioned buildings, all built of dressed limestone, are, in a mere architectural sense, 
an ornament to the city, and the advantages of the steady employment both factories have 
since given to large numbers, chiefly of the younger portion of the population, otherwise 
utterly unprovided with well-paid work, are not easily over-estimated. The firm has regularly 
engaged, in all their various enterprises, about 2,000 people. The founder of the firm, the late 
Mr. John Norris Russell, died at a ripe old age in 1859, having lived to see his sons successfully 
carry into operation all the enterprises which he with them had originated. His eldest son, Mr. 
Francis William Russell, was returned one of the members for the city in 1852, and has since 
worthily represented it in the House of Commons. The contributions of the firm to the local 
charities, without distinction of creed or party, have always been in liberal keeping with 
their other acts. 

* Previous to 1817, the only mode of river conveyance between Limerick and Kilrush, was by 
turf boats. About that period three sailing packets, the Royal George, Lady Frances, and 
Vandeleur, were established for the conveyance of goods and passengers; and in some years after 
a steamer, called the Lady of the Shannon, commenced to ply— (she was the property of a 
Limerick Company) — but having proved a failure in some time after was broken up. Consequent 
on want of steam power, she was not alone slow in movement, but unable to proceed against the 
tide when there was a strong head wind. 

In 1829 the Dublin Steam Packet Company placed a powerful boat on the station, called the 
Mona, and have since continued to run steamers between Limerick and Kilrush; a new route is 
also now opened by the Foynes Railway. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 469 



CHAPTER L. 

NEW AND OLD BRIDGES OF LIMERICK. — WELLESLEY BRIDGE. — ATHLUNKARD 
BRIDGE — PARK BRIDGE — BALl/S BRIDGE — THOMOND BRIDGE. — NEW AND 

MATHEW BRIDGE. PROJECTED RAILROADS. WATERWORKS. — BARRINGTON'S 

HOSPITAL. — STATISTICS O*' TRAVELLING, &C. &C. 

With the growth of the New Town and the augmentation of trade and 
commerce, the necessity arose for new bridges to span the Shannon, and 
docks to protect the shipping frequenting the port. In 1759, a grant was 
made of £3,500 to the Ball's Bridge Commissioners for enlarging the quay, 
building a bridge to Mardyke, and clearing the river of rocks from the quay 
to the pool. In 1765, a further grant of ££,500 to the Ball's Bridge Com- 
missioners was made for continuing the new quays ; but the requirements of 
the port and harbour at the period at which we have arrived were larger and 
more imperative in this respect ; and accordingly, as we have seen in the 
previous chapter, the Wellesley Bridge Act was passed in 1823; in 1825, 
the Athlunkard Bridge Act was passed. In the same year, an act was 
passed for supplying the city and suburbs of Limerick with water. In 1826, 
an act was passed to make a railroad from the city of Limerick to Carrick- 
on-Suir, in the county of Tipperary — the first project of this kind in the 
South of Ireland. In 1830, Barrington's Hospital Act was passed ; and in 
the same year was passed an act for rebuilding Ball's Bridge. It was 
a time of enterprise and action, and several of the projects, though 
numerous and of great magnitude, were carried out to successful com- 
pletion, not only with speed, but with skill and science which could not be 
surpassed, if equalled, in any other city in the British Empire. The pream- 
ble of the act for the erection of the Wellesley Bridge — one of the noblest 
structures in the kingdom — set out the fact of the wealth and importance of 
the city of Limerick, the extension of its commerce, and the likelihood of the 
increase of that commerce — the want of a direct communication or passage 
from the west side of the Liberties, and from the counties of Clare and Gal- 
way, except by the one very old and narrow bridge — Thomond Bridge 1 — 
which was " inconveniently remote from the new and trading parts of the 
city" — the necessity of a canal for the passage of ships and boats above and 
below the projected bridge — the want of a floating dock for shipping of a 
sharp form, or copper-bottomed, commonly used in the trade of the Atlantic, 
which could not now be safely brought to the quays of the city. The act 
appointed the following commissioners for erecting the bridge, &c. : — viz., 
the Eight Hon. Wm. Vesey Fitzgerald, Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. ; the 
Hon. Eichard Fitzgibbon, Thomas Spring Eice, Bolton Waller, Thomas 
Fitzgibbon, the elder ; Joseph Massey Harvey, Eichard Bourke, George 
Gough the younger ; John Kelly, Edward Croker, William Gabbett, Thomas 
Eoche, William Eoche, John Vereker, John Mark, William Monsell, the 
younger, Thomas Gibbon Fitzgibbon, John Brown, John MacNamara, John 

x The Old Thomond Bridge stood exactly on the site of the present one It was incon- 
veniently narrow, and there was no flagway for foot passengers. It was provided with small 
chambers or recesses over each of the piers, that people stood in when two vehicles were passing 
each other, and by their means accidents were prevented. 



470 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Hartigan, Daniel Leahy, Joseph Gabbett, "William Howley, Ealph Westropp, 
Eichard Kenny, Eobert O'Callaghan Newenham, Michael Purnell, John 
Perrott, Edward Yilliers, John Connell, Eobert Maunsell, the elder ; Martin 
Creagh, James Pisher, John Staunton, John Green, John Norris Eussell, 
Michael Eyan, Daniel Gabbett, Martin Arthur, Michael Gavin, William 
White, John Stephenson, Eeuben Harvey, Stephen Dickson, Daniel Barring- 
ton, and Eobert Keane Charles, and their successors. The place selected 
was from Brunswick-street across the river to the North Strand. Extensive 
powers were granted to the Commissioners, and among other powers given 
them, was one by which they were enabled to borrow a sum of one hundred 
thousand pounds for the purposes in question, on the credit of the tolls, 
rates and duties to be levied. No one applied himself more zealously to the 
successful realization of this project than Mr. Thomas Spring Eice, M.P. 
Several objections had been raised to the advance of money for the proposed 
Bridge ; but on the 6th of February, 1824, Mr. Eice addressed a letter to 
the President of the Chamber of Commerce, announcing that the Marquis of 
Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, had approved of the report of the 
Commissioners, recommending a grant of ^60,000 for the intended Bridge 
and Docks at Limerick ; and expressing his assurance that no further doubts 
or difficulties could arise, nor could any new obstacles be interposed to 
defeat a measure which would be found no less important to the unemployed 
tradesmen and labourers of Limerick, than to the commercial interests of the 
city and the adjacent counties. It was thought, in fact, that the tolls would 
considerably exceed the estimate of the Commissioners, and bring in a revenue 
of over £5,000 a year. Mr. Eice anticipated a reduction in the tolls in con- 
sequence of the revenue, and eventually the opening of a free port. In these 
anticipations he and the public have been completely deceived. The revenue 
from the tolls never arrived at anything whatever even remotely approach- 
ing to the estimate. Year after year the tolls have been decreasing, until in 
1865 they are rented at £400 per annum to the eminent firm of Messrs. 
John Norris Eussell and Sons, who have rented them for several years for 
about the same sum. The laying the foundation stone of this bridge on the 
25th of October, 1824, was attended with all possible ceremony and eclat. 
The plans were drawn by Mr. Alexander Nimmo, the eminent engineer, on 
the plan exactly of the beautiful Pont Neuilly over the Seine above Paris, 
and they were carried out with faultless precision by Messrs. Clements and 
Son, the contractors. The bridge has five river arches, with a swivel bridge 
and two quay arches. The Earl of Clare laid the foundation stone, in the 
absence of the Marquis of Wellesley. The entire garrison were under arms 
on the North Strand, where the stone was laid — the artillery firing, &c. 
On a stone in the middle of the western parapet of the bridge is the 
following inscription : — 



THIS BRIDGE WAS ERECTED A.D. 18P.1, 

UNDER AN ACT OF THE IV. OF GEORGE IV., 

INTRODUCED INTO PARLIAMENT BY THE 

RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS S. RICE, M.P. 

FOR THE CITY OF LIMERICK. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 471 

This Bridge is a noble ornament to Limerick ; and if it has not realised the 
expectations of its projectors, it must be admitted to be a structure beauti- 
fully planned and executed. 

The Bridge took eleven years to build, and the Commissioners spent no 
less a sum than £89,061 in its completion. It was opened by the Earl of 
Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on the 5th of August, 1835. A 
sum of £30,000 would have sufficed for an excellent suitable bridge. 

During the years that were occupied in building the bridge, the promised 
dock lay in abeyance, and the commercial community were compelled to pay 
exorbitant dues for an unfinished bridge, which inconveniently interfered 
with the traffic of the port. They viewed the proceedings of the Commissioners 
with dissatisfaction, more particularly as the bridge and the port were 
different undertakings ; the bridge to benefit the landed interest, while the 
port was for trade and commerce. 

A memorial, signed by the principal merchants and others, was presented 
to the commissioners in 1833 in which complaint was further made of the 
dangerous condition of the harbour, caused by the bridge encroachments, 
and of the mis approbation of the revenues of the port, which ought solely to 
have been applied to the construction of the promised docks. 

In the year 1834 1 a new act was procured, under which a sum of 
£45,000 was raised by loan from government, and was expended upon an 
engineering project, which was subsequently abandoned as impracticable. 
This project had for its end the construction of a dam across the river, and 
the conversion of the stream into a large floating dock. Engineers, however, 
of eminence reported that such a dock would occasionally lay a great part of 
the city under water. The advantage derived by the city from the 
£45,000 thus expended was the construction of a noble line of quays. In 
1847, a third act was procured ; and an additional sum of £54,000 was 
advanced, which was expended in the construction of the existing dock, 
which was opened, as we have stated in the first chapter of this work, in 
1853. The dock covers a space of eight acres, and was constructed by John 
Long, Esq, C.E. The dock is capable of accommodating eighty sea-going 
vessels, large and small, and is entered by dock gates seventy feet wide. 
The depth is from twenty to twenty-five feet. The total cost was £54,000, 
a moderate expenditure on a work of such extent and depth. 

When the original act of 1824 was procured, the estimate was that the 
income of the port would be £1,025, and of the bridge about £6,000 a 
year. The income from the bridge is almost nothing, but that from the 
port has risen from £1100 in 1825 to over £9,900 in 1856. 

The Board of Public Works which has had possession of the bridge tolls 
and harbour dues, has kept one general account of their receipts without 

1 Under the powers of this Act the ancient office of Water Bailiff, with a revenue of ahont 
£1100 a year was abolished. The Water Bailiff was appointed by the Corporation, and collected 
his own charges off the vessels, and of which he rendered no account. His badge of office was 
a silver oar. He enforced all magisterial and judicial warrants against the shipping and seamen 
frequenting the port. £5000 was awarded him by way of compensation. 



472 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



discriminating between the sources from which thej were derived. 
December, 1862, the following is their statement of the account :- 



On 31st 



Date 
of Loan. 


.9 


'3 '«j 
c a. 


cs <o 

■so 

Oi o 


1 


.2 a 






1824. 

25th May, 

1832. 
24th October,... 

1837. 
31st May,. 

1839. 
21st August,... 

1848. 
23rdJune, ( 


£ 

55,384 

25,000 

40,000 

5,000 

54,000 


£ 

5,722 


£ 

55,384 

19,278 
40,000 
5,000 
4,000 


£ 

71,816 

24,709 

40,482 

5,722 

31,214 


£ 
71,816 

23,937 

27,062 

2,344 

181 


£ 

772 
13,420 
3,378 
31,033 


£ 

55,384 

20,050 

53,420 

8,378 

85,033 



By the last account rendered it would appear that the commissioners then 
owed the government the sum of £222,265,, and this amount has not been 
lessened. 

The merchants of Limerick have been for sometime energetically engaged, 
and with every prospect of success, in demanding a readjustment of this 
account. It was never the intention of the government or the merchants to 
prejudice the port at the expense of the bridge — the only thing to be said is, 
that the advances for the bridge had been made on an estimate that has 
proved completely illusory. In 1864, a movement begun by the Harbour 
Board and Chamber of Commerce, and which has been sustained by the repre- 
sentatives of the city and by the municipal corporation, was set on foot for the 
purpose of pressing on government the absolute necessity of readjusting the 
accounts. A few years previously a proposition was laid before the Corpora- 
tion to make the bridge debt a liability on the rates of the city, the amount 
due to be in the first instance diminished very considerably by the Lords of 
the Treasury. The Corporation rejected the proposition by a considerable 
majority. 

On the 26th of April, 1824, labourers were employed in opening the 
street from the end of Park Bridge, to communicate in a line from thence, 
and cross Mary-street to Quay-lane. The labourers could work only in the 
Abbey, (then part of the county of Limerick by charter) as the houses in Mary- 
street which were to be taken down had not been at the time presented for 
by the City Grand Jury. Ultimately the presentments were made, and Ath- 
lunkard- street was formed. James Kennedy, Esq., a banker, about twelve 
years before, projected a bridge from Corbally across the Shannon to Allan 
Court, cleared a passage through a pit at great expense, and laid a solid 
abutment. The project, however, was not carried through, though it had 
obtained general concurrence. It was at the conclusion of the session of 
Parliament this year that St. Francis's Abbey, theretofore in the county, by 
charter of James I., March 3rd, 1609, was attached to the city, and placed 
under the control of the city magistrates. Mr. Nimmo, the engineer, gave his 
opinion that a chain bridge could be thrown across the river at Allan Court for 
a sum not exceeding £2,000, but the idea of a chain bridge was abandoned. 

The Bill for the erection of a bridge across the Shannon at Athlunkard, 
to make a direct communication or passage from the northern parts of the 
counties of Clare and Galway, into Limerick^ thus became law in 1825. Before 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 473 

this period there had been no means of communication between the northern 
and eastern parts of these counties and the city of Limerick ; and Park 
Bridge, 1 a plain structure of three arches, which crosses the Abbey river a 
short distance above the Abbey slip, and leads to the beautifully improved 
suburban townland of Corbally, the greater portion of which was purchased 
by the late Alderman Pierce Shannon, in 1833, for £22,000, from Colonel 
William Thomas Monsell, 2 of Tervoe — led only to Corbally, where the 

1 Park is a townland -within the municipal boundary of Limerick. Park House is the residence 
of the Catholic Bishop of Limerick. The inhabitants of Park are among the most thrifty and 
industrious in any part of Ireland. They pay from £8 to £10 an acre for their patches of land, 
the largest holders not renting more than from three to four acres. They cultivate vegetables, 
with which they supply the citizens ; they rear cattle and pigs, and grow potatoes and turnips to 
feed their cattle and pigs, and for their own use also. They manure the land very highly, and 
being within the Borough they are subject to high rates and taxes. There has been much emi- 
gration from Park in recent years, of young men and young women especially. The names 
generally of the residents are Cunneen, or O'Cunneen, one of the most ancient names in the 
South of Ireland, tradition having it that it was with a chieftain of that name Saint Patrick 
dwelt when he visited Singland, which forms part of the parish of St. Patrick in which Park 
is situated ; Hannan, or Hanneen, Quilligan, Clancy, and MacNamara, or by abbreviation Mac, 
of which there are a great number in Park. The MacNamaras are said to have settled in Park 
since they were driven from Clare in the wars of the seventeenth century. It was through the 
old road of Park that King "William is said to have passed to the Shannon in 1690, when he 
made his inspection of the river, in order to obtain a knowledge of the passage of it, which was 
effected so successfully the year afterwards by Giokle. The site of the 5^r at) flee, or the 
King's gate, which divided Park from Corbally, and from which William passed, is yet pointed 
cut, within a short distance of the river. There are several very handsome residences at Corbally, 
including the beautiful one of Pierce Shannon, Esq., grandson of Alderman Pierce Shannon. The 
ancient cemetery of Killeen, is situated in the " Killeen field," at Corbally. It has ceased for 
many years to be a burying place. Recently fragments of cannon balls and human bones have 
been found in this field. 

2 Monsell of Tervoe. The name of Monsel or Moncel occurs in some of the earliest MSS. 
documents connected with the city and diocese of Limerick : " Dominus Robertas Moncel" is the 
name of one whose signature appears to a lease of certain Church lands set forth in the Liber 
Niger, or Black Book of Limerick in the thirteenth century. Sir Bernard Burke, however, states 
that the Trevoe branch of the family settled in Ireland early in the reign of Charles I. Monsell 
and Maunsell is the same name — and in a detailed pedigree of the Maunsell family* which is 
in existence, a branch of the arms of that family are given in the pedigree, and they are the 
same as those borne by the Monsells of Tervoe. changes of spelling have frequently taken place 
in Ireland from the pronunciation of English names by the Irish tongue. The name had been 
evidently known in Limerick, as appears above, many ages before the period stated for the 
settlement of the family in Ireland, by the great authority on Irish Genealogy ;f but the first 
mention of the Monsells in more recent ages in the neighbourhood of Limerick occurs in a history 
of the Siege of Balyally Castle, near Ennis, in 1641, against the O'Gradys, to which Siege we 
have referred in cur note on the O'Grady family,! the Seneshal being "William Monsell. Thomas 
the son of Samuel Monsell of Tervoe, married first the daughter of William Burgh, of the ancient 

Dromkeen family — by whom he had a son who d. unm He married secondly in 1751, Dymphna, 

sister of Edmond Viscount Pery, and speaker of the Irish House of Commons — and by her was 

* The Maunsell family has been also one of high respectability in Limerick. Bichard Maunsell, 
Esq., represented the City of Limerick in Parliament in 1741, and died in 1770 — he was grand- 
son of Colonel Thomas|| Maunsell, who so gallantly defended the Castle of Maccollop, in the 
County of "Waterford against Cromwell's forces in 1650, as mentioned in the inscription on his 
tombstone in the Churchyard there. This family is descended from William Maunsell, the third 
and youngest son of the celebrated John Maunsell, Chief Justice and Chancellor of England, 
Provost of Beverley, &c, temp. Henry III. Walter Maunsell held, while he lived, the Capital 
Serjeancy of the County of Limerick, temp. Edward II. Thomas Maunsell of Chicheley, (Eng- 
land), son of Thomas Maunsell who died A.D. 1582, was ancestor of all the Maccollop family and 
cf different other branches of the family who now reside in Ireland as well as of the Maunsells of 
Thorpe-Malsor, in the County of Northampton. Thomas was born 17th April, 1577, and early 
entered the Navy, in which he distinguished himself against the Spanish Armada, he retired 
from active service in 16U9, for in the summer of that year he received an order from the Privy 
Council to the Lord Deputy to all Governors, Captains &c, to furnish him with eyery protection 
and assistance in selecting a place in which to reside. The following is a copy of the order ; the 

t Sir Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland. 

t See pp. 59-60. 

I) Ferrar in his Historv of Limerick erroneouslv states that it was Colonel Richard Maunsell. 



474 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Shannon divided it from Athlunkard, in the county of Clare. Park Bridge 
was built about the year 1798. 1 The building of Athlunkard Bridge, which 

father of Colonel William Thomas Monsell of Tervoe who sat in the Irish Parliament, born in 
1755, who married in 1776, Hannah, daughter of Amos Strettle, Esq., and by her had, with four 
daughters, Dymphna, married to Thomas Ellis, Esq. M.P. for Dublin ; Hannah, married to Thomas 
Wilson, Esq., Diana, died unmarried, and Frances, married to Sir Hunt Walsh, Bart., William, 
his heir, Amos died unmarried, Thomas in holy orders and Archdeacon of Derry, married Jane 
Eae, and had a daughter Diana, and three sons, John, married to Miss Anne Waller of Castletown ; 
William ; and Charles Henry, married to the Hon. Harriet O'Brien, sister of Lord Inchiquin ; 
William Monsell, Esq., of Tervoe, born in 1778, married in 1810, Olivia, eldest daughter of Sir 
John Allen Johnson Walsh, Bart., and died in 1822, leaving an only son, the present Right Hon. 
William Monsell of Tervoe, a member of the Privy Council, Colonel of the County of 
Limerick Regiment of Militia — Vice-Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for the County of 
Limerick, High Sheriff in 1835 — Late Clerk of the Ordnance, when he reorganised the war de- 
partment in conjunction with Lord Panmure, and President of the Board of Health, born 21st 
September, 1812, married 11th August, 1836, Lady Anna Maria Charlotte Wyndham Quin, 
only daughter 2nd Earl of Dunraven, and by her (who died 7th January, 1855), had issue a son 
and heir, William, born in March, 1841, died 1845. Mr. Monsell married secondly, 1857, 
Berthe, youngest daughter of the Count de Montigny, younger brother of the Marquis de Monti- 
gny, and has a son born 5th March, 1848, and daughter Margt. Tervoe desmesne contains about 
500 acres, and adjoins the famous Castle of Carrigogunnell, which is also on the estate of Mr. 
Monsell, is about three miles from Limerick, and is beautifully situated on the river Shannon below 
the city, from which there is a fine view of its picturesque woods, and of the excellent family 
mansion, of one of the most estimable of gentlemen, who in every relation of life, public and 
private, has won and retains the very best affections of every class and party. 

original was destroyed when Joseph Maunsell's house was burned down, who resided in the 
County of Galway : — 

Copy of Document given to Captain Thomas Maunsell, R.N. 
*' Arthur Chichester, 

By the Lord Deputie. 
Wee greete you well, whereas this gent. Captaine Thomas Maunsell, is come into this King- 
dome wth. entent to take a viewe and enforme himselfe of the ports and most convenient places 
for him to settle in, and especially in the Province of Ulster and some ptes. of Connaught, to 
wch. ende he brought unto us leres. of recomendatons in his behalfe from the lis. of his Matie. 
most honorable Privie Councell wch. wee received this day signefiinge his Matie. and theire 
pleasures in that behalfe. These are, therefore, to wille and require you and every of you his 
Maties. officers, mynisters, to take notice hereof and not only to suffer and p'mitt the said Cap- 
taine above named, wth. his servants peaceablie and quietlie to pass by you to and fro as he 
shall have occasion to veowe, searche, and enquire as aforesaid ; but also to bee aydinge, com- 
portynge, and assistinge unto him wth. post horses and guydes from place to place in his 
travell, and if neede require to give hime the best knowledge and furtherance you may in 3 r ou 
owne mons for effectinge his desire according to his Matie. and the lis. pleasure unto us signefied 
as aforesaid whereof you and every of you maj T not fayle as you will answer the contrary at 
your p'rlls,. given at Melefant, this 28th of July, 1809. 

To all Governors, Captaines, Maiors, Sherefes, Justices of Peace, Headborowes, Constables, and 
to all other his Mats, officers and lovinge subjects to whome it shall or may app'aine. 

Geo. Sexten. 
He settled in the County of Cork, at Derrivillane. John, a fourth son of his a Captain in 
the Life Guards and settled first in Ireland, was ancestor to the Maunsells of Ballybrood and 
Thorpe-Malsor. Mrs. Alphra Maunsell, the mother of a numerous family, having resided for 
some time in England, returned to Ireland and resided with her son John at Ballyvorneen, near 
Caherconlish, where she died prior to 1662. She was buried in the Church of Caherconlish 
where the following memorial was erected to her by her son : — 

Here lyeth the Bodye of ALPHRA MAUNSELL, 

My dear Mother, daughter of Sir William Cragford of Kent ; 

Here also lyeth my dear Wife, MARY MAUNSELL, 

Daughter of George Booth, Esq., of Cheshire; 

And of my sister ALPHRA PEACOCK ; and of her 

Daughter ANNE PEACOCK. 

Erected by me JOHN MAUNSELL, ESQ., and 

Intended for mvself and rest of my family 

This 12th October, 1662. 

The Maunsells fought throughout for the Royalist cause in the person of Charles I. aud on 

the restoration obtained grants of land in the counties and liberties of Limerick, Galway, and 

City and County of Waterford. Thomas Maunsell of Annaghrostin, County Limerick, was one 

of the Commissioners of the Peace for Limerick, and appointed May 10th, 1683. He died 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



475 



is of five arches, was commenced in June, 1826, and finished in December, 
1830 at a cost of £7000. It has a toll gate at the city side, but the income 
from the tolls, which are set up each year to auction produces in the year 
1865 about £200, a sum not at all equal to dis charge the interest on the 
money advanced for the structure. There never was a toll on Park Bridge. 1 
On a stone on the west side of the bridge is this inscription : — 





THIS BRIDGE 










WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT 








BY 










JAMES AND GEO. RICHD. 


PAINE, 






ARCHITECTS. 
Commenced, 
June, 1826. 




Finished, 
Deer. 1830. 



In the year 1830 an Act of Parliament (11 Geo. IT., c. 126) was passed 
for rebuilding Ball's Bridge, 2 than which there have been few, if any, more 
ancient bridges in Ireland. This bridge, for which there had been three or 
four proposals, was given to Messrs. Paine to build at a cost of £600. It has 
one arch of 70 feet span, with a rise of 15 feet. It bears the following 
inscription on one of the parapets : — 



THIS BRIDGE WAS ERECTED BY VIRTUE OF AN 
ACT OF THE XL OF GEO. IV. 
THE RT. HON. THOMAS SPRING RICE, M.P. 
FOR THE CITY OF LIMERICK. 

COMMENCED TAKING DOWN THE OLD BRIDGE, NOVEMBER, 1830. 
THE NEW BRIDGE FINISHED, NOVEMBER, 1831. 

JAS. AND G. PAINE, ARCHITECTS. 



unmarried and was the first of his family who was buried in St. John's Church in the City of 
Limerick, where the family vault has continued, He served the office of Sheriff of the County 
Limerick in 1697/ 

Richard Maunsell, Esq., who was M.P. for Limerick from 1710 to 1761, represented the 
family after the death of his brother, Joseph, of Cahir, Co. Gal way. Richard Maunsell left 
several sons ; his eldest son, Thomas, was senior King's Counsel, was M.P. for Kilmallock, and 
he left three sons, Thomas Maunsell, Esq., of Plassy, who was M.P. for Edwardstown, Co. 
Kilkenny, for 16 years ; and Robert Maunsell, Esq. of Bank Place, whose two sons, living in 1865, 
Henry Maunsell, Esq., J.P., and Lieut. -General Frederick Maunsell, represent the families in 
both county and city of Limerick. The late Archdeacon Maunsell of Limerick is represented by 
Lieutenant-Colonel William Maunsell, East Kent Militia, of Northamptonshire family, where his 
brother, Colonel Thomas Maunsell, represented Northamptonshire for several years, and retired 
in consequence of old age. 

1 A curious clause in all the old leases of the Corbally tenants states that they shall have an 
abatement of £2 per acre in the rental of their lands should Park Bridge at any time go out of 
repair. The rents were raised when the Bridge was erected, and the landlord was obliged to 
keep the Bridge in repair, &c. The rental of Corbally in 1865 is £6 : 16 : 6 an acre. Since the 
passing of the Athlunkard Bridge Act, Park Bridge ha3 been one of the approaches to Athlun- 
kard Bridge, and has ceased to be a private bridge, and the roadway over it is maintained by 
the Athlunkard Bridge Commissioners. 

2 The locality of Ball's Bridge was celebrated in old times for a hard fought conflict between 
the O'Briens and John de Burgo, commonly called John of Galway; and less than a century 
ago was a fashionable promenade. 

There is no bridge the origin of which, as far as I am aware, so little is known as of Ball's 
Bridge — even the name itself of the bridge is uncertain ; in Irish it is called t)riehi& nje^l 
limenesb, viz. " the Bald Bridge of Limerick." In White's MSS. it is written, the Bald Bridge, 
{laid meaning without parapets, which it probably was), and in White's MSS it is written in 



476 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



On a stone tablet on the other parapet of the bridge, is the following 
inscription : — 



THE ANCIENT BRIDGE OF FOUR ARCHES 

WHICH OCCUPIED THIS SITE, WAS TAKEN DOWN, 

AND THIS BRIDGE ERECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF 

THE NEW LIMERICK NAVIGATION COMPANY, 

INCORPORATED 1830. 

CHAS. WYE WILLIAMS.ESQ., CHIEF DIRECTOR. 
JAS. AND G. R. PAINE, ARCHITECTS. 



Old Ball's Bridge was a structure of four arches, the land ones having 
sprung from the Quay walls. Where the abutments of the present arch stand 
was formerly part of the water course. During the time that Limerick was 
a fortress within the limit of the town wall, (it then having consisted of the 
English and Irish towns only) the inconvenience of the limit of ground to 
build on was much experienced. To meet this difficulty in part, the Earl of 
Shannon to whom the bridge belonged permitted the building of two ranges 
of houses on it, which so contracted the roadway that it was almost impassa- 
able. After the Siege and surrender of the City to King William's troops, 
the houses on the east side were purchased and taken down by Act of Parlia- 
ment, which was a great improvement. The range on the west side, which 
were a good class of shops in their day, remained until the bridge was re- 
moved in 1830. The New Bridge, now Mathew Bridge crosses the Abbey 
river also. 1 

One of the great w r ants which the New Town continued to suffer from 
was that of a sufficient supply of water for domestic use, &c. Though in the 
immediate proximity of a superabundance of the vivifying stream, there was no 
means hitherto of bringing it to the houses of the citizens. Mr. E. Leadbetter, 
an engineer made an estimate for supplying the desideratum by means of sub- 
terranean pipes. The estimate was lodged in the office of the Clerk of the 
Peace on the 9th of January, in 1825, and it amounted to the sum of 

Latin Pons Calvus. It is also written Baal's Bridge. It was known in the fourteenth century, 
and is quartered, as already stated, on the Galway arms, in reference to the battle that was fought 
on it in 1361, in which John of Galway was the victor. It is mentioned in the Eibernia Pacata 
as the Ye Bridge, and in old maps printed in Leyden in the seventeenth century, as the Thye 
Bridge. It was a quaint old structure — a sort of old London Bridge in miniature — with its 
old-fashioned houses on both sides, its shops, &c. Tradition speaks of it as having been origi- 
nally built, in far distant time, by one Baal, whom St. Patrick converted to Christianity when 
at Singland. It has been frequently the subject of legislative enactment, and in the Acts of 
Parliament it is called Baal's Bridge. 

1 It should be remarked of the "New Bridge," where the Mathew bridge now stands, of which 
we have already treated in a previous chapter, that what was formerly called the New Bridge stood 
on the site of what is now called the Mathew bridge, forming a direct communication between 
Quay-lane and Bank-place. Previous to its erection in 1762 for some years, there was a ferry esta- 
blished. It was a bridge of three arches, the centre one forty-one feet wide, being so much larger 
than the other two particularly in height, that it was found from the steep incline of the road-way 
at both sides of the centre, or crown of the middle arch, not alone to be inconvenient for traffic, 
but in frosty weather actually dangerous. It was for this reason, (though quite sound in preser- 
vation, as the year it was finished), taken down and rebuilt. Like the old Ball's bridge, the land 
arches sprung from the Quay walls, so that what now forms the abutments of Mathew bridge, 
was formerly part of the water course of the New bridge. There were two iron lamp-posts set 
opposite each other on the centre of this bridge, which were made fast to the parapets. From their 
construction they were found to answer the purpose of a gallows, and were used by the authorities 
in the rebellion of 1798, for hanging purposes. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 477 

£43,333 6s. It was proposed to have two reservoirs of masonry, containing 
600,000 gallons of water, with an engine of 40 horse power, (or 200 men) 
for filling the reservoir from the Shannon. The Water Works Company 
which undertook this gigantic work, obtained an Act of Parliament (6 Geo. 
IV. c. 172), in the course of the same year, and the project was speedily 
completed to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. The reservoir was 
made on the place traditionally known as Cromwell's Fort, and close by 
those remarkable localities which in the civil wars, from the time of the 
Danes and downwards, have been famous as the field of sanguinary battles. 1 
This was an age of speculation and improvement, as well as of political 
excitement caused by the intense struggle for the obtainment of civil and 
religious liberty. An Act was obtained for the purpose of accomplishing 
the Railway from Limerick to Carrick-on-Suir, in the year 1826, (7 Geo. IY. 
c. 139). The project was not realized at this time; nor was it perfected 
until the year 1848, when the Hue of railway was opened between Limerick 
and Tipperary, and afterwards to Waterford in October, 1854.. The opening 
of this railway has been followed within very few years by the extension of 
several other important lines of communication between Limerick and Dublin, 
also Cork, and and more recently nearly every one of the intermediate towns, 
to Castle Connell, opened 28th of August, 1858 — Ennis, opened viz. : — 
17th of January, 1859, to Clare Castle and afterwards to Ennis — total 
length to Ennis 24| miles. — Foynes, opened October, 1859, total length, 
26 one-eighth miles. — Cork direct, opened 1st of August, 1862. — Dublin 
by Nenagh, opened October 5th, 1863, and to Bird Hill Junction, joining 
the Castle Connell and Killaloe line, in June, 1864. — Eathkeale and New- 
castle, length 10 miles, opened in 1865 ; an extension of this line is pro- 
posedto Listowel in the county Kerry, length 22 miles. The amount of 
capital invested in these lines of Railway is enormous. 

Waterford and Limerick line ... ... ... £1,237,759 

Castle Connell ... ... ... ... 82,333 

Ennis ... ... ... ... ... 225,000 

Eoynes ... ... ... 175,000 

Cork direct ... ... ... ... ... 133,000 

Eathkeale and Newcastle ... ... ... 66,000 



Not including the Nenagh line, the amount of capital 

invested in these lines represents a figure of ... £1,919,092 

An extension of the Ennis line to Galway, joining the Midland line at 
Athenry, is in course of construction this year 1865, capital, 266,000, 
length, 36 miles. The traffic between Limerick and Dublin by Railway was 
opened on the 4th of May, 1848. The effect of these railways on traffic is 
worthy of notice. 2 

1 In 1859 these works were further extended under the inspection of R.W. Mylan, Esq., Engineer, 
of London, up to which year the city had but a supply of water every alternate day, when the 
works were placed under the local direction of M. R. Ryan, Esq. J.P. Limerick is at present 
(1865) well supplied with water, as besides the Corporation street fountains, others have been 
erected by private gentlemen at the railway terminus, on the Quay and in Athlunkard street, 
by M. R. Ryan, Esq. William Malcomson, Esq. &c. 

2 Some particulars as to travelling will be of interest here : — Until about the year 1760 there 
was no public mode of conveyance between Dublin and Limerick or any other two cities in 
Ireland. The Country was then much under wood, the roads few and indifferent, and travelling 
on them very dangerous, consequent on their being infested with highwaymen who lived by 
plunder, and were totally reckless of life when it suited their purpose. To meet these difficulties 
it was a fixed arrangement for persons going to Dublin from Limerick to travel in company, a 
particular day being decided on to leave, it was posted on a sheet which was placed over the 
mantel -piece in the coffee room in Quay-lane, and those who intended travelling affixed their 



478 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Sir Joseph Barrington, Bart., a name inseparably interwoven with the 
history of these times in Limerick undertook in 1829, with his sons Mat- 
thew (afterwards Sir Matthew), Daniel, Croker, and Samuel to found a 
charitable institution for the relief of the poor of their native city. An 
Act of the legislature was obtained in the year after, (11th Geo. IV. c. 
72), constituting the Hospital for the County and City of Limerick. By 
this Act the Mayor is an ex-officio governor of the hospital, which is other- 
wise unconnected with the Corporation, though for a period commencing in 
1854, a certain number of the Corporation were appointed on the Committee 
or board of Directors, the Corporation at this time and afterwards until 1864, 
contributing to its funds ; but as the Corporators could not vote at any of 
the meetings of the Committee or Board, they declined to act on the Com- 
mittee; they deemed their presence at the Board useless and nugatory. 
The hospital was opened for the reception of patients on the 5th of November, 
1831. It is situated on George's-quay, on the site of the old main guard house, 
is of cut stone, presenting a handsome front, surmounted by an illuminated 
clock, and for a long time the only one of the kind to be seen the south of 

names to it. On the day appointed they all set out well armed, and provided with the best 
means they could travel by. The journey being then performed in five days, (the same horses 
being used all through), unless the weather proved very unfavourable. About this time a stage 
coach was started which left weekly, taking its departure from what was called the Plead Inn 
in Cornwallis street. This house is still standing, and is situated at the left hand side as one walks 
from William street to John's Church, about midways in the street, and will be easily known 
from its having a hall door in the centre and windows at either sides of it, and it was here as 
already stated that Mrs. Siddons and the actresses and actors who, frequented Limerick, lodged. 
The coach then proceeded by John's-square, through the Irish town, over Ball's bridge, through 
the English town, over Thomond bridge, and thence by Killaloe, passing over part of Keeperhill 
in its route to Dublin. 

This Coach which was called the Fly accomplished the journey with punctuality in four days. 
In some years after the travelling was greatly improved by using a lighter built coach, and 
having the relays of horses ready harnessed when it arrived at the different stages, instead of 
using the same set of harness all through, which was attended with great loss of time and incon- 
venience ; with these and other improvements the journey was made in three days, the coach 
that performed it being called the Balloon, from what was then considered its rapid movement. 
An experience of twenty years having pointed out much that was wrong with both the Fly and 
Balloon, resulted in further alterations and improvements amongst them the route was changed, 
and the road newly constructed. Instead of going over Thomond bridge and by Killaloe, the 
coach proceeded by Clare-street, and direct to the town of Nenagh, changes so happy in the 
result that the journey to Dublin was then performed in two days, and ultimately in one, but 
to accomplish this, there was an early start and a late arrival. In the present days of comfort- 
able and expeditious travelling by rail this sketch of the past may appear exaggerated, but this 
is not the case ; about the period referred to, 1760, the roads in Ireland were very few and badly 
engineered (if this term be at all applicable) no care having been taken to avoid hills or cut 
through them ; they were also indifferently constructed and so ill cared that in bad weather parts 
of them were almost impassable. 

The coach first started (the Fly) was very large and heavy in construction, great strength 
being necessary for the work it had to go through. The horses too were harnessed after the same 
style, many unnecessary straps and buckles being used, which were afterwards dispensed with. 
When stage coaches were first established, and for some years after, the mails were conveyed 
from Limerick to Dublin three times a week, being small (usually letters only and comparatively 
few) ; they were carried in saddle bags placed at either side of a horse which was ridden by a 
courier who travelled a fixed distance, usually ten miles ; the charge was then handed over to a 
fresh man and horse, and so on until they reach their destination, which however could not 
always be relied on, as highwaymen sometimes interfered, the great preventative to which was 
avoiding to enclose anything of value that could be made available. The application of steam 
power for propelling ships being at this time unknown, the mails between England and Ireland 
were conveyed in sloops, the sailing of which being controlled by the wind made their arrival 
very irregular. The gentleman who started the Fly between Limerick and Dublin was a Mr. 
Buchannan of Thomond Gate. 

I have already given in Chapter XLVIII. some particulars relative to the rise and progress of 
the great car establishment of Charles Bianconi, Esq., D.L. The further and fuller particulars of 
the state of that establishment, which had its first connection with Limerick, have been furnished 
to me by Mr. Bianconi, cannot fail to be of deep interest to the readers of this History : — 



HISTORY OF LIMERIJK. 479 

Ireland. — The Barrington family expended £10,000 on it. By the Act of 





1 


6 

1 


o >» 


•6 
3 

a 




•o 


o5 
a 

1 


■2 


a 




p 




^ «j 


g 




3 


OS 


a 




03 


s 


.ft 


3 

ft 




1 


ft 


gft 

i 


ft 


Clonmel &Limerick 


1815 


50 


100 


1849 


Longford & Ballina 


1840 


71 


142 


1851 


Do. and Thurles 


1815 


31 


62 


1849 


Clonmel & Roscrea 


1842 


56 


112 


1849 


Do.& Waterford, 










Ennis & Ballinasloe 


1844 


38 


76 


1849 


10 o'Clock 


1816 


32 


64 


1853 


Ballina & Belmullet 


1844 


41 


82 





Do. and Ross 


1818 


15 


30 


1836 


Mullingar and 










Waterford and 










Longford 


1848 


26 


52 


1855 


Wexford 


1819 


40 


80 


1839 


Westport Mail 










Do.&Enniscorthy 


1819 


36 


72 




Coach 


1849 


62 


124 





Clonmel& Water ford 










Sligo Mail 


1849 


82 


164 


1862 


Regulator 


1820 


32 


64 


1853 


Sligo Day 


1849 


82 


164 


1862 


Do. & Do. 










Longford & Ballina 










Telegraph 


1821 


32 


64 


1853 


Mail Caach 


1849 


71 


142 


1862 


Do. and Cork 


1821 


65 


130 


1853 


Mullingar and Gal- 










Do. & Kilkenny 


1821 


33 


66 


1854 


way Mail 


1849 


70 


140 


1852 


Kilkennj' & Water- 










Do. and Do. Day 


1849 


70 


140 


1852 


ford 


1822 


32 


64 


1851 


Waterford &Goold's 










Clonmel & Thurles 


1822 


31 


62 


1841 


Cross 


1849 


51 


102 


1862 


Thurles & Kilkenny 


1822 


31 


62 




Templemore and 










Roscrea&Portumna 


1822 


28 


56 


1857 


Athlone 


1849 


51 


102 


1857 


Tipperary & Cashel 


1824 


13 


26 


1847 


Clonmel & Goold's 










Waterford and 










Cross 


1849 


21 


42 





Dungarvan 


1824 


28 


56/ 




Athlone & Ballina 


1851 


70 


140 


1859 


Wexford Mail 


1825 


40 


80 


1846 


Galway and Boyle 


1851 


50 


100 


1861 


Thurles and Roscrea 


1826 


23 


46 


1842 


Athlone and Ros- 










Tipperary andClon- 










common 


1851 


19 


38 


1859 


mel, 3 o'Clock 


1828 


30 


60 


1852 


Galway & Westport 


1851 


52 


104 


1851 


Do. Do. Night 










Limerick & Tipper- 










Mail 


1828 


30 


60 


1849 


ary 


1851 


23 


46 


1861 


Limerick and Cork 


1830 


40 


80 


1819 


Galway andClif den 










Clonmel and Dun- 










Mail 


1851 


50 


100 





garvan 


1831 


26 


52 




Limerick and Ennis 










Athlone &Longford 


1831 


24 


48 




Mail 


1852 


22 


44 





Waterford and 










Sligo and Strabane 


1852 


71 


142 





Kilkenny 


1831 


32 


64 


1853 


Sligo &Enniskillen 


1852 


30 


60 


. 


Birr andBallinasloe 


1831 


26 


52 




Sligo and Westport 


1852 


62 


124 


____ 


Sligo and Longford 


1832 


56 


112 


1861 


Kilkenny &Durrow 


1853 


16 


32 





Limerick andTralee 


1833 


62 


124 




Athenry and West- 










Do. & Do. Coach 


1833 


60 


120 


1853 


port, Car 


1853 


61 


122 


1861 


Ross and Carlow 


1833 


30 


60 


1847 


Waterford and 










Galway and Tuam 


1833 


22 


44 


1860 


Maryborough 


1853 


62 


124 


1862 


Limerick & Galway 


1834 


64 


128 




Limerick andEnnis, 










Kilkenny and 










Day 


1854 


22 


44 


1859 


Mountmellick 


1835 


37 


74 


1852 


Killarney & Mallow 


1854 


41 


82 


1864 


Killarney and 










Tralee and Do. 


1854 


51 


102 


1864 


Caherciveen 


1836 


37 


74 




Longford & Ballina 










Tralee and Do. 


1836 


16 


32 




Strabane and Let- 










Ballinasloe and 










terkenny 


1836 


13 


26 





Westport 


1836 


75 


150 


1853 


Bandon and Skib- 










Do. and Galway 


1836 


34 


68 


1853 


bereen, Mail 


1857 


33 


66 





Mitchelstown and 










Bandon and Skib- 










Mallow 


1837 


21 


42 


1858 


bereen, Day 


1857 


33 


66 


, 


Longford and 










Ballinasloe and 










Castlerea 


1837 


27 


54 


1851 


Ballybrophy 


1858 


48 


96 





Galway andClif den, 










Oranmore andEnnis 


1859 


36 


72 


, 


9 30 o'Clock 


1837 


50 


100 




Enniskillen and 










Limerick and Kil- 










Omagh 


1860 


64 


128 





larney 


1839 


15 


30 


1853 


Do.andBundoran 


1861 


30 


60 





Ballinasloe and 










Castlerea & Ballina 


1864 


43 


86 





Athlone 


1839 


15 


30 


1851 


Westport andSwin- 










Ross and Fethard 


1840 


20 


40 


1856 


ford 


1864 


27 


54 






The total number of miles traversed daily, was 6524. 

This mark shows where the cars or coaches continue to ply in 



1865. 



480 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Parliament all donors of a sum not less than twenty guineas are constituted 
Governors for life ; and every person who shall subscribe and pay any sum not 
less than three guineas annually, to be an annual Governor. Subscribers of 
two guineas to have power to recommend two patients, and of five guineas, 
five patients annually. The hospital contains in 1865, 45 beds ; patients 
are only admitted on the ticket of a Governor, unless in case of persons 
accidentally injured, who are always immediately received. A Committee of 
Management is elected annually from among the Governors, on the second 
Monday in the month of January. 

The Hospital is capable of containing 120 beds; it has an annual income 
of £100 from rents of houses in Mary-street, from the city Dispensary, 
which is accommodated with a portion of the hospital, and from the Mont 
de Piete, 1 Subscriptions from Government, and others, £45 a year ; Anne 
Bankes's Bequest £30 a year ; the Bequest of the late Marquis of Lans- 
downe, the interest of £3000 : in all about £300 a year. 

In seasons of severe epidemic, as at the outbreak of the cholera morbus in 
1832, the hospital was of incalculable benefit to the citizens, as it has been 
also in all cases of accidents, whenever immediate relief is demanded by the 
sufferer. It is supplied with a large broad room in which there is a well 
painted portrait of the founder, surrounded by his sons, projecting the 
charity. The Board Room is furnished with surgical apparatus, a library 
for medical reference, and a remarkably well-executed picture of the Bar- 
rington family, founders of the Hospital, which was painted by Cregan, Pre- 
sident of the Royal Hibernian Academy. There are two other pictures in the 
Hospital, one, of the Good Samaritan, and the other, of Christ healing the 
Sick, which were painted by John Murphy, a young Limerick artist, and 
protegee of Sir Matthew Barrington, in London. It would be a great pity 
that so deserving an institution should decay or fail from want of spirited 
support. In addition to the hospital, the late Sir Matthew Barrington pro- 
jected, and in 1837, built a Mont de Piete or charitable Pawn office, which 
while it existed gave relief by way of loan or pledge at a very moderate rate 
of interest. The Mont de Piete which was founded on the plan of those of 
the same name in Italy, Prance, Belgium, &c, has ceased since 1845, to have 
an existence as such ; it is built in close proximity to the hospital, and is an 
object of architectural ornament to the city. Since 1847 it has been converted 
into a police barrack. Sir Matthew Barrington' s intention in building the 
Mont de Piete was that the profits which he anticipated would arise from it, 
should be allocated to the exigencies of the hospital, which even in its incipiency 
did not meet with the support which it merited. He placed an active manager 
over the Mont de Piete, but though debentures varying from £5 to £500, 
bearing interest at the rate of six per cent were freely taken, by which its 
capital was created ; it did not realise the sanguine expectations of its bene- 
volent and enterprising founder. Prom 1837 to 1840, the gross profit was 
£3940 10s. 2|d. The total number of pledges received since the opening 
of the establishment up to March 19th, 1841, was 460,895 ; the amount 
lent on pledges in the four years above stated was £78,595 9s. Jd. — the 
amount received for released articles, £71,005 8s. 7d. Sir Matthew Bar- 
rington had another design in establishing this institution, namely that 
the humbler classes who have been in the habit of frequenting pawn offices 
should not pay the higher rate of interest on loans which are charged in private 
establishments. In the palmiest days, however, of the Mont de Piete there 

1 Now and since November, 1847, George's Quay Police Barrack. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 481 

were twenty licensed pawn offices in Limerick, and the business in such 
establishments has not declined, nor has the number of them lessened, on 
the contrary it has gone on increasing since then. The Mont de Piete like 
other useful local institutes, fell from its original purposes in consequence 
of gross neglect. It forms rather a remarkable object, even yet, with its 
cupola, pillars, railing, and small grass enclosure. 



CHAPTER LI. 



THE STRUGGLE EOR EMANCIPATION. THE CLARE ELECTION. — EMANCIPA- 
TION. — REMARKABLE EVENTS. GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION. — PARLIAMENTARY 

REFORM MUNICIPAL REPORM. DEATH OP WILLIAM IV. PROCLAMATION 

OP QUEEN VICTORIA. A GENERAL ELECTION. 



The limits to which we are necessarily confined will not permit us to do 
more than take a rapid glance over a wide field of events, commencing with 
1825, in the last month of which year the Eight Eev. Dr. John By an was 
consecrated Catholic Bishop of Limerick in St. John's old Chapel, by 
the Most Eev. Dr. Laffan, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly ; and passing 
on through the struggle for Catholic Emancipation — the glorious victory 
in Clare in 1828 — the remarkable contemporaneous events, and those 
which followed — the agitation for a repeal of the denationalising act of Union, 
for Parliamentary and for Corporate reform — the triumph of the popular 
cause, the temperance movement, the growth of manufactures, &c, until we 
arrive at the last portion of our work, intended to illustrate the civil and 
military history of Limerick. In a subsequent part of the History, devoted 
to the Bishops, the Churches, the Eeligious Houses, the list of Mayors, and 
the enumeration of the charters, &c, granted to the Corporation, we shall 
supply what may possibly be omitted in these chapters. It is true that the 
history of the three great movements for Emancipation, Eeform, and Eree 
Trade, is still to be written in formal book shape, but the leading circum- 
stances connected with these movements are so much identified with the 
general history of Ireland, that a mere passing reference to them is all that 
will be expected in this History. 

There was no city in Ireland for which O'Connell had entertained more 
affection than for Limerick : it was in Limerick, in 1821, that he issued two 
of his most remarkable letters in reference to the controversy which he then 
had with Mr. Sheil on the subject of Mr. Plunket's Bill in reference to the 
Catholic Clergy. These letters appeared in a local journal, which has long 
since ceased to exist. 1 It was in Limerick that he ordered the waiter of the 
bar mess to take the shoes of Mr. M'Mahon (afterwards Sir William M'Mahon, 
Master of the Bolls,) from the fire-place, where they had been put inside the 
fender to air by an obsequious barrister, O'Connell stating, in the presence 

1 The Limerick Herald. 

32 



482 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

of M'Mahon, 1 that they ought to be kicked out of the room, an expression for 
which M'Mahon applauded him. 2 Some of his best speeches were delivered 
at Catholic meetings held in Limerick, 3 and at the Court House in the 
defence of prisoners. He lodged, during his periodical visits, at the 
house No. 6, Patrick-street, then occupied by Mr. Sheehan, a saddler, 
where he was constantly besieged by attorneys and clients ; and his 
appearance, as he walked with a thorough air of complete independence, 
"kicking the world before him," 4 to and from Court, or through the city, 
always attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd of admirers. Going to or 
returning from his beloved mountain home in Kerry, he usually rested for 
a night in Limerick ; and it was his usual habit on these occasions to address 
the throngs by whom his carriage was ever surrounded, when he never began 
a speech without, in the first place, attacking the local Tory journal, and 
asking, " How is Andy Watson ?" its proprietor. He retained a strong 
hold on the affections of the citizens up to the very last visit which he 
paid to Limerick, which was towards the close of the summer of 1846, 
when, breaking down in health, and sorely disappointed in hope, he was 
no longer the eloquent and enthusiastic orator that he had been. During 
the Clare election, in 1828, Limerick was as it were the centre of 
operations of O^Connell and his friends. The citizens were absolutely 
wild with excitement. As O^Connell proceeded to Clare, to open that great 
county, and strike the final blow for Catholic freedom, the entire population 
of Limerick became well nigh frantic in their demonstrations in favor of the 
cause in which the nation and its avowed leader had embarked. 

The return of O'Connell for Clare was an achievement hitherto unparalleled 
in history — it was the cutting of the gordian knot which could not be untied, 
and the cutting of that knot with the sword of the constitution. The 
immense military force with which Limerick had been filled, and which 
occupied every village and hamlet in Clare, had no effect in controlling the 
feelings of the people : it no more overawed them than did the frowns and 
threats of a baffled and beaten aristocracy. Every barony in Clare gave a 
majority to the Man of the People, over the nominee of the aristocracy, Mr. 
Yesey Eitzgerald ; and when, at the close of the poll on the 2nd of July, 
1828, the High Sheriff declared that there were 2027 votes recorded for 
Daniel O'Connell, and 6nly 936 votes for his opponent, giving to the former 

» The late Sir "William M'Mahon, Master of the Rolls, was brother of Major-General Sir 
Thomas M'Mahon, Bart. K.C.B. commanding at Portsmouth. Sir William was born 12th 
July, 1776, and married in May 1807, Frances, daughter of Beresford Burston, Esq. King's 
Counsel, by whom he had issue two sons, and having married again in 1814, Charlotte, 
sister of Sir Robert Shaw, Bart, has had issue four sons and three daughters. He was 
created a Baronet, 6th May, 1815, with the rank of Privy Councillor, and the office of 
Master of the Bolls, in which he succeeded John Philpot Curran. The deceased Baronet was 
succeeded in his title and estates by his eldest son, Sir Beresford Burston M'Mahon, Bart. 
The father of Sir William M'Mahon was Comptroller of the port of Limerick.* 

2 Fagan's Life of O'Connell. 3 See O'Connell's Life, by his Son, John O'Connell. 

4 Grattan's Sketch of O'Connell. 

* Comptrollers of Customs of Limerick. 
James I. — Samuel Johnson. Jas. I — Francis Cave. 

Charles I Pierce Arthur. Chas. II Mountiford Westropp. 

Will. III. — Humphrey May. Anne — Benjamin Chetwode. 

Geo. I. — William Westby. Geo. II. — Daniel Carrington. 

Geo. II.— John M'Mahon, Sen. and Jnn. Geo. III._Wm. M'Mahon, 23rd Sept. 1801. 

Elgar Pagden was the last Comptroller of the Customs of Limerick, the office having been 
established in 1858. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 483 

a majority of 1091, after a contest unequalled since the commencement of 
Parliamentary elections, the joy that diffused itself everywhere knew no 
bounds. On his return to Limerick from Clare on the Monday after his 
victory, O'Connell was escorted into the city by the congregated trades, with 
banners and heralds bearing wands wreathed with laurel. A vast concourse 
of people swelled to thousands the crowds by which his triumphal car was 
surrounded. He arrived at his hotel in George's-street, 1 where he addressed 
the assembled myriads, demanding of them if ever before they had seen a 
Catholic member of Parliament ? He bestowed lavish abuse on the ministry, 
on the corporation of Limerick, as well as on that of Dublin ; he denounced 
the local Tory press in unmeasured terms. He left town on the 8th of July 
in a green barouche and four, loudly cheered, and accompanied by " honest 
Jack Lawless/'' To shew the extent of the preparations made to quell the 
people by the Government at this time, there were brought into the Limerick 
district a brigade of Artillery from Athlone, three troops of the Bays from 
Carlow, three troops of the third Dragoon Guards from Mayo and Galway, 
two companies of the 5th Poot from Athlone, three companies of the 64th 
from Galway, 62nd Begiment from Templemore, 75th ditto from Mullingar, 
in addition to an enormous strength of military that had been before this in 
Limerick and Clare. Many of these soldiers sympathised heartily with 
O'Connell and his cause, and declared their feelings in terms not to be 
mistaken. 

As a counterpoise to this victory, Brunswick Clubs were now established 
everywhere throughout the country by the ascendancy party. At Eathkeale, 
a great meeting of the gentry of the county of Limerick took place, at which 
a Brunswick Club was initiated, and of which Lord Muskerry became the 
President, At Chaiieville a club was likewise initiated. At Nenagh, 
the Tories of the Ormonds established a Club. 2 A Prctestant declaration, 
drawn up in Limerick in favor of Catholic claims, lay for a fortnight at 
the Commercial Buildings, and had not received a dozen signatures during 
that time. Liberal and Independent Clubs started up side by side 
with the Brunswick Clubs. It was action and counter action — plot and 
counter plot. The Order of Liberators, which had been established by 
O'Connell, who first spoke of his intention to that effect at the great Water- 
ford election in 1826, between Yilliers Stuart and Lord George Beresford, 
received new accessions every day to its members. In the Catholic Associa- 
tion Richard Sheil thundered with Demosthenic fire, while " Bully Boyton" 3 
fired from behind some " Constitutional - ''' Club, in sustainment of principles 
which had already become exploded. The faction feuds which had hitherto 
divided and destroyed the people, ceased in general reconciliations, particu- 
larly between the factions in Limerick and in Tipperary, where on one 
occasion, during this year, 50,000 men assembled, and swore on the altar of 
their country that they never would fight again among themselves, an event 
which more than any other struck terror into the hitherto dominant faction. 4 

1 Then Moriarty's — afterwards Cruise's Royal Hotel, which he never left without calling for 
Mrs. Cruise and thanking her for her elegant hospitality. This hotel is now (1865) rented by 
Mr. John Joseph Cleary, and retains its high character. 

2 A powerful satire was composed on this club, and sung to the air of " Tally-i-ho in the 
morning." 

5 The Rev. Charles Boyton, F.T.C.D., a powerful speaker on the Protestant side. 

4 Such a reconciliation, which is well described in a contemporary ballad by John Banim, 
occurred again at Emly in the winter of 1862, when the Three Years Old and the Four Years Old 
Factions were reconciled by the Archbishop of Cashel, the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, after a mission 
given in that parish by the Redemptorist Fathers of Limerick. 



484 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Emancipation could be no longer postponed ; and though O'Connell could 
not take his seat in the House of Commons without an oath which he 
rejected with utter scorn, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Eobert Peel 
discovered that it would be better policy to repeal that oath and concede 
Catholic claims, than risk a civil war. On Wednesday, the 18th of March, 
1829, the Belief Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons by 
a majority of 180, and contemporaneously with the vote a bill for the de- 
franchisement of the forty- shilling freeholders. It is not our purpose to 
depict the state of things by which this great victory was surrounded. The 
Clare election continued to be a thorn in the side of the Tories, and of the 
aristocracy. Mr. William Smith O'Brien, at the time, issued a manifesto, 
which gave mortal offence to the friends of O'Connell, and which was 
followed by a hostile meeting between Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Steele, the 
confidential follower of the Liberator. The local memorabilia during these 
days of gigantic agitation, were few and unimportant, absorbed, as the people 
appear to have been, in the vortex which drew within its gaping jaws nearly 
every other consideration. 

One of the fiercest contests that had taken place after the Clare election, 
was that which occurred in the county of Limerick in 1830, when the candi- 
dates were Colonel O'Grady and Mr. Massy Dawson. The contest, as usual, 
lasted several days; and at the conclusion Colonel O'Grady had a majority 
of 215 votes on the gross poll. 1 In two years afterwards — viz. in 
December, 1832, a contested election took place in the county of Limerick, 
when there voted for Colonel Eitzgibbon, 1056 ; Colonel O'Grady, 1040 ; 
Godfrey Massy, 760 ; Alexander M'Carthy, 751. 

' The particulars of this extraordinary election, the names, &c, of the parties -who were mixed 
up with it, together with a number of songs and ballads, which were sung in the interest of 
Colonel O'Grady, appeared in a brochure printed in Limerick in this year, and being dedicated to 
Daniel O'Connell, it is called Quinbus Flestrum — the Man-Mountain.* Some of the ballads were 
piquant. The following stanza of a jeu d'esprit is a fair specimen of the entire. 

THE COALITION OF THE PEERS. 

Air — " Old Erins Native Shamrock." 
" Lords Kingston tall — and Clare quite small, 

With Massy, cold and hollow, 
Together came — a man to name, 

Their plots and schemes to follow 

Says Massy, ' see, our choice must be 

' Where talent's not expected, 
' For oh ! the light of Genius bright, 

4 I always have rejected.' 

Oh! the Blockheads, the proud and senseless Blockheads, 

To think again, that Free-born men 

Would bow to titled Blockheads." 
Lieutenant-Colonel S. O'Grady, who represented the county of Limerick in several parliaments, 
was the eldest son of Chief Baron O'Grady. He joined the 7th Hussars early in life, and on the 
return of Buonaparte from Elba, he sailed, having then the rank of Lieutenant, with his regi- 
ment for Brussels, to take part in the brilliant series of manoeuvres in which Wellington was 
then engaged ; and which ultimately resulted in the total downfall of the Emperor, and in his 
banishment to St. Helena. There were few officers of the age and rank of O'Grady whose 
conduct was so conspicuous at so early a period, and so marked by the approbation of his superiors. 
When Lieutenant Standish O'Grady, he was placed in command of the 7th Hussars at the desperate 
enterprise at Genappe,t the result of which was to secure a safe counter-march for the British 
troops to the plains of Waterloo, where they were destined so shortly afterwards to win by their 
valour imperishable fame. At Waterloo, Lieut. -Colonel O'Grady again distinguished himself, 
but nearly thirty years elapsed before a tardy recognition of his services promoted him to the 

* See Gulliver's Travels. 

f For the full particulars of this action, and of the gallant conduct of O'Grady, see Captain 
Siborne's History of Waterloo. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 48o 

It is scarcely necessary to give details of these events, or of the misdeeds of 
the Corporation of Limerick, during the years that elapsed between the 

position of Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, with the consequent rank of full Colonel. A singular 
circumstance occurred at Genappe. The French soldiery charged the 7th Hussars with an 
irresistible and powerful body of lancers. Opposition on the part of O'Grady and his war-worn 
followers was evidently useless, and the only chance of safety lay in getting into a field at the 
side of the road, from which it was separated by a ditch full of mud and water, nearly three 
feet -wide, and a bank at the other side, four feet high. O'Grady rode a beautiful white charger, 
steady in battle as a rock, and implicitly obedient to his master's voice. But never since the 
horse was foaled had threat or bribe been sufficient to make him cross the most footy fence. 
Meanwhile, the French lancers approached rapidly ; a rush was made at the fence. Most of the 
horses took the leap in good English style ; and O'Grady's horse took it the most gallantly of 
all ! Those who failed to cross the fence were butchered by the French. Colonel O'Grady, 
after the occupation of Paris, brought over the charger to whom he owed his life to Cahir- 
Guillamore, where a rich paddock was allotted to him for life. Efforts were often made by the 
young men of the family to compel the charger to jump some trifling thing, such as a stump of 
a tree, &c. But all to no purpose — the faithful charger made but the one leap in hi3 life, and 
thereby saved his gallant master from a French lance — a second leap he never tried, either 
before or after. Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady shortly afterwards retired on half-pay, as the forty 
years' peace opened but few prospects for military promotion. He married in the year 1828 
Gertrude, daughter of the Hon. Berkeley Paget, and niece of the Marquis of Anglesea, the Ux- 
bridge of Waterloo, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by whom he had a numerous family. On 
the death, in 18i0, of hi3 father, the Chief Baron, who had been created a Viscount in 1831, 
Lieut. -Col. O'Grady succeeded to the title and estates as second Viscount Guillamore. 

Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady was engaged in a great number of contested elections, and his family 
had the reputation (for good or for evil) of being the best electioneered in Ireland. Standish, 
second Viscount Guillamore, died in the year 1813, and was succeeded by his eldest son as third 
"Viscount. 

Captain the Honorable Adolphus Yee.ee.er In the above brief biographical sketch, we 

have referred to the brilliant services with which Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady commenced his military 
career. Captain Yereker commenced his military life with services yet more brilliant ; but alas ! 
while the highest honors were opening before him, the cold hand of death was laid upon one 
who would have added another glorious name to — 

11 Limerick — the nurse of heroes : honor's crest ; 
By beauty gem'd ; Circassia of the "West V 

Captain Yereker was nephew of Colonel O'Grady, grandson of Colonel Yereker, of Colooney, 
and fifth son of the present Viscount Gort. He was born at Roxborough, near Limerick, in the 
year 1633. In March, 1S55, he was appointed to an ensigncy in the 20th Regiment, and 
resigned, as a necessary consequence, an office he held in the Ordnance Department, and a 
lieutenant's commission in the 6th West York Militia. He shortly afterwards sailed for the 
Crimea, and was ordered to assist in the combined attack by the sea and land forces of the 
British and French against the Russian fortress of Kinburn. He took his turn with the other 
officers in the fatigues and dangers of the trenches at Sebastopol, while he held at the same time 
the position of Captain in the land transport service. Of his services at this time, Harte states, 
in the Official Army List, " Captain Yereker, at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, from 3rd 
Sept. 1855, and also at the capture of Kinburn, Medal and Clasp — a Turhish medal." 
At the close of the Crimean War he returned to England, where he was not destined to 
remain long, in consequence of the Indian revolt and mutiny. On landing in India, he 
was embodied with the " Selected Marksmen" of his regiment, who were generally employed 
on all occasions where a small European force was intended to operate with crushing effect 
against the hosts of the mutineers. The first serious engagement in which he took part 
was at Chauda where Brigadier Frankes* defeated a body of mutineers, 25.000 strong, 
with twenty-five guns. He took an active part in the battles of Umeerpore and Sultanpore, 
and the storming of the fort of Dhowraha, and a vast number of minor operations. He 
bore a distinguished part in many other important and perilous operations. In the despatches 
giving ^accounts of this long series of brilliant operations, Yereker's name will often be found 
mentioned in terms of the highest praise — a very rare thing in the case of a lieutenant. The 
following is the official statement in Harte's Army List of Yereker's services in the Indian insur- 
rection : — " Served in the Indian Campaign of 1357 — 1859, with the selected marksmen of the 
regiment, in the actions of Chauda, Umeerpore, Sultanpore, fort Dhowraha, seige and capture of 
Lucknow, subsequent operations in Oude, and affairs at Churda ; fort of Musjeedia and Baukee, 
a9 adjutant to a detachment. Served as orderly officer to Colonel Cormick, commanding Gonda 
Column, in the operations in the trans-Gogra. in March and April, 1855, and was present at the 

* Query, a Limerick man ? 



486 / HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

period at wliicli we have arrived and the dissolution of that body by the 
measure of Municipal Beform in 1841. The same names, with very few 
exceptions, constituted the common council; the same spoliation of the 
public revenues marked their proceedings ,• the same reckless admission of 
freemen was practised. The Mayor was largely reimbursed for w expenses/'' 
of which there does not appear to have been ever a clear account given. 

At Adare, in October, 1830/ the Duke of Northumberland, then on a 
visit to Lord Dunraven, was addressed by the Corporation, who proceeded 
to Adare Manor, headed by the Mayor, when the freedom of the city was 
unanimously awarded to his Excellency, as also to Sir Edward Blakeney, 
General Sir Charles Doyle, &c. Early in 1831, the Corporation addressed 
the Marquis of Anglesea on his accession to the Yiceroyalty. 

In the latter part of the year 1832, an interesting event occurred which 
ought not to be omitted : an address, numerously and respectably signed, 
was at this time forwarded to Thomas Moore, Esq., the National Bard, 

1 This year (1830) saw the last of the sedan chairs. Bringing the judges fully robed to court 
in sedan chairs was an old custom in Limerick, only given up about the year 1809. Sedan 
chairs were much used by ladies going to balls, and were found a great convenience by day in 
bad weather. A sedan chair was an upholstered seat, completely covered in, with a door in 
front about five feet high, with glass in it ; outwardly it was covered -with leather,* and was 
carried by two men between poles, who moved at a tolerable pace, in a kind of trot, equal to 
perhaps four miles an hour. They continued in use until 1830, their stand being in George's 
street, near William-street, where there were generally eight or ten of them ranged. Forty 
years before their stand was at the Exchange, in Mary-street. 

affair of Muchleegawn, attack on Cawnpore mutineers in Kookee jungle, and pursued to Nagowar 
— mentioned in despatches — medal and clasp." 

At the conclusion of the Indian revolt, Vereker returned to England, and in Nov. 18G0, obtained 
his company. In 1863, he was again ordered to India ; from whence he proceeded to China, and 
shortly afterwards, in consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs in Japan, he proceeded 
with his regiment to that Island. Captain Vereker was quartered at Yokohama, where his 
health, which had suffered very much in China, rapidly improved. Late in September, he 
dined with the Governor, £>ir K. Alcock, and before he retired to rest he finished a letter to his 
relatives in England, written in the highest spirits, and under the influence of the brightest 
prospects. He doubtless felt, as he glanced at the brilliant staff by whom the Governor was 
surrounded, that few of his standing in the army had shared the glories of more well- won fields, 
and that the time was not far off when his seniority and services would entitle him to a separate 
command, and thus enable him to display that coolness, judgment, and military capacity, which 
he so eminently possessed. Meantime, Destiny, with her iron pen had traced a stern and cruel 
decree. Captain Vereker was attacked with small-pox ; but already worn out physically and 
mentally by the severe military labors he had gone through, the disease rapidly gained ground, 
and in a few days he surrendered to illness that life which had been so often and so freely 
exposed in the cause of duty. Near Yokohama, but far from his native land and all he loved, 
Captain Vereker sleeps a soldier's sleep, and the affectionate regards of his companions in arms 
have erected a monument to mark the place. But few will read this sketch without regretting 
that one whose morning of life was glorious beyond his fellows, should have been cut off by 
inexorable fate, just as the brightest prospects were beginning to open to his view. But — 

" When future bards shall sing of life, 

Its loves, its cares, and all its strife, 

The grace and moral of the song, 

Shall to their checker 'd fate belong, 

Whose wayward fortune will supply 

The brightest tint and deepest dye : 

These, soldiers yet unborn, in pride shall raise ; 

Relate their triumphs and renew their praise."f 

* At present this description of a sedan chair can be of little interest, but in fifty years' 
time, few will be living in all probability that ever saw one, and they may then be_ numbered 
with the curious things of b} T -gone days. 

t From an unpublished poem, of singular beauty and merit, by the Rt. Hon. Chief Baron 
O'Grady. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 487 

inviting him to stand for the representation of the city. The address em- 
bodied the wishes of the most influential of the electors, and had the additional 
recommendation of being presented by a distinguished citizen of Limerick, 
of European celebrity, Gerald Griffin, the novelist, who, however, failed in 
his mission, of which he has left a very pleasant account, 1 Mr. Moore's 
engagements not permitting him to take advantage of the offer. 

Nothing continued to prosper under the corrupt corporation system of the 
day. The city revenues became worthless for the public good. The great 
Lax weir had fallen away. Mr. Poole Gabbett having been declared the 
highest bidder for it, at a meeting of the Corporation on the 6th of January, 
1834, it was resolved that his proposal of £300 a-year be accepted, and a lease 
granted to him for 99 years, on the same terms as heretofore held by Mr. 
Little. The works of Corporate corruption, however, had become fully laid 
bare, in consequence of the Commission of Inquiry which was held in 
Limerick from the 26th of September to the 11th of October, 1833. 

O'Connell was now stirring the popular mind to its very depths, and no 
where was he more ardently responded to than in Limerick. Early in the 
year 1834, he published a manifesto to the people of Ireland in favor of a 
Repeal of the Union — and thus "nailed his colours to the mast-"; the 
anti-tithe movement, which embraced the greater portion of the country in 
its immense proportions, went hand in hand with a demand for a Parliament 
in College Green ; the minister trembled, and Irishmen showed that they 
were in earnest by a quick response to the call of the great Leader. Mr. 
William Roche and Mr. David . Roche, members for the city, declared in 
favor of the great national question. The popularity of Mr. Spring Rice, to 
whom a colossal pillar and life-like statue had been a few years previously 
erected in Pery Square by his appreciative fellow-citizens, had been for 
some time on the wane, and was now completely forfeited by the decided 
opposition which he offered to the cause of Repeal, and he fell rapidly in the 
esteem of even those ardent admirers of his who for several years had followed 
his chariot wheels as they rolled in triumph over the prostrate faction of the 
corruptionists in Limerick. The debate on O'ConnelFs motion in the House 
of Commons in April this year (1834) for a Committee of Enquiry on the 

1 See the Life of Gerald Griffin, p. 311, by his brother, of which the author of this history 
possesses the MSS. This gifted son of genius was born in the city of Limerick, December 12th, 
1803, and died in April, 1840, at the Monastery of the Christian Brothers, Cork, of which 
religious order he was a member, and in whose little cemetery he lies interred, with the simple 
inscription, " Brother Gerald Griffin." 

1834— January 18 — Mr. Steele writes " To the Limerick Chapter of Liberators" resigning 
the office of Patron and President of that Society. A transient misunderstanding between him 
and the Liberator is avowed. 

Prospectus of the Limerick Star and Evening Post published — to appear on Tuesday, 4th 
February, 1834. 

March 6th. — At the Assizes this month a libel case was tried, of Samuel Dickson, Esq. v. 
W. B. Yeilding, Esq. proprietor of the Limerick Herald — damages were laid at £5,000. Mr. 
Dickson was held up to ridicule, not only by writings but by woodcuts, in the Herald. The 
jury gave a ^verdict for the plaintiff with comparatively small damages. Mr. Dickson was a 
gentleman of high position, and an active politician with rather liberal tendencies. 

April 19th — A new Catholic chapel projected by the Bev. Denis Buckeley, P.P. for the 
mountainous Parish of Glenroe, Co. Limerick. 

April 23rd. — John Dempsey and Denis Cahill fined £10 at Petty Sessions for selling one copy 
of the Dublin Satirist, unstamped paper, in the public streets. 

May 4th. — Mr. Sheridan Knowles and Miss Jarman visited Limerick. 

Mr. Lawless publishes a letter in the True Sun, in which he disapproves of Mr. O'Connell's 
proposition to grant glebe-houses to the Catholic Clergy of Ireland. 



488 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Bepeal, in which Mr. Spring Eice championed the cause and originated the 
phrase of " West Britain/' topped the climax of his unpopularity. O'Connell' s 
motion was rejected by a majority of 523, which pronounced in favor of an 
amendment of Mr. Eice, whilst 38 members voted for enquiry. In the 
minority the names of the two Eoches of Limerick were prominent. 

Just as the great debate was going on, one of those fatal tithe affrays 
which were not uncommon at this time, occurred at Mahoonagh, in the vicinity 
of Newcastle West, county of Limerick, where three men, named Browne, 
Griffin, and Sullivan, were shot dead by the soldiery, then collecting for the 
Eev. Mr. Locke, of Newcastle. O'Connell made the most of the catastrophe 
in the House of Commons ; nevertheless, even after this event, Major Miller, 
with a detachment of military and police, scoured the country to enforce 
payment of the impost. Mr. David Eoche, M.P., proposed a plan for the 
settlement of the tithe difficulty, which plan met the approval of O'Connell. 

Ministers, however, took up the tithe question on their own account ; and 
in August the Church Temporalities Bill, and the Irish Tithe Bill went through 
their stages in both Houses of Parliament, and received the royal assent 
in due course next summer. 

It was now that O'Connell gave" the aid of his powerful influence to the 
establishment of a National Bank for Ireland, pronouncing the Agricultural 
and Commercial Bank, which had a strong party of supporters in Limerick, 
" a wild scheme." In Limerick the project of the National Bank was taken 
up with spirit. In the month of October the Mayor (William Piercey, Esq.) 
presided at a meeting in the Commercial Buildings, when resolutions were 
adopted in its favor — the capital of the Limerick Branch was proposed to be 
£250,000. A committee was formed, 1 and everything went on favorably. 

1 The Bank was established in the house in Brunswick-street, which had been the residence 
of Mr. David Roche, M.P., and from it removed to the more spacious premises in George's 
street in 1856. This house in Brunswick-street is now (1865) the Union Bank. 



June 11th. — The Astrea, filled with emigrants, bound from Limerick to Quebec, reported to be 
lost, with 240 lives. Supposed that she got upon the ice off Halifax in a fog. 

September 13th. — A branch of the Agricultural and Commercial Bank established at a public 
meeting in Limerick — John Dobbs, Esq., in the chair. 

September 27th The Rev. Thomas Enraght, C.C., St. Mary's, writes a public letter, in 

which he states that not less than 25 families are living in one house in that parish, where 
misery and destitution prevail to a woful extent. 

Mr. Rhodes, Government engineer, who recently surveyed the port and harbour, in order to 
extend improvements, was this week in Limerick, with a view to acting upon the specifications 
detailed in his report, under the Wellesley Bridge Amendment Act. 

The Provincial Bank propose to transfer the business of their establishment to a more 
commodious and suitable concern in George's-street, having purchased the site of the " Round 
Church," as St. George's Church, in George's-street, was called. This Church was built by the 
Pery family in the last century as a chapel of ease. Near it a terrible murder was perpetrated, 
long before houses had been built in George's-street, and when the church was in the fields. 
Though called the " Round Church," it was a plain square building, with the gable to the 
front of George's-street, and a stone ball topped with a weather- cock on it. 

The Provincial Bank of Ireland was established in Limerick before any other Joint Stock 
Bank, and eighteen months before the branch office of the Bank of Ireland. 

October 3rd John Vereker, Esq., Mayor, obtains the unanimous thanks of the city magis- 
trates, at Petty Sessions assembled, on the motion of William Roche, Esq., M.P., on his retiring 
from the mayoralty. Mr. Vereker left a few days after to join his regiment, the 7th Fusileers, 
at Malta. 

October 18th. — Mr. Cobbett, the celebrated public writer, visited Limerick. He lectured in 
Limerick ; and dined and slept at the residence of the very Rev. T. O. B. Costello, P.P., Murroe. 

Signor de Begnis, the celebrated vocalist, visits Limerick. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 489 

A new era was brightly dawning on Ireland. Earl Mulgrave,the most popu- 
lar Viceroy that Ireland had ever seen, was, to nse O'Connell's own words, 
' ' mulgravising" Ireland. His Excellency visited Limerick in August, 1835, 
and was feted, caressed, cheered, and lauded, as no Viceroy had ever been 
before. It was on this occasion that he opened Wellesley Bridge, as we 
have stated in the preceding chapter. 

The depression, however, among the working classes of Limerick at this 
period was unexampled. English competition had completely annihilated 
the weaving trade, which had nourished in Garryowen, in Thomond Gate, at 
Park, &c, where weavers had been numerous. Hundreds of these poor 
operatives were now thrown out of employment, and in this year (1835) a 
memorial from them was presented to the Corporation, signed by no less 
than 259 weavers, when a vote of £50 was passed by that body to enable 
the Mayor to send as many as he could of the number to England, whither 
several of them went. 

Though this depression was great, the amount of exports had been nearly 
doubled since 182.2 ; yet a distinguished traveller, 1 who had visited the city 
this year, admits that no where did he meet with more destitution ; he states 
that he entered forty abodes of poverty, and that to the latest hour of his 
existence, he never could forget the scenes of utter and hopeless wretched- 
ness that presented themselves. Commissioners of- Poor Enquiry had been 
sent down the year before, and had sat for several days, obtaining facts as to 
the distressed state of the people, and public works had been going on, were 
it not for which the misery would be intensified beyond bearing ; and a 
system of poor laws was now advocated by many as the grand remedy, though 
private charity had been constantly put in requisition to mitigate the suffer- 
ings of the poor. That system of Poor Laws, which had been supported by 
Dr. Boyle and opposed by O'Connell, came soon afterwards ; but with what 
permanent advantage to the poor is a question on which there are conflicting 
opinions. The blight of the Union had long been felt in the annihilation of 
manufactures, in the decay of trade, in the exhaustion of the artizan and the 
labourer ; and though in the march of events, men beloved by the people 
had become recognised for their worth and merit, and had obtained the 
guerdon of their deserts at the hands of a now liberal Government, which for 
the first time sympathised with the masses, the permanent prosperity of the 
country was not materially affected by legislative improvements. 

On the 3rd of January, 1837, a catastrophe of a most lamentable charac- 

1 A Journey throughout Ireland in 1 834:, by Henry D. Inglis, 2 vols. London, ] 835. 



Dec. 17. — Monday, the Parish Priests of the diocese of Killaloe assembled at Newmarket-on- 
Fergus to elect a Coadjutor Bishop to the Rt. Per. Dr. M'Mahon. The three candidates 
returned by the Clergy for the choice of the Pope, were the Rev. Mr. Kennedy, P.P., of Birr, 
dignissimus ; Rev. Mr. Fahy, P.P. of Tulla. dignior ; and Rev. Mr. Vaughan, P.P., of Killaloe, 
dignus. The Prelates present were — the Most Rev. Dr. Slattery of Cashel, Right Revs. Dr. Murphy 
of Cork, Dr. Egan of Kerry, Dr. Ryan of Limerick, and Dr. M'Mahon of Killaloe. 

February 8th, 1837. — Influenza most prevalent in Limerick. 

1837 — March 25th. — The Postmaster-General acceded to the request of the Chamber of 
Commerce of this city, to run the mail hence to Dublin at the rate of nine and a-half British 
miles per hour, after the 5th July next. 

Custom duties received at the port of Limerick last year, £126,291, being an increase of 
£3,856 over the preceding year's amount. 

April 4th Mr. Craven, son of Puller Craven, Esq., of Gloucester, drowned in a cot at the 

fall of the Leap, Doonass, while fishing. Near the same place, six years before, the Honorable 



490 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

ter occurred in Limerick, by an explosion of gunpowder in the premises of 
one William Bichardson, a gun-maker and vendor of gunpowder, No. 1, 
George's-street. Eleven persons were killed by this explosion, viz. Margaret 
M'Mahon, John M'Mahon, Bridget O'Donohoe, John O'Brien, Patrick 
Doolan, Mary Barry, John Enright, Bridget Doolan, John M'Mahon, and 
Michael O'Neill, a watch-man. The cause of the catastrophe could never 
be clearly ascertained, as the only person in the part of the house where the 
gunpowder lay was blown up, and his body torn in pieces. The terrific 
details of this dreadful affair 1 cause a shudder of horror whenever they are 
brought to memory, while the miraculous escape which some respectable 
families had from being involved in the worst consequences of the explosion, 
is referred to the special agency of Providence. Every effort was made by 
the Mayor and magistrates to mitigate the sufferings of the survivors. A 
deputation laid the matter before the Lord Lieutenant, who gave his active 

l There were four persons under the roof at the time, three of whom were killed, while a young 
man named Teskey, an apprentice, escaped with his life, though he had been blown to a great 
height, and came down senseless in the street, at a considerable distance. At the house No. 2, 
George's-street, the widow of Michael Ryan, Esq., one of the most extensive and esteemed mer- 
chants in the city, resided with her family, two sons,* a daughter and a sister-in-law ; they 
were all in bed, being instantly stunned after lying unconscious under the ruins for an hour, the 
first recital or perception that Mrs. Ryan remembered was hearing her daughter, Barbara, a child 
of eight years old, who slept with her, crying, " Mamma, where are we?" they were at the time 
buried amid the debris. A long and fruitless search had been made for them — it was suggested 
that they had gone to the country ; further exertions were about being relinquished when the 
almost inaudible cries of the child were heard under the ruins. Efforts were again made, and the 
child was heard to cry " to take care of Mamma" — whose collar bone had been broken — their 
persons having been overwhelmed in rubbish between the shop and the underground apartment yet 
supported by two doors having came together, in their fall, so as to form an arch over them — 
the legs and feet, however, were so crushed that they could not change their position. One of 
the sons, William, was blown up in the air on the matrass where he was sleeping and came down 
in the street with it blazing about him — he asleep all the while ! He sustained no injury. The 
elder brother Edmond was not blown up — but the corner of the floor whereon his bed stood 
could be seen for days after from the street, like a shelf without support attached to the tottering 
wall. Mrs. Catherine Ryan, the sister-in-law of Mrs. Ryan, had no perception of anything 
having happened until the next morning when she found herself in a public house on Arthur's 
Quay — having been blown out, so stunned as to be senseless, buried under a heap of rubbish, 
and lying for an hour in the street with a beam of timber over her. A servant who slept in the 
room next to Mrs. Catherine Ryan's was blown into the hall of the house No. 3, belonging to 
Mr. William Wilson. Mr. Ellard who resided near the corner of Denmark-street, opposite to 
Richardson's, was lifted off the ground and with a whirling motion dashed across the street and 
buried under a heap of rubbish, from which he was dug out. His respectable family had a 
most narrow escape — as had also the family of Mr. Thomas Tracy, who lived in No. 13, of Mr. J. 
Hallowell, No. 10 ; of Mr. J. Burke, No. 18, &e. &c. The gas throughout the city was on this 
occasion extinguished, and windows were broken on the North-strand at the opposite side of the 
Shannon. The verdict of the Coroner's jury threw blame on the incautious manner in which 
Richardson had exposed the gunpowder for sale. 



Mrs. William Massy, of Belmont, while passing over in a cot to Hermitage, at Christmas, in a 
fog, was drowned. 

May 24th Universal sorrow in the city of Limerick, consequent on the death of John 

Vereker, Esq., brother of Lord Gort. 

June 7th. — Considerable sums raised by public subscription in the city for the relief of the 
poor. 

June 26th The Masters and Wardens, and the great body of the Congregated Trades of 

Limerick, in full dress, bearing the standards and insignia of each craft, waited upon the 
Mayor, at Cruise's Hotel, George's-street, with a complimentary address, in which they 
manifested the most anxious desire for his re-election to office. 

* Edmond, afterwards Mayor of Limerick in 1846, and^ now (1865) R. M. of Mfddleton, 
County Cork, and William, afterwards drowned. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 491 

sympathies, and a public subscription was raised, to which every one 
contributed. 

"We turn from this appalling scene to the state of local politics and parties. 
Between O'Connell and William Smith O'Brien, a strong feeling of antagonism 
had prevailed since the Clare Election — and in this year an interchange of 
lengthened letters showed that their differences on public questions were 
widening, and that there was but little hope of reconciling them. The 
popular party was gaining strength. Baron O'Loghlen was elevated to the 
proud position of Master of the Bolls, with a Baronetcy — and never did a 
public man better deserve the honor than Sir Michael O'Loghlen. Mr. 
TToulfe, afterwards Chief Baron, was appointed Attorney General — and 
re-elected for Cashel — Mr. Brady, (now Lord Chancellor Brady), Solicitor 
General, and Mr. Pigot, (now Chief Baron Pigot), law adviser to the Castle. 

Parallel with these events, went the Irish Municipal Eeform Bill in Parlia- 
ment, and the motion for the expulsion of the Bishops from the House of 
Lords for which the two " Limerick Koches'" gave their votes, but which 
was rejected by a majority of 197 to 92. Grand Jury Reform, tithe 
adjustment — though with the abandonment of the appropriation clause on 
which the Whig party had got into power — Poor Laws, &c, now became 
the order of the day ; in the midst of agitation, King William. IY. died ; 
and Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria — a maiden queen, radiant 
with youth, and of highest promise, ascended the throne in the month of 
June this year (1837), amid the acclamations of Her Majesty's Irish sub- 
jects. Limerick was full of animation, to witness the customary pomp 
and pageantry of proclaiming a new Sovereign. The Union Plag floated 
from the Commercial Buildings ; the ships in harbour hung out their ensigns ; 
the Cathedral Bells exchanged a peal of joy for the mournful toll at the 
King's death. The streets were gay, crowds having come in from the 
country. A procession formed at the Exchange, according to programme. 
General L'Estrange gave the military force to the civic authorities'. The 
various Trades mustered in great numbers, with insignia descriptive of each 
Guild. The Mayor, Sheriff, Aldermen, and Civic Officers, in full Corporate 
robes, occupied the centre of the procession. Archdeacon Maunsell and the 
Protestant Clergy; the Yery Bev. Dr. Hogan and the Catholic Clergy; 
John Kelly and William Howly, Esqrs. Deputy Lieutenants ; the President 
and members of the Chamber of Commerce, citizens, &c. were present at the 
ceremonial. Having traversed the principal streets, repeating the proclama- 
tion at stated places, the procession finally separated in Bank Place. The 
windows along the route were occupied by elegantly dressed ladies. The 
Mayor entertained the military Officers, Clergy, Gentry, Ereeinasons, and 
heads of all the trades at the Council Chamber of the Exchange. A 
general election followed the immediate dissolution of Parliament by the 

July 5th. — Change in the dispatch of Mails, by the Post Office Department, commencing 
Thursday, 6th inst., at 6, p.m., when the mail coach leaves this for Dublin, and arrives 
here on the morning of Friday, the 7th instant, at 30 minutes past seven. The Ennis and 
Galway mail leaves this every morning at 45 minutes past 7 — the Cork and Tralee mail coaches 
at eight every morning. 

July 12th. — Judge Crampton repaired to Court this morning, at nine o'clock, to try Mary 
Cooney for the wilful murder of Mrs. Anne Anderson, widow, of Harstonge-street, on the 
evening of Monday, the 6th of March last, by inflicting a mortal wound with a knife on that 
lady's neck, of which she instantaneously died. The Jury, after a short consultation, found a 
verdict of guilty. Hanged on Monday, the 7th August. 



492 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Queen — and Limerick, county and city, became again the vortex of the 
political excitement. In the month of July O'Connell arrived from Dublin, 
on his way to Cork, and held a public meeting, John O'Brien. Esq. of Elm 
Yale, afterwards M.P. for the city, in the chair ; when O'Connell delivered 
with characteristic freedom his opinion of certain members of the aristocracy, 
who happened at the time, or whom he believed to be opposed to the popular 
cause, denouncing as usual the Corporation in the most unmeasured terms 
of reproach. He extolled the Messrs. Eoche as friends of the people, and 
adherents of a liberal Government. 

The election for the city commenced on the 1st of August, it was marked 
by the utmost excitement. The windows and doors of the houses in Prancis- 
street of the anti-popular candidates had been smashed the night before. 
The candidates were William and David Eoche, Esqrs. on the popular 
interest; and William Monsell, Esq. and Mr. Wilson on the Tory 
interest. The following was the result of the gross poll : — W. Eoche, 563 ; 
David Eoche, 555 ; W. Monsell, 176. The Court rung with acclamations 
from the friends of Messrs. Eoche, who having returned thanks, the Sheriff 
adjourned to next morning. There was no chairing of the City members. 1 



CHAPTEE LII. 



FOUNDATION OP TWO CONVENTS IN LIMEEICK. — THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 
TRIUMPHANT VISIT OF FATHER MATHEW. GREAT REPEAL DEMON- 
STRATION. 

The year 1837 was rendered remarkable by the introduction into the 
city of the nuns of the Presentation Order from Cork, whose admirable convent 
was founded that year in Sexton-street, chiefly through the instrumentality 
and zeal of the Yery Eev. Patrick Hogan, P.P., Y.G., St. Michael's, who 
gave the ground, at a moderate rent, on which the Convent and Schools 
were built, and who built the spacious Schools at his own expense for the 
instruction of poor female children by the nuns. Mrs. King, a native of 
Waterford, who had joined the order some time before in Cork, brought a 
considerable fortune to the new establishment which was speedily joined by 
ladies from the City and County of Limerick. This noble establishment 
soon gave evidence of its strength and usefulness — its schools became fre- 

1 In October following a grand banquet was given in the Northumberland Buildings, to the 
city members, when 150 citizens were present. 

William Hawkins Bourne, Esq. of Terenure, near Dublin, died in September this year in 
London. He it was that first established a Mail Coach between this city and Dublin ; while 
by pushing the sphere of his operations, he also opened new and explored sources of profit 
to the merchant and agriculturist throughout the South of Ireland, by forming splendid 
roads, and providing safe and expeditious conveyances on various lines of route. His large 
establishment gave employment to a vast number of persons, who deeply deplored the loss of 
their benefactor. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 493 

quented by hundreds of children, and the great work in which the nuns were 
engaged prospered admirably. James F. Carroll, Esq., M.D., an eminent 
physician of Limerick, and a devoted Catholic, contributed a sum of £500 
to build the beautiful chapel of cut limestone which is attached to the Con- 
vent, and to his memory, a white marble tablet is erected in the chapel with 
this inscription : — 



PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF 

JAMES F. CARROLL, ESQ., M.D., 

WHO BEQUEATHED 

THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS 

TO BUILD THIS CHAPEL. 

HE DIED SEPTEMBER 17th, 1837. 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE, 

AMEX. 



The Schools having been found incapable of containing the great numbers 
of children who frequent them, the foundation stone of a new school-house 
was laid on the 4th of August, 1864, at a cost to the nuns of £400. These 
additional schools are now (1865) also in operation, and afford amoral, religious 
and industrial education to nearly 1,000 children who should otherwise be 
destitute of so great a blessing. The late Eight Eev. Dr. Evan, Catholic 
Bishop of Limerick, was a munificent benefactor of these schools and of 
this truly excellent establishment. 

The progress which religion and religious institutions were making through- 
out the city was really marvellous. On the 24th of September, 1848, the 
convent of the Sisters of Mercy on the site of a convent of the Order of 
Poor Clares, who had been there some years previously, and in a locality 
famed in ancient days for the great convent of the Eriars preachers or 
Dominicans. Mrs. Macauley, from the Parent House, Baggot-street, Dublin, 
was the foundress of the new convent ; and was accompanied by Mrs. Moore, 
a native of Dublin, who became superioress, and who for several years has 
presided over the laborious duties of her office, with incalculable benefit to 
the interests of religion and of the poor. In the old convent of the Poor 
Clares were two lay sisters when Mrs. Macauley arrived in Limerick ; and 
these, with pious solicitude, she admitted into her establishment. The house 
which was prepared for the accommodation of the Sisters of Mercy was small ; 
four or five ladies joined during the first year. The growth of the establishment 
became vigorous, fostered as it was by the constant vigilance and munificence 
of the Eight Eev. Dr. Evan, who encouraged the pious sisterhood in their un- 
wearied labours, and who gave them the most substantial proofs of the deep 
interest which he took in their successful progress. The grounds occupied an 
acre, with room sufficient for building purposes and extended accommodation. 
School-houses, a Eefuge for Servants, an Orphanage, &c, were soon erected, 
and brought within the reach of the destitute and the forlorn. Thousands 
of pounds were expended by the community in increasing the accommodation 
for these merciful objects ; the Eefuge of Servants was at once prepared and 
occupied, and in 1865, there are no less than forty servants out of place 
in the Eefuge. 

In 1844 the Orphanage was founded, within the Convent grounds ; but 
not having been spacious enough for the accumulating numbers who were 



494 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

daily offering themselves for admission, the Sisters of Mercy founded a new 
Orphanage, Mount St. Yincent, on the 3rd of April, 1850. On the 5th of 
July, 1851, the foundation stone of the present really ornamental and com- 
modious building was laid at Mount St. Yincent by the B,t. Rev. Dr. Ryan, 
who was attended on the occasion by a large number of clergymen connected 
with the city. The Limerick Convent has established several foundations, 
including Kinsale, 15th April, 1844; Killarney, 30th April, same year; 
Mallow, 13th October, 1845; Glasgow, August, 1849; and Edinburgh, 
7th July, 1858. The branch convents in immediate connection with the 
Limerick house, are, St, Catherine's (Newcastle West), 24th October, 1849; 
Eathkeale, opened 19th August, 1850; Eoscommon, 1853; Ennis, 1851; 
Adare, 1854. The handsome Convent of Adare has been built near the 
Catholic parochial church, at the sole expense of the Earl of Dunraven. 
The Sisters of Mercy were introduced to the Union Workhouse Hospital on 
the 4th of January, 1861. A Widows' Asylum, founded by the Yery 
Eev. W. A. O'Meara, O.S.E., for 18 widows, was begun near the Orphanage 
of Mt. St. Yincent, in 1861. The Tipperary branch house was opened on 
the 6th of October, 1864. The community now (1865) numbers 60 nuns, 
who devote their time to the instruction of the children of the poor, to the 
visiting of the sick, &c. During his life- time, the Eight Eev. Dr. Eyan gave 
very large sums to the Orphanage, to the Convents of Newcastle, Eathkeale, 
&c. The following is a list of the schools under the care of the Sisters of 
Mercy : — 

Average on rolls 
Convent Schools Teachers. for 12 months. 

St. Mary's Sisters of Mercy. ... 788 

St. John's-square do. ... 475 

St. John's do. ... 372 

Pery-square do. ... 457 

Over the portico of the convent, in large letters, are these words : — 



AD MAJOEAM DEI GLOEIAM. 



On the 20th of December, 1838, the Limerick Poor Law Union, which 
ranks as the first, was declared. It lies partly in the county Clare and partly 
in the county Limerick, and embraces the entire city of Limerick. It com- 
prehends an area of 125,085 acres. 

Feb. 21st, 1838. — At the reform dinner given to O'Connell, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, 
London, on the 18th evening — a dinner celebrated for tbe speech in which O'Connell charged 
the Tory Parliamentary Committees with perjury, for which a vote of censure was passed against 
him — the chair was taken by a very distinguished Limerick man — namely, Sir de Lacy Evans — 
who pronounced O'Connell " the object of the attention of the whole empire, and the admiration 
of the best and most enlightened men, not only of England, but of the world." 

January 6th, 1839. — One of the most terrific storms ever remembered visited Limerick ; several 
lives were lost. 

July 12th, 1839. — On this day the first number of the Limerick Reporter was published. 

July 22nd A great meeting was held, presided over by General Sir Richard Bourke, to 

address Earl Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on his way through Limerick to visit his 
brother-in-law, Lord Courtenay, at Newcastle. 

At Cork Spring Assizes, was called the case of the Eev. James Raleigh, falsely charged with 
having struck a lady in St. Michael's Church, versus Dartnell, the proprietor of the Limerick 
Standard, and Massy, Rector of Bruff, for libel. On the suggestion of Judge Jackson, the case 
was settled out of court, the defendants paying full costs, and making a most ample apology 
to the Rev. James Raleigh. 



HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. 495 

Sunday the 3rd of December, 1839, was rendered for ever memorable in 
the city by the arrival of the Apostle of Temperance, and the greatest 
excess which popular enthusiasm ever reached in this country has hardly 
ever exceeded the curiosity and intense admiration manifested by the people 
towards him, from his arrival to his departure. On Friday and Saturday 
streams of people flowed in from all directions to get themselves enrolled 
beneath the Temperance Banner, and on those days there could not have 
been less than 5000 in the city without the luxury of a bed — the lodging 
houses being crammed to excess. As it was known that the Rev. Gentle- 
man was to arrive by the mail from Cork, the concourse flowed in that 
direction. His friends had a car in waiting for him, but still he was obliged 
to show himself to the crowds, and then proceeded to the residence of his 
b rother-in-law Mr. Dunbar, in Mallow-street. Sunday was peculiary fine, and 
never a morning broke on a more glorious scene than Limerick presented. 
The entire length of George's-street was a mass of beings at an early hour. 
The quays and bridges were thickly peopled, yet the utmost order prevailed. 
At the sermon vast crowds assisted, the Church being crowded to excess ; Col. 
Maunsell, and Capt. Fitzgerald, and many liberal Protestants were present, 
were present. Half-past two was the hour for the sermon. When the 
Eev. Gentleman appeared he was a little flushed, but recovered his self- 
possession. He read the text of the day — asked the congregation whe- 
ther the practice of charity was not the true road to blessedness in 
heaven. The drift of his discourse which continued nearly an hour, was 
in advocacy of a collection for the Convent Schools. The giving of 
pledges was begun at the Court House on Monday. The rush at Mr. 
Dunbar's house was fearful, and one pregnant poor woman was precipitated 
into the area, by the falling in of the rails. She died from the injuries 
inflicted on her chest. About nine o'clock Father Mathew proceeded to 
the Court House, and received pledges till three o'clock-. At least 10,000 
people knelt down in Mallow- street, and received the pledge. He then 
proceeded to the Steam boat quay, and administered it to 700 men from 
Kilrush, not allowing them to disembark. The concourse in fact was now 
so great in the city, that the prices of provisions rose greatly. He continued 
to receive people from the four adjoining counties on Tuesday. He now 
became so hoarse, that the Eev. Gentlemen with him had to call out the 
words of the pledge. He left for Cork on Wednesday. 1 

1 The results of drinking may be inferred from the quantity of spirits consumed in England 

and Ireland in 1839, viz : — 

England, 12,341,469 gallons, 

Ireland, 12,293,464 gallons, 

seven pints one-ninth per head in England — more than thirteen pints per head in Ireland. 

Sept. 4th. — On this day several net fishermen were put in jail, for fishing in the Abbey river. 

£30,000 per annum said to be laid out at this time in Limerick for Scotch herrings. 

Sept. 30th. — At the swearing in of the civic officers, the Mayor and the Mayor's Sergeants 
wore the usual orange and blue lock of wool in their cocked hats — Sir R. Franklin, Mayor. 

Great numbers of people proceed to Father Mathew to Cork to take the pledge of Temperance 
at his hands. 

150 citizens petition the Lord Lieutenant against Ministers' Money. 

October 14th. — Mr. W. S. O'Brien publishes his annual address to his constituents of the Co. 
Limerick, in which he passes in review the great national events of the year. 

December 17th, 1839. — Account of the death of Lady Monteagle, received in Limerick with 
much regret. 

January 10th, 1840 — Seizure of gunpowder at Richardson's, gun maker and powder vendor. 

Penny postage rate comes into operation this date. 



496 HISTOUY OF LIMERICK. 

On Wednesday, the 7th October, 1840, the congregated trades of 
Limerick, attended by a host of other repealers including many from the 
neighbouring towns, who altogether, according to Mr. O'Connell himself, 
amounted to some 60,000 persons, marched in grand procession to welcome 
the Liberator, who drove amidst enthusiastic multitudes to the Treaty 
Stone, when he was presented by the trades with an address, and made one 
of his celebrated Eepeal speeches. On this occasion the trades deplored 
the distressed condition of the citizens and manufacturers, concurring with 
O'Connell in the declaration, that the only resource was a domestic Legisla- 
ture. O'Connell pointing to Thomond Bridge, said that he remembered 
seeing eleven men who were taken out on it together, for execution, under 
martial law, on which occasion a lieutenant of militia struck Eather Hogan, 
a friar who went to give them spiritual assistance, but who was promptly 
revenged by some one behind the lieutenant who killed him dead with a 
blow from a " Clealpeen."" One of the most noticeable objects in this pro- 
cession was a large and highly decorated boat, moved by men on the stern, 
on which, beneath a richly festooned canopy, sat one of the strand fishermen 
who personated Neptune the god of the water. The day's proceedings 
finished with a grand dinner at the Theatre, at which over 1,000 persons 
were present. Limerick thus effectually belied the assertion which had been 
some time made as to its being cold and apathetic in the cause of Eepeal. 
On this occasion as usual, honest Tom Steele was a conspicuous actor and 
speaker. He identified himself in a particular manner with the congregated 
trades, associating himself with the coopers. The spectacle was one of the 
most remarkable ever witnessed in Limerick. 



CHAPTEE LIIL 

LIMERICK UNDER THE REFORMED CORPORATION. 

After the success of the magnificent Parliamentary campaign under Earl 
Grey and Lord Eussell, backed by the " Imperial Guard" of 1832, and 
so well maintained and supported by Brougham and by O'Connell, and the 
other popular leaders, the question of municipal reform had been only a 
question of time, and was in fact ceded a few years after the carriage of the 
Eeform Bill ; -but the reader would be greatly mistaken if he imagined that 
it was won without a severe struggle, or that champions of corporate corrup- 
tion were wanting to enact the same part in the municipal agitation as Peel, 
and Lyndhurst, and Inglis, and Wetherell had played in the struggle against 
the measure of Parliamentary reform. It is true that the old Corporators 
were eventually betrayed by some of their oldest friends, or as O'Connell 
humorously adopting the words of Dryden expressed it, were — 
" Deserted in their utmost need, 
By those their former bounty fed." 

Death and funeral of the late Alderman John Vereker, died on Wednesday, 8th of January, in 
Dublin. Trades attended — Catholic and Protestant Bishops were in the procession. 

January 20th A terrible storm visited Limerick, nearly equal in its destructive effects to the 

storm of b'th January, 1839. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 497 

But in the case of the Corporation of Limerick there was no lack of sturdy 
defenders of corruption up to the very last moment, and the tenacious grasp 
which the Corporators still endeavoured to retain of the many good things 
which were, however, rapidly slipping from them, resembled the last despe- 
rate clutch with which the drowning man holds out to the last. It seems 
almost incredible at the present time, that men having the same blood in 
their veins as the men of the present generation, could ever have been such 
uncompromising champions of the old Corporations. But place, pelf, and 
power will effect wonders, and the old habits engendered by ascendancy 
had become so inveterate from long prescription, we can only wonder that 
the same feelings were not transmitted to their children with the rest of 
the family possessions, by many more than the ancestors of the would-be 
ascendancy party of the present day, who, however, are still numerous 
enough to stand in the way of many useful and even necessary reforms. 
But the reformed municipality went to work at once and with a will ; and 
the Corporation of Limerick, which was once so notorious for its illi- 
berality, soon became equally celebrated for the opposite quality, and 
established a character which it has never yet forfeited. 

Corporate reform was now an accomplished fact. On the 10th of 
August, 1841, a proclamation was issued by the Lord Lieutenant, in 
which Limerick was declared within the operation of the Municipal 
Reform Act. Unbounded joy prevailed when the glad tidings were 
diffused throughout the city. On the evening of that glorious and wel- 
come day, a procession of unparalleled magnitude went through the city, 
following as it were the remains of the old Corporation, which were borne 
on a funeral car in a coffin of enormous magnitude; bands of music 
playing the funeral march accompanied the procession, with a vast array of 
mourners. The cortege passed along, amid myriads of people, through the 
principal streets, until its arrival opposite the office, in Rutland Street, of 
the tory newspaper which had so long upheld the reign of corporate 
monopoly and spoliation. Here the procession halted; the coffin was 
brought from its car, laid on the pavement, and with loud shouts of exul- 
tation consigned to the flames. 

Proceedings were at once adopted to place the city under the operation 
of the new Act. Aldermen and Town Councillors were elected. On the 
11th of November, the newly-constituted body assembled to elect a Mayor ; 
two candidates for the honour presented themselves, viz. Alderman John 
Boyse and Martin Honan, Esq. The former withdrew, when the latter 
was elected by acclamation to an office which he filled with dignity, pru- 
dence, and justice. John F. Raleigh, Esq., was elected Town Clerk in 
open court. There were two other candidates for the office. 

The Lord Lieutenant's proclamation, however, had fixed the day for the 
Act to come into operation in Limerick prematurely, as twelve months had 
not elapsed from the certificate of the Poor Law Commissioners of the 
making of a rate for the relief of the poor. In consequence of this error, 
the Court of Queen's Bench, at the prosecution of the Hon. Charles Smyth 
Vereker, the Mayor elected by the old Corporation, declared all the pro- 
ceedings connected with the introduction of the Municipal Reform Act 
null and void, including the making of the Burgess roll, the acts of the 
Revision Court, the election of Aldermen and Town Councillors, and elec- 

1 Under the Act of 3 and 4 Victoria, cap. 108. 

33 



498 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tion of Mayor. In order to prevent the confusion that would arise from 
this state of things, Lord Elliot, the then Secretary for Ireland, introduced an 
act which got the royal assent in July, 1842, legalizing all these proceedings, 
and settling the new Corporation in office as elected under the Lord Lieu- 
tenant's proclamation. Pending these events there were two Mayors in 
the city — the one de jure, and the other de facto, — and a considerable degree 
of annoyance resulted. A deputation waited on the Hon. Mr. Vereker, to 
give up possession of the Exchange, the books, records, and corporate pro- 
perty. Mr. Vereker gave a direct refusal to this request, stating he was 
advised that all the proceedings taken under the Municipal Reform Act 
were illegal, null, and void, and warning them from exercising any 
authority or jurisdiction within the limits. The old Corporation placed on 
record an account of their liabilities, which amounted to over £12,000, 
and which was left as a burden on the new Corporation. 1 

The last official act of the old Corporation was to present Lord Gort 
with his portrait, which had graced the Council Chamber for many years. 

During the confusion which prevailed under the two mayors, resistance 
was offered by the people to the collection of the tolls, the lessee of which 
waited on the new Mayor and Corporation for protection whilst he en- 
deavoured to collect them ; the consideration of his petition was postponed. 
One of the earliest acts of the new Corporation was to select the names of 
twelve gentlemen of the council to be presented to the Lord Lieutenant, 
from whom to choose magistrates, as the term of the Charter Justices was 
to expire on the 12th of the following December (1841). Six Catholics 
and six Protestants were chosen by the council, which in this instance 
manifested the liberality for which it has subsequently been distinguished, 
as the great majority of the members were Catholics. The gentlemen who 
had filled the offices of Town Clerk and Chamberlain of the old Corpora- 
tion were formally removed by vote of the new. A code of bye-laws was 
prepared and adopted. The birth of the Princess Royal afforded the new 
body an occasion for the exhibition of loyalty in addresses of congratula- 
tion to the Queen and Prince Albert, and the Duchess of Kent. An at- 
tempt to continue the office of Recorder for the city was resisted success- 
fully ; and after some time the jurisdiction was transferred to the Chairman 
of Quarter Sessions, in whom it has continued to repose. The collection and 
lodgment of the public funds became a matter of importance ; a treasurer 
was appointed in the person of Francis John O'Neill, Esq., who held the office 
until his death in 1860. Early attention was directed to the neglected con- 
dition of the streets, etc., of the old town, which the old Corporation had 

1 From this statement, it appears that they owed Messrs Furlong and La Touche, 
Attorneys 
Board of Works mortgage, for erecting Thomond Bridge, 
Mr. Paine, Architect, for erecting approaches to the Bridge, 
The Sheriffs, 

For Lighting the old Town, ... 
To Chamberlain, ... 
And miscellaneous items, nine in number, varying from £68 15s. 6d. to £22. 

In June, 1841, Mr. Joseph Fogerty, an enterprising citizen, after having taken down a 
circus which he had built iu Queen Street, built a theatre — the present Theatre Royal — in Henry 
Street, on a plot of ground which he took from the Earl of Limerick. The theatre is 110 feet 
long, 66 feet wide, and 30 feet high, and has sitting accommodation for 1,300 persons. With 
the exception of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, it is considered the best building of the kind in 
Ireland, and cost £1300. 



£212 10 


3 


9000 





1855 





120 





109 15 





85 4 


10 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 499 

abandoned to utter ruin. The separation of the ancient liberties from the 
city by the Municipal Bill, at once became a subject of deep interest to the 
public. In this year (1841) the Limerick Union Workhouse, which had 
been formed under the Poor Law Act, was opened on the 18th of May for 
the reception of paupers. » Early in 1842, a memorial was presented to the 
Lord Lieutenant, in which the Corporation stated, that whereas the liberties, 
comprising 14,825 acres, were separated from the city, the city now com- 
prised but 816 acres, and taxation should be curtailed as much as possible. 
There had been a constabulary force of 46 in number, including an inspector, 
a sub-inspector, and a head constable; and the memorial prayed, among 
other things, owing to the wonderful decrease in drunkenness, in conse- 
quence of the Temperance movement and the general diminution of crime, 
that twenty sub-constables, with an inspector and sub-inspector, be allocated, 
as quite sufficient, to the city. Deep distress was suffered during the spring 
and summer of this year by the working classes, who had no employment ; 
provisions, too, rated very high ; and a meeting was held early in June for 
the purpose of applying remedies. In that month an attempt having been 
made on the life of the Queen in London, the Corporation met and presented 
an address to her Majesty, to which a gracious reply was returned. Up to 
1842, as we have just seen, the reformed Corporation had been placed in an 
awkward position; but the Act of Parliament which was passed by the 
influence of the government, effectually removed the difficulties that legal 
technicality had opposed to the free and immediate introduction of the 
Municipal Act into Limerick ; and from this date the old Corporation may 
be regarded as extinct, and the reformed body proceeded in its course un- 
fettered by the obstacles which had been thrown in its way for no other 
object than to subserve a disreputable purpose. Mr. Vereker, the Mayor, 
submitted ; the Chamberlain, Town Clerk, and Common Speaker, however, 
continued obstinate ; and it was not until they were forced by law 2 to give 

1 Limerick Union. — Land under Workhouse, 9a. 2r. 5p. 

Rent of do. per annum, £70. 

Total number of inmates in Workhouse, April 8th, 1865, 2099. 

Number in Fever Hospital, 72. — Number in Infirmary, 760. — Total, 832. 

Date of appointment of Sisters of Mercy to the Hospitals, November, 1860. 

Electoral Divisions since change of Boundary in 1850, 34. 

Valuation of Union in 1865, £189,526 15s. 

Population do. in 1861, 90,728. 

Electoral divisions previous to change in 1850, — 19 as follow. — Abington, Bally bricken, 
Cappamore, Caherconlish, Castleconnell, Crecora, Derrygalvin, Doon, Fedamore, Killockennedy, 
Kiltannonley, Kilseely, Kilfeenaghta, Kileely, Kilmurry, Limerick, Murroe, Mungret, and 
PatricksweH. 

Date of declaring Workhouse fit for the reception of paupers, 18th May, 1841. 

Date of first admission of paupers, 19th of May, 1841. 

Number for which House was originally built, 1600. 

Average number of paupers maintained for quarter ending 24th June, 1842, embracing nine 
weeks, 1302. 

Date of declaration of first rate, 5th September, 1840. 

Date of declaration of Union, 20th December, 1838. 

Date of order to borrow for providing a Workhouse, 23rd September, 1839. 

Amount borrowed, £12,900. 

Amount of contract, £10,000. 

2 Mr. Cripps, in August, 1842, handed to Mr. Potter, Law Agent of the Corporation, one 
hundred and twenty-one parchment documents ; twelve unimportant parcels of proposals and 
other papers connected with the tolls, as also twelve parcels cf papers relative to the Lax weir — 
Corporation Tenants' Account Book, expired leases, only four leases made since 1800, none of 
the original charters, old maps, rentals, or contracts for leases, nor any document referring to 
the leases given up, under which the rents now appearing to be payable are reserved — Minutes 
of the Reformed Corporation, A.D. 1842. 



300 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

up the record, leases, charters, etc., etc., that they did so. Among the 
property that survived the general spoliation was the advowson, or per- 
petual right of presentation to the living of St. Laurence, in the gift of the 
Corporation. One of the early acts of the Corporation was to dispose of 
this advowson, for which purpose an advertisement was published ; and in 
February, 1843, it was sold to the Trustees of the Asylum Episcopal chapel. 

In their incipient condition and early struggles to meet the demands 
which were left unliquidated by their predecessors, and to discharge accu- 
mulating claims and liabilities, the new Corporation experienced very great 
difficulty : already a sum of over £10,000 was required to pay debts and 
meet current requirements. The Mayor (Mr. Honan), on his own respon- 
sibility, advanced a sum of £1,500 to enable the Corporation to take up 
the property which had been mortgaged to the Board of Works, for which 
and for other equally admirable acts during his mayoralty, a requisition 
was presented to him, to which he acceded, and he was appointed Mayor 
for 1843. 

The Master of the Rolls, Sir Michael O'Loghlen, Bart., having died in 
Dublin in October, regretted by every class and party, as a mark of public 
sympathy and respect, the Mayor and Corporation of Limerick attended his 
funeral in mourning costume, as it passed through the city on its way to 
Clare. 

An object of very great importance for the citizens was to obtain posses- 
sion of the King's Island. The influence of the city and county represen- 
tatives was enlisted in the cause ; but there were serious obstacles thrown 
in the way, and a treaty with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for 
the sale ended without any result. 1 

As a mark of appreciation of the services of brave Limerick men abroad, 
a vote of thanks was passed by the Council, on the 2nd of January, 1843, 
to Sir Hugh Gough, his aide-de-camp, Captain Gabbett, 2 Major John Sar- 
gent,* and his son, Ensign Sargent, 4 of the Royal Irish Regiment, and Cap- 
tain Thomas Bourchier, R.N., five Limerick heroes, for their distinguished 
and noble conduct in China, but without expressing any opinion on the 
character of the war in China. 

Certain leases, of which we have already spoken, had been given of cor- 
porate property to favourites of the old corporators, and to the corporators 
themselves, and it became an object of importance to the new Corporation to 

1 By an inquisition taken 33rd Henry VIII., and preserved in the Birmingham Tower, it ap- 
pears that " the pasture and grassing of the said island — the King's Island — appertaining to the 
said King's castle, and that the inhabitants of the said cittie, had their ingresse for their pasture 
without any interruption". 

2 Gabbett : this is an old and influential name in Limerick. The first of the family who set- 
tled in Ireland was Robert Gabbett, of Acton Burnell, Shropshire, Exon of the guard of Henry VII. 
His descendant Robert died at Cashel, A.D. 1652. William Gabbett, who was married to Alicia 
England, of Lifford, Co. Clare, acquired the estates of Caherline and Rathjordan, in the county of 
Limerick, A.D. 1685, and from him have descended the Caherline and Rathjordan, CaStlelake and 
High Park families, who intermarriedwith the ancient familyof the Burghs of Dromkeen, the Coxes 
of liallynoe (who claim descent through the Plantagenet Kings from William the Conqueror), the 
Wallers of Castle Waller, the Studderts of Bunratty, the Lanes of Lane's Park, Co. Tipperary 
the Lloyds of Castle Lloyd, the Joneses of Mullinabroe, the Riches, and many other families of 
distinction in the counties of Limerick, Tipperary, and Clare. Several of the family filled the 
office of High Sheriff of the county of Limerick. The late William Smith O'Brien, Esq., was mar- 
ried to Miss Gabbett, daughter of the late Alderman Joseph Gabbett of Limerick. Edmund 
Gabbett, Esq., who died deeply regretted, on the 24th of February, 1865, filled the office of 
Mayor of Limerick in 1858. 

3 In some old documents the name is written O'Sargent. The Sargents have filled the 
office of mayor, bailiff, sheriff, etc. 

* Now Colonel John Sargent, C.B., late of 3rd Buffs. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 501 

break those leases. A resolution was adopted to that effect. Expensive 
litigation resulted in no corresponding advantage to the citizens, the lands 
and rentals remaining as follows, with the exception of the Lime Kilns, the 
lease of which was broken : — 

Gortaklins, 

Part of Clino bog 

Corkanree 

Khebogue Island 

Scattery Island, 

Lime Kilns, 

The Lax Weir, 



100 





92 6 


2 


160 





130 15 


4 


31 10 





62 3 


8 


300 






£876 15 2 
Additional rents received by the Corporation, 146 



Making a total rental of ... £1022 15 2, 

the small remnant of the enormous property in land, etc., which the Corpora- 
tion once enjoyed, and even this rental, some few years afterwards, was 
mortgaged for a loan of £20,000. 

The great question of a Repeal of the legislative Union, being now para- 
mount, a petition to Parliament in favour of Repeal was adopted by the 
Corporation, by a majority of 28 to 6. Six members were absent. The 
Corporation adopted a petition also against certain proposed amendments in 
the Poor Law, and against Electoral Divisions. On this occasion Mr. W. 
S. O'Brien, M.P., wrote a long letter, refusing to support the petition of 
the Corporation for Repeal. Sir David Roche, M.P., presented the peti- 
tion to the House of Commons, and supported its prayer. 

In June, 1843, the Law agent reported that, having had an interview 
with the Earl of Lincoln, one of the Lords Commissioners of Woods and 
Forests, relative to the King's Island and the claims made by the Corpora- 
tion on behalf of the citizens for the restoration of certain rights granted 
by the charter of Queen Elizabeth, he had stated that he was informed 
by the legal authorities that no legal right was vested in the citizens 
whereby they could establish the title claimed under the charter of Eliza- 
beth, and that consequently the Lords Commissioners could not feel war- 

Feb. 6th, 1843 — The Corporation adopted a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, asking 
leave to borrow £11,000, for the purchase of the King's Island. 

■ In June this year the new Potato Market at the Long Dock, was made at a cost of £1200. 
The following is on a stone tablet near the Mathew Bridge : — 





A.D. 1843. 




THIS MARKET WAS ERECTED BY 




THE REFORMED CORPORATION, 




During the Mayorality of 




The Right Worshipful 




MARTIN HONAN, 




IN THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS OFFICE. 


W. H. Owens, 




Arch. 


John F. Raleigh, Esq., Town Clerk. 


John Duggan, 




Builder. 


Francis John O'Neil, Esq., Treasurer. 



October 3rd, 1843. — A memorial adopted to the Treasury to borrow £15,000. 



502 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

ranted in assenting to a restoration of the claim. Lord Lincoln at the same 
time stated that the Commissioners were willing to afford the citizens an op- 
portunity of recreation in a small portion of the island, and that they were 
prepared to apply to the Treasury for a certain sum of money for an em- 
bankment, provided the Corporation would make a suitable passage or road 
thereto. This was ultimately agreed to, and a noble public promenade 
was made. 

The question of Repeal continued to agitate the country from the centre 
to the sea. The greatest meetings that had ever been known in Ireland, 
not exceeded by those that had taken place during the anti-tithe campaign, 
were held in various places in Munster, Leinster, and Connaught. Limerick 
gave its weight and strength to the national movement. It was emphati- 
cally " the Repeal year," but in the autumn of the year, Government, which 
had already fortified the barracks, and indicated its intention to deal with 
the question with a strong hand, prepared to take legal measures against 
O'Connell and the popular leaders. The Corporation of Limerick met at 
this crisis, and an earnest resolution was adopted on the motion of Alder- 
man Geary, seconded by Alderman Shannon, to the effect that they con- 
sidered the proceedings adopted within the year by O'Connell for procur- 
ing the Repeal of the legislative Union, and the meetings held in various 
parts of the country for that purpose, were strictly legal and constitutional, 
and did not call for or warrant the intervention of the executive. On the 
part of the people, they disclaimed the least intention of violating the laws 
or endangering the public peace, and solemnly protested against any infrac- 
tion of their legal rights to meet and petition Parliament, upon the mere 
assumption that the public peace would be disturbed. The Corporation 
went further, and declared their deliberate intention to continue their sup- 
port to O'Connell in the same constitutional course that had characterised 
the Repeal movement under his guidance. A copy of this resolution was 
forwarded to the Liberator, with the Corporate seal affixed. A grand ban- 
quet was also given to him in the new theatre. 

Intense dissatisfaction and great political excitement characterised the 
opening of the year 1844. O'Connell and the Repeal leaders who had 
been arrested, were now standing their trial in Dublin, and the intelligence 
of the proceedings of each day, as they were received in Limerick, created 
an extraordinary amount of excitement. Alderman Pierce Shannon was 
sworn into the Mayoralty on the 1st of January, and one of the first move- 
ments of the Corporation was the adoption of a memorial to the Queen to 
dismiss from office Her Majesty's Tory Ministers; at the same time the 
Corporation voted their undiminished and unlimited confidence in O'Con- 
nell, whom persecution was making dearer to the hearts of his countrymen. 
A demonstration in sustainment of O'Connell was made soon afterwards in 
Cork, when a grand banquet was given to him, and on this occasion the 
Corporation of Limerick, headed by the Mayor, proceeded there to com- 
pliment the man of the people. Mr. Smith O'Brien, who had hitherto 

On the 5th of February, 1844, it was resolved to lay out £1,000 on the approaches and walks 
around the King's Island — one of the approaches at Thomond Bridge ; the other at Park Bridge. 

Negociations were entered into for the purchase of or letting of the Commercial Buildings in 
Rutland Street, for a Town Hall. 

Memorials were forwarded by the Corporation in favour of floating docks, the King's Island 
embankment, and on the subject of the great distress of the people, owing to the want of that 
employment which the embankment would furnish. All these measures were carried. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 503 

opposed repeal, now threw himself into the movement with enthusiastic 
devotion. 

Amid this state of political exacerbation, the condition of the working 
classes of Limerick was so extremely wretched, that in a petition to Par- 
liament in favour of the Dublin and Cashel (Great Southern and Western) 
Railway, the Corporation set forth the astounding fact, that it had been 
the opinion of all travellers from Inglis to Kohl, that there was more 
wretchedness among the poor of Limerick than among those of any other 
town of equal population in Ireland — that this arose from want of regular 
employment — that there were 1215 journeymen of trades, and only 407 
in regular emplyment, and 5000 labourers equally destitute. 

Alderman Shannon, who had been an energetic benefactor, a liberal and 
active politician, a warm friend of O'Connell, and an earnest advocate of a ' 
domestic legislature for Ireland, died rather suddenly during his Mayoralty, 
in the month of June, when proceeding to take the chair at a public meet- 
ing to address O'Connell, then in prison in Dublin, and was buried with 
great ceremony in the church-yard of St. Munchin's, the Catholic Bishop 
and all the city clergy walking in procession. Alderman W. J. Geary, 
M.D., J.P., was chosen for the Mayoralty in succession, and he was reelected 
for the following year (1845), when he and the Corporation attended a 
levee to and addressed O'Connell in Dublin. Almost contemporaneously 
with these events was the appointment of a committee to prepare a memo- 
rial to Government, praying that one of the new Collegiate Institutions 
(Queen's Colleges) which were now projected, be placed in the City of 
Limerick, and to report on the propriety of having a deputation pro- 
ceed to London to present the memorial to the Ministers of the Crown. 
The influence of the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Clare, Lord 
Monteagle, the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of Limerick, Viscount 
Adare, the county and city members, Augustus Stafford O'Brien, Esq., 
M.P., William Monsell, Esq., and Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart., was 
sought for and obtained. An interview was had with Sir Robert Peel 
and Sir James Graham, to whom the memorial was presented by the 
Mayor. Sir James Graham paid every attention to the statements 
that were made, and dismissed the deputation with an assurance that the 
claims of Limerick to a Collegiate Institution would receive attention. 
These claims were, however, ignored in favour of Cork ; but on the ques- 
tion of these Colleges, public opinion soon afterwards underwent a complete 
revolution, and the often-expressed resolutions of the Catholic Prelates 
about them, as well as the opposition of the Catholic body in general, have 
vindicated the estimation in which they have been held by the friends and 
supporters of free, tolerant, and enlightened education. 

An incident of a remarkable character took place in the summer of this 
year, when O'Connell, who arrived in Limerick on his way to Derrynane, 
accompanied by his friend, " honest Tom Steele", and others, was waited on 
by the Mayor, who solicited the honour of his company at dinner to meet the 
Corporation. O'Connell accepted the invitation ; but an awkwardness arose 
which led to unpleasant results : the judges at the moment on circuit being 
in the city, they too were invited to the Mayor's banquet, which was given in 
the Exchange in Mary Street. One of these judges had not only tried 
O'Connell and the State Prisoners, but had pronounced sentence of incar- 
ceration on the Liberator. When the facts were told to O'Connell, he at 
once left the city, with an intimation to the Mayor that it was impossible for 



504 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

him to dine with him. Steele and others took fire. The Corporation be- 
came inflamed with excitement. A meeting was convened, and a resolu- 
tion, which was proposed by James Kelly, Esq., M.P. for the city, who at 
the time was a member of the Corporation, and seconded by Martin Honan, 
Esq., was to the effect, that 

" This council having heard with surprise, that the Liberator is under the im- 
pression, that the invitation he received from the mayor on last Wednesday had 
emanated from this body, resolved that though on this as on all other occa- 
sions we would feel highly proud of the presence of the Liberator, yet we deem 
it right to communicate to him, that if the mayor used the name of the Corpo- 
ration, he did so without authority, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to 
apprise the Liberator, that we feel too high a respect for him to allow him for a 
moment to remain under such an impression". 

An amendment was carried " that no further proceedings be taken in the 
matter till Mr. O'Connell's reply be received". 

On the 11th of August a meeting of the Corporation was held, when 
the Mayor read the following remarkable letter from O'Connell : — 

" Derrynane Alley, 

7th August, 1845. 

" My Dear Lord Mayor, 

I am very much afraid that out of my anxiety to prevent disunion in the 
Corporation of Limerick, I have fallen into the opposite error, and have been the 
means of creating something like confusion, instead of that conciliation which it 
was my anxious desire to promote, and which of course continues to be so. 

I certainly did understand you to invite me in the name of the Corpo- 
ration, of which you are the head, and I communicated that fact to my friend 
Martin Honan, who was so kind as to undeceive me and to set the matter right. 

I need not say that I am now perfectly convinced that the mistake was 
mine, and that you did no more than intimate that the Corporation would dine 
with you to meet me ; I do n't know how to account for my mistake, and I am 
now exceedingly anxious to apologise to you and to my friend Honan, and indeed 
to the entire Corporation, for having created any uneasy feeling on this subject. 

I wish to heaven it were in my power to put an end to the jealousies that 
unhappily prevail, and to have anything that has passed buried in oblivion. 
Let by-gones be by-gones, and let us all combine for the forwarding of the 
Repeal in future. 

I was the more anxious to reconcile the popular party in Limerick to 
each other, because the result of existing feuds is, that the connection with the 
Repeal Association is not kept as it ought to be. 

I am personally very grateful to you for your individual invitation. I 
am exceedingly obliged to the Corporation for the cordial kindness which they 
have exhibited towards me ; and it is to me a source of consolation to find so 
much of what deserves to be called affectionate attention, from so truly patriotic 
and respectable a body as the Corporation of Limerick. 

With respect to a public dinner to myself — that is a subject upon the 
originating of which I could not possibly take any part or express any opinion. 
There are so many local circumstances that must belong to a meeting of that 
kind, that all I could say is, that those who are on the spot are alone competent 
to judge of the fitness of any such proceeding. 

The last public dinner in Limerick was so brilliantly successful that any 
diminution of its splendour would be deemed a failure. I throw this out as the 
only hint I can give on the subject ; our sole object should be how to advance the 
cause of Repeal, quite independently of any compliment to any individual* 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 505 

Will you be so good as to convey my gratitude to your brother Cor- 
porators, and be assured that I am, 

My dear Mayor, 

Your's faithfully and sincerely, 
" The Right Worshipful the DANIEL O'CONNELL. 

Mayor of Limerick." 

The matter ended here ; but it left some bitterness which time, however, 
eradicated. 

The affairs of the Corporation were not in a flourishing condition, and 
at a meeting of that body, held on the 1st of September, a motion was made 
by Alderman Mulcahy to the effect that the salary of the Mayor be fixed 
at £300 per annum. There was very great distress too throughout the 
city, as had been shown to the Government by several memorials. The 
Treasury permitted the Corporation to raise a sum of £5942 17s. 6d., by 
loan; and employment to some extent was given, when on the 29th of 
November the first arch stone of the Mathew Bridge was laid by the Mayor. 

A movement had been going on in the Corporation and among the 
citizens for a statue of Sarsfleld, Earl of Lucan, and models were sought 
for by public advertisement. Mr. Kirk of Dublin forwarded a model, 
which, however, was not approved of, and the question was not revived. 

E. F. G. Ryan, Esq., was sworn in Mayor of Limerick on the 1st of 
January, 1846, a year rendered remarkable not only by continued political 
excitement, but by the secession from the Repeal Association of the Young 
Ireland party, and the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Association in 
Limerick. At the banquet of this Association given in the theatre the 
Mayor presided. The year was more remarkable perhaps for the potato 
failure and its terrific consequences. 

A sum of £5,000 was collected in the city to meet the exigencies of the 
dreadful case, which was thought so little of, however, by some of the 
agricultural philosophers at the dinner just referred to, that Mr. Smith, of 
Deanstown, expressed himself to the effect that the blackening of the 
potato would be attended with no danger, and that its effect would pass 
away speedily, and leave no injurious result to deplore. 

A demonstration in sustainment of Mr. W. S. O'Brien, M.P., took place 
on Thursday the 6th of June, when a magnificent reception was given to 
him on his first visit to Limerick after his confinement by order of the 
House of Commons. On this occasion there was a procession of the con- 
gregated trades, the temperance societies, the Corporation, including the 
Mayor, the Aldermen, and Councillors, a long line of pedestrians and 
equestrians to the number of 20,000. Trees were brought from the coun- 
try to form triumphal arches. The neighbouring towns furnished addi- 
tional numbers, and the music of several bands gave further life to the 

April, 1846. — The sum of £600 was offered to Mr. O'Hara, as assignee of Mr. Arthur, for 
his interest in the Commercial Buildings, and accepted, for a Town Hall for the meetings of the 
Corporation, etc., instead of the Exchange in the English-town. 

April 21st. — £682 were advanced to credit of Public Works as the contribution of Corporation 
to make the roadway around the Bang's Island. 

Sept. 21st. — A movement was got up for a cemetery on a portion of King's Island. This 
cemetery is now used by the military only. 

October 30th. — Memorial for a loan of £10,000 to Lords of Treasury for embankment of 
Arthur's Quay, and erection of places for public corn markets, etc. 

April 22nd, 1847. — The New Reading Rooms established at the Town Hall. 

Joseph Murphy, Esq., appointed Town Clerk, in the room of the late John F. Raleigh, Esq., 
deceased. 



506 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

proceedings of the day. Next the trades rode Smith O'Brien himself in 
a triumphal chair, a fine piece of workmanship made by Mr. Owens, of 
Mallow Street, and in this chair, accompanied by the Mayor in his robes, he 
passed amidst the cheers of thousands along a route embracing all the 
chief parts of the city, except the lanes and alleys. The procession was 
followed by a monster meeting, which was held in a field in the north 
Liberties. 

The Corporation had already adopted a resolution, which Alderman 
Geary proposed, fully sustaining the course that had been adopted in Par- 
liament by Mr. Smith O'Brien. On this occasion the expediency of the 
course adopted by Mr. O'Brien was not approved of by O'Connell ; and a 
wide difference of opinion arose between them, which led to that disrup- 
tion of the great repeal party and the break up of the greatest political 
organization which Ireland had ever witnessed. 

The following year, 1847, was remarkable for events of the most thril- 
ling importance, including the ever-to-be-lamented death of the Liberator 
at Genoa, on his way to Rome, on the 15th of May; a general election, 
and the continuance of the decimating famine. On the 1st of January, 
Thomas Wallnutt, Esq., was sworn into the office of Mayor. A strong 
feeling prevailed at this time in reference to the expenditure of the Cor- 
poration on improvements in the old town, over and above the ordinary 
sums applied under the Act of Parliament, to discharge the interest of the 
debt due by that body, the salaries to officers, etc. It was complained that 
a sum of £1 1,937 2s. 4d. had been expended in this way since the New 
Corporation had been formed, in addition to a sum of from £1,000 to 
£1,500 a year in paving, watching, and cleansing for the six years pre- 
viously. The St. Michael's Commissioners continued to discharge their 
duties with benefit to the interests over which they presided in the capacity 
of a taxing and watching, lighting and cleansing body ; and it now became 
a serious matter of debate whether the revenues of the Corporation and 
the loans should go to the requirements of the old town, rather than to an 
equal and impartial distribution of them over the city at large. The matter 
was brought before the Corporation by Dr. Griffin, a member of that body, 
and a resolution which was proposed by him, embodying his views, was 
carried. The Commissioners and the Corporation had serious discussions 
on the subject, which had its result in a few years subsequently in the in- 
troduction of the Limerick Improvement Act, 1 which gave the control of 
the entire city to the Corporation, and which annihilated the Commis- 
sioners. The Corporation during these proceedings adopted a petition to 
Parliament against Ministers' money. The subject of a Repeal of the 
Union was again mooted, and a petition to the legislature in its favour was 
carried by an overwhelming majority of the council. The corporation also 
expressed its sympathy and concurrence with an ineffectual movement 
begun in the House of Commons by Lord George Bentinck, M.P., for the 
advancement of a loan from the Imperial Treasury of £20,000,000^ to Ire- 
land for public works, in order to meet and repel the ravages which the 
famine had been making on the people. 

On the 27th of May the intelligence was received in Limerick of the 
death of O'Connell at Genoa. The city at once assumed the garb of mourn- 
ing. The foremost man of his age had died on a foreign shore, sore at 
heart at the situation of his country, the frustration of his hopes, and the 
1 16th Vic, Sess. 1852-3. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 507 

ingratitude with which a section at least of his countrymen had treated 
a patriot who had laboured with indefatigable perseverance and unparalleled 
zeal for over half a century, in the service of Ireland. To eveiy shop in 
the city the shutters were put up. The vessels in the harbour had their 
flags half mast high. The newspapers throughout the country put their 
columns in deep mourning. The voice of political schism was silenced for 
a time ; and all felt the heavy blow that had been inflicted on society and 
on liberty throughout the world by the loss of the mighty leader. A special 
meeting of the Corporation was convened to express public feeling on the 
lamentable event which caused the tears of millions of people to flow. A 
resolution was adopted. 

" That the intelligence of the death of O'Connell, justly styled the Liberator of 
Ireland, has filled the members of this council with the deepest grief — impressed 
as we are with the vivid recollection of the manifold services conferred by him 
upon his native country. Whilst we bow with submission to the decree of Provi- 
dence which has snatched him from a people who loved him and from a world 
filled with the fame of his peaceful victories, we offer our sympathy and condo- 
lence to our now doubly afflicted countrymen for the loss sustained by his death, 
the loss of a leader of so much energy and genius, of a patriot so pure and unsullied, 
of a Christian statesman, whose principles led to the infraction of no laws, divine 
or human. On his grave when dead, as on the altar of peace, we would desire to 
place the tribute which would be so grateful to him when living, an oblivion of 
all differences among ourselves, and a determination to work together for the 
land of his affection. 

" That this Council will join in any tribute which may hereafter be adopted by 
the Irish nation, testifying our feeling of respect for the memory of O'Connell, 
and that the Mayor be requested to convene a special meeting when the occasion 
shall arise". 

On the 8th of June there was a solemn Office and High Mass at St. 
Michael's Parochial Church, for the repose of the soul of O'Connell. The 
Mayor, though a Protestant — to show his respect for the memory of the 
Illustrious Dead, with a large majority of the members of the council, etc. 
went in procession to the Church, which was crowded with citizens. There 
never was more heart-felt sorrow than on this occasion. It must, however, be 
stated, that among a small section of the people, feelings antagonistic to the 
policy and principles of the Liberator had been finding expression in various 
forms. In July of this year, a resolution was brought forward in the Corpo- 
ration to the effect, that it was contrary to the honest advocacy of Repeal to 
seek for place under any government. This proposition was regarded in the 
light of a slur on the memory of the deceased patriot, and an insidious attack 
on his family and the admirers of his policy; yet at the general election 
John O'Brien, Esq., and John O'Connell, Esq. (the beloved son of the Li- 
berator) were returned for the city as Members of Parliament. An amend- 
ment to the resolution, moreover, was adopted by the Council to the effect 

'* That the charge ungratefully made against the late illustrious Liberator and 
his patriotic family, of having abandoned the honest advocacy of repeal by the 
solicitation or acceptance of favours from the Government, is unjust and un- 
founded — a slander upon the memory of the dead and the character of the 
Irving ; and believing the resolution now proposed to be indirectly a repetition 
of that charge, we reject it". 

The strong sense of the people also not only rejected the proposition, 
but a general subscription commenced throughout the city and county of 
Limerick, in sustainment of a National Testimonial to the memory of 



508 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



O'Connell. A large sum was subscribed, and forwarded to a National 
Committee then formed in Dublin for that grateful purpose; but as the 
sums raised by the Parishes of St. Michael, Parteen, St. Patrick, and 
Monaleen, amounting to £151, were retained by the merest chance in 
Limerick, and were subsequently lodged in the Provincial Bank of Ireland, 
by the Treasurer of the fund, William Roche, Esq., the money formed the 
nucleus of a much larger and more general subscription, which some few 
years subsequently was raised by the city and county, and by the counties 
of Tipperary and Clare, for the magnificent statue in bronze to O'Connell, 
which graces the Crescent in Limerick, and of which we shall have to treat 
in due course. * 

An action was brought this year, by Mr. Joseph Robinson, merchant, 
against the tenant of that portion of the Tolls and Customs, comprised 
under the head " Tolls and Customs on river and water carriage", as here- 
tofore collected. The action arose from the seizure of a portion of a cargo 
of Indian corn, imported into Limerick from Kilrush by a trading vessel, dur- 
ing the previous year, after toll had been demanded and refused. Defence 
was taken by the Corporation. The action involved the whole question of 
that portion of the revenue of the citizens of Limerick, which went under 
the head of Tolls and Customs — nearly four-fifths of the Borough Fund — 
a fund from time immemorial collected as in Liverpool, Cork, Glasgow, 
Bristol, etc. The right had been before challenged, but without effect. In 
1823 an action had been brought against the then existing Corporation, to 
test their right to levy tolls and customs. It was tried in Cork, and a 
verdict found for the Corporation The case embracing the greater 
portion of the Borough Fund, out of which the public markets were 
maintained, the public charities contributed to, the cleansing, watering, 
lighting of the old town, etc., defrayed, the local courts supported, and the 
general improvement of the city advanced, it was unanimously resolved to 
defend the action, which was done successfully. 

This, however, was but the commencement of a more concentrated and 
powerful attack on the tolls and customs of the Corporation, in a word, on 
the principal revenue of that body, which eventuated, in 1850, in the loss 
of the tolls, and a verdict in favour of the Great Southern and "Western 
Railway, which disputed the legal right of the Corporation to levy them. 

Michael Quin, Esq., was sworn Mayor of Limerick on the 1st of January, 
1848. On the 4th of May railway communication was opened up for the 
first time between Limerick and Dublin ; and possession was obtained of 
the Island Bank, or road- way around the King's Island, for the recreation 
of the citizens. 1 The Corporation agreed with the eminent artist, the late 

1 On a stone at the walk at the Thomond Bridge side of the embankment is the following 
inscription : — 



PUBLIC WALK 

TO THE KING'S ISLAND EMBANKMENT, 

EXECUTED UNDER THE DIRECTIONS OF THE 

CORPORATION OF LIMERICK AND THE 

COMMISSIONERS OF HER MAJESTY'S WOODS 

AND FORESTS, COMPLETED IN OCTOBER, 1848. 

MICHAEL BOYAN, CIVIL ENGINEER. 
MICHAEL QUINN, MAYOR OF LIMERICK. 



HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 509 

Mr. Haverty, to paint the well-known picture of the Liberator, which has 
been suspended in the Council Chamber, and which a few years after 
narrowly escaped the ravages of a fire which broke out in the Town Hall. 
Mr. Haverty got 150 guineas for the picture. 

This was an era of revolution abroad and of unexampled excitement at 
home. The Corporation voted an address to the French people " on their 
victorious achievement of liberty". The unhappy events which occurred 
in Ireland in 1848 are written on a sad page of her chequered history , and 
can only be referred to in the language of unavailing indignation and 
grief. The grand national organization was broken up. Thousands of 
troops filled the country. The people continued to fall beneath famine 
and cholera, and the workhouses were crowded beyond endurance. Never 
yet was there a more gloomy crisis in the fortunes of Ireland. A soiree, 
which was given to Mr. Smith O'Brien, Mr. John Mitchell, Mr. Thomas 
Francis Meagher, etc., at a store in Thomas Street, ended in a disagreeable 
manner, fire having been set to the windows and shutters, and the lives of 
those within placed in jeopardy. » In the autumn of this year the trial of 
the State Prisoners, viz., Mr. Smith O'Brien, M.P., Thomas F. Meagher, 
Mr. T. B. Mac Manus, and Mr. O'Donoghue, took place in Clonmel before 
the Lord Chief Justice Blackburne, the Chief Justice of the Common 
Pleas (Doherty), and Mr. Justice Moore, when those " who loved their 
country not wisely but too well", were sentenced to the death of traitors, a 
sentence which was commuted to transportation for life, from which only 
one of them returned, viz., Mr. Smith O'Brien. 

In the beginning of the year a Special Commission sat in Limerick, when 
several prisoners were tried, including William Ryan (commonly called 
Ryan Puck), who was hanged in front of the county Limerick gaol on the 
7th of February, for the murder of John Kelly at Knocksentry in the pre- 
vious September. Other prisoners were sentenced to transportation, among 
whom was William Frewen, who was transported for life for harbouring 
Ryan Puck. The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chief Baron presided. 
Sir David Roche was High Sheriff of the county.* 

Alderman John Boyse filled the office of Mayor in 1849 ; he presented 
an address of the Corporation to her Majesty the Queen, at a levee which 
was held in Dublin in August. 3 He laid the foundation of the new 
floating docks, for which he was presented with a silver trowel. He was a 
thorough liberal, a solicitor of eminence, and an energetic member of the 
independents. He died during his mayoralty about November, and was suc- 
ceeded for the remainder of the term by Laurence Quinlivan, Esq. 

January 1st, 1850, Laurence Quinlivan, Esq., was chosen Mayor. He 
presided at a banquet given by the citizens to General Lord Gough on his 
Lordship's return from India, 16th May. 4 He also attended the Lord 

1848 — 1st Dec A sum of £120 a year, which had heen granted out of the corporate funds 

to the " Philosophical Society", was now discontinued hy a vote of the Corporation. 

1 Thackeray, who more than once expended his gall on Limerick, wrote a ludicrous ballad 
on the subject for Punch. 

The Chief Baron Pigott had sentenced Ryan to be hanged on the 6th of February, which 
being Sunday, the day was changed to the 7th of the month. 

3 On the*3rd of September Mr. Hampton, the aeronaut, accompanied by Hampden Russell, 
Esq., and Mr. Townsend, C.E., made a successful ascent in the magnificent balloon, Erin-Go- 
Bragh, from a yard in Cecil Street. 

4 Hugh Viscount Gough was born at Woodsdown, in the county of Limerick, in 1779. His 
father was Lieutenant-Colonel of the City of Limerick Militia for many years, and was present 



510 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Mayor of London's Banquet to Prince Albert with the Mayors of the 
United Kingdom, in furtherance of the great industrial exhibition of all 
nations. 

1851, Thaddeus M'Donnell, Esq., was sworn Mayor on the 1st of 
January. 

This year was particularly remarkable for the great excitement caused 
by the attempt to get up a new persecution against Catholics, under pre- 
tence of repelling " papal aggression", consequent on a foolish and inflam- 
matory letter of Lord John Russell. The subject caused the greatest in- 
dignation in Limerick, in which meetings were now held supporting Mr. 
J. O'Connell, for tenant right, and to memorial the Queen in favour of Mr. 
W. S. O'Brien. At a stormy gathering of the Corporation, an attempt 
had been made to get a vote of censure passed against the city members, 
but in vain. Mr. O'Connell's resignation was afterwards reluctantly accep- 
ted, and he was succeeded in the representation by the Earl of Arundel 
and Surrey, who was received by the Catholic Bishop and clergy and a great 
number of citizens on his arrival, and who, for the short time he continued 
representative, contributed largely to the local charities. 

1852, January 1st, Thomas Kane, Esq., M.D., J.P., Mayor. 
January 27th, a great banquet was given in Limerick in honour of Lord 

Arundel, who, however, was unavoidably absent. 

There was a general election this year. Robert Potter and Francis Wm. 
Russell, Esqrs., were returned members for the city. Mr. Sergeant O'Brien 
was the third candidate, and lost his election by a small majority. The ex- 
citement consequent on his defeat was tremendous. 

The requirements of the city demanding improved market accommoda- 

1851. — Richard L. Sheil died at Florence, in the May of this year. 

Sunday, 5th October. — A most extraordinary tornado, which caused several singular accidents, 
and considerable damage to property, took place in Limerick. One man, Thomas Ryan, was 
blown down and killed. It was exactly like a West Indian hurricane, and had been pre- 
indicated by a small cloud. 

in command of that regiment, at the brilliant action of Colooney. At the early age of 13, 
young Gough was appointed by Colonel Vereker to a commission in the City of Limerick Regi- 
ment, whence he was transferred by the influence of his kind patron to the line. After a short 
time he joined the 87th Regiment, with which he proceeded to the West Indies, and was present 
at the attack upon Port Rico and the taking of Surinam. But events of greater importance 
were occurring elsewhere, and Gough, with the gallant 87th, were ordered to the Peninsula. 

Whilst Napoleon was making himself master of Vienna, and gathering fresh laurels at 
Wagram, Sir Arthur Welle sley, with a force including the 87th Regiment, then under the tem- 
porary command of Gough, was engaged in a series of brilliant operations before Oporto, from 
which he ultimately drove Soult, and delivered Portugal from the enemy. Gough, then Major, 
accompanied Sir Arthur in his advance into Spain, and distinguished himself in the glorious 
action of Talavera. Here he was severely wounded, and had a horse shot under him. Gough 
obtained his brevet Lieutenant -Colonelcy. At Barossa, his regiment again covered itself with 
glory. Gough led the gallant charge of the 87th, and captured the first French eagle taken 
during the war. 

Again we meet the gallant Gough and the 87th on the blood stained field of Vittoria (June, 
1813), where his regiment captured the baton of Marshal Jourdan, which procured the baton of a 
Field Marshal of England to Lord Wellington. But Lord Gough's day had not yet arrived. 
From thence it may shortly be said, that Gough always did his duty — that he was severely 
wounded at the battle of the Nivelle (November, 1814) — that he received from the king of 
Spain the honour of knighthood, as a special mark of his Majesty's admiration of his conduct 
during the war, and that he then retired into a comparatively private state till the year 1837, 
when he was appointed to the command of the Mysore division in India, having previously (in 
1830) obtained the rank of Major-General. 

England having become involved in war with the Celestial Empire, Gough was selected in 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 511 

tion, an act of parliament was passed this year for establishing public markets 
in Limerick, by which all agricultural produce, cattle, etc., must be sold 
in the public market-places alone ; and all corn, butter, etc., must be weighed 
by the Markets' Trustees previous to sale, a system which has given much 
satisfaction to buyers and sellers; and a sum of about £1,500 a year is paid 
to the Corporation out of the revenues of the markets in lieu of their 
former tolls. 

The question of the O'Connell monument again arose during the mayor- 
alty of Dr. Kane ; and there being no appearance of the national monu- 
ment in Dublin, the propriety of renewed local exertion was mooted to 
commemorate the fame of the illustrious chieftain in " the city of the vio- 
lated treaty". Through the exertions of the Mayor and the Rev. R. J. 
O'Higgin, O.S.F., a meeting was convened on Wednesday the 2nd of No- 
vember, when the chair was taken by the Mayor ; the Town Clerk, Joseph 
Murphy, Esq., was requested to act as Secretary. It was proposed by 
Maurice Lenihan, Esq., seconded by Rev. R. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., and 
unanimously resolved — 

" That we hereby agree to retain the O'Connell Fund at present in the Pro- 
vincial Bank of Ireland for the purpose of erecting a local monument to the 
memory of the illustrious Liberator". 

It was further resolved, on the motion of Eugene O'Callaghan, Esq., 
seconded by Joseph Murphy, Esq. — 

" That this committee devise the most appropriate mode of applying the fund 
in bank, and any additional sums that may be subscribed, in commemoration of 
the memory and fame of O'Connell, having regard to the original object for 
which the fund was subscribed, and that this committee report accordingly the 
result to a future meeting". 

A subscription list was opened among those present, and a sum of £30 
was laid down. It was further resolved that the Mayor should communi- 
cate with John Hogan, the eminent Irish sculptor, on the subject ; and a 
stirring article in the " Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator" gave 
further impetus to a movement, which, in the estimation of the public at 
large, had already made great progress, but which required a few years 
more to develop into the fullest and most perfect proportions. 

1853, January 1st, William Henry Hall, Esq., Mayor. 

1840, to command the British. Conquests in remote parts of the Empire having proved quite 
useless, General Gough determined to strike some blow which would really be felt at the seat of 
Empire, and a peace for which the Emperor paid twenty-one millions of dollars was the 
immediate result. 

In 1842, General Gough was created a baronet, as a reward for his conduct in China, and in 
August, 1 843, he was appointed Commander-in-chief in India — shortly after which, the victories 
of Maharaghpoor and Puniar showed that the position he filled was not an honorary one. The 
first campaign against the Seiks, terminated after the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, in 
the decisive victory of Sabraon; and Gough was rewarded by being elevated to the peerage. In 
1849 he was further elevated to a Viscounty. 

But the Seiks were not yet subjugated. Lord Gough was recalled, and Sir Charles Napier 
was appointed to succeed him. But before his successor arrived, the veteran had met the 
enemy enormously reinforced, at Googerat. The British arms triumphed, and Gough ter- 
minated his career in India only with the complete termination of the war. 
^ Lord Gough shortly afterwards returned to Ireland covered with glory, having beensuccess- 
sively created a Baronet, Baron, and Viscount, a Field Marshal, and having thrice received the 
thanks of Parliament for his gallant achievements. 

In the^ land of his birth, surrounded by retainers who love him, this venerable warrior devotes 
the evening of his days to the social improvement of his fellow countrymen. 



512 HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. 

Limerick exhibited in this year some cheering signs of remunerative 
employment and commercial advancement. At the lace factory in Upper 
Glentworth Street, 740 hands were employed, and in Messrs. Forrest's in 
Abbey Court, 420, besides establishments in Clare Street, Patrick Street, and 
from 200 to 300 small job houses throughout the city, altogether employ- 
ing some 8,500 females. The Messrs. Russell's spinning mill on the North 
Strand was also rapidly being prepared. The Foynes Railway was pro- 
jected; and the Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd instructed a number of 
young women at their convent, in making Valenciennes lace. Orna- 
mental art also received a great impetus in the government school of design 

January 1st, 1854, Henry Watson, Esq., who had been Mayor under 
the old corporate regime in 1823-'24-'25, was elected under the pro- 
visions of the Limerick Corporation Act, 1 which, while it referred to 
the Limerick Improvement Act, gave the Corporation increased powers 
of taxation, etc., changed the boundaries of the wards, limited the num- 
ber of Aldermen to eight, and gave four Councillors to each of the 
eight wards. It was a strange sight to witness the exponent of the ex- 
ploded system of corporate misdeeds chosen as the first Mayor of what 
may be termed the second reformed Corporation ; but the liberals of that 
body not being able to agree among themselves on a candidate of their 
own party, they chose Alderman Watson, who fell into their ranks and 
acted with that section of the council. During his Mayoralty, Alderman 
Watson traversed, according to ancient usage, the land and water bounda- 
ries of the municipality. In July, accompanied by the Corporation, he 

1853. — Sept. 2nd. — The Commissioners reported in favour of the Shannon as compared with 
Galway, as a transatlantic packet station. 

September 28th. — The Lord Lieutenant and the Countess of St. Germans visited Messrs. 
Russell's factory on the North Strand. The great Munster fair was established, to which an extra 
fair was added in 1 865. The Floating Docks, the finest work of the kind in Ireland, were 
opened by the Earl St. Germans, who was entertained on this occasion at a great banquet in the 
theatre. On the previous day his Excellency turned the first sod of the Foynes Railway, on the 
estate of Lord Monteagle, at Foynes. 

War proclaimed against Russia. The Irish Militia embodied. 

Terms agreed to for telegraphic communication between Limerick and London. 

Wm. Smith O'Brien released by the " spontaneous act of Government". The spontaneity is 
believed to have received considerable stimulus from the zeal of his former parliamentary 
colleague, Mr. Monsell. 

April 17th. — A great meeting was held in St. Michael's Church, Limerick, to adopt a petition 
against the new measures for the invasion of nunneries. The Mayor presided. The Right 
Rev. Dr. Ryan made a powerful speech on the occasion. The petition was signed by upwards 
of 10,000 persons. Mr. Whiteside's bill was shelved by a count out. 

Young Men's Societies established by the Rev. R. B. O'Brien, C.C., of St. Mary's. The Very 
Rev. Dr. Cahill delivered the third of his course of scientific lectures to this Society, in the 
July of this year, at the Theatre Royal, Limerick. 

185L — August 5th. — Dr. Geary reported that a great number of cases of cholera had appeared 
of late in the city. 

September 28th. — Death of one of the city representatives, Robert Potter, Esq. The 
funeral procession to Mount St. Laurence Cemetery was attended by the Corporation and other 
public bodies. 

October 26th. — A Meeting was held at the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding, for the purpose 
of opening a subscription for the widows and orphans of soldiers, lately fallen in action in the 
Crimea. The Earl of Clare and the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, the Catholic Bishop, attended. 

October 28th. — Sergeant O'Brien was returned without opposition M.P. for the city. 

November. — Scattery Island was annexed, by order of Privy Council, to the barony of 
Moyarta, in the county Clare. 

December. — S. E. de Vere, Esq., canvassed the county of Limerick successfully; Mr. Bar- 
rington, less so ; Colonel Dickson, a candidate, withdrew from the field. 

1 16th and 17th Vic, cap. lxxiii. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 513 

exercised the rights of Admiralty on the Shannon; he entertained the 
members of the Corporation sumptuously on board the river steamer, which, 
when off Scattery Island, grounded for a short time, to the alarm of all on 
board. Alderman Watson was an active chief magistrate, and went 
loyally with the party to which he had newly allied himself. 

January 1st, 1855, Henry O'Shea, Esq., Mayor. 

It was in this year that, at a meeting of the Corporation, on the 17th of 
May, the Mayor (Henry O'Shea, Esq.) in the chair, an announcement was 
made by him which took the citizens by surprise, viz., that a sum of 
£1 ,040 had been subscribed for the erection of a statue in Limerick to the 
memory of Lord Viscount Fitzgibbon, who fell at the battle of Balaklava ; 
and Mr. O'Shea proposed that the centre of the Crescent should be allo- 
cated by the Corporation as a site for the intended monument. Five 
members of the Council who had taken an active and earnest interest in 
the O'Connell monument movement, did not permit this intimation to pass 
without an expression on their part of strong disapproval that any site for 
the Fitzgibbon testimonial should be set apart without first consulting the 
Council. Among the citizens generally there was marked disapprobation. 
The subject was taken up with warmth and energy by them, and by the 
Reporter and Vindicator newspaper ; meetings were held ; and at a subse- 
quent meeting of the Council, a resolution was adopted refusing the site at 
the Crescent for the Fitzgibbon monument, and affirming a proposition that 
it should be given to the projected one to the Liberator. A committee was 
appointed to collect additional subscriptions ; Thomas Roche, Esq., Thomas 
Kane, Esq., M.D., J.P., and Michael Quin, Esq., were named as treasurers, 1 
and the Rev. R. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., and Maurice Lenihan, Esq., secre- 
taries. An impassioned appeal was printed and circulated, which called upon 
the people generally to vindicate the memory of O'Connell, by largely con- 
tributing to a monument destined to perpetuate his memory in Limerick. 
Contributions poured in from every quarter. The committee advertised for 
sculptors to send in estimates for a bronze statue and pedestal, which re- 
sulted in an agreement with Hogan for the work, which was carried through 
with complete success, as we shall see as we proceed. The Fitzgibbon 
monument, which we have already described, was completed within a 
short time ; and the Wellesley Bridge, as we have seen, was chosen by its 
projectors, where it was duly inaugurated. 

An important inquiry was held this year by the Queen's Commissioners 
who were appointed to inquire into the endowments, funds, and actual 
condition of the schools endowed for the purposes of education in Ireland. 
The Commissioners opened the proceedings on the 1st of September, in the 
grand jury room of the County of Limerick Courthouse. A large amount 
of evidence was given, in relation particularly to the Protestant Endowed 
Schools, on which, in general, they reported unfavourably ; indeed, well 
nigh with unreserved hostility, showing that a great change should be 
made in their constitution and management. 2 The Commissioners bestowed 

1855. Fountains were in this year erected for the use of the poorer classes of the city. 

1 Mr. Roche, owing to advanced age, did not act, upon which Eugene O'Callaghan, Esq., was 
substituted. 

2 The schools inquired into on this occasion by the Commissioners, viz., the Marquis of 
Kildare, Rev. Dr. Charles Graves, Robert Andrews, LL.D., George Henry Hughes, Esq., Q.C., 
now one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, and Archibald John Stephens, Esq., were: — 

1. The Diocesan Free School for the Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe, and Kilfenora. It 

34 



514 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the highest possible praise on the Catholic schools, and particularly on the 
schools of the Christian Brothers. 

The year 1856 was destined to witness other remarkable movements on 
the part of the citizens of Limerick. James Spaight, Esq., was elected to 
the^ mayoralty on the 1st of January. On the 27th of the same month 
an influential meeting of the parishioners of St. Johns, was held in the old 
chapel of that parish, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan in the chair. The meeting 
was called for the purpose of devising means of raising subscriptions towards 
the erection of a new church or cathedral in that historic parish. The 
attendance of clergy and laity proved the interest which was taken in the 
movement. The venerable bishop spoke in liberal terms, expressing 
himself certain that the good work would be aided and encouraged not 
only by the Catholics of the diocese, but by those Protestant friends who 
had given the benefit of a generous cooperation on other occasions to 
Catholic projects. A subscription was then and there opened for the 
parish itself, which realized a sum of £615 7s. The Rev. William 
Bourke stated that the idea of holding the meeting that day had been 
suggested by Mr. Richard Raleigh, one of their energetic and intelli- 
gent parishioners. The enthusiasm spread. Money poured in. The 
site chosen for the new church, was within a few yards of the famous gate 
of St. John's, where so many patriots had suffered death at the hands of 
Ireton, and in immediate proximity to the spot from which the legions 
of Wilham had been hurled with defeat and disaster in 1 690. The Bishop 
then proceeded to the parishes adjoining the city, where he was received 
with equal warmth and generosity ; and after some time he went through 
the several parishes of the diocese, where he was heartily welcomed, and 
where large sums were contributed by clergy and people. 

appears from the report* that there had been a school in Limerick in 1788, with a house in bad 
condition ; there were twenty-six boys, but none free. There was at the same time a school in 
Killaloe, with nineteen boys, of whom two were free, but no schoolhouse. In 1809 there was no 
available schoolhouse in Limerick, the old one being in ruins ; but tbere was a schoolhouse with 
a garden at Killaloe, and twenty-eight boys, but no free scholars. The Grand Juries of the 
county and city of Limerick were the first to exercise the enlarged powers conferred on them in 
1813 to present for schoolhouses, and they began to create a fund for the purpose in 1816. In 
1823 the fund amounted to £1640; but it was not until 1837 that they were able to realize it, 
owing to the fact that it remained in the hands of the county treasurer, when at length it was 
handed over to a committee of management for the building of a schoolhouse. A memorial 
from the bishop and clergy of the dioceses of Killaloe and Kilfenora was presented to the com- 
missioners, in which they complained that since the annexation of their school to Limerick, 
they paid a yearly sum of £75, from which they received no benefit, and they prayed that the 
money should be given for the establishment of Exhibitions in Trinity College, or in any other 
way that might be approved of. The commissioners disapproved of the way in which the 
school was conducted, there being but five scholars there on their visit, whereas there had been 
seventy-four in 1838. The school in this year (1865) is under the management of the Rev. Dr. 
Hall, and contains eleven pupils, of -whom four are free. 

2. PaUasgrene (Erasmus Smith's) School, which has been connected with the Church Educa- 
tion Society, and which the Commissioners pronounced defective in the extreme, though enjoy- 
ing large endowments. Erasmus Smith's estates in the county Limerick are worth £3,000 a year. 

3. Christian Brothers' Schools, of which we have spoken in reference to the favourable 
report in a previous chapter, and which have added wonderfully to the moral and intellectual 
advancement of the children of the Catholic artizans, etc., in Limerick. 

4. Limerick Bow Lane Charity Blue School, founded on Mrs. Alice Craven's charity, on 
which the Commissioners reported unfavourably. The annual revenue of the charity amounted 
to a sum of £59 10s. 4d., of which £27 is the rent of the property or part of the property granted 
by Mrs. Craven ; £11 Is. 6d. the interest of £200 lent by the Trustees to the Dean and Chapter, 
and £21 8s. 10d., the dividend on a sum which had hem recovered by the Commissioners of 
Charitable Donations and Bequests, after having been lent on private security by the Trustees. 

* Report of the Queen's Commissioners, etc., etc. A.D. 1858. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 515 

The first of May was chosen for the laying of the foundation stone of the 
new cathedral. The congregated trades took part in a ceremony which had 
not been exampled for ages in Limerick. The Temperance Societies, 
the Young Men's Societies, the Christian Brothers and their numerous 
pupils, the Religious Confraternities, with banners and emblems enwreathed 
with laurels, the Committee of the Cathedral, with wands and rosettes, 
mustered in considerable numbers. The secular and regular clergy of the 
city assembled, and many from the country, as did the mayor and several 
members of the Corporation. 

The Town Clerk, the treasurer, and the City Surveyor, were present ; 
the mayor and members of the Corporation robed in their scarlet mantles 
in the Town Hall, from which they issued to join the procession. The 
following was the order of the procession : — 

Banner of the Church. 
Boys of the Christian Brothers' Schools. 
Christian Brothers. 
& Young Men's Society. J 

"S a! 

«2 m en 

2 Temperance Societies — St. Michael's, St. Mary's, g 

5 St. Munchin's, St. John's. « 

Congregated Trades. ^ 

£ -5 

£ Each Trade with its banner. £ 

6 oT 
:£ Citizens. § 

a a 

S Clergymen. g 

& ... O 

7g The Bishop's Carriage, containing ^ 

£ The Bishop, | 

Jj The Mayor, 

^ and 

Sir Vere de Vere, Bart. 

Trades with banners. 

February (1855).— Death of John O'Brien, Esq., late M.P. for many years for the citv of 
winch he was a native, and which he represented with honour to himself and credit to the city. 

Electric Telegraph Company completed their arrangements for communication with Limerick. 

The bakers of Limerick commence an agitation for the abolition of night work, which in the 
following year was done away with by some of the proprietors for a short time only. 

September 8th — Thomond Estates advertised for sale. 

October 23. — A deputation from all the conferences of St. Vincent de Paul waited upon the 
Right Worsbipful Robert Tighe, Esq., chairman of the county and city, to secure his assistance 
in checking the multiplication of public houses throughout the city. 

October 31st. — Smith O'Brien addressed a letter to the Rev. Dr. O'Connor on the grievances of 
the Limerick fishermen. 

November. — County Limerick magistrates met to distribute the police force. Death of 
Augustus Stafford, Esq., M. P. 

The school was confined for a long time to the education of the choir boys of St. Mary's Cathe- 
dral, many of whom were natives of England. It is now (l 865) merely a sinecure of the master's. 
5. Villiers's endowments: — The Schools in Nicholas Street under these endowments are placed 
in connection with the National Board of Education. Those in Henry Street remain on their 
original footing. The Charity Estate applicable for these purposes consists of £47 19s. Id. 
a year, derived from a rent-charge, and £656 4s. from personal estate in the funds, amounting 



^3 



516 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



The streets and windows were densely lined throughout with admiring 
groups, as the well arranged procession moved to the Crescent, where it 
passed around the site of the intended monument to O'Connell; it then 
went on the Military Road, and through the streets in that part of the city, 
to St. John's Square, where some thousands of spectators awaited its ap- 
pearance, and where the Bishop proceeded with the ceremony accompanied 
and surrounded by the clergy, the Mayor and members of the Corporation, 
the public bodies, the trades, etc. In a cavity in the stone, coins and records 
were placed, with an inscription in Irish, Greek, Latin, Italian, French, 
German, Flemish, and English, written on vellum and enclosed in a phial. 
The following is the inscription in Latin : — 



A.M.D.G. S.I.B. 

AD FUTUEAM REI MEMORIAM. 

Anno Sal. Mun. MDCCCLVI. 
Pio IX. Sum. Pont. 
Dom. Jacobo Spaight Urb. Preef. 
Kev. Gulielmo Bourke Par. 
Fer. Ascen. D.N.I.C. 
Kal. Maii. 
Reverendissimus Joannes Ryan Ep. Lim. 
Anno Sui Ep. XXXI. 
Huj. Eccas. Cath. 
D. O. M. 
Sub invoc. S. Joan. Bap : Et Patro. 
B. ac. Immac. Marise Semp. Virg. Sumpt. 
fid. iEdific. lap. primar. adstant. et 
favent. Urb. Prgef. Magistrat. cor. mun. 
Ord. cler. turn reg. turn sec. ingentique. 
Om. gen. civ. mult, rite ac. solen. collocavit. 
P. C. Haedwick, Arch. 
Gulielmo Wallace, Edif. 
Fundamenta ejus in montibus Sanctis : Diligit 
Dominus Portas Sion super omnia tabernacula 
Jacob. — Psalm lxxxvi. 



to £21,837 2s. 3d. There has been now over a sum of £7,507 18s. Id. expended by the trustees 
on the purchase of a site, and on building the Schoolhouses in Henry Street and Nicholas Street, 
and the Yilliers Alms House. The Commissioners report rather well of the Henry Street 
school, in which the average attendance is 50 boys and 44 girls. In Nicholas Street the num- 
bers are less. 

6. Dr. Jeremiah Hall's Schools (St. Mary's), to which we have referred at length, page 272. 
The Commissioners report favourably of the boys' school. The property is worth £200 a year. A 
sum of £379, in 3 per cent, stock, belongs to the Institution independently of the property. 

7. Hartstonge Street Leamy Free Schools :— William Leamy, Esq., in 1814, left £13,300 for 
the education of the children of the poor in Ireland, especially those in the neighbourhood of 
the city of Limerick. A decree of the Court of Chancery in England enabled the Commissioners 
of Charitable Bequests to recover the endowment. In 1841, the Court of Chancery in Ireland 
settled the way in which the endowment should be made. The pupils were to be taught gra- 
tuitously, and to receive a good English education; members of the Church of England to be 
instructed in the Scriptures, and Roman Catholics in the Scripture lessons in the National 
School books. A sum of £3,940 was expended on the schools and site in Hartstonge Street, a 
brick building in the Elizabethan style. In latter years no Roman Catholics whatever attend 
this school, which is supported by the interest of the balance of £10,000, which was transferred 
to this country after the obtainment of the decree from the English Court of Chancery. The 
Catholic bishop was one of the governors of this institution after its establishment, but we do 
not believe he ever acted, and the school now (1865) is exclusively Protestant. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 517 

The day was brought to a close bj an entertainment which was given by 
the Rev. William Bourke to the Bishop, Mayor, Corporation, etc. The 
collection for this church began in 1840, when Mr. S. Hastings was secretary. 

The Mayor, in July, laid the foundation stone of a building intended for 
a Sailors' Home, in Frederick Street, but never used for that purpose ; and 
presided at a grand banquet which was given to the Viceroy, the Earl of 
Carlisle, in the theatre, on the same night. 

For the year after (1857) Dr. Thomas Kane was elected, a second 
time, to the Mayoralty; and on this occasion a proceeding was taken 
by the Corporation, which deserves notice from the fact that it was found 
inoperative almost immediately after its adoption. To ensure the return 
of Dr. Kane, a majority of the Corporation, consisting of twenty-seven 
members, carried a resolution by which what is termed " the rotatory 
system" was adopted. By this resolution it was decided that a Catholic 
and Protestant should fill the office of Mayor each alternate year; a 
stretch of liberality on the part of the Catholic majority of the Council 
which has been rarely paralleled in other places, and of which there is no 
record, or anything approaching to it, where the Protestant party are nu- 
merically the stronger. But though the resolution was rescinded the 
following year, on the ground that it produced anything but harmony 
in the council, it was not until the year 1864 that it was practically 
abolished. 

The project of the O'Connell monument was brought to a successful 
termination during Dr. Kane's mayoralty ; and the 15 th of August — 
Lady Day — witnessed one of the most gorgeous and solemn demonstra- 
tions of which Limerick has been the scene ; Hogan's bronze statue of the 
Liberator being then inaugurated with all the pomp and civic ceremonial 
befitting the great event, and in the presence of several thousands of the citi- 
zens, as well as of the people of the neighbouring counties. There was a 
procession, in which the clergy were fully represented; the Mayor and 
Corporation appeared dressed in civic costume ; the trades were active 
and energetic in doing honour to the occasion ; the public bodies of the 
city were all present. At the monument a platform was raised, and 
was occupied by the leading Catholics of city and county, including the 
Earl of Dunraven, the city member, Sergeant O'Brien, etc. The Mayor 
presided ; and the secretaries, viz., the Rev. R. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., and 
Maurice Lenihan, Esq., occupied their places near him. Flags and streamers 
were thrown across the streets ; trees were transplanted to positions near the 
carriage way, and triumphal arches were formed, on which patriotic devices 
were exhibited ; the people never appeared more enthusiastic. The Earl of 
Dunraven, who took part in the procession and the proceedings, made a 
remarkable speech, in which he bestowed a deserved amount of praise on 
the memory of the illustrious Irishman in whose honour they had assembled 
to unveil his statue. In referring to the mighty changes wrought by 
O'Connell, the noble Earl spoke of the fact that an ancestor of his (the 
Earl of Dunraven's) had changed from the Catholic to the Protestant 
creed, a century before, in order to retain his property — an act which he said 
deserved his strongest reprobation. The meeting was also addressed by 
Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, M.P., and other gentlemen. The statue is eight 
feet high, and forms a conspicuous object in the middle of the Crescent 
— a noble likeness of the immortal O'Connell. It is raised on a granite 
pedestal, thirteen feet high; in front of which is cut, in gilt letters: — ■ 



518 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



O'CONNELL. 
Thomas Kane, 
Mayor. 



On the western side is the date of its erection- 



MDCCCLVII. 



Thus Limerick may boast that it was the first city in Ireland practically to 
recognize the claims and support the memory of Daniel O'Connell. The 
monument cost £1000; and the gifted sculptor admitted that he had 
never before been so generously treated. The entire expense amounted 
to £1,300, which was promptly paid. 

In November this year disputes arose in the Corporation respecting the 
compromise just referred to. The Protestant party, moreover, did not 
agree among themselves as to the choice of a mayor. Mr. Edmund 
Gabbett, a Protestant, was put in nomination for the coming year — Mr. 
W. L. Joynt, a Protestant also, had been already in the field with every 
prospect of success. The members of the Council who did not sign the 
" rotatory" resolution of the 1st of December, 1856, and some of those 
who^did sign it, deemed themselves, under the circumstances, free to vote 
for either candidate. At a meeting of the Council on the 10th of Decem- 
ber, the compromising document was ordered to be erased from the records 
of the Council. 1 

1 Monday, 1st December, 1856. 

A doeument signed by twenty seven members of the Council, to secure a Rotatory Election of 
Mayor for the future, was handed to the Mayor. 
And on motion of Alderman Fitzgerald, It was ordered, 

That the annexed Document be inserted on the minutes. 

We the undersigned members of the Corporation, anxious to promote good feeling and har- 
mony in that body, (in the event of Dr. Kane being this day elected) do adopt the Rotatory 
System in the annual election for the Mayoralty, as practised with so much satisfaction in the 
city of Dublin. 

Dated this 1st day of December, 1856. 

"It is understood by the above that the party now opposed to Dr. Kane shall have the selec- 
tion for the year 1858. 



Thomas Kane, 


John Barry, 




W. L. Joynt, 




William Sheehy, 


Patrick Mulcahy, 




Edmond Gabbett, 




Michael Dawson, 


John M'Donnell, 




S. Bourchier, 




Henry Watson, 


John Fitzgerald, 




Arthur Russell, 




Robert MacMahon, 


Francis Ward, 




William Fitzgerald, 




John Thomas Devitt, 


Robert Keyes, 




Henry O'Shea, 




Eugene O'Callaghan, 


James Spaight, May 


3r, 


William Spaight, 




David Garvey, 


William O'Hara, 




William Phayer, 




Stephen Hastings, 


Robert Rodger, 




Francis Spaight". 




A meeting was held on the 1( 


)th December, 1857. 


The folic 


wing were present : — 




T 


bomas Kane, Mayor, in the Cha 


ir, 




Aid. Watson, 


T. C. Barrington, 




T. C. Fitzgerald, 




Aid. Tinsley, 


„ J. Spaight, 




„ O'Callaghan, 




Aid. Fitzgerald, 


„ Purcell, 




„ Garvey, 




Aid. Mulcahy, 


„ M-Mahon, 




„ Cullen, 




T. C. Sheehy, 


„ Lenihan, 




,, Ryan, 




„ M. Kelly, 


„ Barry, 




„ Hastings, 




,, Devitt. 


„ Keyes, 




„ Russell, 




„ Ellard, 


„ Ward, 




„ Phayer. 




„ Boyse, 


„ M 'Sheehy, 








The resolution and document < 


)f the 1 st of December 


1856,") 


vhich had been found to p 


•oduce 


anything but harmony in the co 


unci!", were unanimously rescin 


tied and cancelled. 





HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 519 

The election having gone in favour of Mr. Gabbett, he was sworn 
into the mayoralty on the 1st of January, 1858. 

Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, M.P. for the city, being this year appointed one 
of the Judges of the Queen's Bench, his seat was vacated ; and an active 
canvass was instituted by Major George Gavin, of Kilpeacon, and 
John Ball, Esq., son of the late Right Hon. Nicholas Ball, one of the 
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the vacancy ; both gentlemen 
being liberals, and of the same religious persuasion, Catholics. Strong 
feelings were aroused, and influential sections of the liberal party became 
divided into adverse camps. The result of the election, which ended on 
the 7th of February, favoured Major Gavin, who had a majority of 49 
votes. On a petition instituted by Mr. Ball, however, a new election was 
ordered by the House of Commons. Major Gavin having been disquali- 
fied on this occasion on a charge of bribery, for which it was admitted he 
was morally, though not legally, irresponsible, Mr. James Spaight was 
taken up by Major Gavin's supporters to oppose Mr. Ball, who again 
entered the arena. At this election Mr. Spaight was returned, Mr. Ball, 
on the 3rd of May, having withdrawn without going to the poll. Several 
election rioters were incarcerated, but were liberated by the Lord Lieu- 
tenant on the 27th of May. 

On the 24th of May, John O'Connel], Esq., " the beloved son" of the 
Liberator, died at Kingstown. He had been some few years before 
member for Limerick. He was a man of distinguished abilities, an able 
writer and debater, and of the highest character in public and private life. 
Meantime, the progress of Catholic institutions, schools, and churches 
in Limerick, had become one of the most remarkable phases of the 
year at which we have arrived. An event of great interest, and one 
that attracted an immense concourse, was the laying the foundation stone, 
on the 30th of May, of the new and beautiful church of St. Alphonsus by 
the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, who was surrounded by the clergy of the city, 
secular and regular. The Redemptorist Fathers, who follow the rule of 
their founder, St. Alphonsus de Liguori, had their first residence in Lime- 
rick at Bank Place, where they opened a small oratory on the Feast of 
Saint Andrew (November 28), 1853. In the May following they had 
built on the South Circular Road a comparatively small church, which ad- 
joined the site of the present one; and during the years 1856 and 1857, at 
a cost of £6,000, a conventual establishment, which is one of the architec- 
tural ornaments of the city. The walls of the church had been already 
raised some feet above the surface, and these having been flagged, boarded 
over, and carpeted, formed a suitable course for this grand religious proces- 
sion. The transept of the church is 73 feet — the nave and side aisles 70 
feet wide — the length 176 feet — the height 67 feet from the nave floor to 
the apex of the ceiling. All the religious orders of the city, and the 
representatives of every public body were present. The arrangements 
were admirable ; and the day was brilliant. Two episcopal thrones were 
placed in suitable positions, one for the Bishop of Limerick and the other 
for the Bishop of Kerry, who, however, was unavoidably absent: these 
thrones were canopied over with crimson velvet, and were gilded and 
festooned. The procession left the sanctuary of the small temporary 
church of the Fathers at half-past two o'clock, preceded by cross-bearer, 
acolytes, standard-bearers, boys in surplices and soutanes, boys bearing the 
rule and square, the trowel and hod ; lay brothers bearing the banner of 



520 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

St. Alphonsus ; bands of music ; Christian Brothers, two and two ; boys in 
the picturesque habits of the Dominican order; the Dominican Fathers 
in their white habits; the Redemptorist Fathers; the Franciscan and 
Augustinian Fathers ; the secular clergy. The venerable Bishop followed 
in magnificent cloth-of-gold pontifical robes, with mitre and crozier, ac- 
companied by the Very Rev. Dean Butler, and the General of the Re- 
demptorist order for the provinces of Holland and England. The Earl 
and Countess of Fingall, father and mother of the Hon. and Rev. Wil- 
liam Matthew Plunkett, one of the Redemptorist Fathers of Mount St. 
Alphonsus ; Lord Killeen, Lady Killeen, Hon. Lady H. Ridell, Mr. Ridell, 
the Ladies Plunkett, Mr. Corbally, M.P., Major Cruise, etc., were among 
the distinguished laity present. The ceremonial having been gone through, 
the Earl of Fingall placed a phial in the stone, containing a medal com- 
memorative of the National Synod of Thurles, and pieces of the current 
English, French, and Roman coins. The phial was sealed with the 
episcopal seal of Limerick, and the following inscription on vellum was 
placed in it also : — 



Pio IX. Pontifice maximo 

feliciter regnante, 

Victoria Brittaniarum Regina, 

Nostra? Congregationis, anno CX VII., 

Nicolao Mauron, rectore majore, 

Joanne Bapt. Swinkels, Provincias Hollandige et Anglise 

Proesule, 

Joanne Bapt. Roes, Hujus Domus Limericensis Rectore, 

Hunc Lapidem angularem 

Ecclsesise Sti. Alphonsi, 

Posuit 

Joannes Ryan, Episcopus Limericensis : 

Die XXX Maii, Anno Domini 

MDCCCLVIII. 

William E. Corbett, . P. C. Hardwick, 

Contractor. Architectus. 



The ceremony was in every respect creditable to all who took part in 
it. Mr. Hardwick was architect to the convent and church : the convent 
and foundations of the church were built by Mr. W. E. Corbett, C.E., and 
the superstructure of the church by Messrs. Wallace and Sons. Convent 
and church cost about £20,000. 

Thus religion was gaining new conquests by the erection of a church 
which is justly regarded as a model of architectural skill and good taste ; 
and the spirit for which Limerick was famous in other days was develop- 
ing itself irresistibly. 

An energetic movement was made this year in favour of obtaining a 
Packet Station on the River Shannon : a large and influential meeting was 

Dec. 15th. — Inaugural Address delivered at the Mechanics' Institute by W. S. O'Brien, Esq. 
The Anniversary of New Year's Day was celebrated in Ballingarry by a ball given ia the fine 
old ruin of Delacy's Castle. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 521 

held in the Town Hall, on the 7th of October, at which resolutions in favour 
of the project were adopted by acclamation, and a memorial to the Trea- 
sury agreed on. 

Michael Robert Ryan, Esq., J.P., was elected Mayor for 1859. A ge- 
neral election took place in the month of May. F. W. Russell, Esq , was 
elected M.P. for the third time, and Major Gavin was elected M.P. the se- 
cond time for the city. Mr. James Spaight was the unsuccessful candidate. 
In the county of Limerick the Right Hon. William Monsell headed the poll 
by an overwhelming majority. Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson and E. J. 
Synan, Esq., J. P., were the other candidates. Mr. Synan lost his election by 
a trifling majority in favour of Colonel Dickson. At the city election a most 
disastrous occurrence took place. In the evening of the 4th of May, after the 
close of the proceedings, in consequence of some stones having been thrown 
at the windows of a shopkeeper in Broad Street, the police fired on the people, 
when Wm. Clohessy, J. Phelan, J. M'Namara, John O'Brien, and another 
lad, named Meskill, were shot, and the three former died of their wounds. 
The police, who were commanded by Sub-Inspector Milling and Edward 
Gonne Bell, Esq., RM., were acquitted after a lengthened investigation, 
though a verdict of manslaughter had been returned at the coroner's in- 
quest against the stipendiary magistrate and 26 policemen. 

William Fitzgerald, Esq., was sworn into the Mayoralty on the 1st of 
January, 1860. Energetic and of much promise and ability, he exerted 
himself perseveringly for the benefit of the city. He died during his 
Mayoralty, on the 26th of October, aged 34 years, and was buried in St. 
Munchin's churchyard ; his remains were accompanied to the grave by the 
Corporation and a large concourse of citizens. In compliment to his 
memory, the Corporation had his portrait painted by Mr. Catterson Smith, 
and placed in the Council Chamber. 

At a meeting of the Corporation, on the 23rd of March, Mr. R. Russell 
made a statement in reference to the financial position of the Harbour and 
Bridge Commissioners, and proposed a plan for liquidating the liabilities 
of the Harbour Commissioners. It was epitomised in the following motion 
of Mr. Barrington, Town Councillor : l 

" To appoint a Committee for the purpose of inquiring into the propriety of 
promoting a Bill ' for transferring of the Harbour Commission to the Corpora- 
Movement in favour of a monument to Sarsfield. 
' April 26. — Mr. Monsell's motion in favour of competitive examinations for the Artillery, 
carried against the Government. 

June 18. — Meeting in the Council Chamber to sustain the collection of the O'Connell fund. 

June 26. — Visit of Prince Alfred. 

July. — The Harbour Board resolves on the removal of ruins of Carragower Mill, North 
Strand, which had been built by William Joynt, burgess, a.d. 1672. 

Nov. 23. — Funeral of Lady Barrington, who was buried in the family vault at St. Mary's 
Cathedral. 

1859. — Silver cradle presented at Temple Mungret to Mrs. Ryan, wife of the Mayor, by the 
Council and Corporate Officers, in accordance with ancient custom of the City, to commemorate 
the birth of a son and heir, on the 30th of January, in the year of his mayoralty. 

January 9, I860.— Great fire at Mr. William Delany's pawn-office, in Broad Street. 

Lord Derby withdraws or declines acting on his notice to quit, served on his Doon tenants on 
account of the murder of Mr. Crowe. 

Jan. 28. — The body of Mr. Hugh Massy O'Grady, of Castlegarde, found floating in the 
Dead River, County Limerick, near the Railway. Verdict — accidental death. 

1 This question has been taken up, in 1865, with renewed energy, by Mr. Russell and the 
Harbour Commissioners. 

35 



522 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tion, on the understanding that the Government accept in full for the debt and 
interest due to the Treasury by the Harbour Commissioners, the sum of £4,000 
a-year for fifty years, and this Council guaranteeing this sum out of the rates 
of the Borough or tolls of the Harbour' ". 

This motion was rejected after a long debate. 

A movement of surpassing interest and importance went on during the 
greater portion of this year, which marked the deep sympathy of the Ca- 
tholic hierarchy, clergy, and people, with Pope Pius IX., who had been 
suffering at the hands of the King of Italy and the Emperor of the French. 
Meetings were held throughout Ireland to sustain the Pope ; but no where 
was there more enthusiasm in the cause than in Limerick, where not only 
large sums were contributed to the Papal exchequer, but where many brave 
young fellows volunteered for enlistment in the Irish Papal Brigade, which 
was formed in Rome, and which distinguished itself in many hard-fought 
fields in Italy, viz. : Perugia, Spoletto, Castel Fidardo, and Ancona. The Go- 
vernment sought to prevent this enlistment, but young men enrolled them- 
selves rapidly notwithstanding ; and as detachments of the recruits left the 
Limerick station by train, en route to their destination, they were loudly 
applauded for their chivalrous resolution. The Right Rev. Dr. Ryan 
presided, on the 5th of June, at a meeting in St. John's old chapel, at 
which resolutions expressive of active and warm sympathy with the Pope 
were adopted, and a subscription list to aid his Holiness was opened. The 
city of Limerick contributed more largely than any other in Ireland in 
men and money, towards the cause. On the 17th of October, a solemn 
requiem High Mass was celebrated in St. Michael's church for the repose 
of the souls of the soldiers of the Irish Brigade who were slain in Italy, 
and their companions-in-arms ; and on the return home of the- surviving 
Brigaders, on the conclusion of the Italian war, an ovation awaited them in 
Limerick, whilst on the 3rd of December a grand banquet was given to 
them at the Theatre. Limerick diocese contributed a sum of £6,000 
towards the Papal exchequer this year. 

The Mayoralty for the year 1861 was well and ably filled by John 

March 10. — Death of Alderman Henry Watson, caused by the excision of a fish bone, which 
he had swallowed in Dublin. 

March 29. — Major Excommunication pronounced at Rome against the Invaders' usurpation 
of the Romagna, etc., etc. 

Mr. Hyde, master of the diocesan school, publishes letters against the managers of that 
establishment. 

May. — Terrible fire at Messrs. Boyd's, Seed Merchants, William Street. 

Movement in favour of the night-working bakers. 

May 8. — Telegraphic communication with Ennis. 

October 22. — Alderman Sheehy found burned to death in his country house in Clare, but 
whether accidentally or otherwise has not yet been clearly proved, though public opinion appears 
to incline to the latter view. 

December 17. — A Government investigation conducted in the Limerick Asylum into certain 
charges brought forward by one of the governors, David John Wilson, Esq., respecting the al- 
leged tampering with a number of entries relating to the meat contracts of the institution. 
The decision was that the charges were not made out by evidence, yet that Mr. Wilson was jus- 
tified in what he did. 

The Sisters of Mercy were admitted, after a smart contest, as hospital nurses to the Limerick 
Workhouse. 

1861 Civil war broke out this year in the hitherto United States of America. 

Prince Consort died 14th December in this year. 

Important meeting at the Town Hall to secure the advantages of the port and harbour, 
which are rendered unavailing by their being mortgaged to the Board of Works for upwards of 
£200,000. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 523 

Thomas M'Sheehy, Esq., J.P., of Shannon Lawn, who was sworn into 
office on the 1st of January, and who, by his vigilant discharge of duty, 
and the earnestness with which he interested himself on behalf of the un- 
employed labourers and artizans, merited well of the citizens. Mr. 
M'Sheehy was presented with a valuable silver testimonial on his leaving 
office. The exertions he made for the embankment of Corkanree, as a 
promenade and park for the citizens, were of the most energetic character. 
A sum of £1 100 was collected during his year of office to provide fuel for 
the poor. 

On the 25th of July this year the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. 
Butler, as coadjutor Bishop of Limerick, took place in the new Cathedral of 
St. John's, which was opened for the first time. It was an event worthy 
of remembrance. The cathedral was crowded with the hierarchy of 
Munster, headed by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Cashel, the clergy 
of the diocese of Limerick, and a vast congregation of the laity. The 
grandeur and solemnity of the sacred occasion impressed every beholder. 
The Bishop of Kerry preached the consecration sermon. 

Alderman William Lane Joynt was sworn into the office of Mayor on 
the 1st of January, 1862. 

The important local movements of this year were connected with the 
earnest support which the Catholics of Limerick gave to the Catholic 
University of Ireland : in this movement the Corporation took a creditable 
lead. The question of a charter to the Catholic University was intro- 
duced into the Corporation by Mr. Maurice Lenihan, who proposed the 
adoption of a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant in its favour, which passed 
unanimously, every Protestant in the Council supporting it by his vote. A 
deputation from the Corporation proceeded to Dubhn on the 24th of March, 
where they were entertained at a banquet by Monsignore Woodlock, Rector 
of the Catholic University, the Catholic Lord Archbishop of Dublin being 

January 24. — Meeting at Newcastle West of the Earl of Devon's tenantry, praying him to 
lower their rents. 

The Limerick National Petition Committee obtains numerous signatures. 

February 12. — The Mayor and law agent proceed to Dublin to see the Lord Lieutenant 
about the Corkanree embankment, and employment for the poor. 

Meeting of the Shannon Conservators to consider the new fishery bill, and to support the 
decision of the Commissioners relative to the removal of the Queen's Gap in the Lax Weir. 

Feb. 18. — Meeting for the relief of the poor of the city. 

March 25. — A branch of the Provincial Bank was opened at Newcastle. Same day, the 
distressed labourers of Bruff assembled in a threatening manner. 

April 1. — Death in Dublin of Sir Matthew Barrington, Crown Solicitor of Munster, one of 
the most active and energetic professional men of his time, and one of the most useful and re- 
markable of the citizens of Limerick. 

Market Trustees decide there shall be no local inspection in the Butter Market this year. 

April 2. — The Mayor of Limerick went to Dublin to attend the Cattle Show and banquet. 

May 17. — The Mayor places the royal arms sculptured in stone, which had been placed 
over the old Exchange in Mary Street, over the Town Hall, after being repainted and regilt. 

May 27. — Great meeting at the Town Hall in favour of a transatlantic packet station for 
Ireland. 

May 31. — The Harbour Board convened to petition in favour of the Galway subsidy. 

June 7th. — The Secretary of the Trades receives a letter from the Bishop of Orleans (France) 
in reply to one tbanking him for his advocacy of the poor of Partry. 

June 13. — Souper riots at Pallaskenry. 

July 4. — Council meet to address the Prince of Wales on his visit to Ireland. 

1862. — January 14. — Mr. W. S. O'Brien publishes a letter respecting the affairs of his 
property. 

January 20. — Mr. Monsell lectures on the education of Catholics. 

Address to the Protestant Bishop thanking him for removing the "Symbols of Puseyism" 
out of the Cathedral on Christmas Day. 



524 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

one of the guests. On the following day, by appointment, the deputation, 
who were joined by the Mayor, proceeded in their robes to present the me- 
morial to his Excellency the Earl of Carlisle, who, however, gave any- 
thing but a favourable reply. Indeed the conduct of the Viceroy was 
quite contrary to what was expected at his hands, when free education 
was all that the memorialists demanded. 

The education question, which has been at all times regarded by the 
citizens of Limerick with an unfailing interest, had been for some time 
before the public in reference to the Model Schools under the National 
Board of Education, all of which, built on an expensive plan, and furnished 
with every requirement, had been in existence since the 4th of September, 
1855. T Those schools were attended up to the next year (1863), in which 
Robert M'Mahon, Esq., J.P., was elected Mayor, by large numbers of Catho- 
lic children ; but a speech having been made by one of the inspectors, which 
not only elicited public attention, but which threw down the gauntlet to 
the conscientious opponents of the system, action was taken by the Right 
Rev. Dr. Butler and the clergy against the Model School system, and a 
decisive and emphatic condemnation of the Limerick Model Schools was 
the result. On the first day of the new year, from the altar of every 
Catholic church in the city, the schools were denounced, and Catholic 
parents were cautioned against permitting their children to frequent them. 
Pulpit and altar rang with warning voices against a system which the 
government had adopted, and to which it appeared determined to adhere, 
in opposition to the frequently expressed hostility to it of the Catholic 
hierarchy. These efforts on the part of the bishop and clergy were 
successful; the children were withdrawn. The establishment of an in- 
termediate school, under the direction of the Jesuit Fathers, supplied 
a want which had been for a long period experienced. The schools of 
the Christian Brothers were also brought into, if possible, more vigorous 

Feb. 1. — Meeting at Right Rev. Dr. Butler's, in sustainment of the Catholic University. 

Feb. 11. — Numerous protests against the Queen's Colleges. 

Feb. 19. — Public meeting at Limerick, to sympathize with the Queen on the death of Prince 
Albert. 

The Lord Lieutenant is presented with an immense salmon taken at the Lax Weir on his re- 
turn from A dare Manor, where he had been on a visit. 

Feb. — Last week Rev. Dr. Anderdon lectures on the Catacombs, and Capitals of Europe. 

March 16. — The Archimandrite, the Very Rev. Dr. Issa, delivers palm branches from the Holy 
Land, to the Cathedral of St. John. 

March 2. — Petitions against the Church and Convent Taxing Bill of the Irish Chief Secretary 
were signed at all the Catholic Churches of Limerick on Sunday. 

April 6. — New Catholic Church consecrated at Ballysteen. Death of Colonel Doheny. 
Murders of Gustave Thiebault and Maguire in Tipperary. 

May 6th.— Murder of Francis Fitzgerald, Esq. , of Kilmallock, for which Beckham and Walsh 
were hung at the Special Commission which opened June 16. Dillane suffered death for the 
same crime afterwards. 

Sept. II. — Robbery of Castlepark by burglars. 

Oct. 13. — Meeting to organize a collection for the National Monument to O'Connell. 

Nov. 30. — Reconciliation of the " Three and Four years old", in Emly, by the Ai*chbishop of 
Cashel and the Redemptorist Fathers. 

Jan. 24, 1863. — A meeting was convened by the High Sheriff for the county to adopt a petition 
to parliament in order to support Colonel Dickson's drainage bill. 

Feb. 14. — Mr. W. Cooper announces that the late Marquis of Landsdowne had bequeathed to 
Lord Monteagle and the governors of Barrington's Hospital £3000, provided it be opened at all 
times to the natives of the County Kerry. 

Feb. 24.— Judgment given by the House of Lords in favour of Mr. Malcomson in the great 
Fishery question, Malcomson v. O'Dea. 

1 Tuose school are on the Military Road, and were begun in 1853. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK 



525 



operation for the requirements of the children of the poor. The nuns of 
the Faithful Companions, who had established an admirable boarding and 
day school at Laurel Hill, in 1854, for first-class education — a school 
second to none other in the kingdom for every advantage — these religious 
ladies also met the difficulty by forming an intermediate school, to which 
large numbers of Catholic children who had frequented the Model Schools 
were now sent. The latest official return of the number of pupils attend- 
ing the Model Schools shows that, with the exception of the children of 
teachers and those connected with the schools, and a few dependents on 
ultra zealot families, those who attended them are chiefly Protestants, 
Presbyterians, and Dissenters 1 . It is impossible that a government 
which pretends to have at heart the peace and well-being of the people, 
can continue to force a system which wars with the convictions and feel- 
ings of the overwhelming majority of her Majesty's loyal subjects — the 
Catholics of Ireland. 

On the 6th of June this year, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, Catholic 
Bishop, who had governed the diocese of Limerick for so many eventful 
years with prudence, wisdom, and justice, expired at his residence, Park 
House, at the age of eighty-three years. The remains of the venerable 
prelate were conveyed in grand funeral procession from Park House to 
the cathedral of St. John's ; in the procession were the clergy of the city 
and many of the county, in soutane and surplice ; the religious societies, 
the Christian Brothers, the pupils of their numerous schools, the citizens in 
crape, a long line of carriages, etc., were also the funeral cortege. 

In the same month, at Bangor, North Wales, Mr. William Smith 
O'Brien died after a rather short illness. He had suffered much and long 

Feb. 19. — At a meeting of the Trades, James Spaight, Esq. in the Chair, resolutions were 
adopted against the closing of Barrington's Hospital. A meeting of Ratepayers was convened 
next evening, to sustain the Corporation vote in reference to Barrington's and the Fever Hos- 
pitals. 

March. — The marriage of the Prince of Wales took place. 

The Right Rev. Dr. Butler initiates a movement at the Limerick diocesan conferences, held in 
the last week of March, in favour of Mr. Dillwyn's motion against the Church Establishment. 

April 4. — Fishery Commission opened in Limerick. 

April 8. — Awful calamity and loss of seven lives by a fire in Denmark Street, among the 
rest Mr. P. Ryan, foreman in the Reporter and Vindicator Office. 

Excessive emigration continues. 

May 9. — A meeting to petition Parliament against punishment by death, convened by the 
Mayor. 

May 16. — Opening of the new organ at St. John's Cathedral with a grand oratorio. 

June 1. — Railway to Nenagh opened. 

June 11. — Borough rounds perambulated by the Mayor, Town Clerk, City Treasurer, City 
Surveyer, and four mace bearers. 

Waterford and Limerick Railway run no trains on Sundays, thereby causing material incon- 
venience. Sir Colman O'Loghlen's bill falls through. 

April 12. — In a meeting held in Thomond Grate it is resolved to enclose the " Treaty Stone". 

1 The pupils in the Model Schools are in the following religious persuasions : 



Denominations. 


Boys' 
School. 


Girls' 
School. 


Infants' 

School. 


Total 


Established Church 
Roman Catholic 


78 
17 
11 
21 

127 


73 
18 
17 
14 

122 


77 
10 
18 
12 


228 
45 
46 
47 




Total 


117 


366 



526 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

for his country , which he loved, if not wisely, at all events with hearty sin- 
cerity and complete devotion. He was a ripe scholar, an able writer, a 
powerful debater, a warm and constant friend, a tolerant and liberal 
minded gentleman ; and the opinions of early years became absorbed in 
those more generous emotions which he expressed on all occasions for 
every class, party, and creed of his countrymen. His remains were con- 
veyed for interment to Cahirmoyle, county of Limerick. There was no 
public procession. 1 

Eugene O'Callaghan, Esq., J.P., succeeded to the mayoralty on the 1st of 
January, 1864. The industrial movement connected with the manufacture of 
flax, and the increased growth of manufactures generally, were prominent 
features during this year. 

1865. John Rickard Tinsley, Esq., J.P., succeeded to the office of Mayor 
on the 1st of January, and at once set about means of obtaining employ- 
ment for the distressed labouring poor. 2 Within the last two years Limerick 
has been the station of departure en route to Liverpool and Cork for an 
extraordinary number of emigrants to America, who have taken not a little 
of the wealth of the country with them, to countries where a better prospect 
awaits labour and industry. The departure of the producers has no doubt 
left fewer mouths to fill, but the means of filling them has not been in- 
creased; and the labour market has suffered, while the farmers, to add 
to their difficulty, have had to contend with the results of the in- 
clemency of bad seasons, with high rents, and with the discouragement 
arising from the want of security of tenure. Reacted on by the state of 
the country, the city has suffered from this depression, as well as from the 
exceptional condition of the harbour and the agitations in the money mar- 
ket. Still it is not to be denied that many improvements were perceptible, 
in promise at least, if not in realization, in the condition of Limerick 
within the space to which we refer. The last year has been particularly re- 
markable for the revival of the flax trade and the establishment of a flax 
company in imitation of that recently got up in Cork ; and for the advance- 
ment of this congenial and hopeful industry the thanks of the city are es- 
pecially due to the Messrs. Russell and to Mr. Peter Tait, the latter gentle- 
man at the head too of the great army clothing establishment, having in- 
augurated the manufacture by a public dinner, at which some useful speeches 
were made, and subsequently visited the north of Ireland to procure the 
best information respecting the best modes of management. 

1864. Jan. 12. — A Flax meeting was convened by the High Sheriff. 

A meeting was held for the repair of the Church of St. Munchin's, Thomond Gate, which has 
been greatly improved in consequence. 

Jan. 25. — A meeting to consider the Irish Taxation question was convened by the Mayor. 

The Earl of Dunraven succeeds the late Earl of Clare in the Lord Lieutenancy of the County 
Limerick. 

The Hon. R. O'Brien publishes a pamphlet on Irish affairs. 

Mr. Peter Tait visits Belfast, to make inquiries about the management of Flax. 

March 15. — The Mayor presides at the meeting of the O'Connell Monument (Dublin) 
Committee. 

The Limerick Corporation are unanimous in favour of petitioning against the oath required of 
Catholic members. 

1 A movement for the erection of a national monument to the memory of Mr. William 
Smith O'Brien, has been attended with considerable success. At Cahirmoyle his children have 
resolved on erecting a monument to him. 

2 Through the exertions of the Mayor a sum of about £3,000 was expended through the 
Irishtown and portions of the Newtown in making sewers. 



HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 527 

The last two or three years have also been remarkable for the establish- 
ment of the Limerick Scholarships in the Catholic University of Ireland. 
The complete abandonment of the model schools by Catholics soon 
followed in consequence of the forcible and repeated condemnation of the 
system by the Bishop. A school of art has been formed at the Athenaeum 
in Upper Cecil Street, and though its advantages are not widespread, some 
of the pupils have distinguished themselves. Education, too, has been 
making rapid progress. Limerick, although it stands alone among 
cities of its rank in not possessing a public library or a gallery of art, has 
very good collections of books in its reading rooms, which are well at- 
tended. In fact, like other localities, Limerick has witnessed a sort of re- 
vival of letters as well as of manufacturing industry; nor has even a 
political resuscitation been wanting. A crusade against church endow- 
ments and in favour of tenant right has been lately inaugurated by the 
Catholic clergy, and taken in hand latterly by the new Catholic Associa- 
tion ; and the part taken by the men of Limerick in the O'Connell demon- 
stration in Dublin proves that their patriotic feelings are as vivid, if not as 
demonstrative, as ever. The river Shannon has been recently rendered 
much more safe of navigation by lights, beacons, and buoys ; and salmon was 
never so plenty, though the citizens are not the better of its abundance. 
Limerick saw for the first time a native poetess publishing her works, in 
1865, in the person of Mrs. Fisher, wife of Dr. Fisher, a lady who writes 
with considerable taste and feeling. The city has suffered deeply, owing in 
a great measure to the want of continuous employment among the labour- 
ing classes : this sad state of things has been the constantly recurring cause 
of complaint for very many years ; it is, in fact, the normal condition of the 
labourers in the city, a circumstance which owes its existence to causes 
which demand the vigilant attention, as well of those locally interested in 
the peace of society and the contentment of the people, as of the Go- 
vernment. Many sources of employment, no doubt, have been dried up. 
There has been, also, a considerable falling off in the receipts at the 
Custom House, which is attributable, to some extent, to the fact that 
certain commodities which paid custom duties in Limerick in former years, 
are now brought in by railway, duty paid. A return, with which we have 
been obligingly furnished by the Collector of Customs, shows the state of 
the revenue in this respect, as compared with what it had been but a short 
time since. In the year ending the 31st of March, 1860, the receipts 
amounted to a sum of £176,305. The number of vessels with cargoes in 
foreign trade was in that year 116. 

The number of vessels arrived, foreign, with cargoes, nearly 

all of grain, for the year ending 31st December, 1862 ... 181 

1863 ... 163 

1864 ... 103 

Robert Tighe, Esq., resigns the Chairmanship of the County Limerick, which he had ad- 
mirably held for twenty-four years ; he refuses a testimonial, and is presented with a complimen- 
tary address. He is succeeded by John Leahy, Esq , Q.C. 

Unprecedented take of salmon in the Shannon by Mr. Malcomson's boats. 

Fishery Commission sits in Limerick. 

April 1. — Neat school-house built by Mr. Scanlan, for the use of the pupils of St. Philo- 
mena's School, under the care of the ladies of Laurel Hill Convent. 

August 9. — The Mayor, and some of the members of the Corporation, with some of the citizens, 
proceed to Dublin, to attend the laying of the Foundation Stone of the O'Connell Monument. 



528 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



The subjoined Tabular Statement indicates the position of the Customs 
for the financial year, ending March 1865 : — 





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HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 529 

The principal deficiency arises from tobacco and sugar, owing, in some 
respects, to non-consumption, in other respects, to the introduction by rail- 
way of some of those articles duty paid. There are symptoms, indeed, of a 
revival. Factories are springing up in the city, in addition to those of which 
the Messrs. J. M. Russell and Sons are proprietors, and to which we have 
referred in a previous chapter. Alderman Peter Tait, of Limerick, an 
energetic and enterprising citizen, has given an impetus to the industrial 
movement, not only by his indefatigable exertions in reference to flax 
manufacture, but by his employment of some hundreds of persons at his 
great army clothing establishment — the first and most important of the kind 
in these kingdoms — and one in which Limerick has reason to experience the 
utmost pride. Milling is largely carried on, manufacturing all the home- 
grown and large quantities of foreign wheat. Wool-combing and paper- 
making, have well nigh altogether disappeared. In 1800 there were 
twenty tanneries, and but one pawnbroker's office in Limerick. In 1865, 
there are at least twenty pawnbroker's offices, and only two tanneries. 
In 1841, the number of breweries was four. In 1865, there are three — 
one, the old established one at Garryowen, of which "Johnny Connell", 1 
celebrated in song, was the owner, and which now belongs to a lady of 
his family; the second, that of Messrs. Fitts, at the Newgate Lane; 2 the 
third, that of Messrs. Stein, in Clare Street. In brogue-making, which 
had been an important branch of trade, there has been a great decline. 
Other branches of trade have died out altogether, such as cloth-finishers, 
wool-staplers, woollen- weavers, etc. The manufacture of gloves, for which 
Limerick was famous a century ago, and which owed its superiority 
to a secret which was said to be in the exclusive possession of a 
glover named Lyons and his family, has declined also. Lyons frequently 
got orders for his gloves from the Court of Russia and other European 
courts. Mr. Tait endeavoured to revive the manufacture, but was not 
successful. The proverbial celebrity which the fishing hooks of Limerick 
have won, is nearly gone 3 — every fishing hook was said to be worth a 
salmon ; their form, lightness, and temper could not be imitated. Limerick 
lace, which has won a world-wide reputation, does not quite retain its 
old place : yet Spanish donnas have had their mantillas made in Limerick, 
while magnificent robes fashioned of it, have won the patronage of royalty. 

1 John O'Connell, Esq., see page 402. 

2 Brewing is one of the most ancient of domestic arts; and breweries in Limerick have been 
known for many generations. The earliest, however, of which we have an authentic record, is 
the city brewery, near the Golden Mills, and in the most historic part of the city, close by King 
John's Castle, with the river Shannon bounding it to the north. The Danes possessed the secret 
of brewing the heather — and Danes' ale continues to be remembered in tradition — but the secret 
has departed. The story of the secret of making heather ale, known only to the Danes, is told 
by Lady (Gardner) Wilkinson in her little work on Weeds and Wild Flowers — ( Vide " Hea- 
ther", p. 172.) The anecdote of the putting to death of the two sons and the father for refusal to 
betray the secret, is related as having taken place on the final expulsion of the Danes from Ire- 
land, at Ballyportery Castle in west Clare, taken, it is supposed, from the wild Celtic legends of 
southern Scotland, as related by Mr. R. Chambers in his Pictures of Scotland, or those of the 
county Clare in Notes and Queries. The inhabitants of the Isle of Skye still brew an ale of two 
parts of heather tops and one of malt. 

The city brewery has the following inscription on a stone with the city arms : — 



THE CITY BREWERY. 
1739. 



3 The Limerick fishing hooks were celebrated all over the world. Daniel O'Shaughnessy, 
about sixty years ago, was one of the most famous — if not the most famous fishing hook maker 

36 



530, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

It was equal, if not superior, to that manufactured in Brussels and Valen- 
ciennes. Mr. Walker introduced the manufacture in 1829. At first he em- 
ployed but a few hands. In 1841, there were 1700 females engaged in 
the manufacture of lace. In 1865, the numbers have fallen off considerably. 
At the convent of the Good Shepherd, in Clare Street, the manufacture of 
Brussels lace was carried on for a long period under the inspection of one of 
the nuns, a lady from Belgium, and such was the extraordinary progress 
made in the manufacture, that the lace was fully equal to the best Brus- 
sels. The provision and coopering trades, which, towards the close of the 
last century and the beginning of the present, flourished, owing to large 
army and navy contracts during, and subsequent to, the European war, and 
subsequently until competition was opened to foreign countries, have de- 
clined. This trade was revived about 1826, by Mr. John Russell, an 
Englishman, whose establishment was the largest in Ireland, and who spent 
£200,000 a-year in the purchase of pigs and the manufacture of bacon. 
The principal houses in the trade in 1865, are the Messrs. Matterson, Oak, 
Shaw, Hogan, and M'Donnell, famous for the manufacture of Limerick 
hams, which retain their unapproachable celebrity. 

As to the trade of Limerick from the foundation of the Chamber of Com- 
merce in 1818, it is best indicated by their record of exports until the year 
1848, but from that period the operation of railways in conveying a large 
proportion of merchandize and produce, both inwards and outwards, 
renders this source of information necessarily incomplete. The table at page 
531 shows the principal exports every fifth year during the period named. 
From this period also the effects of free trade are strongly marked by the 
almost total cessation of the exports of wheat, flour, meal, beef, and pork ; 
the land being converted largely into pasture, and grain food imported 
largely, instead of shipped. 

Under the influence of an enterprising spirit we would hope that 
Limerick may soon rival its ancient fame as a manufacturing city, 
when it gave robes of finest cloth to the kings of England, 1 and exported 
some of the choicest articles of dress, etc., to that country, from which it 
now imports too many articles which could be better and far cheaper made 
at home. 

in his day. He was succeeded by his son John, who died without issue ; and though the 
" Shaughnessy" hooks have been sold until very recently, there has been no person of the name 
in the manufacture of them since the death of Mr. Robert O'Shaughnessy of George's Street, 
wbo employed hook-makers, and who continued to sell the " Shaughnessy" hooks. William 
Selles, or Lascelles, succeeded the second of the O'Shaughnessys in the manufacture, and was 
an adept. Michael Selles of Quay Lane, his son, succeeded William, and is now (18G5) living, 
and is the last of the manufacturers of these celebrated articles; he is poor though industrious 
The material of which these hooks are made is cast-steel, which is given out to nailers in 
the country, who heat the steel in a turf fire to a certain peculiar temperature, taking great 
care that it must not be over-heated. It is then beaten out by the nailer, and in that condition 
it is brought to the hook-maker. Sellers of Croom was justly prized for his success in preparing 
the cast steel. The hook-maker then did his part. He formed the hook out of the solid, gave 
it the symmetrical form while the steel continued soft, and then tempered it, producing an ar- 
ticle unrivalled. English manufacture of a bad imitation has nearly extinguished the make; 
but whilst Michael Selles of Quay Lane lives, the disciple of Isaac Walton can obtain a first class 
salmon hook for 2d. and a trout hook for a lesser sum. 

1 See pp. 367-8, in which, in the account given of Nicholas Arthur, it will be seen that he 
freighted a ship from Limerick in 1428, with cloth, furs, etc., as a present to King Henry. 
Irish cloth was so valued in these times, and before then, that we find in a MS. in the British 
Museum the prosecution of a man for stealing a piece of Irish cloth at Winchester, England, 
temp. Henry III. Conviction and hanging, duel or " wager of battle" in consequence. — Ex. 
Rol. Mad. 



HISTORY OF LIAIERICK. 



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The following table indicates the existence of an enormous produce in 
the districts of which Limerick is the market, and in which so vast a trade 
is carried on as to lead us to hope that at no distant day it will assert its 
proper position among the great commercial cities of the empire : — 



532 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



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HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



533 



In 1823, the Bridge and Docks Act was passed, and duties were imposed 
on ships and cargoes, and the following is a Table of the principal statisti cs 
of the Port, every fifth year, since 1825 : 



Year. 


Vessels 
Arrived. 


Registered 
Tonnage 
Vessels. 


Harbour Duties 
Collected. 


Amount of 

H. M. Customs' 

Duties. 


Register of Vessels 

belonging to 

the Port. 








£ s. d. 


£ s. d. 


Tons. 


1825 


440 


46,983 


1,211 12 1 


58,138 19 8 


563 


1830 


437 


45,005 


1,483 1 2 


86,090 3 8 


3,230 


1835 


476 


60,724 


1,755 2 8 


136,949 8 6 


4,173 


1840 


545 


71,218 


3,900 8 


148,802 10 


12,214 


1845 


585 


76,658 


4,204 10 7 


192,975 15 2 


14,395 


1850 


572 


82,779 


5,852 17 11 




12,291 


1855 


554 


78,847 


6,741 16 11 


168,780 17 1 


12,121 


1860 


521 


99,017 


8,236 3 4 


172,403 


8,287 


1864 


446 


91,052 


8,208 8 4 


136,551 4 1 


5,519 



The largest amount of shipping that ever entered the port was in the 
year 1847, when 1013 vessels arrived, registering 149,867 tons — a striking 
evidence of the effect of the potato failure, which necessitated the repeal 
of the Navigation Laws, and an immense importation of foreign grain. 
As we have already observed, the coasting trade was some years ago 
carried on by a large fleet of fine clipper schooners, which in latter years 
have been superseded by first-class steamers ; and large ships, by which the 
emigration and timber trades had been formerly carried on, have been con- 
siderably reduced in latter years, as well on account of the great stringency 
of the emigration laws, as of the extraordinary facilities which have been 
provided by the transatlantic steamers from Queenstown, Liverpool, etc. 

There is every reason, notwithstanding a partial decline in trade, and com- 
merce and manufactures, to hope that Limerick, situated in the midst of the 
most fertile and beautiful part of Ireland, at the head of the tidal Shannon, 
" the queen of Irish rivers", with railway communication to every part of the 
country — with a population only anxious for work, and with men of 
enterprise and ability giving an impetus to manufactures, will soon wit- 
ness a revival, such as must realise the fondest anticipations of all who 
wish well to her histoiic fame and proud and invincible reputation. 

The suburbs of Limerick have been very greatly improved within the 
last thirty or forty years. The townland of Corbally contains many hand- 
some villas and residences, which range at a short distance parallel with 
the Abbey river, and from which the views of the city and river, the Clare 
and Tipperary mountains, and the scenery generally, are extremely beau- 
tiful. The North Strand, and the townland of Little Kilrush, the property 
of Thomas Revington, Esq., have become a favourite place for building, 
1 This return is up to 31st of March, 1865, and includes whiskey £2,293 16s. 



534 HISTOKT OF LIMERICK. 

and contain several excellent residences, including Eden Terrace, which 
Mr. Revington has erected. In the North Liberty Barony, on the 
Townland of Ballygrennan, is Castle Park, the handsome seat of John 
Christopher Delmege, Esq., J. P. for the counties of Clare and Limerick. 
The residence is commodious, and formerly belonged to the Ormsby family. 
There were several fine mansions on this estate, called the townland of 
Ballygrennan — viz., Ballygrennan House and demesne, the residence of 
the Smyth family ; Peterville, of the Monsells ; Creaghville, Violet Hill, and 
Summerhill, in one of which the first Lord Kiltarton was born. This estate 
of over three hundred acres was formerly in the North Liberty of the city of 
Limerick, but now forms part of the North Liberty Barony of the county 
Limerick. All the fine mansions have been entirely swept away, either 
by time or neglect, the only residence on the Ballygrennan estate being 
Castle Park, which was also a ruin, when it and the whole estate came into 
the possession of the Delmege family by purchase several years ago. The 
house has been considerably enlarged and improved in every way, but 
strictly preserves its ancient appearance. The demesne is well planted, 
the only old plantation left being stately rows of fine old limes. This house 
now ranks amongst the best of the second-class residences of the county. 
Its situation possesses the advantage of being within half an hour's drive 
of the city, and a similar distance from the Clare mountains, which are well 
supplied with grouse and other sorts of game. Mr. Delmege is the 
largest landed proprietor in the North Liberty Barony, and gives much 
employment on a considerable portion of his estates in his own hands 
in the counties of Clare and Limerick. James Sexton, Esq., J.P., is also 
a resident landed proprietor in this barony, and is the owner of some very 
rich corcass lands called Coonagh Sexton, lying along the banks of the 
Shannon, and which have been for a long time in the possession of the Sex- 
on family. 

Adjoining the North Liberty Barony is the Barony of Lower Bunratty, 
county Clare, within fifteen minutes walk of the city, where there are also 
several beautiful residences, including Quinpool, the property of Mrs. 
Honan; Whitehall, the property of Thomas Keane, Esq., M.D., J.P. ; Par- 
teen, the property of George Gloster, J.P., who has an excellent resi- 
dence adjoining the Church of Parteen, and close by the great Lax Weir. 
Some few miles to the north is Trough House, the castellated residence of 
General Sir Charles Routledge O'Donnell, colonel of the 18th Hussars; 
Blackwater, the residence of Samuel Caswell, Esq., J.P., etc. 1 On the 
South Circular Road there are many commodious residences also ; and here 
is situated the convent of the Faithful Companions already alluded to, which 
is one of the noblest educational establishments in the south of Ireland. 
Tervoe House, the residence of the Right Hon. William Monsell, M.P., 
embosomed in foliage, etc., lies west of the city, and has a picturesque ap- 
pearance. New and tasteful blocks of buildings are rapidly rising in this di- 
rection, which has many claims to architectural beauty from its churches, 
convents, and schools. 

At Park there was a chalybeate spa, which about sixty years ago was 

much frequented, but which has not only fallen into disuse, but has been 

completely forgotten in latter years. This most likely is the spa which is 

commemorated in the song of Garryowen. This spa is not mentioned by 

1 Near Blackwater is the Trooper's Bush. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ,535 

Rutter in his history of Irish spas, who received his information of Castie- 
connell spa from his contemporary Dr. O'Halloran. 

It has been observed that there are few cities in Europe more delight- 
fully situated than Limerick. In the midst of a country teeming with 
agricultural and mineral riches, and surrounded by one of the most abun- 
dant salmon fisheries in the world, 1 with all the advantages of navigation, 
etc., it requires only the hand of industry and enterprise, to constitute it 
all that it was intended by Providence it should be. Seen from the towers 
of St. Mary's cathedral, it presents a view that cannot be surpassed for 
picturesque beauty and antiquarian interest. North and south, east and 
west, the country about it, bounded in the distance by ranges of lofty 
mountains, is fertile to a proverb, constituting a portion of the " golden 
vein". The broad Shannon winds its course above the city, and expands into 
an estuary below on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, after traversing 240 
miles from its source in Leitrim, where, flowing out of Lough Allen — 
imbedded in lofty hills abounding in iron and coal — it washes the county 
of Roscommon, expands into the great Lough Ree, twenty miles long and 
four broad ; going on by the counties of Tipperary and Galway to Por- 
tumna, in a more confined channel for thirty-seven miles ; then through 
Lough Derg to Killaloe, and thence by the Doonas, with a fall of ninety- 
seven feet to Limerick — the scenes of ancient battles, and of more modern 
sieges : the old castles, the bridges — the quaint streets of the Englishtown, 
with their fading and falling Dutch gables — the Irishtown, with its historic 
places — the handsome and regular streets of the new town, with its churches, 
public buildings, shops, private residences, etc. — these objects all group to- 
gether into a panorama on which the eye loves to dwell, suggesting the 
thought that a city so well circumstanced, must eventually rise superior to 
any combination of adverse circumstances by which it may be encumbered, 
and that as it has been " the fairest city of Munster", so it will not only 
preserve its reputation in that respect, but become the busy seat of manu- 
facturing and commercial enterprise — the home of prosperity— -as it has 
always been the pride of Irishmen in whatever part of the world they may 
dwell. The Shannon is well described in a beautiful sonnet by Sir Aubrey 
de Vere : 

<; River of billows ! to whose mighty heart 

The tide wave rushes to the Atlantic sea — 

River of quiet depths by cultured lea, 
Romantic wood or city's crowded mart — 
River of old poetic founts ! that start 

From their old mountain cradles, wild and free, 

Nursed with the fawns, lulled by the woodlark's glee, 
And cushats' hymeneal song apart! — 

River of chieftains whose baronial halls, 
Like veteran warders, watch each wave worn steep, 

Portumna's towers, Bunratty's regal walls, 
Carrick's stern rock, the Geraldine's grey keep — 

River of dark mementoes — must I close 

My lips with Limerick's wrongs — with Aughrim's woes?" 

About two miles south from Limerick, at a place called Newcastle, is a 
very fine race ground, with a permanent stand, where the sporting events 
celebrated in a well-known ballad are generally held. These races have 
latterly attracted a great deal of attention even in England. About a 

1 An inquiry was held by the commissioners of Fisheries in March, 18G5, into the legality of 
the great Lax weir, which ended in an unanimous judgment on the part of the Commissioners 
in favour of the weir. 



536 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

mile farther on, and in nearly the same direction, but nearer the Shannon, 
are situated the picturesque ruins of Castle Troy, once the seat of* the 
K'Eogh family, of whom Mahony K'Eogh forfeited in the time of Cromwell, 
for his loyalty to the Stuarts. Dr. John K'Eogh, D.D., author of several 
learned works, and father of the author of the Botanologia Universalis 
Hibernica, the Zoonomia Hibernica, etc., was a member of this family. 
Further on in the same direction, is Mount Shannon, the beautiful demesne 
and residence of the late Earl of Clare, remarkable for its fine classical 
library, on which John, second Earl of Clare, expended a large sum of 
money. Near Mount Shannon are Rich Hill, the handsome residence of 
William Howley, Esq., D.L., Woodsdown, where Field Marshal Lord 
Gough was born, which is now in the occupation of W. G. Gubbins. Esq., 
J. P., and which is divided from Annacotty Mills, etc., by the river Mul- 
cair. A few miles east of Mount Shannon is Glaenstal Castle, the magni- 
ficent residence of Sir William Hartigan Barrington, Bart., and Clonsha- 
voy, the tasteful residence of Caleb Powell, Esq., ex-M.P. for the county 
Limerick. In the vicinity of Limerick there are several attractive localities 
•which merit attention, and to which excursions can be made by rail or 
boat, or by road, at a comparatively small cost, some of which may be 
noticed in a subsequent portion of this work. 

The picturesque village of Kilkee, romantically situated upon the Clare 
coast, is the favourite bathing-place of the citizens of Limerick, who gene- 
rally repair thither in considerable numbers when the season arrives. There 
are many other places within a few miles distance, which will well repay 
a visit, from the beauty of their scenery and their antiquarian and histori- 
cal interest. Such are Carrig-o'-Gunnell, Adare, Castleconnell, Bunratty, 
Killaloe, Lough Gur, etc. For those, indeed, who are fond of exploring 
Druidic, military, and ecclesiastical antiquities, there is no county in Ireland 
which supplies more ample materials than Limerick, which possesses like- 
wise numerous attractions for the lovers of sporting. 

The last act of parliament passed in reference to Limerick, is that 
which empowers the Corporation to make an embankment at Corkanree, 
and to add to the city a certain portion of Corkanree which had been in 
the county. This act passed the committee of the House of Lords on 
Thursday, the 4th of May, and received the royal assent soon afterwards. 
Thus the citizens will be soon provided with a healthful and much-needed 
park and promenade. 1 



CHAPTER LIV. 

early ecclesiastical history of limerick. — description and annals 
of mungret. — st. nessan and his contemporaries and successors. 

— st. munchin, or manchenus. st. munchin's church. — king 

Donald's charter, etc. 

We come now to that portion of our history which brings us back to 
events of remote ecclesiastical antiquity, being that period at and before 
St. Patrick's visit, on which so much discussion has arisen. The chronicles 

1 From this park the quays and shipping will be seen to advantage. Two other fine views 
may be obtained from the Corbally Road outside, and the Military Road inside the city. The 
Crescent with the O'Connell monument, Pery Square with the Rice monument, the Redemp 



HISTORY OF LIME KICK. ,537 

of some of our religious houses, especially their interior history, are neces- 
sarily meagre. Most of the records which the ravages of the barbarous 
Dane had spared, perished at the time of the Norman invasion, of the dis- 
solution of monasteries under Henry VIII. , and subsequently in the Crom- 
wellian and even Williamite wars. But it is certain that a knowledge of 
Grecian and Roman literature and art, including a superior style of archi- 
tecture, was known in Ireland long before the invasion, and that the 
Gospel was diffused abroad, and the blessings of education were known at 
home anterior to that disastrous event. Limerick appears to have been 
one of the first places in Ireland to attract the attention of the early 
Christian missionaries, the antiquity of its religious foundations ascending 
so high as the beginning of the sixth century, if not still higher. 1 

About the year 549, the holy Comin founded the churches and towers 
of Inniscalthra, on the Shannon. After the bloody battle of Cuildrheinne, 
which was fought between Dermod and Cuorrane Mac Aodla, in which 
the latter was aided by St. Columba, whose asylum he sought, which was 
invaded by Diurmuid — the victory being attributed more to the prayers of 
the saint than to the valour of the soldiery — Dermod had scarcely recruited 
the loss of the battle, when he commenced a war against the gallant Guare, 
King of Connaught. It is believed that he refused to pay the provincial 
tax, crowning Dermod as a monarch, who marched his army along the 
Shannon, probably to a little above Killaloe. The mediation of the holy 
Comin proved fruitless, as all remonstrances were rejected by Guare, who 
was foretold by the saint that his troops would be routed. The 
monarch's horse and foot plunged into the Shannon, forcibly gained the 
opposite bank, routed the enemy, who fled precipitately, yet rallied the 
following day. Guare, dreading to make his country a scene of war, sur- 
rendered himself to the monarch. 

Before St. Columba established his celebrated monastic institution 
in the Scotch Island of Iona, an institution which remained undisturbed 
for two hundred years, an abbey had been founded at Mungret, the ancient 
Mongairit, about two miles south-west of Limerick, by St. Nessan 2 sur- 
named the Leper, who was confirmed by St. Patrick himself in the abbacy, 
and who died in 551, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, but 
according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, in 561. 

Mungret is even at this day a ruin of considerable size, and exhibits 
many tokens of high antiquity. The doors and windows of the church 
have either horizontal stone lintels, or that sort of round arch-head which 
denoted the Romanesque, less correctly, we think, called Norman architec- 
tural period which preceded the introduction of the pointed style. 

The detached building on the road side bears marks of fire on its square 
lintel stones ; and the roof, which, judging from the shape of the gables, 

torist Church and Convent, the Convent and Orphanage of Mount St. Vincent, St. Michael's 
Protestant Church, built a.d., 1843-4-5, the Model Schools, the Turkish Baths with their 
minarets and other oriental features, etc., are all visible from the Military Road. 

1 De hac regione (says O'Flaherty) et Corcoiche plebe fuit S. Molua divo Bernardo (S. Ber- 
nard in vita Malachise, S. Luanus), Luanus clarus, S. Comgalli discipulus, cujus monasterium 
celebre Cluanfertense in Reginali agro, et Lagisia ad radicem montis Smoil, qui mons Bladma 
dictur — (Ogygia, p. iii. p. 381.) 

2 The festival of this saint is celebrated on the 25th July, and as a coincidence with his sur- 
name we may mention that near the eastern borders of the pariah, opposite Ballinacurra, are 
the ruins of an ancient hermitage, which was afterwards said to have been an hospital for lepers. 

37 



538 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

must have been built somewhat in the style of Columbkill's House at Kells, 
St. Molua's at Killaloe, and St. Kevin's at Glendalough, was like these vener- 
able structures, probably covered with large slate-like stones, several of 
which have been turned up in the field immediately adjacent to the build- 
ing. The well known legend of the " wise women of Mungret", monks 
who disguised themselves in female attire, and who frightened away by 
their extraordinary learning certain professors from Lismore, who had 
come to test it, is familiar to every person in the vicinage. It is illustra- 
tive too of the admiration always felt for martial prowess by the Irish, that 
those soldier monks, the Knights Templars, who occupied the old Castle 
of Mungret, are still spoken of with great reverence in the neighbourhood, 
not only for their piety but their warlike spirit. If tradition can be relied 
on, they occasionally did garrison duty at Carrig-o-gunnell, and were well 
disposed, if not actually bound by engagement, to render military service 
when called on. 1 

The traditions about the abbey itself are not numerous. That Mungret 
was a famous religious house, formed by St. Patrick, that its students and 
monks were most numerous after it became a great college as well as a 
monastery, that there were of one name alone, one hundred and forty of 
the inmates called " John Loftus", 2 and that the monastery and college 
were burned by the Danes, and afterwards by Cromwell's forces, or prob- 
ably by General Scravenmore, who blew up Carrig-o-gunnell in the Wil- 
liamite wars, who are stated in the local traditions to have shelled it from 
the Shannon, on which occasion, whenever it happened, they are said to 
have set fire to the then thatched roof of the monastery ; these are about the 
whole of the existing local traditions that refer to the history of this cele- 
brated establishment. The great eastern window was some time ago quite 
covered with ivy externally, but some treasure-seekers removed it without 
doing any further mischief. Internally on the right side of the same win- 
dow, which is broken into two lights by a mullion, there stood, until within 
the last few years, a fine specimen of a piscina, the bottom resembling the 
impress of a human face, which some Vandal, or dishonest antiquarian visi- 
tor, has lately destroyed if not removed. The people for miles around, were, 
in our memory, in the habit of applying their faces to this stone as a sup- 
posed remedy for headache. The venerable ash trees which occupied the 
northern side have also disappeared. And indeed even the very walls of 
this truly venerable house would have long ago been destroyed, had the 
builder of the new church been permitted to construct the new edifice on 
the site of the old. But the people of the neighbourhood firmly opposed 
it, and fortunately carried their point. 

The Psalter of Cashel states that the Monastery of Mungret had within 
its walls six churches, and, exclusively of numerous scholars, 1,500 monks, 

1 Those who think we have assigned too high an antiquity to the existing walls of Mungret, 
will see that Dr. Petrie thought them still older. The ruined Church in the Inis Lua, near 
Killaloe, does not look much older than the detached Church of Mungret. The former, how- 
ever, is one of our oldest stone churches. — (See Petrie's Bound Towers, p. 183.) It is the belief 
of the peasantry near Mungret that a subterraneous passage connected the house of the Knights 
Templars, if not the Monastery, with the Castle of Carrig-o-gunnell. In proof of the truth of 
this opinion they point out a part of the road where there is a sort of hollow sound as if it closed 
a vault or archway. They also show the pond where the professors, disguised as women, pre- 
tended to be washing, and addressed their visitors in Greek, etc., like the story told in Rabelais. 

2 Loftus's Road received its name from three brothers* 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 539 

of whom 500 were learned preachers, 500 psalmists, and 500 wholly em- 
ployed in spiritual exercises. The ruins of the abbey, which was 
situated on the south side of the Shannon, consist of the walls of a church 
which by no means bespeak their former splendour. The west end is 47 
feet long by 16 broad, with a plain narrow window. The centre or nave 
is 33 feet by 28-| ; and the communication from this to the east end is by a 
small arch. On the north side of the nave is a small porch or entrance. 
The west end is 12 feet by 22, on the north side of which is a small square 
tower, with ruined battlements. There are no ancient tombs to be found 
there. To the east of this are the ruins of another church, and about 300 
yards distant from it, the remains of a tower and gateway. About 150 yards 
north of the church is a solidly built house, which we have spoken of as 
bearing marks of fire. It is of considerable extent, with lofty walls and 
jointed gables, with a narrow circular-headed window at the east end, and 
entered by a square ladder doorway on the west. In the adjoining fields 
extensive foundations are frequently found by the plough, and are also met 
with at Temple Mungret, which stands about half a mile north of the Pro- 
testant church, which was originally the hospital of the Knights Templars, 
and afterwards the manor house of the Bishop of Limerick. 

The bell of Mungret — one of those ancient objects so interesting to the 
Christian archaeologist — was dug up at Loughmore, in the same parish, 
near the abbey of Mungret; it is described in a popular periodical, 1 in 
which it is also pictorially represented, as of a square form, as a specimen of 
very rude workmanship, much corroded by time, and composed of a mixed 
metal, hammered and riveted together. The bell of Mungret is alluded to 
by Keating. 

The early history of St. Nessan, who was a contemporary of St. Senan 
and Carthage, is involved in obscurity. We cannot admit, according to 
Lanigan, who remarks that it is strange that Ware says nothing of Mun- 
gret, the story of his having become a disciple of St. Patrick, when in 
Munster. He may have been at least in part a disciple of St. Ailbe, in Emly, 
with whom he was in the habit of conversing on theological subjects. At 
the time of these conversations he could not have been very young, as it 
may fairly be inferred he was born before the sixth century. He was 
then probably at that time, or before Ailbe's death, abbot of Mungret. 
He never rose higher in the Church than the rank of deacon, by which 
title he was known during his life and ever since. Yet his reputation was 
so great, that he has been considered as one of the Fathers of the Irish 
Church, and therefore it can sarcely be doubted that he was that 
Nessan named in the second chapter of the saints. St. Neassan or 
Nessan, is thus spoken of in the Martyrology of TaUagJit, by Cumin 
of Connor, who flourished, according to Colgan, about the year 635: — 
" Neassan, the holy deacon, loved an angelic pure mortification. There 
never came past his lips anything that was false or deceitful". 

The following are the leading events in the history of the abbey 
which we find in the ancient chronicles: 2 — St. Neassan was succeeded 
in the abbey by St. Munchin, son of Seadna, grandson of Cas, and great 
grandson of Conall of the Dalgais, and nephew of Bloid, King of 

1 Dublin Penny Journal, vol. iv. p. 237. 

8 Our authorities are M'Curtin, Lanigan, Annals of the Four Masters, Colgan, Trias Thau- 
maiurga, et Vit. Sd. Pii. Acta Sanctorum, Keating, etc. 



54:0 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Thomond, who, on account of his unexampled piety and great learning, 
was ordered by St. Patrick to undertake the instruction of liis converts in 
Connaught, and afterwards became the first bishop of Limerick. 1 

A.D. 760. Died the Abbot Ailioll, the son of Creabachain. 2 
820. This abbey was plundered and destroyed by the Danes. 
834. This year the abbey, together with several other churches in Munster, 
was burnt and destroyed by the Danes. 4 

840. The Danes repeated their depredations. 5 

908. Cormac M'Cullenan, Archbishop of Cashel and king of Munster, did, by 
his last will, bequeath to this abbey three ounces of gold, an embroidered vest, 
acid his blessing. 6 

909. Died the Abbot Maoileasil. 7 

934. The abbey was again consumed by fire. 8 

993. Died the Abbot Muirgheas, the son of Muireadhy. 9 

994. Died Rebechan, the son of Domchudha, the Archdeacon. 10 
1006. Died the Abbot Caithair, the son of Maony. 11 

1033. Died Constans, he was Archidnach of this abbey, and also of the 

Abbey of Derest Aenguis. 12 

1080. The abbey suffered much this year from a general conflagration. 13 
1088. Donal M'Lochloin, with the forces of Ulster, destroyed this abbey. 14 
1102. On the 5th of October, died in this abbey the blessed Mugron O'Mor- 

gair, principal professor of Divinity at Armagh, and in the west of all Europe. 15 
A.D. 731. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, the death of Molua, 

of the monastery of Mungret occurred. 

In 751 the death of Astell, Abbot, took place. 

In 752, death of Bodhbhghal, Abbot [756, Annals of Ulster.'] 

And according to the Annals of Innisjallen, Cuind Mac Cirerain died in 951. 

In 965 Conn, son of Cercran, Abbot, and "head of all Munster", as the 

Annals of the Four Masters call him, died. 

* 975 Death of Muirg Mac Muirdoch, Provost of Mungret. 

* 989 Death of Caher, son of Moenach, Abbot. 

[Thus marked * are taken from the Annals of Innisf alien ~] 

The Annals of the Four Masters mention the folio w T ing: — 

994. Death of Rebechan, son of Dunchad, Airchinneach. 

101 1. Death of Art ODonogh, Abbot. 

1014. (rede 1015) Niall, son of Dearggan, Airchinneach of Mungret, killed. 

1028. Death of Art Ua Dunchada, Airchinneach. 

1033. Death (quievit) of Con Mac Maelpatrick, do. 

1070. Death of Cathasach, son of Cairbre, Abbot. 

1171. Mungret burned by Murtagh O'Brien. 

1107. Mungret devastated by Murtagh O'Brien. 

1179. Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, granted the lands of Mungret and 
the lands of Ivamnach to Brictius, Bishop of Limerick, successor of Turgesius (who 
assisted at the Council of Lateran with other Irish bishops in 1179-80), and his 
successors, and to the clergy of St. Mary's, Limerick. 

1 Lanigan, Eccles. Hist, vol. ii. p. 103, etc. 

3 Annah of the Four Masters. 3 Annals of the Four Masters. 

4 Ibid. s M'Curtin, p. 193, 184. 

6 Annals of the Four Masters. 7 Tr. Th, p. 633. 

8 Annals of the Four Masters, 9 Idem. 

10 Act. SS., p. 582. u Annals of the Four Masters. 

12 Ann. Idem. ^ Ibid. u Ibid. 15 Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 541 

The Black Book of Limerick contains a copy of this charter, from which it 
was taken by Sir James Ware. In the Sloane MSS. (British Museum) 
there is a copy of the charter also copied. The following is the charter : — 

Charta Donaldi, Regis Limericensis. 

[The date of this Charter was about 1194; the Archbishop of Cashel was 
Mathew O'Heney. Ware.] 

Donaldus Rex Limericensis universis Dei fidelibus tarn presentibus quam 
futuris Salutem. Non lateat universitatem vestram me donasse Brictio Lumni- 
cano Episcopo, suisque successoribus cleroque Sanctse Mariaa Limericensi in 
liberam ac perpetuam elemosynam terram Mungram [terras Imungram Ware and 
Erck] et terras Ivamnachani ab arcu viz. ? Immungram usque ad terras Imolin ; 
et a vado Ceinu usque ad numen Sinan cum omnibus appendentibus, [al. appen- 
dicibus] Ut autem valida fiat hasc elemosyna, sigilli mei impressione earn con- 
firmo. Teste Domino Mathseo Cassellensi et Ruadri Uagradei. 

Which is thus translated : 

Charter of Donald King of Limerick. 

Domnaldus, or Domnald, king of Lumneach, to all the faithful of God, as 
well present as to come, greeting. Know ye all that I have granted to Bric- 
tius, Bishop of Lumneach, and to his successors, and to the clergy of St. Mary's 
of Limerick, in free and perpetual alms, the lands of Immungram, (now Mun- 
garet) and the lands of Ivamnach ; that is, from the arch of Imungram to the 
lands of Imalin, and from the ford of Cein to the River Sinan, with all their 
append ances. And in ratification of this my grant in frankalmoigne, I con- 
firm it with the impression of my seal. Witness, Lord Mathew, Archbishop of 
Cashel, and Eoger O'Gradei. 

1630. In this year, April 22, the Vicarage of Mungret was taxed at 
£142. The taxation and boundaries of this as well as of other vicarages 
of Ireland were made by Francis, Bishop of Limerick, and other commis- 
sioners, on October 5th, and fifth of Charles I. The taxation is quoted in 
Seward's Tip. Bib., ap. p. 22. 

The Erenach or Aircinneachy as well as the similar but superior officer 
Comharba (Coarb), corruptly written Corba or Corbe, was in ancient 
times the manager of church lands. By degrees the office of the erenach 
fell into the hands of laymen, who consequently assumed the title of arch- 
deacons. In fact, the erenachs were the actual possessors of old church 
lands, out of which they paid in money or kind certain contributions for 
ecclesiastical purposes. The monks of Mungret were Canons Regular of 
the order of Augustine. It is still church land, and went into the posses- 
sion of the Protestant Church in the reign of Elizabeth. 

Dr. Lanigan does not hold some of the popular opinions about St. Nes- 
san or St. Patrick. We give those opinions, with the authorities on which 
they rest. Dr. Lanigan, v. ii., 104, says that it is undeniable that St. Nes- 
san was abbot, and most probably of Mungret, but that he cannot mark 
the precise time. He died, he says, in 552 (TV. 77*., 186), and therefore 
could not have been placed over Mungret by St. Patrick, unless he (?) had 
lived about 140 years. It is to be observed, however, that in making St. 
Patrick's death occur in his seventy- eighth year, anno 465, Lanigan goes 
against the joint authority of the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of the 



542 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



/ 



Four Masters, who are followed by Usher, Ware, Colgan, etc., in assigning 
the date A.D. 493 for that event. Lanigan's reasoning is very ingenious; 
he uses very scant ceremony with O'Halloran, Archdall, and Ferrar, whom 
he describes as nonsensical and ridiculous, the two first for stating that the 
Monastery of Mungret existed in the fourth century ; the latter, for assign- 
ing its foundation to the year 433. * 

St. Munchin or Manchenus, above referred to, son of Sedna, 2 is said by a 
continued tradition, which has been followed by the ancient writers, and by 
Sir James Ware and his authorities, etc., to have been the first Bishop of 
Limerick, and to have founded a cathedral there, which, until the founda- 
tion of St. Mary's cathedral by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, about 
the time of the arrival of the English in Ireland, was the cathedral of the 
see of Limerick. The Ostmen are stated to have restored St. Munchin's 
Church. The festival of the saint, who is the patron of the diocese, is 
observed in the Catholic ritual on the 2nd of January. It is a matter of 
no small controversy who this Munchin was. We are of opinion that he 
was that Manchenus, whom Jocelyn ( Vit. Pat, cap. 69) calls " a religious 
man and one of complete knowledge of the Scriptures", " and whom", as 
he affirms, " St. Patrick placed over the subjects of Amalgaid, King of 
Connaught, then recently converted to the Christian faith". Others con- 
found him with Manchenus, whom the Annals of Ulster call abbot of 
Menedrochid, and say that he died in 651 or 652. This, however, is im- 
probable. To St. Munchin's sister, St. Lelia, the church of Killeely, in 
the parish of Killeely, was dedicated. Tradition ascribes to Rose, another 



1 Until the year 1860 the Castle of Mungret was in good preservation. It stands on the lands 
of Castle Mungret, and in that year lost some ten or twelve feet of its original proportions, the 
tenant who took the lands from the Protestant hishop, wishing to make it available for a mansion 
house. This act spoiled the venerable beauty of this ancient structure, which stands close by 
the Tervoe Road, near the hill of the Cross of Mungret, and not far from Temple Mungret, a 
fee property of M. R. Ryan, Esq., J.P. 

The Rev. Michael Casey, P.P., Mungret and Crecora, and his Parishioners, have recently 
erected in the churchyard of Mungret, a tabular monument fixed to the south wall of the 
old Church, and made of cut lime stone, to the memory of the Parish Priests who were interred 
from time to time in that ancient cemetery : it bears the following inscriptions with the sacred 
monogram I.H.S., chalices, etc. : — 



Erected by the Rev. Michael Casey and his Parishioners of Mungret and 

Crecora, to ask prayers of the faithful. 

Rev. Michael Mac Namara, 

who served these parishes about 40 years, and died 11th April, 1822. 

Rev. Denis McCarthy, 

who served about 30 years, and died about 1792. 

Rev. John Heynes, 

who served 26 years, and died 1756. 

And other priests whose remains lie beneath, and whose names and 

date are not remembered. 

Requiescant in Pace. 

A.D. 1862. 



8 St. Munchin, son of Sedna, son of CassiuB Tail, the Dalcassian— Colgan, p. 540. 
3 Ware's Bishops. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



543 



sister of the saint, the building of Little Kilrush, 1 and to St. Covanus, the 
abbot, the historic church of Kilquane, all of which, tradition further has 
it, were built near the time of St. Patrick. The commemoration of the death 
of Manchenus is pointed out under the name of Manicheus, " the wise 
Irishman", in the books De mirabilibw Scriptures, by some erroneously 

ascribed to St. Augustine {Opera St. August., torn. 3, lib. 2, cap, 4). 

The ancient church of St. Munchin was situated on the south side of the 
river Shannon. Tradition has it that when St. Munchin was building 
his church the inhabitants of Limerick were very unwilling to contribute 
thereto, which so provoked the saint that he gave this curse to them, viz. : 
" that the natives of Limerick should never prosper therein". 2 On the 
site is built a Protestant church, a comparatively modern building seven 
hundred feet in circumference, bounded on the north or river side by the 
old town wall. In 1711, a year of very great excitement in Limerick, the 
Right Rev. Dr. Smyth, Protestant bishop, expended a considerable sum of 
money in repairing this church. His sons, Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., 
and the Rev. John Smyth, set on foot in 1734 a subscription by which a 
6um of £150 was raised to build a vestry room. 3 

1 The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, is close by this ancient 
church, which is in many respects similar to that of Mungret. 

2 White's MSS. 

8 There are many remarkable monuments in and about St. Munchin's Church, which deserve 
notice, as in ancient as well as in modem times it has been a favourite burial place with the 
citizens of Limerick. The oldest monument within the church, and that which claims first 
notice on account of the beauty of its design and the finish of its construction, is that which at 
a cost of £147 Is. 7.* the Right Rev. Dr. Smyth raised to the memory of his wife in 1717, which 
lady was daughter of the Right Rev. Ulysses Burgh, Protestant Bishop of Ardagh, who had 
been promoted to that see from the Deanery of Emly by William III. about 1693. 

* The monument, which is raised at the south side of the Communion Table, over the family 
vault of the Smyths and their successors the Verekers, is made of fine black and white marble, 
and supported by two cherubim. The following is the inscription : — 

" Conditum est hoc monumentum a Thoma Smyth S. T. P. episcopo Limericensi, in piam 
memoriam nuperae sua? uxoris charissimae Dorothae, qua? obiit, sexto die Augusti, A. D. 
1711, aetatis 43, cujus reliqiua hie sitae sunt. Filia erit LTisses Burgh S. T. P. non ita pridem 
Episcopi Ar dacha densis, ex Maria Nata GukV.mi Kingsmill armigeri. 

"In eodem tumulo juxta jacent Maria Mater, et Elizabetha filia praefati Thoma? Smyth, 
quarum prior obiit septimo die Septembris, 1704 ; altera vero 15 die Novembris 1709, cum jam 
decimum sextum aetatis annum compleverat". 

Near the north door of the church the Right Rev. Dr. Leslie and his wife are interred. 
Outside are a few ancient monuments, the most remarkable of which is one of the Creagh 
family, now represented by Pierce Creagh, Esq., of Ralahine, county Clare. On this monu- 
ment the name 

SJtttrreas Creagfj 

is cut on a stone moulding, placed over three arches, which appear to have formed portion of a 
larger monument. Flat on the ground is a slab, with this curious inscription. 



Armorial 

bearings of the 

MacMahons. 

This monument was erected by 

Thomas M'Mahon his spouse 

Brigt. in memory of his father in 

law Kennedy M'Mahon died 9br. 

27 1722 aged 103 years. 

Also (defaced) his (defaced) children Bridget 

(defaced) Kennedy 7 years and Brien 4 years. 

Also (defaced). 



544 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



It is remarkable that of the bishops who followed St. Munchin, or 
Manchin, there is no record before the conversion of the Danes to Chris- 
tianity, though there can be no question that the Church of Limerick had 
always enjoyed the continued* succession of its episcopacy. Gille or Gil- 
bert (said to be a Dane), first Apostolic Legate to Ireland, was Bishop of 
Limerick a.d. 1110, and flourished until 1140, when he died. He con- 
vened a synod at Rathbreasail, which twenty-five bishops attended, and 
at this synod, according to Ware, the limits of the Irish bishoprics were 
laid down. 1 He assisted at the consecration of Bernard, Bishop of Menevia, 
(St. David's) in 1115, which was performed at Westminster by Ralph, 
Archbishop of Canterbury, according to Eadermus. Growing old 
and infirm, in 1139, he voluntarily divested himself of the legatine 
authority, when the Pope raised Malachy Morgair, Bishop of Down, to that 
office. 2 He wrote epistles to Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, a book 
de Statu Ecclesiae or de Usu JEcclesiastico, which contains the different forms 
of liturgies and the various ways of celebrating divine service in the Church 
of Ireland, which he reforms to the Roman custom. 3 He is said to have 
insisted, with Malchus, Bishop of Lismore, 4 on St. Malachi accepting the 
Archbishopric of Armagh, in virtue of his legatine authority, when he as- 
sembled the bishops and great men of the island, threatening St. Malachi 
with excommunication if he persevered in his refusal. According to 
Keating he was called Giolla e&ypmc (bishop) — was Abbot of Bangor, 

A short distance from the gate which leads to the cemetery, surrounded by an iron railing, is 
the tomb of the late Thomas O'Reilly, Esq., father of the Very Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, S. J. It has 
the following inscription on white marble :— 



* 

I. H. S. 

To the Memory of 

Thomas O'Reilly, Esq., 

who departed this life on the 

12th of January, 1833, aged 51, 

this monument is erected 

as a small testimony of respect 

and affection of his deeply 

attached widow and son. 

Requiescat in pace. 



In the same tomb repose the mortal remains of Mrs. O'Reilly, a munificent benefactress to the 
poor. 

In the cemetery are monuments to the late Alderman Pierce Shannon, who died during his 
mayoralty, and to the late Charles O'Hara, Esq., etc. There are vaults of the Bannatyne, Gelston, 



1 Keating gives an account of the boundaries of the various bishoprics of Ireland as they were 
then determined ; but the names he mentions are so worn out of knowledge that I must be con- 
tent, for want of information, to pass them over and refer the reader to him.— {Harris's Ware.) 

2 St. Bernard, Vita Malach., cap. ii. 

3 Dr. Thomas James, in his Catalogue of the MSS. of Benet College, Cambridge, and from 
him to John Pitts, have ascribed this book to a counterfeit Gille, Bishop of Lincoln.— (Harris, 

Ware). 
* Britannia Sancta, p. 238, vol. ii. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 



545 



and flourished in the reign of Murtagli O'Brien, the pious king who be- 
stowed Cashel on the clergy. The national council which he assembled at 
Uisneach, in Meath, consisted of fifty bishops, of whom he was president, 
three hundred priests and three thousand other ecclesiastics. The Arch- 
bishops of Armagh and Cashel took places next to him. His second 
synod, or rather the second session of the first, was held at Fiadhmac Naon- 
gusa, at which the Archbishop of Cashel, the Vicar of Armagh, eight other 
bishops, three hundred and sixty priests, and one hundred and forty 
deacons attended. Many excellent laws for the observance of clergy and 
laity were enacted at this synod. At the synod of Rath-breasail twelve 
bishops were appointed in Munster and Leinster, ten in Ulster and Con- 
naught, and two in Meath. The lands of the bishops and clergy were set- 
tled. In Munster, under the Archbishop of Cashel, were appointed the 
dioceses of Waterford and Lismore, Cork, Rathmoigh, Deisgirt, Limerick, 
Killaloe, and Emlioch-Jobhair (Emly). 1 The boundaries of the diocese of 
Limerick were thus regulated, viz.: the diocese of Limerick extended 
from Maolcarn 2 westward to Ath-an-Coinne Lodain, and to Lough Guhr, 
and to Rathachmore, and from Aidhne westwards, and Ard-Patrick south- 
wards, and Beallach-Feabhrat, and Tullach inclusive ; Feil and Tarbert 
westwards, and Cuinic in Thomond, Cross in Mount-Uidhe an Riogh, and 
Dubh Abhain. 3 The journal of that convention adds this sanction in this 
place: "Whoever exceeds these boundaries acts contrary to the will of 
God, and the intention of St. Peter and St. Patrick, and all the Christian 
Churches". St. Bernard, in his life of St. Malachy, gives high praise to the 
illustrious Gilbert. He says that St. Malachy came into Munster to make 
interest with the Irish Princes against Maurice, the usurper of the see of 
Armagh, who by them was accordingly expelled. " Instabant", adds St. 
Bernard, " tarn sancto operi omnes, duo potissimum episcopi Malchus et 
Gilbertus, quorum prior ipse est senior Lismorensis, alter senior Limeri-- 
censis, etc." 

Patrick, in 1140, succeeded Gilbert, having been elected bishop by the 
Ostmen, who were then masters of the country ; he was consecrated in 

Phayer, Frazer, Lloyd, and other families. A monument to Colonel PI. A. O'Donnell, C. B., 
father of General Sir Charles O'Donnell, has the following inscription: — 



Colonel II. A. O'Donnell, C. B , 

served 30 years in India, 

died 26th December, 1840, 

aged 82 years. 

Also 

Mary Napier O'Donnell, 

his wife, 



died 
aged 



years 



The curious story of this monument is, that the surviving widow married some years after- 
wards, and thus cheated the sculptor of his anticipation. 



1 Keating. 

2 The name of the stream which runs through Six-Mile-Bridge, in the county of Clare, 
southwards to the Shannon. 

3 Keating. , 



38 



546 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

England by Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, to whom, as Primate of 
Great Britain, he took an oath of canonical obedience. 1 Patrick sat but a 
short time; and during his episcopacy, Limerick, unquestionably, was in a 
state of great confusion on account of the different invasions from Con- 
naught. The Danes showed an inveterate hatred not only to the Irish 
people, but to the Irish Church — for wherever they had influence or com- 
mand, as in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick, their bishops swore 
canonical obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury. 2 

Harold, an Ostman (by the Irish called Erolb), succeeded, and died in 
1151. Turgesius, a Dane also, followed. He assisted at the synod of 
Kells, which was convened by Cardinal Paparo. Brictius, an Ostman, was 
next in succession. He was one of the Irish bishops who assisted at the 
Council of Lateran, in the years 1179 and 1180. His companions to 
Rome were Laurence, Archbishop of Cashel; Constantine, bishop of Kil- 
laloe; Felix, Bishop of Lismore; and Augustine, Bishop of Waterford; 
who first went over to England, took an oath not in any way to act pre- 
judicially to the king's interest while in Rome, and were then permitted 
to proceed on their journey. Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, as we 
have already seen, granted the lands of Imungran, (now Mungret) and 
the lands of Ivamnach to Brictius and his successors, and to the clergy of 
St. Mary's of Limerick. 

Indeed the royal O'Briens were the most generous and munificent 
friends of the Church in these early times. They founded monasteries 
and churches all over Thomond, and in Limerick their donations and 
grants partook of the most princely proportions. 



CHAPTER LV. 

THE SUCCESSION OF BISHOPS — DONAT O'BRIEN — ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL — 

DONAT'S ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHAPTER THE BLACK BOOK OF 

LIMERICK — TAXATION OF MEYLER FITZHENRY — DECLARATION AND RESO- 
LUTIONS OF THE CHAPTER, ETC, ETC. , 

Donat O'Brien, a.d. 1207, who descended from the royal stock, was the 
next Bishop after Brictius. He was a prelate in high repute for learning, 
wisdom, and liberality, in which he was more illustrious even than in birth. 
He stood high in favour with king John, when that unprincipled monarch 
had begun to learn to respect the rights of the Church, and to restore those 
possessions which he had at first unscrupulously alienated from their legiti- 
mate owners. Donat internally arranged St. Mary's Church, which was 
built on the site of the palace of the O'Briens, the first stone being laid in 
1172 by Donald O'Brien, and which was largely endowed by his son, 
Donagh Carbragh O'Brien, who consolidated the work. St. Mary's 

1 The following is the profession of obedience as given in Usher's Sylloge, pp. 92, 93: — u I, 
Patrick, being elected to the government of the Church of Limerick, and being now, by the 
grace of God, about to be consecrated bishop by you, Reverend Father, Theobald, Archbishop 
of the Holy Church of Canterbury, and Primate of all Britain, do promise, in all things, to pay 
my bounden subjection to you, and to all your successors, canonically succeeding you". This 
profession may be seen in the ancient book in the Cotton Library, which formerly belonged to 
the Church of Canterbury. Ware did not know how long Patrick sat in this see. 

2 White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 547 

cathedral, indeed, lias very strong claims upon the citizens of Limerick, 
the antiquarian, and the lover of art; and a brief account of it may 
be introduced here. To the Catholic, St. Mary's is a trophy, not of 
victory, but of the taste and refinement of ages foully slandered. By 
Catholics it was planned, executed, endowed, and to them it owes all that 
it is. With them its fondest associations are connected. A few bishops, 
De Burgh, D'Eau, or Waters, and O'Dea, before the Reformation, and 
Adams after it, took a deep interest in the Cathedral; but their addi- 
tions can be discerned from the original structure, and exhibit more zeal 
than judgment or architectural taste. Around the church in days of yore 
stood the Chapter House — the Divinity School — the Consistorial Court — 
the Schola Cantorum-*— the Cloisters with residences of Canons, Vicars 
Choral, and Dean, hence called the Dean's close, of which many interest- 
ing remains are still Jraceable to the north and south of the church. 
Some years ago a passage was discovered leading under Bow Lane, from 
the west side of the north transept, to the ruins of the Minor Canon's col- 
lege, founded by Bishop Hubert de Burgh, and lately a smithy. With the 
exception of the sacristy, nothing is now wanting of the old edifice. The 
chancel must have been a little curtailed of its original length. The 
old edifice, disencumbered of its modern additions, was a pure basilica, 
consisting of nave, two aisles parallel with nave, transepts, chancel, the 
east side of which was not an apsis, but a straight wall in which was a 
three-light window. This deviation from the lay basilica was universal 
before the introduction of choirs. The sacristy, placed of necessity near 
the high altar, was another common deviation from the strict basilica shape. 
The nave was 170 feet long — formerly it is believed it was 180 — by 27 wide ; 
yet, from the circumstance of each triforium ending in a spiral staircase 
(which was discovered about the year 1861) leading to the roof, it may 
be asked if the original church did not terminate at the present inter- 
section with the transepts ; and there is strong reason for believing that 
the chancel was a subsequent addition of Bishop Donat, whose armorial 
bearings, carved in grit-stone, are inserted in the west- end of the north 
chancel wall, and may be seen over the present pulpit. The tran- 
sept was 93 feet long, by 30. The aisles are, or rather were, very nar- 
row — only 12 feet wide. The pillars which separate the nave from the 
aisles are mere square piles of masonry, chamfered or rounded off on the 
edges, the base and cap only being of cut stone — being 36 feet square, and 
some, those of the transept, still grosser. On both sides of the wall which 
formed the aisles are still seen the corbels or biackets for receiving the beams 
on which rested the heels and heads of the rafters of the former penthouse 
roof. These aisles terminated at the transept in an altar, the piscina of one of 
which is still seen in the northern aisle. A southern porch existed formerly, 
which has been replaced by a plainer and longer modern one. The tower 
attracts our attention for many reasons. Its situation is peculiar ; its form 
a subject of controversy. In some of the older maps of Limerick there 
is a spire where the tower now stands. 1 Nevertheless, we are inclined to 
think that no spire crowned St. Mary's cathedral in the twelfth century, and 
equally certain does it appear to us that the present tower has not the full 

1 Such it appears in the old maps published by the commissioners of Henry VIII. and Eliza 
beth— in the maps of the Hibernia Pacata, and in Speed's, etc. 



548 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

dimensions of the one first erected. The position of this tower on a 
pillared archway right over the entrance into the church and in the middle 
of the facade, was a new and bold idea in the twelfth century. In almost all 
Saxon churches, and early English, the tower was at the end, either right 
or left of the facade, and disfiguring the building : hence the idea of erect- 
ing two, one at each end, to remedy the defect and introduce uniformity. 
It would seem as if the O'Brien architect, after many an anxious debate with 
the wise men of the day, contended that a tower should not rest on solid 
walls down to the foundation-— that a well-constructed arch possessed all 
the strength and durability of the thickest wall ; and he boldly placed his 
in the centre of the faqade — its natural position, — dispensing with the heavy, 
unsightly walls which would have darkened the entrance into the cathedral. 
This appears one of the most interesting portions of the entire building, 
and perhaps to this are we to attribute the unnecessary heaviness and 
clumsiness of the other pillars in the cathedral,— the architect would have 
uniformity throughout. 

This is the first instance of a tower placed in the facade in Ireland, or 
perhaps in England, and is supposed by Wilkinson to be a portion of the 
original palace of Donald O'Brien. 1 The grand church at Manister, built 
by an O'Brien, twenty-four years before, also had a tower, now no more, 
on the south side of the western front, and was larger than St. Mary's 
cathedral, far more ornate, and altogether more carefully got up. We take 
it, then, that this unsightliness was permitted because the architect, the first 
of his day, knew no better. The sacristy of St. Mary's opened on the tran- 
sept and chancel. The battery in the King's Island demolished it at the first 
siege. It was rebuilt, as the spear-headed doorway, an undying monument 
of perverted taste, shows. After the second siege, which was as fatal to it as 
was the first, it was not rebuilt. Then it was that the eastern wall of the 
cathedral, probably, was moved back, and the sacristy too was sacrificed to 
public convenience. On its site the present Blue School was partly erected. 
No substantial change was made in the cathedral from its first erection. 
In 1311, Bishop Eustace de 1'Eau, or Waters, repaired and beautified it. 
A change was indeed made in the fifteenth century, perhaps by Bishop Cor- 
nelius O'Bea, which pervades the entire church, and gives it unhappily a 
comparatively modern appearance. The style of the church at the com- 
mencement was pure Saxon, the semicircular arch of which was often 
retained in the Norman doorway, which is remarkable for its recessed 
concentric arches and richly decorated pillars, both styles being varieties 
of the Romanesque, reminding one of some of the churches of Canterbury. 
This is visible in the western doorway recently cleared away, and in all 
the clerestory windows — in all the mouldings, few as they are — in the 
clumsiness of the pillars and lowness of the arches, and in the red stand- 
stone jamb lining of the doors and windows. At this time arose some 
innovator, who could see beauty only in the pointed arch, and he de- 
clared fierce war upon the round one ; and so effectually had this idea 
been acted upon, that the pointed arch is everywhere to be seen — in the 
large windows, in the transept, in the nave, even in the arches under the 
tower. In the clerestory windows alone does the round arch appear ; but 
the innovator, while leaving these untouched, with an extreme consistency, 

1 Wilkinson's Ancient Architecture of Ireland. 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK 549 

put them out of view by the many additions then made to the cathedral. 
The real fact seems to he, that the successive architects followed each the 
prevailing style of his own day. Yv r e should call it the Hibemo-Romanesque 
transition style. 

Wilkinson 1 states that the three distinct features which the Norman 
architecture of Ireland is said to possess, is recognizable in the door of this 
cathedral, as it is equally in that of the cathedral of Killaloe, in which, the 
ornament resembles the sculptured foliage of the latter Roman remains. 
Limerick cathedral ranks in importance as to structure next to St. Patrick's 
and Christ Church of Dublin, and those of St. Canice (Kilkenny), and Cashel. 

The additions made to the original edifice are some of ancient, others of 
modern date. The latter became indispensable when the Dean's close 
was diverted from its original purpose. A Consistorial Court, a Chapter 
Room, a Sacristy or Vestry Room, had to be provided, and convenience 
alone was consulted in the few additions then made ; but, before the refor- 
mation, much was added, principally by private citizens, who founded 
chantries in the cathedral, and erected the chapels at their own expense. 
Of these chapels there were many. The additions made by Bishops 
D'Eau, or Waters, or by the great prelate O'Dea, at a later period, 
aided by some families, such as the Arthurs in particular, claim some notice. 
They harmonize not with the style of the original building ; they bespeak a 
later style and more modern taste ; but are not without some compensating 
advantages. They do away with the narrow aisles and low exterior walls ; 
they give inassiveness and elevation to the whole, internally and externally, 
which it did not previously possess, and such evidently was the object of 
those who planned them. No addition appears to have been made to the 
chancel or transept ; from this point down they commence. On the north 
side rises a chapel, higher, wider, and longer than the transept parallel to 
which it runs; and as it juts out six feet beyond the north transept, it 
appears at first sight, to a person viewing the church from the river, to be 
the northern extremity of the real transept. This must have been the 
work of some distinguished family, most probably the Arthurs, as we shall 
see as we proceed. A less pretentious chapel lies alongside it. On the 
southern side, parallel also with the transept, and at right angles also with 
the nave, are two side chapels, in all four. The eastern wall is entirely 
bare. The altars, which had been in that place, being peculiarly obnoxious 
to Republican levellers and Puritanical hate, have been totally defaced, 
not a vestige remaining. In the side walls are the mutilated remains of 
several private monuments. Some mutilated statues were found at diffe- 
rent times, clear indications of what formerly existed ; and we learn from 
the Arthur MSS. that St. Mary's formerly contained a series of noble 
monuments. A battlement runs along the aisles externally, and the angles 
of the tower, the top of which is 120 feet from the ground, are finished off 
with Irish stepped turrets. 

To the O'Briens the honour is unquestionably due of patronising the 
style of architecture of the cathedral, and erecting some of the fairest 
monuments in that style. The style itself is attributed by some to Bishop 
Gilbert, a learned and accomplished ecclesiastic, 2 who lived to see and 

1 Wilkinson's Ancient Architecture of Ireland, 

2 Essay of the late Very Rev. Dean Cussen, P.P., Y.G., on St. Mary's Cathedral, written 
the Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator. 



550 HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 

direct the architect of Manister Nenay, in 1148, when a colony from Melli- 
font established themselves at that place, at the invitation of King Tuilogh 
O'Brien, who endowed .magnificently the new establishment, and built their 
church at his own expense. We may add, that in the same style and 
exactly on the same plan was erected by King Donald and his son Donagh 
Carbrac O'Brien, the cathedral of Cashel, in 1172 (in the same year as that 
of Limerick), or that to which Cormac's chapel was but the chapter house, 
and monasteries without number at Corcomroe, Holycross, etc. : this last 
was so often restored and improved, that all trace of the first Saxon erec- 
tion has vanished: at Kilcooly, Canon Island on the Shannon, Peter's 
Cell in Limerick, also the grand Dominican Convent, and the Augustinian 
Nunnery; the Franciscan Convent in Ennis, and in many other places: 
and in truth, it must be added, that as these are some of the oldest, so are 
they the finest in Munster. Athassel Abbey may alone be compared with 
them ; but all the erections of the Geraldines, Earls of Kildare, at Adaie, 
Desmond at Askeaton and Lislachtin, Clan Gibbons at Ballinegall and 
Killmallock, and of so many others who founded religious houses in latter 
times, fall immeasurably behind those of the O'Briens. The O'Briens were 
worthy of the distinguished architect, and he was worthy of them. In the 
cathedrals of Cashel and Limerick, particularly in the latter, limestone is 
the chief material employed. 

It is not our intention to dwell on the transactions between King John 
and the English Church, or the struggles between the hierarchy and the 
crown for precedence. 1 One of the very earliest acts of Bishop Donat was 

1 King John's dealings with the Church forms a long and most important chapter in history. 
Magna Charta, dated June 15, 1215, recites as present among the Archhishops, Henry, Arch 
bishop of Dublin, John De Lacy, Constable of Chester, and others. 

Twenty-four baronies named by it for government. 

The "freedom of the English Church" is the subject of the first chapter. At its original in- 
diting the Kingdom of Ireland had no share (says Lord Cope) in this liberty, but by a law en- 
acted in 1495, 2 c. Hy. vii., it was decreed that all previous statutes of England should be 
extended into that country. 

Copies of Magna Charta were sent to Ireland, and in the Patent Rolls, Record Office, Tower, 
London, is a copy of the king's letter sent with it. The following are extracts: 

"The king to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, knights, and to all his faithful 
subjects who are now throughout Ireland, greeting. 

"Commending your faith in the Lord, which ye have always shown unto the lord our father 
and unto us, we will give in token of your fidelity so manifest and so famous to our kingdom of 
Ireland, the liberties of our kingdom of England, granted by our father and ourself, and which 
liberties distinctly reduced to writing we now send to you, signed with the seal of our lord 
Gualo, Legate of the Apostolic See", etc., etc. — 6thEebruary, 1216. 

After the granting of Magna Charta at Runnymede he passed a season of so much seclusion 
that "his subjects knew not where he was, whether he had turned pirate or fisherman, until he 
appeared at Dover in September to meet the ambassadors from the Pope". His interview with 
Pope Innocent embraces a long series of instruments wherein the great charter was annulled by 
the Pontiff, and ended with a special excommunication of thirty-two English barons, dated De- 
cember 16, 1215. 

The French under Louis continued preparations to invade England. In vain did Cardinal 
Gualo forbid it, foreseeing that, if successful, the Pope would lose his interest in England, so 
that he forbade it, upon the penalty of excommunication, as belonging to the Holy See. The 
French persisted, and landed at Sandwich in 1216. 

John died October 19, 1216. One of his last acts was to write to the Pope, Honorius III., 
recommending his children to his protection, and by his will making " satisfaction to the Holy 
Church for damages and injuries", and " in making distribution of alms to the poor and religious 
houses for the health of my soul. Constituting as managers for me a certain cardinal priest, 
several bishops, and Walter Dc Lacy, and others". 

A translation of the deed by which England was consigned to the Pope by King John, sa} r s : 

" We have freely given unto God and his Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our Mother the 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 551 

to call together his clergy, to establish secular canons in his cathedral 
church of St. Mary, to deliberate on the subject of the statutes for canoni- 
cal observance, and not only to adorn but to enlarge the house of the 
Lord. He proceeded, according to the English custom j 1 he laid down a 
special regulation that the Mass of the Blessed Virgin should be constantly 
celebrated in the cathedral; and he advanced this as one of the reasons 
which induced him to establish the canons, on whom he bestowed benefices, 
(which are set out by name at page 11 of the Black Boole), for their main- 
tenance. The dignitaries were the Dean, the Archdeacon, the Cantor, 
the Treasurer, in addition to whom there were six canons. He gave first 
to P. the dean, the Church of St. Nicholas, with its appurtenances in 
prebend. 

To M. the archdeacon, the Church of St. John, below the city of Lime- 
rick, with its appurtenances ; the Church of Kildecolum and the Church 
of Kildimo, with lands and other appurtenances, and all the spiritual bene- 
fices of Ardagh, with its appurtenances. 

To M. Omelinus, chantor of the same church, the Church of Sengola 
(Shanagolden), and of Ardmia, and of Rathnasa, in prebend. 

To William de KardifT, treasurer, the Church of Sengol (Singland), 
with the land of Rathgarellein, with its appurtenances, and with all spiri- 
tual benefices ; Drummoluba 2 and its appurtenances, as well of fishes as of 
all other benefices, in prebend. 

To Oolimiregan, canon, the Church of Mungret (now part of the 
deanery) with its appurtenances, in prebend. 

To Ricollus, chaplain, canon, the Church of St. Manchin, with its ap- 
purtenances, in prebend. 

To Oolimiregan, canon, the Church of St. Michael, and all spiritual 
benefices of Kathadufduh and of Killonchon, in prebend. 

To M. O. Conyng, canon, all spiritual benefices of Ballimacada (now 
Ballycahane), and of Mividita, and of Formiliaries, and of Ardchatlin (now 
Ardcanny), and of Ballicovan (now Kilpeacon). 

He further assigned, for the sustentation of the canons, the Church of 
the Virgin Mary of Limerick, and the sanctuary of the same church, the 
fruits to be raised in oblations, etc., etc., and half the tithes of all kinds of 
fishes of Limerick, and the tithe of Cotheim (now St. Lawrence), outside 
the city, and the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, and the Church of St. 
Martin, with its appurtenances, and the Church of Donenthmore (now 
Donoughmore), and the Church of Killiedely. 

To O. CVMally, canon, portion of the common fund. 

To Doncuen O'Conregan, canon, portion of the common fund. 

To T. Macreanachani, canon, portion of the common fund. 

To Paulinus, chaplain, canon, portion of the common fund. 

Holy Church of Rome, and our lord Pope Innocent, with his Catholic successors, the whole 
Kingdom of England and the whole Kingdom of Ireland, with, etc., saying always the blessed 
Peter's pence. 

" The words of fealty by John to the Pope. 

" The patrimonie of St. Peter and the kingdoms of England and Ireland I shall endeavour 
myself to defend". 

John was the first to adopt the title of Lord of Ireland ; his possessions there had been con- 
quered by his father, who in 1176 created him King of Ireland, but that title was not assumed 
(as now used) until 1531 by Henry VIII. In the Liber Niger he is always styled John FitzJohn. 

1 Black Boot 

2 This is believed to be Curragower. 



552 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The deed by which he constituted the dignitaries and canons was wit- 
nessed by the Lord Archbishop of Cashel, by the Lord Bishops of Cork, 
Cloyne, Ross, Ardfert, Emly, Kilfenora, and Waterford, and three abbots, 
viz., the Abbot of Maggio, the Abbot of Suirey, the Abbot of Fnrness, 
the Archdeacons of Waterford, Killaloe, and Magfenin ; the Priors of 
the Monasteries of St. Catherine and St. Edmond, and the Dean of 
Cashel. 1 In page 1 14 of the Black Book is the confirmation of the act of 
Bishop Donat, made by a successor, Edmund, Bishop of Limerick, but 
it bears no date. In the time of Donat, who died a<d. 1207, the ancient 
see of Inniscathay was united to Limerick. King John showed the 
greatest anxiety to conciliate the bishop and clergy of Limerick, not only 
by making restitution, but by conceding and confirming by royal charter 
further giants to the Church. The king employed Bishop Donat much in 
his affairs in Ireland, and he became very dear to him. On the 13th July, 
in the eighteenth year of his reign, John granted ten plough lands in terris 
de Omayle, or, as it is in another place stated, de terris de Omayle, and in 
both places styled " prope Mungarett". 2 King John continued to interfere 
with the appointment of the bishops. We find that in 1207, Geoffry, 
rector of Dungarvan, was strongly recommended by him to the dean and 
chapter of Limerick. The king wrote to Meyler Fitzhenry, Lord Justice 
of Ireland, who made an inquisition respecting the property of the church 
of Limerick, 3 with instructions to procure Geoffry to be elected bishop. 
There is little doubt that the royal missive was complied with. 4 By a MS. 
in the margin of Sir James Ware's original Latin manuscript, mention is 
made that Geoffry was Bishop of Limerick in 1217. (White's MSS.) 
By Myler Fitz Henry's inquisition (1201) it appears that the churches in 
the city of Limerick at the time were St. Munchin's, St. Bridget's, St. 
John's, St. Peter's, St. Martin's, St. Michael's, St. Mary Rotundus (sup- 
posed to be St. Mary Magdalen's), and St. Nicholas's. Edmund, the 
successor of Geoffry, sat but a short time, having died in 1222. Hubert 
de Burgo, who had been Prior of the Monastery of St. Edmund 
king and martyr, at Athassell, county Tipperary, which was founded 
by his relative William de Burgh, about a.d. 1200, was the nex 
bishop in succession to Edmund. He was consecrated in 1222. He had 
been deprived of the temporalities of his see, but the king restored them to 
him on the 11th March, 1222. (English style.) Hubert was a great be- 
nefactor to the cathedral, and its canons and vicars-choral. He' built the 
College of the Minor Canons, north of the cathedral. He augmented 
the number of prebends. He granted the church of St. Mary of Inis- 
kesty to the Abbey of the Blessed Virgin at Keynsham, in Somersetshire, 
in England; and dying on the 4th of September, 1250, he was buried 
in the Monastery of the Dominican Fathers at Limerick. A little before 
his death, according to Sir James Ware, the bishops of Ireland had formed 

1 Black Book. 

2 Bishop Bernard Adams, when he held the See of Kilfenora in cominendam, a.d. 160G and 
1617, made an abstract from the Black Book of the property of the See of Limerick, which is in 
the registrar's office. The assignation made to the bishop of these ten plough lands is mentioned 
fol. GO p. 1. and see Charter of the Corporation of Limerick in reference to ten caracates of land 
in Omayle, fo. 48, p. 1. in Black Book. 

3 The Regal Visitation Book in the Prerogative Office, Dublin, contains a copy of this in- 
quisition, which also appears in the report of the Commissioners of Public Records in Ireland. 
It is also in the Black Book of Limerick. 

4 Sir James Ware was unable with absolute certainty to state the fact, but it is believed never- 
theless that Geoffry was Bishop of Limerick. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 553 

the project of depriving the king of the custody of the temporalities of all 
sees during vacancies ; they intended also to obstruct their tenants from 
suing in the king's courts without the Pope's assent. Hubert was employed 
by the bishops to solicit from the court of Rome this extension of privilege. 
The king became alarmed ; he wrote to the Pope to prevent the design of 
the bishops, but the death of Hubert put an end to the projected journey; 
and from all that has come down to us, relative to the affair, it was not suc- 
cessful. 1 

On the death of Hubert, Robert (O'Neill) of Emly was elected in succes- 
sion by the dean and chapter, the king having granted him his conge d'elire. 
He succeeded in 1250, and died in 1272. He gave to Thomas Wodeford, 
dean of Limerick, and his successors, the ecclesiastical benefices of Car- 
narthy (Cahirnarry) and Rathsiward in 1253 (and also the Church of St. 
Nicholas, in Limerick, Mungaret, Brury, Bally sy ward, and two others). A 
copy of the Act of Donation is in the Black Book of the Bishops of 
Limerick, page 73. King Henry III., in 1250, also made a grant to the 
Canons of St. Mary's, which is set out in the Black Book. 2 

On the death of Robert (O'Neill) of Emly, a.d. 1272, the chapter of the 
cathedral, consisting of Thomas of Wodeford — (we suppose) dean ; Thomas, 
precentor; G. Y. T., chancellor; Richard Brice, treasurer; Gerald, arch- 
deacon ; David of Cornwall, Henry Russell, Richard of Limerick, Nicholas 
of Wodeford, and John FitzHugh, canons— assembled together, on the 3rd 
of November, 1272, in St. Nicholas's Church, in Limerick, and previously 
to their proceeding to elect a bishop, drew up a declaration of the rights 
and liberties of the chapter of Limerick, which they confirmed by oath on 
the Holy Evangelists, and bound each one of them himself in the same 
oath, that if he chanced to be chosen Bishop of Limerick he would confirm 
the same rights and liberties by his authority, and procure the confirmation 
of them also, at the joint expense of himself and the chapter, by the Pope, 
which if the bishop delayed to comply with, he was to be branded with the 
infamy of perjury, and the dean and canons who abided by their oath 
were to be released from obedience to him. The articles of this declara- 
tion are as follows : — 

1, That when the Bishop visited the diocese either by himself or by his officers, they should not 

1 Ware's Bishops. 

* " Grant of our lord the king, made to the canons of the church of Limerick, in reference to 
repairing its buildings towards the sea, and their courts (curiis). 

Edward, eldest son of the illustrious king of England, to the sheriffs and bailiffs of Limerick, 
greeting, wishing to do a special favour to our beloved master Thomas, treasurer of Limerick, and 
to the other canons, and especially to his just petitions when they appertain to the promotion and 
honour of the Church, we order you to incline benevolent ears, whereas they wish to build the 
same house towards the sea (river), and to enlarge their courts, as Thomas Cropp and Walter 
Brim have done, that you freely permit them, provided the same can be done without prejudice 
to us or to the city aforesaid. With a view to your doing this more securely, v»e extend these 
our letters patent to you. Given at Westminster on the 11th day of March, in the 22nd year 
of the reign of our father". 

We find, in page 1 and 2 of the Black Book, the copy of a deed, by which Robert, Bishop of 
Limerick, granted, by the advice and consent of the chapter, the town and burgage of Mun- 
garet, under a yearly rent of twelve marks of silver and five pounds of wax, to the Church of 
St. Mary's, Limerick. 

The grant bears no date, and the copy is hardly legible from age, and follows the memorandum 
of William Creagh, Bishop of Limerick, by which he notices that he received the lands of 
Donoughmore, which were not in the possession of his predecessor. I do not find this Robert's 
name among the Bishops of Limerick (for I hardly believe him to be Robert of Emly), if he ba 
not Robert of Dondonill. INote by JDr. Young, in While's MSS.] 

39 



554 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

receive any procurations or extort anything by exactions in the places visited, as they had houses 
of their own in every part of the diocese to which they could conveniently resort. 

2. That when the deanery became vacant, the dean was to be chosen by the common election of 
the whole, or the greater or better part of the chapter, which election, when made according to 
the canons, the bishop should ratify and confirm without any contradiction. 

3. That the bishop should not confer, by any means, the other dignities of the chapter on 
strangers, when they should appear to fall vacant, but upon such of the canons of the chapter who 
were conspicuous for the regularity of their morals, and that by the advice of the canons, or the 
greater or better part of them. 

4. When the lesser prebends become vacant, they may be conferred by the bishop, by the ad- 
vice of the canons, or the greater or better part of them, on strangers, but such only as were 
willing and able to relieve the Church in its necessities and defend it from unjust grievances. 

5. That no future bishop was to alienate in any manner or transfer the lands of the Church 
or its possessions to any persons whatsoever, without a previous treaty with the whole chapter, or 
the greater or better part of it, to see how far it may be expedient for the utility of the Church. 

6. That no future bishop was to claim to himself the whole or any part of the commons granted 
by the preceding bishops, or any others, to the dean and chapter of the Church of Limerick, nor 
lessen them, his authority at the same time remaining in full force of admonishing the dean, 
and that he should endeavour by all possible means to enlarge the commons, dignities, and 
prebends, and their liberties. 

7. That ten chaplains at least be maintained in the aforesaid cathedral church henceforward, 
who besides discharging the due service of the said church, shall be bound to say Mass daily 
for the living and deceased benefactors of said church, for whom a competent provision be given, 
according to their said merits, out of the commons due to the chapter and canons by certain 
persons deputed by the said chapter for that purpose, and that what remains be deposited in the 
treasury of said church for the purpose of defending the rights of said church, and what share of 
said commons may remain over and above is to be reserved to be disposed of by the canons, to 
their own use and advantage. But that the liberty granted to the dean and chapter by Hubert 
of happy memory, heretofore bishop of that church, and which was enjoyed in his days and the 
days of his successor Robert for forty years and upwards, without contradiction, should seem 
to be lapsed by any dissimulation, we have thought right to insert it in this present writ, viz:— 
That the dean of the cathedral may be enabled freely to visit all the prebends belonging to the 
aforesaid church by his own authority at the times appointed by the law, so that no bishop may 
claim a right of visiting them, neither by himself nor by his officers. 

A copy of tlie above deed is in the Black Booh of the Bishops of Lime- 
rick, pag. 53, et seq., and a confirmation of it by Bishop Gerald in all 
points in pag. 54. So much has been said of this book in this work, 
and it is so important in illustrating the history of the Church of Limerick 
at this period, that we give in the note 1 a brief description of it, with fur- 
ther specimens of its contents. 

1 The Liber Niger, or Black Book of the Bishops of Limerick, is so frequently referred to, that 
the reader will not be displeased at our translating a few specimens of the entries in that very 
curious volume of MSS., which is at present among the O'Eenehan MSS. in the library of 
the Royal College, Maynooth, and which is a remarkable compilation of charters, statutes, 
agreements, and transactions between bishops, tenants, and abbots, as well as of grants, etc., 
etc., connected with the cathedral Church of St. Mary's, Limerick. It appears that the Liber 
JS'iger was lent to the late Very Rev. Dr. O'Renehan, President of Maynooth College, by the 
late Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, Catholic Bishop of Limerick ; and being amongst Dr. O'Renehan's books 
at the time of his death, it passed into Maynooth Library, where, by permission of the Right 
Rev. Dr. Butler, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, it is at present, but it is the property of the 
diocese of Limerick. The " Little Black Book" is preserved in the Protestant Kegistrar's office of 
the diocese. [A legible and exact copy of the Liber Niger has been made for the library of 
Trinity College, Dublin, by permission of the Very Rev. President of Maynooth.] The Liber 
Niger contains an ancient taxation of the diocese and other matters not in the index, of which 
the following are specimens in Latin with a translation : 

Tabula instrumentorum Ecclesiae Lym. in presenti volumine Cententorum. 

I. " Finalis Concordia inter Gerd. Epm. Lymer. petentem et Rogerum filium David et Isa- 
bellam uxo. ejus tenentes, de xxiiii. acris tre cum pertinenciis in Kidcach". 

[Final agreement between Gerd., Bishop of Limerick, plaintiff, and Roger Fitz-David and 
Isabella his wife, tenants of xxiv. acres of land with the appurtenances thereof in Kidcach.] 

III. '! Inter David de Barry et Epm. Lymer de feria Kyilociaj". 

[Between David de Barry and the Bishop of Limerick about a fair at Kilmalloc] 

X. " Inter Henricu. Motyng querent et Robertu. Epm. Lymer. impedientem de presentatione 
Eccle. de Nantenan. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 555 



CHAPTER LVI. 

DEALINGS WITH THE CHURCH POSSESSIONS — TAXATION OF POPE NICHOLAS 
— THE TAXATION ATTRIBUTED TO BISHOP o'DEA, PARISHES AND PA- 
TRONS, ETC., PRESERVED IN WHITE'S MSS., ETC., ETC. — THE SUCCESSION 
OF BISHOPS, ETC. 

On tlie 11th January, A d., 1272, Gerald or GeofTry le Maresclial, Arch- 
deacon of Limerick, was raised by royal license to the bishopric, the Arch- 
bishop of Cashel having received a mandate to consecrate him. Previously to 
his election the king granted the custody of the temporalities to him for one 
year, saving knight's fees, advowsons, wards, reliefs, and escheats, which 
he reserved to himself. He governed the see for twenty-nine years, and 
recovered some usurped or forcibly alienated possessions, and in particular 
certain lands and woods which Bishop Eobert, his predecessor, without 
the assent of the chapter, had granted to Richard Meijagh (May). Gerald 
made certain constitutions which are extant in the Black Book — constitu- 
tions, it need not be added, strictly in conformity with the Roman ritual. 
The kings of England continued, indeed, to exercise their influence in the 

[Between Henry Motyng, plaintiff, and Eobert Bishop of Limerick, defendant, respecting the 
presentation to the Church of Nantenan.] 

XIII. Inter Gerd. Epm. querent et Johem. Dimdon et Johanna uxor ejus, is impendentes de 
uno messuag. cum pertin. in Lymer.''. 

[Between Gerd. Bishop of Limerick, pi. and John Dundon and Johanna his wife, defendants, 
respecting one messuage with its appurtenances in Limerick.] 

XX. " Instruments de Kylmehalloc et aliis trs. ad Ecc. in Lym. spectantibus". 
[Deeds respecting Kilmallock and other lands belonging to the Church in Limerick.] 

XXI. " Inquisit capta per Mylerii fil. Hen. super, terras predic." 
[Inquisition held by Myler FitzHenry of the lands aforesaid.] 
XXVIII. "Carta Donaldi Eegis Lymer.". 

[Charter of Donald King of Limerick.] 

XXVII. Quieta clamautia Epi. Laonensis super tra. de Divenathinor". 

[Quit-claim (release) of the Bishop of Killaloe for the land of Divenathinor.] 

XXXIX. " Concessio et confirmatio Epis. Lymer. super beneflciis de Glyncorbry". 

[Grant and confirmation of the Bishop of Limerick of the benefices of Glencorbry.] 

LEV. " Assignatio decimarum et oblationum fca. canonicis Lymer per Epos, ejusdem loci". 

[Assignment of the tithes and offerings made to the canons of Limerick by the bishop of 
the same place.] 

LIX. "Inquisitio capta mandato Domni Eegis super decimas piscarum et molendinorum 
utrumque pertineant ad Thesauriam Lymer. vel ad capellam castri regis de Lymer.". 

[Inquisition held by order of our lord the king into the tythes of fisheries — [Until about 
sitxy years ago, the first take of salmon and oysters belonged to the Minor Canons of the cathe- 
dral, as may be seen from their books. The Corporation at present enjoy this privilege.] — and 
mills, and whether they belong to the treasury of Limerick, or to the chapel of the king's 
castle of Limerick.] 

LXIII. " Canonica obedientia fca Epo Lymer. per Malachiam rectore ecclie. de Artpatrick". 

[Canonical obedience paid to the Bishop of Limerick by the rector of the church of Ard- 
patrick.] 

LV. " Solutio facta in curia Eomana per Epis. Lymer". 

[Payment made in the Eoman Court by the Bishop of Limerick.] 

LXXI. Obligatioet quieta clamantia Maur le Marescal super tra. de Ardach. 

[Bond and release of Maur le Marescal of the lands of Ardagh.] 

LXXIII. "Libertates concessas Eccle. Lymer. et ab Epis. et canonicis ejusdem loci. 

[Liberties granted to the church of Limerick and to the abbots, bishops, and canons of the 
same place.] 

Between 1204 and 1207 we have the "ordinance of Donat, Bishop of Limerick, on the divine 
office to be performed in the church of Limerick", containing regulations respecting masses, 
benefices, etc., etc. And " the charter of Thomas de Wodeford of the land and buildings con- 
tained within the precincts of the Dean's Close". And " the ancient statutes of the Church and 
Chapter of Limerick". Dated 1295. [This is a confirmation of preceding conventions.] 



556 HISTORY Otf LIMERICK. 

nomination of bishops, and sought to preserve the upper hand in ecclesiastical 
affairs, as had been the case in the time of Henry III., when a great council 
of the English prelates summoned by Otto, the Pope's legate, was interfered 
with by the king, who sent several of his barons to the council, having 
commissioned them to prohibit the establishment of anything contrary to 
the king's crown and dignity. 

The attention bestowed by successive popes on the Church of Ireland, and 
on the government and interests of the country, is, however, plainly apparent 
from the evidences of concurrent history. Pope Nicholas, about this time, 
made a taxation of several Irish sees, and among others of the See of 
Limerick, which, with the taxations of Cashel, Waterford, Cloyne, and 
Cork, was discovered some years ago among the records of Westminster 
by Mr. Vanderzee, and which are printed in the second report of the Com- 
missioners of Public Records of Ireland. "We abstract as much of this tax- 
lation as its useful to our purpose : — 

TAXATION OF THE SEE AND OF THE CHAPTER. 

A.D. 1291. By authority of Pope Innocent IV. 

Redditus et 

Proventus 

Episcopi 

Lymericen- 

sis in omnibus— -viii xx iii u hi. 9 xi d ob Dec. xvi 11 vi. iiii. d ob. 

* Bona Lyme- 

ricensis 

Episcopi 

Spiritualia et 

temporalia, iiii xx xiiii. 11 . xvii. s vi. d ob. 

Redditus et 

Proventus 

Decani, xxxlv. u ii. s viii. d „ iii n viii. 8 h. d 

Redditus 

Preecentoris 

in omnibus, xiiii. 11 xvi. 9 vii A „ xxv. B vii. a o.q. 

Redditus 

Cancellarii 

in omnibus, xxvii. u viii. 8 „ liv. 8 ix. d ob. 

Redditus 

Thesaurarii 

in omnibus, xiiii. 11 „ xlviii. 8 

Redditus 

Archidiaconi 

in omnibus, xxviii. 11 xi 8 vl. d „ lvii. 9 l. d o.q. 

Ecclesia de 

Tulachbreck vii." xiii. 8 iiii. d „ xv. 8 iv. d 

Ecclesia de 

Croch . . . vl. u ii. d ob. „ xuV o.q. 

Ecclesia 

Effying, iiii." xiii. 8 iiii. d Dec. ix. 8 iiii d 

Eeclesia de 

Kjllyd, iii u vi. viii d „ vi. 8 viii. 

Prasbenda de 

Kilmonyn 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 557 



(St. Munchin's ?), vi. ]i xiii. s v. d „ 


xiii. s iiii. d 


Prasbenda de 




Arctatny 

(Ardcanny), v. u ii 3 „ 

Praebenda de 


x. 9 ll d 


Ballycathan 

(Bally cahane), iii u vi. s viii. d „ 

Ecclesia de 


vi 9 viii. 


Dovenachmore 




(Donoughmore), v u vl. 9 viii. d „ 


x. viii d 


Ecclesia de 




Diserto liii. 9 iiii. d „ 


v. 9 iiii 


Portio de 




Kylbecan 

(Kilpeacon ?) in n xvl. 9 viii. d „ 

Taxatio Ec» 


vii. 9 viii d 


clesiarium ad 




Communia 




Spectantium 
(i.e. the common 




Estate of the Dean 




and Chapter), xxxv. u ii. 9 ii. d „ 


iii. u x. s ii. d c 



* Communia Ecclesia beatee Mariae de Lymerick ad stipendium Vicariorum 
ibidem deservientium. Inde nichil. 1 

(Another ancient taxation which is preserved in Latin in White's MSS' 
gives an account of the parishes, benefices, chapels, and other regulations of 
the Diocese of Limerick, which the Rev. James White (the compiler of the 
MSS.) states he copied from an old MS. which Dr. Jasper White, 2 Pas- 
tor of St. John's parish, wrote, and which was in the custody of the Rev. 
John Lehy, a succeeding pastor of that parish. 3 We believe that this taxa- 
tion is generally attributed to the time of Bishop O'Dea, of whom, in the 
succeeding chapter, we shall have much to write. The following is a trans- 
lation of this most valuable and interesting document, which w r e give here, 
though not in exact chronological order 4 : — 

This is the taxation and the procuration of the diocese of Limerick, as I, 
Jasper White, have found in torn rolls among the books of my brother, Ed- 
mond White, Canon of Ardcanty, written with his hand in the year 1658 ; and 
also among the same writings of my most reverend and most illustrious Lord 
Bishop, James Dowley ; and in order that these writings should not perish, 
I have thought it worth my while to transcribe them here, and leave them to 
posterity ; and I have added the patron saints of the parish which I have been 
able to find. 

So far the Rev. Dr. Jasper White. 

1 This valuation, with the exception of the two items to which an asterisk is prefixed, is prin- 
ted in vol. ii. of the Reports of the Irish Record Commissioners. These items are taken from 
the roll in the Exchequer Office, Loudon. Cotton's Fasti. 

2 I find hy an entry in a copy of the Dcuay Bible in my possession, printed by Consturier, 
1665, that the Rev. Jasper "White lived in Limerick in the year 16G8. The following is the 
entry: "This Booke belongeth to Dr. Jasper White, priest, Limerick, the which he bought 
the 18th of April, 1668, for the sum of ten shillings and eight pence sterlg.'^ 

3 It is still in being. [Note by Dr. Young]. 

4 The Right Rev. Dr. Young and the Very Rev. Dean Cussen made marginal notes in the 
MSS., which I give. 



558 HISTORY OF LIMEBICK. 

s. d. 

The Decanate (Deanery) of Limerick. 

The cathedral and parochial church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
dedicated to the same on the loth day of August, on which day the 
office of the dedication is celebrated (Jit), with an octave in the city, 
and without an octave in the diocese. 

( Nota bene that I, Jasper White, met, written in the calendar of an old 
breviary belonging to the diocese of Limerick, the Sunday after the 
16th of July to be the day assigned for the dedication of the cathedral 
of Limerick, with an octave ; but a continued tradition assures us of the 
contrary, and that the 15th of August is the proper day for the dedi- 
cation, as Dr. Jasper White has affirmed above.) 

The parish church of St. Munchin, the patron saint of the whole city, 
whose festival is celebrated on the 2nd day of January. 

It is a prebend or canonry. The vicar has one half of the fruits, and 
the prebend the other half. It pays ... ,..0 9 

The parish church of St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor, whose fes- 
tival is celebrated on the 6th of September. Its vicariate (vicarage) 
belongs to the college of the vicars choral. No traces of this church 
exist ; but it was near the King's Castle, on the south side. It pays... 9 

The parish church of St. John the Baptist, whose festival is celebra- 
ted on the 24th day of June, ... ,.. 1 6 

N.B. — Many say it is dedicated to the decollation of St. John, y e 
9 th of August. 

The churches and chapels of this decanate in the county of Thomond 
(Clare), viz : — the parish clmrch of Killilee, 1 whose patron is Lelia, Vir- 
gin, and sister of St. Munchin, as it is said, whose festival is celebrated 
on the 11th August. It belongs to the prebend of Donoughmore. [To 
this church of Killilee belong three Cratalaghs, viz : — Cratalagh More, 
Cratalagh Keyil, and Cratalagh Moyeil and Counagh.] The parish church 
of Keilnntenan. [To this church belong part of the church of Six- 
mile Bridge, the Oil Mills, Bally dane east and west, Breakhill, Moy-. 
hill, Ballymorris, Portvine, and Garrine Curragh.] The place of this 
church is commonly called Crochane. 

[In MSS. of Dr. Young after brackets.] 

The parish church of Kielinaghta, the chapel of St. Thomas on the 
Mountain, at a place called Ballybuchalane, near Cratloe. 
[In Dr. Young's English.] 

The chapel of Keilrush, 2 near the River Shannon ; the chapel of Keil- 
chuain, near Parteen ; it belongs to the treasurer. The patron of this 
chapel is St. Covanus, Abbot, on the day. ... ... 9 

Churches and chapels of this decanate of Limerick, in the southern 
side of the city, in the county of Limerick, outside the walls, viz : — 

The parish church of St. Michael the Archangel, entirely destroyed 
in the time of Cromwell, near the walls, outside the West Watergate. 
His festival is celebrated on the 29th day of September. It belongs to 
the archdeacon. ... ... ... 9 

The parish church of St. Lawrence the Martyr, whose festival is cele- 
brated on the 10th of August with an octave. The presentation be- 
longs to the corporation of the mayor and aldermen. It pays ... 1 6 

The parish church of St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor, and Patron 

1 The parish of Kilely or Killeely, also called Meelick, three miles N. W. from Limerick. la 
the R. C. divisions, partly in the Parish of Meelick and partly in that of Thomond Gate, or St. 
Lelia — (Lewis's Topog.). 
a Called Old Church, close by which is the residence of the Honourable Robert O'Brien. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 559 

s. d. 

of all Ireland, whose festival is celebrated on the 17th day of March : 
the church is entirely destroyed. It belongs to the treasurer, and the 
tithes of all the mills of Limerick and Singland belong to it, ... 7 6 

The parish church of Kilmurray, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, 
22nd day of July, ... ... ...8 

The parish church of Derighealavain, dedicated to St. Nicholas, 
Bishop and Confessor, on the 6th day of December. It is entirely a 
rectory (est rectoria Integra). ... ...5 

The parish church of Donoughmore is a prebend, and dedicated ... 5 

The parish church of Cahirivalaha, dedicated to St. Thomas, Apostle, 
21st day of December. It belongs to the treasurer. ... 2 

The church of Caihiornairy, dedicated to St. Nicholas, Bishop and 
Confessor, 6th day of December. It belongs to the dean by gift from 
the Lord D.D. Robert of Emly, or Neil, Bishop of Limerick, anno 
Domini, 1253. ... ... 8 

The parish church of Criochoura, dedicated to the blessed Apostles 
Peter and Paul, 29th day of June. The vicarage (or vicariate) 1 belongs 
to the college of the vicars of Limerick. 

The parish church of Keilbecan, near Kilpeacon. It is a prebend, 
dedicated to St. Becan, on the day. 

The parish church of Knock-na-Ghauill, dedicated to St. Brigid, 
Virgin, 1st day of February. It belongs to the precentor. 

The parish church of Feadamuir (Fedamore) and Bailione. Dedicated 
to decollation of St. John Baptist, 29th day of August, 

The parish church of Ballinanhiny, or Fanningstown. 

The parish church of Keilchidy, dedicated to the holy Apostles 
Simon and Jude, 28th day of October, 

The parish church of Mongret. It belongs to the dean. Dedicated 
to St. Patrick, the 17th day of March. 

The chapel of Keililin, near St. John's Gate. It belongs entirely to 
the dean. 

The chapel of Fearan-na-guilleagh, now called Eoss Brien, of which 
no traces are lefc. It formerly belonged to some monks of the 
chapel de Rastro or Ratuird. It belongs to the parish priest (paro- 
chialis) of Limerick, whose vicarage belongs to the college of vicars. 4 

The chapel of Baillione, part of the parish of Feadamuir. 

The chapel or temple of Friarstown, commonly called Ballynabrair, 

The chapel of Sen na ghauil, perhaps Knock na ghauil. ... 2 

The chapel of Keilcuain de Achinis, between Ballinanhiny and 
Feadamuir. It belongs to the precentor. ... ... 5 H 

The chapel or temple of Keilna Cailly, near the bridge of Claireene, 
whose patron is Enat or Ethna. 

The chapel of St. Margaret in or Newtown, near Carrigo- 

guinell, 20th day of July. 

There are also in Limerick three monasteries, viz. : 

The monastery of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, near Ball's 
Bridge, 

The monastery of St. Saviour, of the Dominicans, 

The Monastery of St. Francis [in the place commonly called the 
Abbey 2 ]. 

The temple of St. Peter, which was that of the Canonesses of St. 
Augustine. 

• The parenthesis is ray o>vn. 2 These brackets are in the original. 



10 





2 





5 





8 





12 





4 






560 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

s. 

There was also in Limerick, near Quay Lane, the Church of the Holy 
Hood. 

The Decanate of Kilmallock. 

The collegiate and parish church of Kilmallock, dedicated to the 
Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 29th day of June, whose rectory belongs 
to the college of vicars of Limerick, and the vicariate to the college 
of Kilmallock, ... ... ... 18 

The parish church of Effin is a prebend, and dedicated to the B. V. 
Mary, ... ... ... 22 

The parish church of Athenese, or Beallathenesigh, or Beallananesy, 
dedicated to St. Athanasius, 2nd day of May, whose rectory belongs 
to the college of Kilmallock, ... ... 10 

The church of Kilbride Major, dedicated to St. Brigid, 1st day of 
February. It is a rectory that belongs to the college of Kilmallock. 

The church of Imiligrinine, or Ballaghrinine, dedicated to St. Molluo, 
Bishop and Confessor, 5th day of May. It belongs to the treasurer. ... 5 q 

The church of Keilfinny, or Keilfmine, dedicated to St. Andrew, 
Apostle, 80th day of November. It belongs to the precentor. ... 10 

The church of Keilsluing, near Clough-a-Nutliy [forte Kilflyn MSS., 
Dr. Cussen, Castleotway, in pencil], ,.. 

The church of Dromochuo, or Derraghmochuogh, or Dormoceno, 

The church of Ballinghaddly. It belongs to the college of Kilmal- 
lock, dedicated to the B. V. M. 

The church of Kilbride Minor. It is a rectory, dedicated to St. 
Brigid, 1st February, 

The church of Keilchuain, dedicated to St. Coran, abbot, 

The church of Cluoincourry, alias Cluointorthy, half of which for- 
merly belonged to the Bishop of Cloyne, but now the whole is said 
to belong to the Bishop of Limerick. It is dedicated to St. Colo- 
manus, " 24th day of November" [Dr. Young]. 

The church of Ballyhancard, dedicated to St. David, 1st March, ... 

The parish church of Brury (Bruree). It belongs to the Dean of 
Limerick. Dedicated to St. Munchin, Bishop. ... 5 

The parish church of Ahaleacagh. It is a rectory, and dedicated to 
St. John Baptist, 24th of June, ... ... 12 

The parish church of Dromuin. It is a rectory, and dedicated to 
the Most Holy Trinity ... ..." ... 10 

The church of Urigear, alias of Viridus, dedicated to St. Margaret, 
Virgin, 20th day of July, ... ... 25 

Parish church of Tillibreaka. It is a prebend, and dedicated to St. 
Molon, 5th day of May. ... ... 10 

The church of Glinoge, dedicated to St. Nicholas, 6th December. ... 15 

The chapel of St. John, between the bridge and St. John's Gate, 
Kilmallock. 

The chapel of St. Mathologus, on the hill of Kilmallock, whose 
festival is celebrated on the 26th day of March. 

The chapel of Cattan, alias Kiline or Kilny. It belongs to the bishop's 
table. 

The chapel of St. Martin in Ballichuillean, dedicated to St. Martin, 
11th day of November. It belongs to the college of Kilmallock. ... 4 

The chapel of Saichaihill. It belongs to the college of Kilmallock. 
Dedicated. ... ... ... 9 

The chapel of Ardphaidrig (Ardpatrick), in the parish of Ballyhadding. 
It belongs to the college of Kilmallock. Dedicated. (Mount Russel). 9 



4 





12 





15 





4 





4 


5 


1 





4 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 561 

s. d. 

The chapel of Dungadamus, or Dungaddy, or Dunghadiehon, or 
Duneyris. It belongs to the college of Kilmallook. Dedicated. ... 4 

The chapel Martes (Mortalstown). It belongs to the college of Kil- 
mallock. Dedicated. ... ... ... 1 6 

The chapel of Keilchoimogan, alias Keilinghongue. It belongs to 
the prebend of St. Munchin. ... ... 4 

The chapel of Ardmuillain, otherwise Ardewelain, of which scarcely 
any traces remain. It belongs to the bishop's table. Dedicated. ... 1 6 

The chapel of Brough, alias Broff (Bruff). It belongs to Hospital. 
Dedicated to St. Peter of Alexandria, 26th November. ... 4 

The chapel of St. Ballisheward, alias Ballihaward, alias Rathioward, 
It belongs to the Dean of Limerick. Dedicated. ... 3 

The chapel of Keilcoyne, otherwise Hakins. It belongs to the pre- 
bend of Keilbecan. Dedicated. 

The chapel of Camus, dedicated [to St. Senanus, as I have heard. — 
Dr. Young]. [8th of March Dr. Cussen.] 

The chapel and well (fons) of St. Lawrence in Ahaillaca. 

The monastery of the Regulars of St. Augustine at Kilmallock, 

The monastery of St. Saviour of the Dominicans. 

The chapel of Keilbruoiny, between Athlacca and Tullorby. 

The chapel of Keiltemplalain, near Bruff, to the north. [Its remains 
scarcely visible.— Dr. Young.] 

The chapel of St. Kyran, between Athlacca and Glenogra, belongs 
to Glenogra. [Scarcely exists — Dr. Young.] 

The chapel of St. Laternus, near Bruff. [Its site now unknown. — Dr. 
Young.] 

Decanate of Adare. 

Parochial church of Adare, dedicated to St. Nicholas, Bishop and 
Confessor, 6th day of December. ... ... 21 

Church of Kilnaghan or Keilinoghtan, belongs to mensal of the bishop. 2 6 
Chapel of Keilinathan, belongs to the prebendary of St. Munchin, to 
whom it is dedicated. [Perhaps Kilconaghan, Killenoughty. — Dr. 
Cussen.] 

The church of Keilbinighte, dedicated. 

Parish church of Croom, alias Gremoth. It is a rectory. Dedicated. 21 
The church of Dunnemeaunn, alias Rustainy, aliter Baillythrisdan. 
It belongs to the rector of Croom. Dedicated. ... 3 

Church of Balliochachan. It is a prebend. Dedicated. ... 4 6 

The church of Keldimo. It belongs to the archdeacon. Dedi- 
cated. ... ... ... 8 

The church of Ardcanthy. It is a prebend. Dedicated. ... 5 

The church of Keilchournan. It is a rectory. Dedicated. ... 5 

The church of Dysert. It is a prebend. Dedicated. ... 3 6 

To this church of Dysert belongs Fearan-na-manach, near the White 
Stone Cross, as I have myself read in the Black Book ; for the monks 
of the monastery of Maigh (Maigue), to whom Fear-na-Managh for- 
merly belonged, gave that land to the bishop and chapter of Limerick 
for other land near them, called Ballioshoidir, which belonged to our 
Limerick chapter, and the bishop and chapter added that land, Fear- 
na-Managh, to the prebend of Dysert, because it is very meagre and 
poor. [Habetur p. 27 hujus libri. viz., White's MSS. — Dr. Young.] 

The church of Athnid. It is a prebend, dedicated. ... 1 6 

The chapel of Dromassel. It belongs to the rector of Croom, dedicated 1 6 



5§2 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 

s. d. 

The chapel of Dolla, alias Doilath. It belongs to the rector of Groom. 
Dedicated. ... ... .. 2 

The chapel of Castle Robert, dedicated. 

The chapel of Cluoia Anny. It belongs to the Rector of Croom, dedi- 
cated. ... ... ... 2 

The chapel of Drochid Tairsne. It belongs to the prebendary of St. 
Munchin. ... ... ... 2 6 

Chapel Russel, or Rossel, dedicated. ... ... 1 G 

Chapel of Kilghobain. It belongs to the college of vicars choral. 

Chapel of Say, alias de Caithiorassa, dedicated (Caharass). 

Chapel of Glanonitrithig, dedicated. 

Chapel of Mananghurine, dedicated. 

Chapel of St. Meranus, dedicated to the same. 

Chapel of Cran, dedicated. 

In this decanate were the following monasteries: — 

Monastery of Nenay, or Maighe, of Monks Cistertians of St. Ber- 
nard. 

Chapel of Moirgrean, on the west of the River Maighe. It belongs 
to said monastery. 

In the village of Athdare (Adare) there were — : 

Monastery of the Holy Trinity of the Redemption of Captives, com- 
monly called the White Monastery, on the west of th<? village, called 
white from the white habit of the monks. 

Monastery of St. Augustine, of the order of Eremites, called the 
Black Monastery, from their black habit, situated on the west of the 
bridge of Athdare. 

Monastery of St. Francis, of the order of Minors of the stricter obser- 
vance, outside the walls on the western side of the town, called the 
Poor Monastery. 

There was also in the same village a house of Knights Hospitallers 
of the order of St. John of Jerusalem. 

Decanate (Deanery) of Ballingharry, or Gorth, or Gayr. 

Parochial Church of Ballingharry. It is a parsonage dedicated to 
St. Evanjanus, 1st August. ... ... 20 

Church of Corcomohide. Belongs to the College of Limerick. Dedi- 
cated to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2nd day of 
February. ... ••• ... 20 

Parish Church of Mahounagh. It is a rectory. Dedicated to St. 
John Baptist, 24th June. ... ... ... 6 

Church of Cluoineilty. It belongs to the College of Limerick. 
Dedicated. ... 

Church of Cluoincagh. Belongs to College of Limerick. Dedicated. 

Church of Croagh. It is a prebend. Dedicated. 

Church of Keilfiny. It belongs to the Precentor. Dedicated. 

Church of Cluoinsiarra. It belongs to the Chancellor. Dedicated. 

Chapel of Cluoincreu. Belongs to the Archdeacon. Dedicated to 
St. Borthanus. ... ... ... 

Chapel of Maigreny or Keilkenny. Belongs to the College. 

Chapel of Ceappach, or Keilnaceappug, or Triostane. Belongs to the 
Dean. Dedicated. ... ... ... 3 

Chapel of Dromcolluchuir. Dedicated. 

Chapel of Keilina, alias Paillis. Dedicated. 

Chapel of Cnockseaimabothy. Dedicated. [Shanavroha.] 

Chapel of Keilmochuo. Dedicated to St. Colmanus, B. and C, 29 



1 


G 





6 


15 





15 





3 








G 





<J 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 583 

s. d. 

Oct. Confer Ware de Praesulibus (Ware's Bishops), sub Epis. Duacen- 
sibus, mini [page 28, Dr. Young's Notes], 

Chapel of Keil-yic-a-niarla. Dedicated. 

Next to Ballingharry village, on the eastern side, is the monastery, 
called the Monastery of St. John, and it is of the third order of St. 
Francis, as we have heard. 

Decanate of Rathkeal or Rathgelle. 

The Parish Church of Rathkeal all belongs to the Chancellor. 
Dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. Here is extant the Monastery of 
the Canons of Arroasia, of the Order of St. Augustine [founded and en- 
dowed by Gilbert Harvey, in 1289, and further endowed by his descen- 
dant Eleanor Purcell, who caused it to be dedicated to the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. Note by M. L.] 

Church of Keilscannil. Belongs to the Chancellor. Dedicated. ... 5 

Church of Cluonnach. It belongs to the Chancellor. Dedicated. 
Counagh. ... ... ... 5 

Church of Neantenan. It belongs to the Precentor. Dedicated to 
St. James Apostle, 25th July. ... ... 6 6 

Church of Asketin, or Asketton, or Ascetiny. Dedicated. A mon- 
astery of the Order of St. Francis is extant there. 

Church of Lismakiry or Lismhickiry. It is a rectory. Dedicated. 

Church of Kilbradarain or Cnockbradarain. Dedicated to St. Bran- 
dan, Abbot, 16th of May. 

Church of Dunmuilin. Dedicated. 

Church of Seannaghuoilin. Belongs to the Precentor. Dedicated. 

Church of Leuchuill. Belongs to the Precentor. Dedicated. 

Church of Keilarisse or Keilfargus. Belongs to the Precentor. De- 
dicated. 

Church of Keilmualain. Belongs to the College. Dedicated. ... 

Church of Keilmily or Keilmuarille. All belongs to the Precentor. 

Chapel of Rathnasaor. It belongs to the Precentor, according to an old 
roll of A.D. 1542, and pays no procuration, 1 according to the new rolls. 

Chapel of Dromdily or Dromdelthy. Belongs to the Precentor. De- 
dicated. ... ... ... 3 

Chapel of Castle Robert or Dunedoiuill.- It is a rectory, dedicated 
to St. Mary Magdalen, 22nd July. ... ... 8 

Chapel of Keilcholaman. Dedicated. ... ... 3 

Chapel of Disert Merogan, or Muiriogan, or Morgans. It all 
belongs to the Precentor. Dedicated. ... ... 2 

Chapel of Achinis. Dedicated. ... ... 1 

Chapel of Mineta. Belongs to the College. Dedicated 

Chapel of Castle Robert de Gore alias Gauyr or of Robertsville [? Lat. 
de Pago Roberti]. Dedicated to saint. ... ... 5 

Chapel to St. Patrick on the Mountain. Dedicated to same, 17th 
March. 

Chapel of Inniscatha or Scattery Island (formerly, in the time of St. 
Senanus, it was an Archiepiscopate, and a celebrated monastery is 
extant there). ».. ... ... 1 

Decanate of Ardagh. 

Parish Church of Ardagh, belongs to the Archdeacon. Dedicated. 7 

Church of New Grange of the bridge, [de ponte]. Dedicated. ... 6 

1 Procurations are certain sums of money which Parish Priests pay yearly to the Bishop or 
Archdeacon ratione visitationes. 
The same (says Gib., 975) may be done without actual visitation, Tomlin's Law Diet. 



22 





3 





7 





5 





12 





3 


4 


3 


4 


3 


4 



8. 

6 








G 


3 

4 






3 

17 




6 



564 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Church of Newcastle, a rectory. Dedicated to St. David, ] st March. 

Church of Moineaghighea, or Moneyghea. A rectory. Dedicated to 
B.V.M., 15th August. 

Church of Keilioda, or Keilmide. A prebend. Dedicated to St. Ida, 
or Mida, abbess, January 15. 

Church of Rathrunan. A rectory. Dedicated. 

Church of Aglssimona. Dedicated. 

Church of Keilaghailicham, alias Keilagh a Liochan. Dedicated to 
B.V.M. ad Nives, 5th day of August, near Drumcollogher. 

Chapel of Rathcaithell. Dedicated. 

Chapel of Mount-Temple [de Templo Montis]. Belongs to Rathrunan. 

Chapel of Temple Gleantan. Dedicated. ... 

Monastery of Feal, near the river Feal, of the order of St. Bernard. 

At Newcastle there is a monastery of Knights Templars. 

Chapel of Iniscatha, or Scattery Island, at the mouth of the river Shannon, 
which belongs to the decanate of Eathkeale ; it likewise formerly belonged to 
the diocese of Limerick in the time of the R. D. D. Cornelius O'Dea, bishop of 
Limerick, as appears from his words and writings, which run thus : 

" I, Cornelius O'Dea, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, have en- 
feofed the Lord Gilbert O'Caithell (formerly of the lands belonging to Limerick, 
from that island of Iniscathy, which [lands] I have recovered by inquisition 
taken by me, which were not before me, for many years, in the possession of the 
Church), under this form, viz. : That the said Gilbert and his heirs should 
[debeat] pay to my assigns and his successors canonically entering, every year 
in the name of revenue, [as rent] twelve pence, viz., one half at Easter, and one 
half at the feast of St. Michael ; and on whatever night I or my successors shall 
first put into said island, they should refresh us with meat and drink and all 
other necessary things ; and as long thereafter as I or my successors shall tarry 
therein, they shall supply fire, light, and straw, at their own cost and expense, 
and carry us victuals by water, at our expense, and in boats, and by labourers 
of their own, from Limerick and the out villages (vUlce for ales) of the said 
diocese, to wit, only to all our manors of Lesamkyle, Dromdile, Mongret, and 
Limerick". 

What is said here of Iniscathy I have read from an ancient roll extracted 
from the Black Book of the bishops of Limerick in the time of John Quin, the first 
Protestant bishop of Limerick — [N.B. This must be a mistake, for John Quin, 
or Coyn, was a Catholic, and was deposed by Edward VI. for being such, and 
Casey, a Protestant, put in his place]. — The day after St. Michael the Arch- 
angel, A.D. 1542. Therefore I know not by what right it is said that Iniscatha 
now belongs to the diocese of Limerick. 

Thus the Rev. Mr. Gaspar White. 

"N.B. — About the year 1742, the Rev. D. D. Robert Lacy, bishop of Lime- 
rick, recovered this island of Iniscatha from the diocese of Killaloe, and a second 
time joined it to the diocese of Limerick. Witness my hand, James White, 
notary apostolic. 

"In the year 1801, the bishop of Limerick went to Iniscathy, in which he found 
two families living, whom he placed under the care and jurisdiction of the Rev. 
Michael Sullivan, parish priest of Ballylongford, in the diocese of Kerry. 

"J[ohn "Y"[oung]. 

I, Gaspar White, precentor of the Cathedral Church of the B. V. Mary of 
Limerick, learn from this, and from other rolls: — 1. That there are six digni- 
taries in the cathedral church of Limerick, viz., episcopate, decanate, precen- 
torate, chancellorate, treasurership, and archdiaconate. 2. I learn the bene- 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 565 

fices of each dignity. I learn that there are six diaconates in the diocese of 
Limerick. 4. I learn that there are eleven prebends or canonries. 5. I learn 
how many prebends are in each decanate. 

The benefices of each dignity, viz. : 

I. To the bishop's table belong :— 1. Mongrett. 2. Tura Deil, or Blind Man's 
Tower. 3. Keilionochan. 4. Ardmuolan, near Killmallock. 5. Cottan, or 
Kilny, near Killmallock. 6. The middle part of Cluoncourtha, but now the 
whole, although formerly one part belonged to the bishop of Cloyne. 

II. 1. To the deanery belonged the whole parish of St. Mary's, Limerick. 2. The 
rectDry of Mongrett. 3. The entire chapel of Keililin, outside St. John's Gate, 
near the walls. 4. The rectory of the chapel of Rathiuird, near Limerick, be- 
cause it is part of St. Nicholas's parish. 5. The parish of Cathiornary. 6. 
The rectory of Bruiry. 7. The rectory of Baillishiowaird. 8. The rectory of 
Keappach, alias Tristane. 

III. To the precentor belong : — 1. The rectory of Keilfiny. 2. The parish of 
Neantonan. 3. The rectory of Dromdily, or Tomdily, or Dromdelithy. 4. The 
rectory of Scannaghuoilin, or Seangolden. 5. The rectory of Leaughill. 6. 
The whole of Keilmile, alias Keilmuirelle. 7. The whole chapel 1 of Crag Desert 
Morogan, or Merogan, or Muiririgan, alias Morgans. 8. The whole of the chapel 
of Crinbhailly, or Cliny. 9. The rectorate of the parish of Cnocknaghauil. 

10. The rectory of Cluomagh, in the ecclesiastical tenure only. 1L The chapel 
of Rathnasaon, according to an ancient roll of the year 1542. 12. The church 
of Keilairissa, or Keilfargus, 

IV. To the chancellor belong:— 1. The rectory of Raithkeill entirely. 2. 
The rectory of Keilscainnill. 3. The rectory of Cluomagh, in the lay tenure 
only. 4. The rectory of Cluoinsierre. 

V. To the treasurer belong : — 1. The parish of St. Patrick entirely. 2. The 
tithes of all the mills of Limerick. 3. The chapel of Keilcuain, near Parteen, 
which is a dependency of the said parish of St. Patrick. 4. The rectory of 
Caithirthiovathalla, or Cahirivahala. 5. The rectory of Imilighrinin, near Kill- 
mallock. 

VI. To the archdeacon belong : — 1. The rectorate of the parish of St. Michael 
(outside the walls of Limerick). 2. The rectory of Keildimo. 3. Clouincreu, 
or Cluoinchremha. 4. Ardagh entire. 

VII. To the college of Vicars Choral of Limerick belong: — 1. The vica- 
riate of the parish of St. Nicholas of Limerick. 2. The vicariate of Rathiuird. 
8. The vicariate of the Chriochourtha. 4. The vicariate of Corcomoithid. 5. 
The rectory of Kilmallock. 6. The rectory of Keilmuallan. 7. The rectory 
of Cluoinelthy. 8. Cluoincagh. 9. Chapel of Kilghobban. 10. Chapel Mineta. 

11. Chapel of Magrainy, or Keilcagny. 

VIII. To the college of Kilmallock belong: — 1. The vicariate of the college 
of Kilmallock. 2. The vicariate of Athnese. 3. Ballinghaddy. 4. Chapel of 
Saycaithile. 5. Chapel of Keilionan. 6. Chapel of Dune-gaddy and Dune-joris. 
7. Chapel Martell. 8. Kilbeedy Major. 9. Chapel of St. Martin. 

IX. To the Corporation of the Mayor and Aldermen of Limerick belongs the 
Church of St. Laurence beyond St. John's Gate. 

X. To the prebend of St. Munchin's belong : — 1. The half part of the fruits of 
the prebend — the other part to the vicar. 2. The rectory of Keilnochon, or 
Keilineunghe. 3. The rectory of the chapel of Drehid-Tarsne. 4. The chapel of 
Keilchiomogan. 

XI. To the prebendary of Donoughmore belong: — 1. The rectory of the 

1 The word capella, I imagine, means " chapelry", rather than " chapel", otherwise why add 
" the whole of it" ? — Tomline gives chapdlania for chapelry. 



In the decanate of Kilmallock. 



566 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

parish of Donoughrnore. 2. The rectory of the parish of Keiliele with its appen- 
dices. 3. The rectory of Ardpatrick. 

XII. To the rectory of Kilpeacon belongs the rectory of the chapel of 
Keilcuain of Aghennis. 

XIII. To the rectory of Croom belong : — 1. The rectory of Cluonnana. 2. 
The chapel of Cnockdromaissel. o. The chapel of Dolla. 4. The chapel of 
Dunenamaun, or Tristan. 

XIV. To the hospital belongs the chapel of BrufY. 

XV. To the rectory of Rathronan belongs the chapel of Mount Temple. 
Note 1. — The decanates in the diocese of Limerick are six, viz., the decanate 

of Limerick, the decanate of Kilmallock, the decanate of Adare, the decanate 
of Ballingarry, the decanate of Rathkeale, and the decanate of Ardagh. 

Note 2. — There are eleven prebends or canonries in the diocese of Limerick. 

1. The canonry or prebend of St. Mun- | 

chins, 

2. The canonry or prebend of Donogh- ^-In the decanate of Limerick. 

more, 

3. The canonry or prebend of Kilpeacan, 

4. The canonry or prebend of Efnn, | 

5. The canonry or plebend of Tully- V] 

bracke, j 

6. The canonry or Prebend of Ballyca- J 

hane, 

7. The canonry or prebend of Ard- [ r iH h r \ j 

canthv ' decanate of Adare 

8. The canonry or prebend of Disert, 

9. The canonry or prebend of Athnitt, 

10. The canonry or prebend of Croagh, In the decanate of Ballingarry. 

11. The canonry or prebend of Killeedy, In the decanate of Ardagh. 

So far the important matter in White's MSS. 

With respect to the property of the cathedral in its ancient state, there 
can be no question of its extent, and of the jealous care with which it was 
preserved. Grants of land were frequently made to the cathedral ; whilst, 
as we perceive by the Black Book, the possessions in mortmain of all 
the churches of Limerick have been taken into account in the Patent and 
Close Rolls of Chancery in several successive reigns. These lands were 
most frequently leased out to tenants. The bishop's manors, of which 
Mungret, containing six large plow-lands, was one, Kilmallock another, 
which " hath been ever the bishop's manor", where the bishop was lord 
paramount, when it (Kilmallock) was a strong walled town ; where the 
bishop had a fair which he purchased for £10 from David Lord Barry ; 
where he held a court twice a year, had a mill, a bake-house, and a 
shambles ; where all persons should grind at the bishop's mill, bake at his 
bake-house, and pay for the shambles according to custom ; and where the 
burgesses and townsmen were called and impannelled as juries in the 
bishop's court. 1 Ardagh, as we have above seen, was another bishop's manor 
in which bishops held courts and received rents ; Drumdeely was another ; 
and there is an entry in the little Black Book 2 (quoted by Bishop Adams), 

1 See Black Book and Bishop Adams's MSS., account of the property, etc. 

2 See also folio 7, p. 2, of the Black Book, and folio 8, p. 1, in the two offices of inquisition, 
where Drumdeely is found to be the bishop's laud. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 567 

to the effect that the inhabitants of Inniscattery are bound " carriare lig- 
num, gramen et victualla ad omnia maneria sua de Lesamkill, Drumdeely 
et Mungarett". 

No church was more richly endowed by kings and princes, than the Ca- 
thedral of St. Mary's, Limerick. 

We now proceed with the Bishops : 

Robert of Dondomhnal or Dundonald, a canon of Limerick, was elected 
bishop by the king's assent, after canonical election in 1302. He was not 
restored to the temporalities until the 23d of September following, as 
appears by the accounts in the Chief Remembrancer's office. He died on 
the 3rd of May, 1311, and was buried in his own cathedral. 

Eustace de L'Eau, or Waters, Dean of Limerick, succeeded, and was 
consecrated at the close of the year 1311. He indeed was a great bene- 
factor to the cathedral in his time. The citizens, who appear to have been 
not only wealthy, but pious, and to have appreciated the value of the cathe- 
dral, gave their energetic assistance towards the good work in which the 
bishop was engaged. After a session of twenty-four years, he died on the 
3rd of May, 1336, and was interred in his own church. 

Maurice de Rupe Forte, or Rochfort, succeeded to the episcopacy in the 
same year, and was consecrated on the 6th of April in Limerick. An 
information was exhibited against him for opposing the levying of a subsidy 
granted to the king, of which he was found guilty. It appears that, in 
1346, a parliament was held at Kilkenny, which granted the subsidy to 
the king (Edward III.), to support the exigencies of the state. Ralph 
Kelly, Archbishop of Cashel, opposed the levying of it within his province, 
and for that end summoned a meeting of his suffragan bishops at Tipperary, 
at which Maurice, Bishop of Limerick, Richard, Bishop of Emly, and 
John, Bishop of Lismore, appeared. They fulminated excommunication 
against all who should contribute to the subsidy; and at Clonmel the 
Archbishop appeared in the public streets, robed, and boldly published the 
decree of excommunication, particularly against William Epworth, the 
king's commissioner in the county of Tipperary, for gathering in the 
subsidy from the collectors. Maurice Rochfort was for some time deputy 
to Sir Thomas Rokeby, Lord Justice of Ireland, and according to Friar 
Hogan's Annals ofNenagh (preserved in the Brundusian Library, Brussels), 
Maurice was " a man of good life and honest conversation". The mort- 
main laws were so strictly enforced during his episcopacy, that whereas 
Gerald le Marescal, above mentioned, in a.d. 12 7f had purchased 
some lands for the see, without having previously obtained his license of 
mortmain, Edward III. obliged Maurice Rochfort, in 1337, to pay a fine 
of twenty marks. An ancient rental of the Diocese of Limerick is attri- 
buted to Maurice Rochfort. 

The attitude assumed by the Church at this period was bold and ve- 
hement against the tyrannical usurpations of the crown, which not only 
sought to set aside the liberties extended by Magna Charta, but under the 
falsest of pretences, levied oppressive taxes, and frequently revoked all pre- 
vious grants, letters patent, etc., as well to all persons denounced, as to the 
Church itself, which maintained its position as the champion of truth and 
the protector of the persecuted. Many instances are given, in contem- 
poraneous records, of the rapacity of the crown, and of the resistance of 



S68 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the Church to the spoliating hands of royalty and to the unscrupulousness of 
its agents ; and the vehemence with which the Archbishop of Cashel hurled 
defiance at the decrees of the subservient parliament of Kilkenny, and the 
readiness with which his zeal was seconded by his suffragans of Limerick, 
Emly, and Lismore, afford a proof, if proof were wanting, that the Church, 
in those times, never abandoned the people, though the power of the state 
and the influence of the crown were brought to bear against it on many 
occasions. 

Stephen Lawless, or Lellies, Chancellor of Limerick, succeeded in 1353, 
and was restored to the temporalities by the king on the 13th of May, 
1353. He died on the 28th of December, 1359. 

In 1360, Stephen de Valle, or Wall, Dean of Limerick, succeeded by 
provision of the Pope, and was consecrated this year. He filled the high 
office of treasurer of Ireland. He was translated to the bishopric of Meath, 
where having sat ten years, he died at Oxford on the 4th of November, 
1379, and was buried there in the Dominican monastery. While he was 
Bishop of Limerick he translated the bones of Richard FitzRalph, Arch- 
bishop of Armagh, commonly called St. Richard of Dundalk, from Avig- 
non to Dundalk, the birth-place of that archbishop, and deposited them in 
the Parish Church of St. Nicholas in that town. 1 

Peter Curragh (in a MS. in T.C.D., said to be taken out of the Black 
Book, he is called Creagh; and in White's MSS. he is designated Pierce 
Creagh, a native of Limerick, though Ware states that he was a native of 
the county of Dublin) was elected next in succession, in 1369. He took 
the oath of fealty to Edward III. before the illustrious William of Wykeham, 
Bishop of Winchester, on the 10th of February (English style). Creagh's 
episcopacy was full of troubles. He engaged in implacable opposition to the 
Franciscans. When Archbishop Warrington came to Limerick to redress 
their grievances, and cited the bishop to answer their complaints, he (the 
bishop) laid violent hands on the archbishop, and tore the citation from 
him with such force that he drew his blood, and ordered the archbishop to 
begone, or that it should fare worse with his attendants. It is said, more- 
over, that the bishop laid censures on and threatened with excommunica- 
tion all who should repair for divine service within the church of the Fran- 
ciscans ; that he excommunicated all who afforded the archbishop food and 
entertainment. There are other matters equally harsh said of this bishop : 
some of these accusations are preferred by Ware, on the authority of Luke 
Wadding ; but we must accept them with some reservation. We must 
bear in mind that this prelate governed the see of Limerick for the long 
period of thirty years. During his time religion flourished in Limerick. 
Some of the most eminent of the families of the city then lived, and by 
their munificent expenditure on the churches and monasteries, showed 
that their zeal was ardent and their faith sincere. It was during the 
episcopacy of Pierce Creagh that Martin Arthur made a will 2 which shows 
that there were nine churches in the city. This will was made A.D. 
1376. Among the bequests was one to the Franciscan friars, which the 
assertion of Ware, or rather of his commentator, Harris, as to the resent- 

1 In a Parliament held at Trim, in June, 1485, a chantry was confirmed in this church of 
St. Nicholas, at Dundalk, in honour of God, the Blessed Virgin, St. Nicholas, and St. Richard, 
of Dundalk. Ware's Bishops. 

8 Preserved in the Arthur MSS. 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



569 



ment manifested by the bishop towards the Franciscans, shows did not ex- 
tend to the citizens. This will indicates the curious domestic manners of 
the times, and sets out several curious bequests. Confirmation of it is 
granted, and letters of administration, by the bishop. The will concludes 
as follows: 

M In the name of God, Amen, I, the aforesaid Martin, bequeath my soul to 
God, the Blessed Virgin, and all the saints ; my body to be buried in the 
church of the Preaching Friars in Limerick. I also bequeath to the Cathe- 
dral of St. Mary's, Limerick, for forgotten tithes ... (marks) 20 
Also to the Preaching Friars ... ... 18 

Also for a friar's habit, to be put on him, half a mark 

Also to the Friars Minor (Franciscans) ... ... 10 

Item to the Vicars of the Church of St. Mary ... 2 

Item to the Church of the Holy Cross ... 3 4 

Item to the Vicar of St. Nicholas ... ... 2 

Item to repair of the Church of St. Munchin's ... 3 4 

Item to the Church of St. Peter ... ... 10 

Item Church of St. Michael ... ... 1 

Item Church of John Baptist ... ... 1 

Item Church of St. Lawrence ... ... 10 

Item Church of St. Patrick ... ... 1 

Item to Sarah Wingaine ... ... 1 

Item to Mr. John Lawless ; .. ... 1 

Item Mr. John White, Chaplain ... ... 1 

Item to Mariota Mylys ... ... 1 

Item to John Sole, Monk ... half a mark. 

Item to Friar Maurice O'Cormacaine ... ... 3 4 

Item to Friar Simon Modin ... ... 2 

Item to Preaching Friars, to pray for his soul ... 2 

Item to Nurse Johanna ... ... 8 

This bishop resigned his see a.d. 1400, and died about the end of Octo- 
ber, 1407. Before his death, but after his resignation, viz., in 1401, John 
Budstone, a wealthy citizen of Limerick, bestowed four great bells on the 
cathedral of St. Mary's, to which we shall have to refer in the next chapter. 
Up to this period, from the foundation of the chapter by Bishop Donat 
O'Brien, there had been nine 1 Deans. 



CHAPTER LVII. 

BISHOP CORNELIUS 01>EA — HIS MITRE, CROZIER, AND SEAL — HIS IMPROVE- 
MENTS STATE OF AFFAIRS IN HIS TIME— GRANT OF HENRY VI. TO THE 

CITIZENS THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY'S — MONUMENTS AND MONU- 
MENTAL INSCRIPTIONS — THE BISHOPS IN SUCCESSION — THE " REFORMA- 
TION", ETC., ETC. 

The illustrious Cornelius O'Dea, Archdeacon of Killaloe, succeeded Cur- 
ragh or Creagh, a.d. 1405. He was a liberal benefactor to the cathedral, as 
we have already seen, and he also enlarged and beautified it. His mitre 

Viz.:— in 1204, p. 1212, T. ibid. W. Reymundus, tempore Henrici de Walyn, Dec. Lim.; 121 
to 1278, Thomas of Woodford ; 1295-8, John do Cotes ; 1302, Luke ; 1311, Eustace de l'Eau 
or "Waters, who was raised to the bishopric this year ; 1366, Adam Owen; 1398 to "14-09. 

40 



570 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and crozier are yet extant, and have won the admiration of all anti- 
quarians and learned societies : they have been shown at the great Na- 
tional Exhibition in Dublin in 1852, and at the congress of the Archae- 
ological Society in England in 1862. 1 The mitre is of thin silver parcel 
gilt, ornamented both on the front and back, as also on the infulce or 
pendants, with a profusion of pearls, crystals, rubies, amethysts, emeralds, 
and other precious stones. The two sides are composed of silver laminae, 
gilt, and are jewelled in a broad band round the base, up the centre, and 
along the sloping edges ; these bands are edged with mouldings, and the 
sloping portion has been enriched with an elaborate cresting of vine-leaves 
along its outer edge. The interspaces on either side are now occupied by 
a foliated ornament, composed of pearls laid down over foil. The infulae, 
or pendant ornaments, are not so ancient as the mitre itself. There are, 
however, among them two ancient cabochon crystals, and two small orna- 
ments of translucent enamel, one with the emblem of a hare pursued by a 
hound, the other with a winged lion. It has the following enamelled in- 
scription, under a crystal cross in front: — 

" HOC SIGNUM CRUCIS ERIT IN CCELO". 

Under a similar cross on the back the inscription goes on : 

" CUM DOMINUS AD JUDICANDUM VENERIT". 

Round the base of the mitre is the following inscription, in letters of 
the period, on ground covered with blue, green, and puiest translucent 
enamel ; 

-f- Me -f- fieri -f- fecit -f Cornelius -j-0 Deaygh-{- 

episcopus-j j-anno-j-Domini+milli°-{- 

+ + 

The name of the artist is engraved in similar characters above the hinged 
band : — 

Thomas-}- O'Carryd-fartifex-j-faciens. 

The crozier is of silver gilt, and ornamented round the curve with 
vine leaves and real pearls, and down the shafts with crowns and chased 
work. Within the curve are statuettes of the Blessed Virgin and the 
Angel Gabriel, and that of a dove over the former. This curve is sup- 
ported by a pelican, with extended wings, feeding its young ones. 
Beneath are the enamelled figures of five female saints and St. John the 
Evangelist. The crozier weighs about 10 lbs. The boss of the crozier 
exhibits six elegant statuettes under rich canopies of Edwardine archi- 
tecture, and standing upon appropriate pedestals. These statuettes re- 
present the Blessed Trinity, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. 
Patrick, and St. Munchin, the patron saint of the diocese. 

Richard Warren, Waryer, or Warying. Of prebendaries, up to this period, we find only the 
names of: 1320, Richard Fort, Preb. of Kilbeakan ; John de Bosworth, presented by the crown, 
September 10th, 1346, Preb. of Tullabrackey ; 1389, John Eyleward [Aylward], presented by 
the crown, September 20th, Preb. of Tullaghbrackev ; 1388, John de Karlell [Carlisle ?], 
Preb. of Effin— held. 

1 Dr. Milner gave a particular description of these most valuable treasures to the Society of 
Antiquaries, with a sketch of them, which was made by Mr. John Gubbins, of Limerick, 
Artist. 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK, 571 

On the crosier, in beautifully executed letters of the time, are these 
words ;— 

"Me fieri fecit || corneli' odeaigh jj eps limiricens' |j a do ! 
M°cccc°xviii t(et) consecracionis jj sue anno xviii. 1 

It is stated in the White MSS. that these precious treasures had been 
always in the possession of the Catholic Bishops of the See of Limerick. 

O'Dea, who was connected by fosterage with the royal family of O'Brien, 
was buried near the tomb of the O'Briens, under a monument of black 
marble adorned with a statue ; but in 1621 this monument was removed 
to a place set apart for the bishops of Limerick, on the south side of the 
choir." The following inscription is on the monument : — 

"Haec est effigies Reverendissimi Viri Cornelii O'Dae 
Quondam episcopi Limericensis qui ad nionumentum 
Hoc novum Episcoporum Limericensium ad 
Perpetuandum memoriam et honorem tanti Prsesulis 
Translatus fuit ut hie cum fratribus suis requiesceret 
14 die Julii, Ano Domini 1621. Remotus autem hue evi (qu, fuit?) 
Sumptibus nobilissimi herois Donati comitis Thomonia3 
Tunc Honoratissimi Domini Presidents provincial ftfomoue". 

Thus translated in Harris's Ware : 

" This is the effigies of that most reverend man, Cornelius O'Dea, formerly 
Bishop of Limerick, who, to perpetuate the memory and honour of so great a 
prelate, was translated to this burial-place of the bishops of Limerick, that he 
might rest with his brethren, on the 14th day of July, 1621. But it was re- 
moved hither at the charge of that most noble hero, Donat, Earl of Thomond, 
then the Right Hon. Lord President of the province of Munster". 

O'Dea resigned in 1426. 

We must dwell for a short time on the state of religion in Limerick 
during the episcopacy of this illustrious bishop, and show what was done 
for his cathedral by him and by the citizens. Among other improvements, 
Thomas Arthur, who was born about the year 1378, with his wife 
Johanna Morrough, daughter of David Morrough, senator of Cork and 
Youghal, built up at their own expense, in a magnificent manner, the eastern 
front and the costly wrought window of the choir of the cathedral church 
of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Limerick, the western door of which he 
caused to be sculptured, in a workmanlike manner, in stone, with the 
armorial bearings of the Arthurs, and the southern door with the armorial 
bearings of the Murroughs, " not through a spirit of vain glory, but in 
order that others hereafter should imitate the memorials of their piety". 
He was thought worthy to hold the dignity of Mayor of Limerick twice. 
The first time he entered upon its duties was in the year 1421, which was 
the tenth and last year of the reign of Henry V., in which time they 
began to build the walls of the southern suburbs. The second time he 
discharged the duty of Mayor was in the year 1426, in which year the 

1 That is, "Cornelius O'Deagh, Bishop of Limerick, caused me to he made a.d. 1418, and in 
the eighteenth year of his consecration"'. The Right Rev. Dr. Bntlei-, the present Catholic Bishop 
of Limerick, wore the precious mitre at his consecration ; and his lordship lent it to the South 
Kensington Loan Exhibition in 1862, where it was admired as a matchless curiosity, as the 
mitre of William of "Wykeham, which was like it, but has gone to decay. 



572 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 

gate dedicated to St John the Baptist, and the eastern walls, were beo-un. 
And having six months of his office unexpired, he died on the 15th of 
the kalends of April, 1426 (Arthur MSS.). 1 

The great Bishop O'Dea gave an impetus to improvement, not only as 
regards the cathedral, but to the convents and monasteries, and the city 
generally. He was liberal, energetic, and pious. The spirit by which he 
was animated was largely participated in by the citizens, of whose coope- 
ration in raising and erecting costly monuments we have records in the 
Arthur MSS. 

The cathedral contained several chapels dedicated to saints, the chief of 
which were those of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Catherine, St. James, 
etc. It was the invariable custom of those who could afford, to bequeath 
certain sums for the repairs of the cathedral, as well as for the repairs 
of the parochial churches of St. Manchin, or Munchin, St. Nicholas, St. 
Peter, St. Michael, St. Laurence, St. Patrick, and the priories and mo- 
nasteries, and fines imposed on citizens and others were appropriated to 
the repairs and adornment of the edifice. 2 

In reference to John Budstone, above referred to, Dr. Thomas Arthur, 
in his MSS., writes in Latin, which we translate literally: — 

" I composed this inscription to be set up by the stone-cutter by way of 
epitaph, on the mural tablet of marble, sculptured in golden letters, inserted in 
the wall of my chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Mary Magdalen, in the church 
of the Virgin Mother of God, in Limerick, in happy memory of my grandfather's 
grandsire, John Budstone, by whose gift I, my parents, my grandfather, my 
great-grandfather, and my great-great-grandmother, Margaret Budstone, have 
possessed that part of the chapel. 

"This pious man made a gift, to the church aforesaid, of four large brass 
bells, as I have found in a writing in a book belonging to my grandfather, 
William Arthur, grandson of the same, by his daughter : 

" Now stay thy steps, and, reader, cast thine eyes, 
And read the fate that waits on thy demise : 
That fair corporeal mass dissolved and passed, 
Shadow and dust shalt thou become at last. 
That shadow passeth not to empty air, 
Nor into other bodies doth repair, 

1 The will of the abovenamed Thomas Arthur, which was made on the 17th March, 1426, 
s sealed with the seal of Cornelius, Bishop of Limerick, impressed on red wax. The following 
is a description of the seal; it represented on the upper part the image of the Blessed Trinity 
the Father bearing up the crucified Son ; in the middle was an image of the glorious Virgin Mary, 
with two other images, one at each side ; on the lower part of tie same seal was an image of the 
bishop, with the shield of the Earl of Desmond on the right side, and of the Earl of Ormonde 
on the left ; on the circumference were these letters. " The seal of Cornelius, by the grace of God 
Bishop of Limerick" {Arthur MSS.). 

2 (From the Arthur MSS.) " I wrote this epigram, to be sculptured sometime on a marble 
altar which I wish to erect in the chapel of the tutelary saints, Saints James the Greater and 
Mary Magdalene, if ever I shall survive the close of this war — (He means the war of 1641) — be- 
tween the walls of both alabaster statues, to be placed upon neat arches or conches of both: 

The hostile flame, pent up in densest clouds, 

A rain mist, like to water, has poured forth. 

The heavenly fire diffused in sacred minds 

Draws forth the lightning of the Word, and then 

Devotion thunders, rivalling the saints 

With sighs and moans; but let the limpid tear 

Wash away sin". 






HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 573 

But with the spirits of the blest reposes, 

Where gales benignant fan Elysian roses. 

If aught impure the flesh contracted here, 

Passed through the fire the soul becometh clear. 

While, racked on sulphur piles, the wicked lie, 

Banded with souls accurst eternally, 

Darkling in gloomy night, whom nevermore 

Water of life shall unto health restore. 

Traces of human shape it doth retain, 

Longs to return and join the flesh again ; 

But ages pass before it re -attires 

The mouldering ashes with their former fires. 

Then shall the soul its members reassume, 

And, widowed once, rise glorious from the tomb. 

Then shall the dreadful trumpet's awful tone 

Summon the crowds before the Judge's throne ; 

Returned to life, the bad to tortures doomed, 

The good with light eternally illumed. 

Oh ! stain not, then, your pious souls with crime, 

Comport your holy life to faith sublime. 

Without morality all faith is vain, 

John Buston teaches in this warning strain, 

Who to the church these powerful bells has given : 

Do thou, departing, wish him rest in Heaven". 

Bishop Milner states that the ancient iaxatio dicecesis in the Black Book 
which he saw on his visit to Limerick in 1808, is in the handwriting of 
Cornelius O'Dea. A description of the episcopal seal, the only one extant, 
is preserved in the note we have just given from the will of Thomas 
Arthur. Those indeed were bright and happy days for the Church. 
Under the influence of this great Irish bishop everything flourished. Men 
lived and died for religion. It is probable that the oak stalls and " mise- 
reres", which even at this hour win the admiration of every visitor of St. 
Mary's Cathedral, are of the time of O'Dea: the carvings on the "mise- 
reres" (or seats with ledges, which were turned up to allow the occupant of 
the stall to rest during the recital of the divine offices) are of this period ; 
they are similar in many respects, to the carvings on the misereres in some 
English cathedrals. 1 It is equally probable that Bishop O'Dea founded 
the valuable MS. library of St. Mary's Cathedral (a few specimens of 
which we believe are yet in existence), and of which a catalogue, to some 
extent at least, is preserved among the Sloane MSS. in the British Museum. 

The following is a portion of the catalogue translated : 

No. 46, Sloane MSS., 4793, page 119. 
A 1631. 

The names of 45 MSS. in the Library of the Cathedral of Limerick : 

1. Last of the Four Gospels and Richard the Hermit. 

2. j, Explanations. 
8. Tract on Vices and Virtues. 

4. Explanation of the Apocalypse* 

Augustine on the Wonders of Scripture. Historical Allegory on the 
Scriptures. 

1 Glossary of architecture. 



574 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

5. Augustine on the Domination of Devils. Meditations of Anselm. 

6. Great Prologue containing all the Prologues in the Bible. 

7. Chrysostom. 

8. First Book of the Summa of St. Thomas. 

9. Explanation of the Names in Scripture. 

10. Acts of the Apostles, and all the Epistles. 

11. Questions in the Old and New Testaments, and Lombards. 

12. Four Books. 

13. Concordances. 

14. On Vices and Virtues, in Folio. 

15. Explanation of the whole Bible. 

17. Explanation of the Canticle of Canticles, and certain Symbols. 

18. Text and Explanation of Matthew. 

19. Five Books of the Decrees of Gregory. 
21. Paraphrase of the Psalms. 

" Fifteen Books of Augustine on the Trinity. 
Anselm on the Incarnation of the Word. 
The same on the — 
Monologia of the same. 
22 ^ Prologia of the same. 

The same on riie Trinity. 
The same on God-Man. 
Anselm on Truth, 
etc., etc. 

23. Dictionary of Words. 

24. Observations on the History of the Bible. 

25. Innocent IV. on Canon Law. 

26. Summary on Vices. 

28. Text of the Gospel of John. 9 

30. On Vices. 

31. Explanation of the Psalms, 

32. Explanation of the Epistles of St. James and St. John. 

33. Explanation of the Epistles of St. Paul. 

etc., etc-, etc. 

Those MSS. appear to have still existed, as the catalogue states, in 1631. 
Most likely, they were scattered and destroyed in the wars of Cromwell. 

Bishop O'Dea lived some years after his resignation, and died a.d. 1434, 
and was buried, as we have seen, in the cathedral to which he was a muni- 
ficent contributor. The year previous to his death, viz., in 1433, on the 
Monday before the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (12th Henry VI.,) 
the Mayor and community of the city of Limerick, by unanimous consent 
and assent, admitted Dr. John Oveni, as prior of the House of St. Mary 
and St. Edmond, to the freedom of the city ; " so that he shall render and 
give with the citizens of the same city as his predecessors rendered and 
gave with the citizens of the same city and their predecessors" ; (Arthur 
MSS.). 

This prelate lived in troubled times. The city suffered as well from the 
attacks of Irish as of English rebels. In the British Museum, among 
the Sloane MSS., appear letters patent by which Henry VI., to prevent 
the destruction of the city from day to day, grants to the mayor, bailiffs, 
and commonality of the city of Limerick, power 

"as often as they please to retain with them sufficient people (or septs, 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 575 

gentes) for defence, both horse and foot of the county of Limerick and marches 
of the city and county aforesaid, and to lead these people -with them in resis- 
tance to the malice of said enemies and rebels, to make war upon and to chas- 
tise and punish them according to their demerits, and to be able with God's 
assistance to make head against them. And we also of our special favour grant 
that neither the aforesaid mayor, bailiff, and commonalty, or their successors 
the mayors, bailiffs, and commonalty of Limerick city, neither any of them, nor 
any one of any of the county and marches aforesaid, who shall thus have gone 
hereafter with the aforesaid mayor, bailiffs, and commonalty, and with their 
successors the mayors, bailiffs, and commonalty of the said city, against the said 
enemies of ours, and English rebels who are to be curbed in the manner and 
form aforesaid, be impeached, nor any of them be impeached or in any way be 
aggrieved by our heirs, officers, or servants, or any of our heirs hereafter what- 
ever in the causes aforesaid, or any of them. And we further of our fuller 
favour grant unto the same mayor, bailiffs, and commonalty of the said city for 
ever, the power of treating and parleying with the afoiesaid our Irish enemies 
dwelling about the city, county, and marches aforesaid, and to restore them to 
peace with us, or of our heirs, and as often as they please to make armistices 
and truces with them, without impeachment on the part of us, our heirs, officers, 
or servants, or of our heirs whatever hereafter, providing, however, that such 
treating be not to our prejudice or that of our faithful people. In testimony 
whereof we have caused to be made these our letters patent. Witness our 
beloved Thomas Straunge, Knight Deputy ; our beloved and faithful John 
Sutton, Knight, our Lieutenant in our land of Ireland. Trim, the 8th day of 
March, in the eighth year of our reign, Sutton, by petition by the Deputy him- 
self and the whole council, and sealed with the privy seal". 

We thus perceive the state of society without the city, at a period in 
which religion was effecting so many improvements within the walls, and 
when piety among the citizens was one of their chief characteristics. By 
a special patent the bishop himself was empowered to parley with the 
rebels. 

In the third of Henry VI., the king, by his letters patent, remitted to 
Cornelius, Bishop of Limerick, all debts, compositions, arrears, fines, and 
amercements which were due of him to the crown of England. The 
letters bear date the 26th of April, and are witnessed by Sir John Talbot, 
Lord Justiciary of Ireland (Pat. R. Hib., Henry VI). 

John Mothel, or perhaps more correctly John of Mothel, an Augus- 
tinian canon of the abbey of Kells, in the county of Kilkenny, succeeded 
O'Dea by provision of Pope Martin V., and was restored, according to 
Ware, to the temporalities on the 23rd day of January, 1426 (English 
style). He governed the see nearly thirty-two years; resigned it in 1458 ; 
and died in 1468. The Royal Irish Academy, in 1849, according to Dr. 
Cotton, became possessed of an ancient seal or stone, which was prob- 
ably that of this bishop. It bears the rude figure of a bishop under the 
usual canopy, beneath which is another figure of a prelate with his pas- 
toral staff. The workmanship of these is coarse. It is inscribed : — 

Sigillu. Dni. Johs. Epi. Lymrensis. 

An account appears in the Black Book of an inquisition which was held 
by Bishop John Mohel, which is to this effect : — 



576 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

"An Inquisition was held in the [bishop's] court of Tullabrek, on the 9tli 
day of September, in the year of our Lord 1447, before our Lord John, Lord 
Bishop of Limerick, Robert Stancon, and many others ; item, Eoy. O'Cachane, 
jur. ; it. Sehan O'Pharrell, jur. ; it. Nichus. Fyn, jur. ; Kichus. McJonyn, jur. ; 
Donaldus McJonyn, jur. ; Richus. Duff, jur. ; Thos. O'Morvie, jun. ; Thos. 
O'Bogane, jur. ; Cornelius O'Morio ; Willmus. Blewet, jur. ; who being sworn 
as witness, on their oath depose, that in whatever way the tenants of Tullabrek 
did work by their horses and cattle for themselves, they would do in like 
manner for the Bishop of Limerick." 

The deans, from the time already enumerated to the episcopacy of this 
bishop, were, according to Dr. Cotton, Luke (1302), Eustace de L'Eau, 
or Waters (1311), who was raised to the episcopacy in that year; Stephen 
de Valle(I360), who was elected bishop, according to Ware; Adam Owen 
(1366), Richard Warren, Waryn, or Warying, Eustathus d'Aqua, who 
is named in a MS. T.C.D., f. 1-18. " But, perhaps", says Dr. Cotton, 
" there is a mistake of a figure, and 1405 ought to be 1305 (see above)". 
Robert Peer also was Archdeacon of Lismore as well as Dean of Limerick 
(1434), and was sent as proxy for William, Bishop of Meath, to the coun- 
cil of B&sle, and on his return the council ordered the bishop to pay all 
his expenses — [see Register Swayne] : — Poer in 1446 was raised to the 
bishopric of Waterford; and, lastly, Thomas O'Semican. From the 
foundation of the cathedral up to this period, there were four precentors, 
viz.: M. Omelinus {Black Booh), (1204 to 1207); Thomas (ibid., id.) 
(1272); Dyonysius O'Dea (perhaps a relative of Bishop Cornelius O'Dea), 
who obtained leave of absence for five years to go and study in the schools 
of Oxford and Cambridge (Robert Patrick Wark), and who in 1421 was 
raised to the bishopric of Ossory ; J Maimer Fleming (1426) — (Cod. Clar. 36). 

William Creagh, a native of Limerick, succeeded John Mothel by Papal 
provision, on the resignation of the latter, and was consecrated in 1459. 
Pie occupied the see about thirteen years. He recovered for the church the 
lands of Donoughmore, according to the Black Book, which were usurped 
by others. 2 The salary of the organist in his time w r as 6s. 8|d. per annum. 3 
He was a distinguished member of a highly distinguished family, which 
gave archbishops and bishops to the Church, commanders to the army, 
chief magistrates to the city, and which traces its pedigree to Eugenius, 
son of Nial of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaymoyvegan, several 
monarchs of Ireland having been of the family. 4 

Most probably it was during the reign of this prelate that the Galway 
monument, or, at all events, the principal portion of that very remarkable 
monument, was erected in the cathedral, the inscription on which has 
been much defaced, no doubt purposely, and most probably by the soldiers 

1 This Bishop of Ossory may, however, have been of the Kilkenny sept of O'Dea, located near 
Waterford. 

2 The entry is in his own handwriting. 

3 Arthur MSS. 

4 From an old MS: — "Here followeth the antiquity, geaiiologie, and explanation of the most 
antient family of the Creaghs in all places where they be, and the reason why they were called 
Creaghs, and their pedigree to Eugenius, son of Nial of the Nyne Hostages, son of Eochaymoy- 
vegan, with account of each monarch of Ireland that had been of the ancestors of the said 
family, with the year of the world or of Christ each monarch began their reigne, and how many 
years each monarch reigned first, and begin with". Three brothers, Pierce, Patrick, and 
James, commanded the party that forced their way through Creagh Gate, which is called after 
their name from that day, because they wore green branches in their helmets, to distinguish 
themselves from their enemies, the Danes, whom they conquered. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



577 



of tlie Commonwealth, Sir Geoffrey Galway, of whom we have already 
written so much (see p. 127), having been one of the citizens proscribed by 
Ire ton. The coat of arms, which surmounts the monument, seems to have 
been placed above the tomb many years after the erection of the latter. 
The arms of the Galway family are those of the De Burghs, distinguished 
by a bend. On a shield at the right, over the tomb, are the arms of 
Galway, impaling those of Stritch ; and on a second shield, at the left, 
are the Galway arms impaling those of Arthur. There is a third shield 
under the apex of the monument, but we have not been able to ascer- 
tain with correctness to whom it belongs. The inscription, as far as it can 
be at present made out, is as follows : — 

vir Ricardus xx. . . « 

ort . . . . roa , . . civitatum Lime xxx. 

Corgagia? qxx anno di mccccxxxx. . . . 

Hie jacet xx venerabilis vir Galfiridus 

Galwey quondam civis civitatum Limerici Corcag xxx 

Wateriordie qui obiit xx. . . . Januarii anno Domini mccccxlxx um 

xx films talis xx Margarite filie talis Ricardi xx. . . . fort 

hunc tumulum fieri fecit. 

Thomas Arthur succeeded in 1472, and died on the 19th July, 1486. 
He was the third son of Nicholas Arthur of Limerick, and Catherine 
Skyddy of the city of Cork. 1 His father was one of the most eminent 
citizens of his time — (see p. 369), and appears to have been on intimate 
terms with the Kings of England, to whom he was accustomed to make 
valuable presents. His grandfather, Thomas, did much, as we have seen, 
towards the decoration of the cathedral. The bishop had five brothers, all 
of whom rose to distinction in their native city. 

Richard, whose surname is not given by our authorities, succeeded in 
1486, and died in the same year, in Rome, where he was appointed to the 
see by Pope Innocent VIII. He never took possession of his see. 

John lJunow or Dumow, a canon of Exeter, doctor of laws, and, at 
the time, ambassador of Henry VIII. to the court of Rome, was nomi- 
nated, on the 13th of November, 1486, by the Pope's provision, to succeed ; 
but he also died in Rome the third year after his consecration, before he 
had time to visit his see. 

John Folan succeeded in 1489. He was canon of Ferns, rector of 
Clonmore, and procurator for Octavian de Palatio, Archbishop of Armagh 
at the court of Rome, and was advanced to the see of Limerick by the 
Pope, on the 13th of May in the same year. During the episcopacy of 
this prelate in 1449, the nave of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
which was narrow and mouldering to decay, was enlarged, and several 
other additions were made, including the erection of three transepts, as 
well as the formation of various aisles. The citizens undertook the duty 
of decorating the cathedral. 2 

The Arthurs appear to have given their aid towards these improvements. 
Robert Arthur filled the office of mayor at the time, and Christopher 
Arthur was one of the bailiffs. It was the custom, a few years after, if it 

1 Arthur MSS. - Ibid. 



578 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

was not at this period, to apply the fines that were levied by the mayor 
on the citizens, towards the restoration and improvement of the cathedral. 
For instance, during the mayoralty of William Stackpoll, John Everard 
and Richard FitzNicholas Creagh, bailiffs, a.d. 1500, the Mayor com- 
manded that the fines which had been imposed on Anthony Galway and 
Philip England should be expended on the repairs of the Church of the 
Blessed Virgin; and in 1505, William Harrold for the second time mayor, 
Nicholas Creagh and John Rochfort, bailiffs, the Mayor expended the 
fines imposed on the citizens in the building the Church of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. 1 

In 1519, Geoffrey Arthur, the ninth treasurer of the cathedral, according 
to Dr. Cotton, died, and his monument, which has been a serious puzzle 
to antiquaries and historians, and which Ferrar and Fitzgerald made ridi- 
culous, deserves particular notice. The following is an exact engraving 
of a tracing of this monument, made by the author of this work, and 
which is followed by the contracted Latin of the original, expanded, with 
a translation : — 

£ftnatj tftnntuifntt) i rb'fefrftiiltp 
^ftifri^^t'DeffiKPiiWiiimir 

" Hie jacet in tumuli fun do sublatus a niundo 
Galfridus Arture thesaurarius quondam istius ecclesise 
Xvi. luce maya requievit in pace perpetua. 
Anno crucitixi domini 1519. 
Til transiens cave qui hie dices pater et ave. 
" Here lies, in the bottom of the tomb, removed from the world, Geoffrey 
Arture, formerly treasurer of this Church. He rested in perpetual peace on 
the 16th day of May, in the year of the Crucified Lord 1519* You who pass 
by take heed that you here say a Pater and Ave". 

John Coyn, or Quin, a Dominican Friar, and, according to Dr. Cot- 
ton, a brother of the direct ancestor of the present Earl of Dunraven, suc- 
ceeded to the bishopric through the immediate influence of the Pope, though 
Henry VIII. laboured zealously to substitute in the room of Bishop Folan 
Walter Wellesley, Prior of Conal, who was afterwards elevated to the Seo 
of Kildare. Bishop Quin, who was consecrated in 1521, resigned on the 
9th of April, 1551, not being able any longer, through age, want of sight, 
and other infirmities, to hold the office. He assisted at the synod held 
in Limerick by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, about the festival of 
SS. Peter and Paul, 1529, at which Nicholas Comyn, Bishop of Water- 

1 Arthur MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERIClt. 579 

ford and Lismore, and James O'Corrin, Bishop of Killaloe, also assisted. 
At this synod power was given to the major of Limerick to imprison 
ecclesiastical debtors, until they made satisfaction to their creditors, without 
incurring danger of excommunication. The privilege was sought for by 
Nicholas Stritch, mayor, for himself and his successors, but a doubt is 
expressed that the concession was valid. 1 The clergy arraigned the de- 
cree as a violation of their canonical privilege ; and judging from the brief 
record of the event in the Arthur MSS., it would seem that the laity were 
not in favour of it, whatever cause may have impelled the mayor to 
demand a power hitherto unknown in the municipal annals. Whilst 
John Quin was bishop, there were improvements made in the cathedral 
by James Harold, mayor, which we find by a rudely cut tablet, inserted 
in recent years, in the wall of the north transept of the cathedral. The 
letters are relieved Roman, and the tablet was brought from another part 
of the cathedral, near the O'Dea monument, during the alterations in 1861 : 



IE HAROLD 

QUI HOC OPY 

S FIERI FECERUN 

T AirOIII 1526. 



The words before 1526 appear to be Aug. 3. 

James Harold was mayor, "for the first time", in 1525. 2 The bishop 
was a member of the old family of O'Cuin, of the tribe of Muinter Iffernan, 
located at Corofin, in the county of Clare, his brother James Quin, of Kil- 
mallock, being the direct ancestor of the Right Hon. the Earl of Dunraven. 

It appears by Dr. Moran's introduction to the Lives of the Archbishops 
of Dublin, that John Coyn, or Quin, for some time had a coadjutor named 
Cornelius O'Neil, of the Tyrone family. Writing on the authority of 
Father Domingo Lopes, the annalist of the Trinitarian Order, whose rare 
work was published at Madrid in 1714, he says this coadjutor was a 
member of that order, and had acted in preceding years as provincial ; that 
the convent contained forty-five religious, and that in 1539, when acting as 
suffragan, he preached in the cathedral, denouncing the threatened innova- 
tions in religion, the destruction of the religious houses, and anathematizing 
any of his flock who should renounce the saving doctrines of the Catholic 
Faith for that which had then begun to be preached to them. On the 
same evening, 24th June, 1539, in his own residence, according to the same 
authority, his head was struck off by a blow of a sword by one of the 
emissaries of the crown. On the 16th January, 1540-41, we find Bishop 
Quin at Cahir, where, with the Lord Deputy Sentleger, the Archbishop 
of Cash el, and the Bishop of Emly, he certified the submission of James 
FitzJohn, Earl of Desmond. The Bishop of Limerick is mentioned in 
some state papers printed in Lynch's Feudal Dignities of Ireland (p. 341), 
and in the State Papers of Henry Vll2.*(vo\.m. part iii. p. 307), as having 
been present at the parliament of 1541, which enacted that Henry should 

1 Arthur MSS. 

_ 2 The reader is aware that the mayoralty occupied from September to September, thus run- 
ning over portions of two years. 



580 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

be king in place of lord of Ireland ; but no Christian name is mentioned, 
although given as was customary to several other bishops. The list too, as to 
numbers, totally disagrees with those mentioned by the Deputy Sentleger ; 
hence it seems questionable whether he was there, though there is no doubt 
he had been summoned. There is little doubt also that Bishop Quiii 
opposed the progress of the Reformation, as we find in a letter from Sent- 
leger to Secretary Cecil, dated 19th January, 1550-1, l the following state- 
ment: "And nowe, as tuching religion, altho it be hard to plante in 
men's mynds herein, yet I trust I am not slake to do what I can t'advance 
the same. I have caused the whole service of the commyon to be 
drawen into Latten, whiche shalbe shortly set furthe in print. I have 
caused boks to be sent to the citty of Lymik, who most gladly have 
condescended to ymbrace the same with all effecte, altho the Busshop 
therr, who is both owlde and blind, be moost agensyt it". According 
to Ware and Morrin's Patent Rolls, Bishop Quin resigned his see the 
9th of April, 1551, and there can be little question but that his resig- 
nation was compelled, considering what Sentleger wrote against him, 
and that in another letter written by him to the Duke of Somerset, 
18th February, 1550-1 (Shirley, p. 49), he mentions that the Lord 
Chancellor, accompanied by the Master of the Rolls, had made a late 
journey to Limerick and Galway, and " had established the king's maties. 
ordres for religion in such sorte as there is greet assueraunce the same 
shalbe duely observed, so as I trust those parties be wthoute suspecte of 
adhearing to anny forreigne power". This view is confirmed by the Rev. 
James White in his MSS., p. 51, who writes, " I find by an old MS. in 
my possession, that John Coyn was ' deposed ' by an order of Edward 
VI., for being a Catholic bishop, and that William Casey, a conformist, 
was put in his place". It was during Quin's time that a most cruel persecu- 
tion began to rage, and expended no small share of its fury. He was 
fated to witness the suppression of the abbeys in 1538, and the arrival 
of Edmond Sexten at Limerick, on special employment by his royal 
master, alienating the property of the churches and uprooting the ancient 
landmarks. He saw his cathedral church of St. Mary's, which had for 
centuries been dedicated to the observances of the old faith, handed 
over to William Casey, who, at the instance of James Earl of Desmond, 
according to Ware, was advanced to this see by Edward VI., and was 
made bishop by George Browne, the first Protestant archbishop of Dublin. 2 
He lived to see himself restored to his see by the advent of Queen Mary to 
the throne of England, but not to find religion in the flourishing state it 
had been in when he first enjoyed the episcopal dignity, and during several 
of those years in which he had filled that exalted office. He saw Thomas 
Creagh, mayor of Limerick, a.d. 1569, proclaim Connor O'Brien, Earl 
of Thomond (who had fled to France, and returned and obtained pardon 
in London) a traitor. 3 It is strange to observe that on the very eve 
of the troubles which brought such deep affliction on Church and peo* 
pie, the citizens of Limerick were extending their venerable cathe- 
dral, making improvements in it, and decorating it with great taste and 
even elegance. Thus we find that during the episcopacy of our prelate 

Shirley's Original Letters, p. 47. 
2 Casey's Life in Ware, p. 510, shows that he was never canonically appointed. 
Sexten' s Annals^ in the British Museum. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 581 

Jolm Quin (a.d. 1532-1533), " Daniel Fitzgregory Arthur, mayor, 
George Creagh and William White, bailiffs ; the mayor, from a principle 
of piety and for the sake of his offspring, had the three aisles and the whole 
choir of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Limerick, laid with 
square polished marble flags, from whence it is to this day called Lec- 
CA*o<Miiet (Daniel's pavement or flags) ; and the Lord blessed him with a 
numerous offspring". 1 

Among the deans during those years, was Andrew Creagh, who re- 
signed in 1543, and received the kings pardon for some unknown offence 
on the day when his successor was confirmed (Rot. Pat., 35th Henry YIIL). 
In the cathedral a stone is placed to his memory with the inscription : 



S?tc Sacet iKajjister 

jgtius Ecclestae 
Secatm& 



This marble slab had lain near the great altar ; but in the alterations in 
1861 it was removed to the north transept, where there are some other 
ancient tombstones of an apparently contemporaneous period, a few of 
which we shall notice here : 

Lying with the head from the western wall of the north transept, is a 
highly elaborate cut stone, with floriated ornamentation in high relief, 
divided into four compartments by a cross embraced in the middle by a 
circle. In each of the compartments is the figure of a lion passant, the arms 
of the O'Briens. This ancient relic is said to have formed the lid of 
a stone coffin, and until the alterations in 1861, it lay near the western 
entrance, from which it was removed to its present place. 

The monument of Dean Creagh, above referred to, is placed next to the 
above tombstone. 

The next in position is a floriated cross on a plain black marble slab 
without any inscription. 

A tombstone, apparently belonging to the Roche or Rice family, is 
placed next to the above. 

A monumental slab in black letter, somewhat broken and defaced i is * 
placed next in order. This monument was erected to Thomas Mahon, and 
his wife Creagh: the former died 1st November, 1631, the latter November 
2nd, 1637. 

On the deprivation of William Casey, who had been advanced, as we 
have seen, by Edward VI. , from the rectory of Kilcornan, on the recom- 
mendation of James, Earl of Desmond, Hugh Lacy, or Lees, a canon of 
Limerick, was appointed by Queen Mary." 2 The following abstract of the 
royal letter is in Morrin's Calendar of the Patent Rolls : The queen to 

1 Arthur MSS. These, we suppose, were the tiles which were taken up in the repairs of the 
cathedral in 1861, and which were simitar in many respects to the ancient encaustic tiles found 
in Mellifont Abbey, Christ Church, and St. Patrick's. Dublin, and in other abbeys and churches, 
and a descriptive catalogue of which has been published by Thomas Oldham, Esq., in his work on 
ancient Irish pavement tiles. The tiles of St. Mary's were encaustic, with the lily impressed on them 
— some were vitrified, and the lily also impressed on them. [I have a few specimens of them. J 

1 He was of the great De Laey family o/ the County of Limerick. 



582 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the lord deputy, stating that the see of Limerick being vacant, the pope 
was pleased, on the recommendation of her majesty, to prefer Hugh Lees, 
or Lashy, to that see, as by the bulls sent over would appear, and requiring 
the lord deputy, therefore, according to the laws and customs of the realm 
before the twentieth year of the reign of the late King Henry VIII. , to 
restore to him all the temporalities of the bishopric, first requiring him to take 
his corporal oath of fealty, truth, and allegiance. He was restored on the loth 
of April, 1557, having first taken such oath, which, as given by Ware, 
was as follows: — "I, Hugh, Bishop of Limerick, elected and consecrated, 
do acknowledge that I have and hold all the temporal possessions of the 
said bishopric from your hands, and from your successors, Kings of England, 
as in right of the crown of your Kingdom of Ireland, and to you and to 
your successors, Kings of England, faith will bear. So help me God and 
his holy Gospels". After the accession of Queen Elizabeth he attended her 
first parliament in 1560, in which the act of uniformity was passed, and the 
royal supremacy reenacted, but there is no evidence that he supported these 
acts or ever conformed: in fact, the evidence is the reverse, for in 1562 we 
find David Wolf, a native of Limerick, and Jesuit father, who had been 
appointed nuncio for Ireland, residing with him when he was desired to see 
"what bishoppes did their dew ties there, and what sees ware voyde". And 
Dr. Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, states in his examination 
taken by Ousley, Recorder of London, March 17th, 1564,-5, ] that ongoing 
out of Ireland to Rome, he obtained from the nuncio forty crowns, and 
" from the Bysshoppe of Lymericke twelve markes". Previous to his de- 
parture Dr. Creagh had, by the directions of his diocesan, been engaged 
in denouncing " in public and private, in season and out of season, the oath 
of supremacy and attendance at the Protestant worship". Inasmuch, 
wrote the late Dr. Kelly {Rambler, May, 1853), as " the strong attachment 
of the citizens to the English crown, and the general ignorance regarding 
the precise nature of the changes introduced, endangered the fidelity of the 
people". 

In 1565 it seems the English government intended to deprive Dr. Lacy, 
as, in the instructions to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Lieutenant, on assuming 
the viceroyalty, it was amongst other matters directed, that " Inquisition 
also would be made of the bishoprick of Lymerick, whether it be voyde, 
or that by some means some mete person were placed there to serve for the 
like purpose in such a counsell". That is, to serve thereafter as a coun- 
sellor in Munster for the governance of those parts. Sidney, in the opinion 
he gave upon these minutes, states, he would certify the opinion of the Irish 
council as to the bishoprick of Limerick, but it does not appear any action 
was taken as to it, and as, in the original instructions, the execution of the 
Ecclesiastical Commission previously issued was directed to be confined to 
the English Pale and other obscure places, we may fairly presume that in 
the then unsettled state of the south-west of Ireland, Sidney considered it 
unwise and imprudent to then interfere with De Lacy. 

In January, 1568, Lacy was appointed one of the commissioners of Mun- 
ster, along with Brady, Bishop of Meath, John Plunket, Henry Draycott, 
and Justice Edward Fitzsymon, and was directed to join the others at 
Youghal. He wrote them from Kilmallock on the 11th, that he could 
not join them for lack of money, after which they wrote him from Cork, re- 
1 Shirley's Original Letters, pp. 171, 173. 






HISTOBY OP LIMERICK. 583 

quiring Kim to repair to them speedily, bringing witli him the Countess of 
Desmond, if possible, and that they would bear his charges. He, accom- 
panied by the countess, accordingly reached Cork on the 21st. What was 
done there does not appear from the state papers, but on the 19th March, 
they wrote a joint letter to the Lord Justice, in which the countess thanks 
him for his care of the Earl of Desmond's lands, tenants, and followers 
[he was then in London Tower], and beseeching that James Fitzmaurice 
might rule in the earl's absence. Shortly after, the bishop wrote to the 
Lords Justices complaining of Thomas Lord Fitzmaurice of Kerry. The 
nature of the complaint does not appear, but Lord Fitzmaurice, writing from 
Lixnaw on the 6th July, calls it a false book. Desmond wrote him from 
the Tower on 18th November, requesting him to assist in executing justice 
to poor and rich, to help in collecting money, that is, the earl's rents, and 
stating that Donoghow Casshie, 1 Chancellor of Limerick, would not give a 
penny for his discharge. In other letters he frequently and bitterly com- 
plains of Casshie's conduct in detaining his money. The very same year, 
when Dr. Creagh, before mentioned, was a prisoner in the Tower of 
London, it appears by the Consistory Acts in the Vatican Archives, that 
O'Hairt, Bishop of Achonry, was recommended by Cardinal Morone to 
administer Armagh, and at the same time, the Bishop of Limerick to be 
chosen by the Apostolic See to give testimonials for the provinces of Munster 
and Leinster to those clergy who went to Rome. 

Dr. Lacy is also said to have resigned in 1571 ; but the real fact is, that 
he was deprived of the temporalities, continuing as before to exercise his 
spiritual jurisdiction till the time of his death. Dr. Moran, in the intro- 
duction to his Lives of the Archbishops of Dublin, writes: " We find him 
(Dr. Lacy) petitioning the Holy See for special faculties for his diocese in 
1575; and the same year we find the Holy See expediting these faculties 
for * Hugo Epus. Limericensis', and on account of the wants of the Irish 
Church, these faculties are further granted to him for the whole province 
of Cashel, ' quamdiu ven. frater noster Archiepus. Cassellensis a sua 
diocesi et ecclesia et universa provincia abfuerit'. Indeed so high was the 
esteem in which Dr. Lacy was held at Rome that he was selected by the 
Holy See to recommend members of the Irish Church for the vacant sees. 
The see of Limerick, in 1580, is described in a Vatican list as vacant * per 
obitum D. Ugonis Lacy in sua ecclesia defuncti' . Thus", continues Dr. 
Moran, " by the so-called resignation of Dr. Lacy, the temporal possessions 
of the see were, indeed, merged in the Established Church, but the hierar- 
chical succession remained unchanged, and both clergy and people continued 
attached to the faith of their fathers". The concluding years of Dr. Lacy's 
life are thus summed up by the Rev. Dr. M'Carthy, in his valuable chap- 
ter on the Irish bishops from 1536 to 1600, subjoined to his edition of the 
late Rev. M. Kelly, D.D.'s Dissertations on Irish Church History. " He, 
like his predecessors, was deprived, and died in 1580 (according to White's 
MS. p. 52) after three years' imprisonment. He was confined in Cork jail, 
as Bruodin informs us, fled thence to France in the reign of Edward, 
returned under Mary, and died in prison under Elizabeth. Rothe, pars 
3 fcia , p. 4, reckons him among the confessors of the faith". 

On the death of William Casey, who was restored by Queen Elizabeth, 
and to whom the first Protestant dean, viz., Denis Campbell, a native of 

£ Casey. 



584 HISTOBY OP LIMERICK. 

Scotland, and formerly archdeacon of Limerick, was appointed coadjutor, 
John Thornborough, D.D., a native of Salisbury, and educated at Magdalen 
College, Oxford, who became Dean of York and chaplain to Queen 
Elizabeth, was appointed Protestant bishop, after a lapse of two years 
since the death of William Casey. He, however, was translated to Bristol, 
A.D. 1603, and subsequently to Worcester, where he died in July, 1641. 
A long account is given in Harris's Ware of his monument in Bristol. 

From this period till the days of the Confederation, a.d. 1641, 
etc., the cathedral appears to have been for the greater part of the time 
in the hands of the Protestant bishops and clergy ; nor can we find that any 
improvement had been made in it during the troubled and anxious days 
they held possession. It is true that on the death of Queen Elizabeth 
" all the cittyes and towns of Munster entered into arms and put upp 
masses in their churches", 1 which our authority adds, " did not continue 
long". We are informed also, 2 that the utmost joy pervaded the citizens of 
Limerick at the removal of the persecuting queen, who had purpled the 
scaffold with the blood of so many martyrs on account of the faith, and who 
was succeeded by a monarch whose tendencies were thought to be entirely in 
favour of the utmost toleration to the religion which had been suffering for 
over half a century at the hands of an unrelenting despotism. Among the 
" English by descent" 3 who inhabited the county of Limerick, at the end of 
the sixteenth century, there were none who sympathised with the change 
in religion; they were ipsis Hibernis Hiberniores; for the mere Irish were 
true as steel to their religion; they could not be subdued; and for Edmund 
Sexten and his followers to conquer so bold and resolute a band as then 
existed thoughout the diocese or to confront them, was impossible. As the 
record of the names and districts of the old possessors is of very great in- 
terest, we give it, containing, as it does, the names of those who at the 
time held the highest positions in county and city, and who never swerved 
from the assertion of principle at any cost. 

No. 635, Carew MSS., Lambeth Palace. 

Copy of book by Sir Hy. Gilbert, 1570. 
(End of sixteenth century ) 

LIST OF ENGLISH BY DESCENT. 

LIMERICK. 
Hurlies, Supples, Pursell, Lacies of Ballingarry. 

GENTLEMEN FREEHOLDERS ABOUT KILEMALLOCK. 

Thomas Brown, Constable of Aney ; Thomas Hurley, of Knocklong ; John 
Brown, of the Hospital. 

THE GENTRY AND FREEHOLDERS OF OWNEY. 

William Leashe (Lacy), of the Browfe, and his son young William ; David 
Leashe, Alleshaighe ; James Fitzmaurice Leashe, of the Clewhir. 

THE GENTRY AND FREEHOLDERS OF C0NNELL0H. 

Edye Lacye, of the Browery ; Piers Pursell, of the Croagh ; John Lacy, o f 
Ballingarry ; William Lacy, of Ballinderyhly ; the Walls, and others.' 1 

Sexten' s Annals, - Arthur MSS. 

Care to MSS. in the Lambeth Palace, No. G35. 
Bvovvfe and Browery are now called Braff and Brnree. 



HISTOBY OF LIMERICK. 585 

ENGLISH OF DESCENT. 

Erie of Kildare, Lord of Cohonay ; Erie of Desmond, Lord of Connologh, was 
the second man ; Sir Will, and Sir Ric. Burghe, Lo. of Clanwilliam ; Burke, of 
Limerike ; Lo. Burgh, Castelconel ; Hurlies, Casies, Supples, Pursels, Lacies, 
of Ballingarry ; Qr. Mtie. for Kenry, with. Edm. Fitzdant, clameth ; Welshes, 
Keasis, Plants, Jordons, Verdons, Whites. 

MERE IRISHE. 

M'Shees, Gullogless ; M'Bryan, Ogonaegh, Aregh ; Brian Duff, O'Brien, 
O'Mulrea, O'Brien, Aiiogh. 

GOOD TOWNS. 

Limericke, Killmalloc, Asketon, Emely. 

CASTLES. 

Adare, Loghger, Crome, Newcastle, Ballinity, Castleconel. 

RIVERS. 

Shenan ; Havens, Limerick ; Loughes. 

FACTIONS IN MOUNSTER. 

The most part of the Factions of this Province were grounded in the Erie of 
Desmond, who, heinge nowe dead, they are for the most part extinguished. The 
Geraldines and the Butlers are naturallie emulous the one of the other. 

The M'Swines and M'Shees in faction. 

THE NAMES OF THB FREEHOLDERS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE C0UNTRIE OF LYMBURYCKE, AS 

FOLLOWETH. 

Imps. Sir William Burcke, of Castleconell, A. Ric. Burck, of Caherconlis, R. 
(Other names as in 635.) 
No. 292 Harleian MSS. 

DIARY OF EARL OF ESSEX'S PROCEEDINGS, 1599. 

u There have come to his lordship, and simply without conditions submitted 
themselves to her Majesty's mercy : Vt. Mountgarrett, with his 5 sons and 
brother ; the Lord Roche, Vist. Fermoy ; the Lord Baron of Cahir ; Teige 
O'Brien, brother to the Earl of Thomond ; Thomas Bourk, brother of the Lord 
Bourk : Jas. FitzPeerce of the House of Kildare, etc., and others. 
No. 627, MSS. 

NAMES OF REBELS WITH EARL DESMOND, 1584. 

(As per Inquis. Ush. MSS. 1589.) 
Gibbon, Thos. McShurlye, or Karlye ; Jas. Nagle, alias McErnellen ; Ulick 
Leashy, gent. We find that the aforesaid Ul. Leashy was in rebellion and died 
therein, and for any lands he had ignoramus. Gerald Brown, ignoramus; qry. 
Odonog More, Hugh Lacy, Lord of Glanneske, 1 to Cork (qry. England) ; Na^le 
Condon, Deanes of Broghel. 

So far the Harleian MSS. on this subject. We conclude this chapter 
with the names of a few of the Protestant Bishops. 

Bernard Adams succeeded John Thornborough as Protestant bishop, 
a.d. 1(504. Pie was an A.M. of Trinity College, Oxford, and was appointed 
by King James. He expended large sums in repairing the cathedral, and 
furnished it with an organ. He died on the 22nd of March, 1625; was 
buried near the celebrated Cornelius O'Dea; and on his monument, which 

is a mural one, over the tomb of O'Dea, the following inscription was cut: 

Bernardus jacet hie en Adamcs, episcopus olim, 
Omnia non vidit Solomonis, at omnia vana. 
1 O'Donog More must have been Lord of Glanflesk, not Lacy. 

41 



586 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

A bishop once, here Bernard's bones remain ; 
He saw not all — but saw that all was vain. 
Then follow four lines in English : — 

Sufficient God did give me, which I spent ; 
I little borrowed, and as little lent, 
I left them whom I loved enough in store, 
Increas'd this bishopric, relieved the poor. 

The monument contains these lines also : 

Nemo mihi tvmbam statvat de Marmore faxit 
Urnula Episcopolo satis ista Pusilla Pvsillo 
Angli quis vivus fveram et testentvr Hyberni 
Coelicolse quis sim defunctus testiflcentvr. 

Which we thus translate : 

Let none erect to me a marble tomb ; 
For a little prelate that little urn suffices ; 
What I was living, let the English and Irish tell ; 
The celestials, what I am now. 

On the pillars of the monument there appear to have been emblems of 
the passion, the spear, cross, etc. These were defaced, as were the orna- 
mental bosses and emblems on the lower part of the monument. At pre- 
sent, too, nothing more than the last lines above given can be read. 

Francis Gough, Chancellor of the Cathedral of Limerick, a.d. 1626, 
was the next Protestant bishop after Adams. He was educated in New 
College, Oxford. He died in Limerick, 29th August, 1631, and was 
buried in St. Mary's Cathedral. 

We should have stated that next to the monument of Geoffrey Arthur is 
another of about equal dimensions, with the following inscription cut in re- 
lieved Gothic letters :- — 



1 it jmt gUtanbus. §oms. foljamus Jfo* 
jqwanbam xstius fcksia* bwanus 1 qxa hum dmtit, 

zxtxtmm xxviii. bu rnrnm g^usii, 
gattv. JtomL MDVIII. ntjns ab propiiieiur gta. 2 



This tablet was removed, in the alterations of 1861, from beneath or 
near the Communion table to its present place. It is broken in the centre, 
and some difficulty exists as to that portion of the inscription in which the 
supposed word " decanus" occurs. There is no mention, however, of a 
John Ffbx as dean of St. Mary's Cathedral. 

1 The word is supposed to be Decanus — but it is very indistinct. 

2 "Here lieth the Reverend John Ft'ox, formerly Dean of this Church, who died on the 18th 
day of the month, A.D. 1508, to whose soul may God be merciful". 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 587 



CHAPTER LVIIL 

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN SUCCESSION — NACHTEN — MACRAH— BICHARD 

ARTHUR APPOINTMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PREACHERS BY RINUC- 

CINI ON THE RESTORATION OF THE CATHEDRAL— o'DWYER NEW PARTI- 
CULARS OF THE ATROCITIES DURING IRETON's OCCUPATION OF LIMERICK 

THE MONUMENTS OF ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL DURING ITS OCCUPATION 
BY THE PROTESTANTS — THE PROTESTANT BISHOPS IN SUCCESSION. 

According to Dr. Moran, 1 Cornelius Nachten succeeded Hugh Lacy in 
1581 ; in White's MSS., however, there is a statement to this effect: 

" I have in my possession a dispensation granted in the forbidden degrees of 
kindred to Leonard Creagh and Joan White in order to be married, which is dated 
the 6th of November, 1613, and signed Mathew Macrah, but the place where it 
was dated is not mentioned, which induces me to suspect that the said Mathew 
Macrah was the Catholic Bishop of Limerick before Richard Arthur. Said dis- 
pensation is written in Latin, and the granter says he granted it by authority 
vested in him by the Holy See". 

The name of Mathew Macrah appears in the list of Bishops in White's 
MSS. as the Catholic bishop in succession to Hugh Lacy. 

On the same authority we learn that in 1623 Richard Arthur succeeded 
in the episcopacy : he was a native of Limerick, and one of the family of 
which we have already written so much in the course of this work. He 
was consecrated by David Rothe, Bishop of Ossory, on the 7th of Sep- 
tember in that year, the Bishop of Cork and the Abbot of Holy Cross, 
Luke Archer, assisting at the ceremony. He received the Papal Nuncio, 
Rinuccini, in his cathedral of St. Mary's, again restored to its ancient 
possessors, on the 30th of October, 1645, the clergy and the municipal and 
military authorities, in solemn procession having accompanied Rinuc- 
cini from St. John's Gate to the cathedral. Dr. Meehan 2 states that even 
the Nuncio could not but admire the splendid crozier and mitre which Dr. 
Arthur used in the solemn function of receiving the Pope's ambassador on 
the threshold of his metropolitan church. These were believed indeed 
by some to be the work of some celestial artificer, and not of mortal 
hands, the legend running that on one occasion when there was a synod of 
prelates in Dublin, it so happened that the Bishop of Limerick went thither 
without his pontificals, and was thus compelled to seek throughout the 
metropolis a crozier and mitre. At length, having given up all hopes of 
obtaining them, a youth just landed from a ship, which a few minutes 
before had entered the harbour, approached and presented the bishop a 
case in which he told him that he would find the articles he sought for, 
and that if he liked he might keep them. When he sent a messenger in 
haste after the stranger to pay for the precious objects, the ship had weighed 
anchor and vanished beyond the horizon ! The mitre, it is further added, 
was entrusted to a wealthy Catholic merchant to keep it from falling into 
the hands of the reformers, but he abstracted some of its precious stones 
and replaced them with false ones, a sacrilege which heaven avenged on 

1 Lives of the Archbishops of Dublin, 2 Irish Hierarchy in the seventeenth century. 

41 B 



588 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Lis posterity, for they all died in misery. In the time of Dr. Arthur, 
Binuccini restored the services in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, and 
appointed the different preachers and the days on which they were to 
preach. The document which shows this, was found, as was the taxation 
given in the preceding chapter, among the papers of the Reverend Doctor 
Jasper White, precentor and parish priest of St. John the Baptist of 
Limerick; and the MS., according to an entry in White's MSS. by Dr. 
Young, was in his (Dr. Young's) possession in 1795. The following is a 
translation of this important document, which also gives the names of the 
religious orders who were in Limerick at this period : 



" Distribution of preachers in the cathedral church of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
of Limerick, and -who are obliged to preach :— 



The Bishop should preach : 

1. Sunday of Pentecost. 

2. On the Assumption of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. 

3. On the festival of all Saints. 

4. On the first Sunday of Advent. 

5. On Christmas Day. 

6. On the first Sunday of Lent. 

7. On the festival of St. Patrick. 

8. On the Annunciation of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. 

9. On Easter Sunday. 

10. On the festival of SS. Peter and 
Paul Apostles. 

The Dean is obliged to preach 

1. On the Third Sunday of Lent. 

2. On the festival of St. John the 
Evangelist. 

3. On the Seventeenth Sunday after 
Pentecost. 

On the Invention of the Cross. 
The Precentor Preaches 

1. On the feast of St. Bartholmew the 
Apostle. 

2. On the feast of St. Andrew the 
■ Apostle. 

3. On the Second Sunday in Lent. 

The Chancellor preaches 

1. On the third Sunday after Pente- 
cost. 

2. On the feast of St. Thomas 
Apostle. 

3. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, 

The Treasurer preaches 

1. On the fifth Sunday after 
Epiphany. 

2. On Passion Sunday. 

3. On Dominica in Albis. 

The Archdeacon preaches 
1. On Trinity Sunday. 



4. 



the 



the 



2. On the feast of St. Sylvester. 

3. On Palm Sunday. 

The Prebendary of St. Munchin's 
preaches 

1. On Septuagesima Sunday, 

2. On Easter Tuesday. 

The Prebendary of Donaghmore, 

1. On the 5 th Sunday after Pente- 
cost, 

2. On the sixth Sunday after the 
Epiphany. 

The Prebendary of Ballycahane, 

1. On the sixth Sunday after Pente- 
cost, 

2. On the second Sunday after Easter. 

The Prebendary of Kilpeacon, 

1. On the Seventh Sunday after Pen- 
tecost, 

2. On the third Sunday after Easter. 
The Prebendary of Tullebracke, 

1. On the eighth Sunday after Pente- 
cost, 

2. On the fourth Sunday after Easter. 

The Prebendary of Keilidy, 

1. On the ninth Sunday after Pente- 
cost, 

2. On the fifth Sunday after Easter. 
The Prebendary of Ardcanthy, 

1. On the 10th Sunday after Pente- 
cost,- 

2. On the 6th Sunday after Easter. 

The Prebendary of Effin. 
The Prebendary of Athnid. 
The Prebendary of Croagh, 

1. On the 12 th Sunday after Pentecost. 

2. On Easter Monday, 

The Prebendary of Desert. 
The Rector of Keilchuman preaches, 
On the 13th Sunday after Pentecost. 
On the 14th Sunday after Pentecost 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



589 



The Rector of Croom. 
On the loth Sunday after Pentecost 

The Kector of Athalaca. 
On the 16 th Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Drommin. 
On the 18th Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Newcastle. 
On the 19th Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Monaghea. 
On the 20th Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Rathronan. 
On the 21st Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Mahunagh. 
On the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Dundonal. 
On the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Lismakeiy. 
On the 29 th Sunday after Pentecost 

The Rector of Keilbridy minor. 
On the 1st Sunda} T after the Epiphany 

The Rector of Keilbridy major. 
On the 2nd Sunday after the Epi- 
phany 
The Rector of Derryghealvan. 
The Dominicans preach 

1. On the feast of Corpus Christi. 

2. On the feast of St. Laurence the 
Martyr. 

3. On the second Sunday in Advent. 

4. On the Purification of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. 



The Franciscans preach 

1. On the Sunday within the octave 
of Corpus Christi. 

2. On the Nativity of the Blessed 
Virgin Mar}'-. 

3. On the third Sunday of Advent. 

4. On the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle. 

The Augustinians preach 

1. On the feast of St. Michael the 
Archangel. 

2. On the 4th Sunday of Advent. 

3. On Ascension Day. 

The Jesuits preach 

1. On Whitsun Monday. 

2. On the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle. 

3. On the feast of St. Stephen. Proto- 
martyr. 

4. On Quinquagesima Sunday. 

The Capuchins preach 

1. On the Epiphan}?- of our Lord. 

2. On the third Sunday after Epi- 
phany. 

3. On the fourth Sunday after Epi- 
phanj\ 

4. On the Parasceve of our Lord. 

The Carmelites preach 

1. On the feast of SS. Simon and 
Jude, Apostles. 

2. On Whitsun Tuesday. 

3. On the feast of the Holy Innocents. 

4. On Sexagesima Sunday". 



Richard Arthur appears to have been Vicar General in 1613, and we 
learn on the authority of Fitzgerald's MS. narrative in T.C.D., but evi- 
dently of a subsequent date, under a heading, entitled, " A note of Arch- 
bushoppes and Bushoppes of Ireland consecrated and authorised by the 
Pope", under the head, " Elected Bushoppes, but not as yet consecrated", 
the following, inter alia : 

" Richard Arthure ellected of Limericke, resident there, and isreleeved 
by special friends and kinseinen of his owne, and by privie tyethes". 
White states — 

" Considering the troublesome times that he lived in, and that he did not 
enjoy the temporalities, yet he was a great benefactor to this see, as there are 
many valuable presents he gave it still extant. In 1624 he gave two plate 
cruets for wine and water, engraved and partly gilt; in 1625 he gave a large 
plate gilt crucifix hollowed within side for relicts, nicely engraved, with a pedestal 
or degrees of plate, set with stones, and in the upper cross there is inlaid in the 
form of a cross a very large relic of the holy cross of Christ ; it was designed 
to be carried before the bishop in 1627. The same year he gave a large gilded 
chalice and patena enamelled ; he gave a plate pax nicely enamelled, and the 
enamelled work representing the Crucifixion and the soldier piercing Christ's 
side with a lance. In 1634 he gave a gilt plate remonstrance for the sacrament, 
supported by four pillars and a cover over it. He was succeeded in the see of 
Limerick by Edmund O Dwyer". 



590 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Richard Arthur died on the 23rd of May, 1646, and his funeral was 
attended by the Pope's Nuncio Rinuccini and all the clergy; he was 
buried in the Cathedral of St. Mary's. 

During Richard Arthur's episcopacy Richard Webb, D.D., of Oxford, 
and chaplain to king Charles I., was Protestant Bishop of Limerick; he 
was consecrated in Dublin, and died a prisoner in the King's Castle of 
Limerick, a.d. 1641. 

Robert Sibthorpe, Bishop of Kilfenora, was translated to the see, A. D. 
1642, but on account of the civil wars he never took possession, and died 
in Dublin in 1649, where he was buried in St. Werburgh's Church. 

At this time there were several monuments erected by Catholic citizens 
in the Cathedral of St. Mary's. Dr. Thomas Arthur informs us that he 
was deputed by his uncle, David Ryce, to compose an epitaph for a monu- 
ment recently built for the Rice family in the Cathedral, and that he com- 
posed it as follows : — 

" Quisquis in hoc busto Ryceoruni conspicis ossa 
Manibus exopta regna beata piis". 
Which he thus translates : 

"You which in this same fatale tumbe the Ryces' bones behouldes, 
The blessed kingdom wish and pray unto their devoute soules". 

Arthur MSS. p. 234-5. 

About this period James Lord Viscount Dillon, of Roscommon, 1 having 
received a sudden fall in Limerick, by which he was mortally injured, 
having tumbled down twelve steps, indicated, by certain signs to those 
about him, his desire to be admitted into the bosom of the Catholic 
Church, which he had before deserted, and with profuse tears and every 
symptom of contrition repented of his apostacy: he received absolution and 
extreme unction, and on the fourth day after the accident died. A monu- 
ment was erected to his memory in the Church of the Blessed Virgin 
Mary at Limerick, in the end of October, 1649. Dr. Arthur says he 
wrote the following epigram, which we translate from the Latin, on him : — 

" Heroic Dillon stood, but sad to tell, 
Forsook his ancient faith, and badly fell ; 
But having fallen, resumed at last with tears 
And suppliant heart, his faith of former years. 
Safer the fall, which, though Lis days are past, 
Restored him upright to his God at last". 

Upon the death of Richard Arthur in 1646, Edmund O'Dwj'er was 
promoted to the see of Limerick, it is supposed by the Pope's Nuncio, 2 who 
was then in Limerick. He was one of those who w^ere exempted in the 
surrender to Ireton. He w T as a native of the county of Limerick, and had dis- 
tinguished himself during his collegiate course at Kouen, where he studied 

1 The Earl Wentworth Dillon, son of this James, third Earl of Roscommon, was the cele- 
brated, at least the once celebrated, poet who wrote the essay on translated verse, who translated 
"Dies irse", etc., etc., and of whom Pope says: 

"Unhappy Dryden! in all Charles' days 
Roscommon only boasts unpotted bays". 
3 White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 591 

philosophy, as well as at the Sorbonne, where he won a character for pro- 
found knowledge of theology. 1 Soon after obtaining the degree of doctor 
in divinity at Rheims, he returned to Ireland, and became acquainted with 
Malachy O'Queely, then Vicar Apostolic of Killaloe, and the intimacy 
thus formed at the commencement of O'Dwyer's missionary career, ripened 
into a warm friendship, which teiminated only with the life of the former, 
many years after he had been promoted to the archiepiscopal see of Tuam. 
In fact, such was the Archbishop's confidence in O'Dwycr, that he sent him 
to Rome as his proctor in 1644, and made him the bearer of a report on 
the state of his archdiocese, which he drew up for the Congregation de 
Propaganda Fide. Along with this valuable document, O'Dwyer was 
entrusted with a memorial from the Supreme Council of the Confederates, 
praying his Holiness Urban VIII. to bestow a cardinal's hat on Luke 
Wadding, in consideration of the great services he had rendered to the 
Irish Catholics then in arms. Pope Urban, however, died before O'Dwyer 
reached Rome, and the memorials signed by O'Queely, Walsh, Archbishop 
of Cashel ; Fleming, Archbishop of Dublin ; Lords Castlehaven, Fermoy, 
Netterville, and others, fell into the hands of Wadding, who, instead of 
having it presented to Innocent X., the late Pontiff's successor, modestly 
buried it in the archives of St. Isidore's, where it remains to the present 
day. The high opinion which the Supreme Council entertained of O'Dwyer, 
whom they styled in the memorial a " Doctor of Divinity, and an ocular 
witness of their proceedings", to say nothing of the commendations of 
Archbishop O'Queely, must have had great weight with the College of 
Cardinals, for, on reaching Pans, on his way to Ireland, after some months' 
sojourn in Rome, a bull was despatched to the French nuncio, nominating 
the Irish priest coadjutor to the then decrepit bishop of Limerick. O'Dwyer 
made no difficulty about accepting the exalted dignity which the Holy 
See conferred on him, and he was therefore duly consecrated by the Bishop 
of Senlis, in the church of St. Lazare, on Sunday the 7th of May, 1645. 
We quote from Dr. Median's biography of this remarkable prelate : — 

" Having purchased a goodly supply of vestments, books, and other require- 
ments for the diocese of Limerick. Dr. O'Dwyer set out for Ireland from one of 
the French ports ; but he had not been many days at sea when the ship in which 
he sailed was captured by a Turkish corsair, who carried him and his fellow- 
passengers as a prize to Smyrna. The bishop, however, when he saw that there 
was no chance of escaping the pirate, divested himself of all the insignia of his 
rank, and heaved overboard the valuable vestments and other sacred objects 
which he had collected at Paris, and which he knew would be desecrated, had 
the Turks got possession of them. On reaching Smyrna, lie was sold as a slave, 
and condemned to work at a mill, with a mask on his face to prevent him 
eating the flour ; and in this condition he might have lived and died, w r ere it 
not for a contingency which seems almost miraculous. An Irish lady, wife of 
a French merchant then living at Smyrna, happened to visit the mill, and on 
discovering that the poor captive was a countryman of her own, and a bishop in 
reluctant disguise, she lost no time in reporting the fact to her husband, who at 
once paid a ransom for the prisoner, and sent him back to France, where he soon 
replaced the sacred furniture which he had flung into the sea, as we have 
already stated. O'Dwyer returned to Ireland early in the 1646, and, be it 
recorded to his honour, he was the first bishop who introduced the mission- 

1 Dr. Meehan's Irish Hierarchy in the Sixteenth Century. 



592 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

aries of St. Vincent de Paul to this country. As a 'matter of course, he 
joined the Supreme Council of the Confederates as a spiritual peer, and in that 
capacity secured for himself the esteem of the Pope's nunzio, who in one of 
his earliest despatches to the Roman Court, speaks of him in a strain of the 
highest praise. Another letter, dated Limerick, July 16, 1646, and addressed 
by the same personage to Cardinal Panrilio, mentions the Bishop of Lime- 
rick taking part in the grand function solemnized in his cathedral, in thanks- 
giving for the memorable victory which Owen O'Neill had won at Benburb on 
the 5th of the preceding month. < At four o'clock, p.m.' writes the nunzio, 
' the procession moved from the Church of St. Francis, where the thirty-two 
stands of colours (taken from the Scotch) had been deposited. The garrison 
of Limerick led the van, and the captured colours were carried by the nobility 
of the city. Then followed the nunzio, the Archbishop of Cashel, the Bishops 
of Limerick, Clonfert, and Ardfert, and after them the Supreme Council, the 
mayor and magistrates in their official robes. The people crowded the streets 
and windows, and as soon as the procession reached the cathedral, Te Deum 
was sung by the nunzio's choir, and he pronounced the usual prayers, con- 
cluding the ceremony with solemn benediction. Next morning Mass pro gra- 
tiarum actione was sung by the Dean of Fermo, in presence of the aforesaid 
bishops and magistrates'. 

" It might, perhaps have been fortunate for Dr. O'Dwyer to have died at that 
hour of his country's triumph ; but, as we shall see, he was doomed to taste 
bitterness and sorrow at home and abroad, and to find his last resting-place far 
away from the old cathedral where his predecessors were entombed. Pious and 
zealous he was, no doubt, in the discharge of his high office, and none could 
gainsay the holiness of his life ; but, as years sped onwards, and as the for- 
tunes of the confederates waned, he unhappily proved himself in the politics of 
the period weak and vacillating. His conduct will not suffer us to doubt this, 
for instead of adopting Rinuccini's bold and honest policy, which spurned mere 
toleration of the Catholic religion, Dr. O'Dwyer allowed himself to be duped by 
the artifices of the lay members of the Supreme Council, most of whom were 
identified either by blood or by sordid egotism with the crafty enemy of their 
creed and race — James, Marquis of Ormond. In fact, the bishop, with several 
of his own order, allied himself to Ormond's faction, signed the fatal truce with 
Lord Inchiquin, and thus deserted the straightforward course which Rinuccini 
and the old Irish strove to maintain. ' For the last eighteen months', writes 
the Nunzio (in 1648), 'the bishop of Limerick, to my utter amazement and that 
of every one else, has devoted himself to the party of Lord Ormond, and this, 
indeed, is a sorry return for the benefits bestowed on him by the Holy See ; 
but he has had his reward, for he is now the object of universal odium, and has 
separated himself from the sound politics of the rest of the clergy'. Six months 
had hardly elapsed since these words were penned, when Rinuccini, finding it 
impossible to harmonize the adverse factions which he strove to govern, or to 
bring about a solidarity of interests for the general good, deemed it necessary 
to abandon a country whose feuds were precipitating it to irretrievable ruin. 
For some, the last and direst weapon in the Church's armoury had no terror, 
and, unhappily for Dr. O'Dwyer, he was one of the few bishops, who, despite 
the nunzio's censures, foolishly adhered to the party of Lord Ormond. . . . 
To the bishop's credit, during these awful months, when Ireton beleaguered Lime- 
rick from without, and pestilence swept off the famishing population within the 
walls, there was no braver man among the besieged than their spiritual chief. He 
exhorted the inhabitants to hold out to the last extremity, and to lay down their 
lives rather than yield to the lieutenant of the man who could show no mercy either 
at Drogheda or in Wexford. Fully conscious of the doom that awaited such gal- 
lant resistance, a multitude of the citizens waited on the bishop, and besought 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 593 

him to give tliem permission to blow themselves up, rather than fall alive into 
the hands of their enemies ; but he dissuaded them from such a suicidal project, 
telling them that it was nobler to die with arms in their hands, than to rush 
uncalled into the awful presence of God. At last, when Limerick was forced 
to capitulate to Ireton (who was indebted for his success to the black treason 
of one of Rinuccini's most implacable enemies), Dr. O'Dwyer, finding that he 
was excepted from quarter, disguised himself in peasant's garb, and having 
smeared his face with gunpowder, passed unnoticed out of one of the city 
gates, and eventually contrived to make his way to Brussels, where he lived 
till 1654, eating the salty bread of exile, and, as we may suppose, regretting 
with his latest sigh the fatal error that helped to bring ruin on his unfortunate 
country. On the night of the 6th of April, 1654, his remains, followed by a 
few torch-bearers, were conveyed from the convent in which he breathed his 
last, to the Church of St. James in the above-named city, and were there de- 
posited in the subterranean chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, without a 
single line to record his virtues or his failings. A career such as his, under 
other circumstances, would surely have been thought worthy an epitaph — that 
last of human vanities ; but the nocturnal funeral, divested of all ghastly pomp, 
and the nameless grave will be sufficiently accounted for by the nunzio's cen- 
sures". 

Harris, Writers of Ireland, on the authority of Colgan's Trias Thau- 
maturga, says that O'Dwyer wrote two small pieces of poetry, in hex- 
ameter and pentameter measure, one on the miracles of St. Brigid and the 
other on the inextinguishable fire of St. Brigid at Kildare. In the Hibernia 
Dominicana there are several documents which have the name of Bishop 
O'Dwyer to them as one of the subscribers. 

In a previous chapter of this work we have dwelt on the horrors connected 
with Ireton's siege, on the cruelties perpetrated after the surrender to the 
merciless general of Cromwell, and on the awful death of Ireton a few days 
after being summoned to his last account by the illustrious martyr bishop 
of Emly. In a manuscript, 1 to which we have had access since the printing 
of that chapter, we find with some surprise, that when Major-(ieneral 
Hugh O'Neill rode on and offered the pommel of his sword to Ireton, and 
desired the benefit of the law of arms, "in behalfe of a souldier of fortune 
voluntarily yielding himself and the lives of such other souldiers as served 
under his command, v to his lordshipp's mercy and favour", — Ireton 
gently embraced O'Neill, bade him be of good cheer, told him he would 
receive no prejudice, and commanding his men to ride forward, held alone 
a serious private discourse with him, and " Earthon (Ireton) was so tender 
of Major Neyle's (O'Neill's) safetie that before he parted with him he did 
commande his propper guarde uppon perrill of deathe to attend only that 
gentleman and retire him to a place of safetie, where at their said perrill 
he did not receive the least prejudice, which was exactly performed. His 
ennemies running here and there massacreing and killing everie mother's 
child they mett other than the exempted traitors. Three days and so 
many nights were they in this bloody execution. No grotto, seller, (cellar) 
prison, church, or tombe was unsearched, all there found made pea mealls, 
hanged and quartered". The writer proceeds to give an account of the 
execution of the Bishop of Emly, of Mr. Barron of Clonmel, " who dresses 

1 Aphorismical discovery of treasonable faction, by N. S., styling himself secretary to 
General Owen Jtioe U'-Neill.— MSjS. T.C.D. 



594 HISTORY OF LIMEBICK. 

himself in white taffeta, and was thus hanged", going to the gallows as if 
to a wedding feast, joyfully — of the discovery of Dominick Fanning to 
the officer of the guard, in the church of St. Francis, to which he (Fanning) 
crept cold and starving, from his ancestors' tomb, where he had been 
concealed three days and nights before, and of that discovery by the 
treachery of a servant of Fanning's, who, contrary to the wish of the 
officer, who appeared desirous that Fanning should effect his escape, not 
only revealed the name of his master, but called the attention of the guards 
to him — said servant being immediately after killed by the guards for his 
treason to a good master. " These with several others of both clergieand 
laity, were pittifully mangled, massacred, hanged, and dragged, man, 
woman, and child, except the tray tors, (a great multitude of these same in 
that furie perished",) etc. Ireton, as we have narrated, " dies of the plague 
and at the pointe of death was so nobly minded that he commanded his 
lieutenant-generall, Edmund Ludloe, and the rest of his officers and com- 
manders, to use all good behavior towards the said gentleman (Hugh O'Neill) 
— to send him with his own corpse into England, — and he did accompany 
Earthon's embalshomed (embalmed) corpse, and carryed it to London", etc. 
From this MS. we further learn more of the open treason of Fennel, 
and that Cromwell's life-guard was defeated at Nenagh on the 17th of May, 
1652, by Loughlen O'Meara and his foot, supported by Colonel Thibbot 
Gawley, where, after a severe skirmish, near the castle of Nenagh, " at 
lengthe the Irish had the honnour of the flelde, did kill 24 of the ennemie, 
took 8 prisoners, gott the pilladge of the camp, many tents, and a world 
of goods, each ennemie was found with £15 in his pocketts — these men 
were never faced in Ireland before this day — being my Lord Cromwell's 
life-guard, all major officers, several taken prisoners in battles and defeates 
against the kinge (Charles I.), who vowed never to have seen (for so many) 
better soldiers than these Irish". 

These events were followed by the almost total prostration of the Catho- 
lics of Limerick. The monuments in the cathedral were nearly all shattered, 
defaced, or utterly destroyed. By order of the commissioners for the 
affairs of Ireland, dated 15th June, 1655, all Irish papists and traders, 
servants, shopkeepers, artificers, etc., were ordered to remove forthwith 
out of the city, 1 against which order they presented a petition, as we have 
seen, through the hands of Dr. Thomas Arthur, whose estate was saved to 
him and his son. From this period, there were no Catholic monuments 
erected in the cathedral, and for a short time only, during the reign of 
James II., was it in possession of the Catholics. In order, therefore, that 
we may bring to a conclusion our history of the cathedral, we will 
here give an account of the principal monuments which remain in it, and 
subjoin a list of the Protestant bishops in succession. The altar on which for 
ages the unspotted Sacrifice had been offered, had now given way to the 
communion table. 

We proceed with the monuments : — 

On the north side of the communion table is a very large monument 
•which was originally erected to the Earl of Thomond, who died Sep. 4, 
1624. It consists of three compartments, the entire of the back being black 
marble, the divisions or compartments red and white marble, with joint 

1 State Papers of Oliver Cromwell. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 595 

Corinthian and composite pillars on both sides, also of marble of Limerick — 
the arms and achievements of O'Brien at the top. The following inscrip- 
tion is cut on a marble tablet, gilt, in Roman capitals : — 



This monvment being defaced in the 

time of the late rebellion of Ireland, 

was by Henry the II Earl of Thomond 

of that name re-edifyed, anno 1678, in memory 

of his noble grandfather, Donagh O'Brien, 

Earl of Thomond, Baron of Ibreacan, 

President of Mvnster, and one of his Majesties 

Privy Covncil ; who having derived 

his titles from an ancient and honovrable 

family, sometime the fovnders of this chvrch, 

left them to posterity more ennobled by his 

own vertve for giving equal proofs both for 

covrage and conduct of his loyalty and 

worth ; he was rewarded by the high and mighty 

monarchs Queen Elizabeth and King James, 

with honours above the nobility of 

his time. 



Lying in two of the compartments are broken effigies, cut out in full, of 
granite, and in the fashion of Queen Elizabeth's days, the gilding and 
ornamentation of which are nearly utterly defaced. The effigies represent 
the Earl and Countess of Thomond, and were attached to the original 
monument. They were broken in pieces by Ireton's soldiers. Beneath is 
the tomb or crypt of the O'Briens ; and when the cathedral was recently- 
undergoing repairs, skulls of considerable magnitude, and bones were 
found m the crypt. For many years, we understand, a sum of £10 was 
paid yearly, by will of the Earl of Thomond, to the verger of St. Mary's 
Cathedral, for keeping the monuments clean. No payment has been made 
in latter years. Indeed the monuments generally appear to require much, 
closer attention than is bestowed upon them. 

During the incumbency of the Kev. Dean Hoare, in 1759, while Mr. 
Sexton Baylee was mayor, a sum of £l 5 327 14s. ^d. was expended in 
repairs, alterations, and restorations, under the directions of the rev. 
gentleman. A sum of £100 was raised by the sale of pews at this period. 
In 1680, the south door and porch (as seen in the view of the cathedral 
given in Ware's Bishops), were added to the church, and a pavement made 
from them to the main street, or Mary Street. Previous to this, the grand 
entrance was at the western door, to which it has again been changed, and 
where it is likely to remain as required by the conveniences of the ap- 
proaches, and the disposition, etc., of the interior of the cathedral. 



596 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The following on a black marble slab in a pillar at the entrance to the 
choir : — - 



This monvment was erected by 

"William Yorke, to the memory of his deceased 

father Alderman William Yorke, 1 who 

lyes here interred ; was thrice mayor, gave 

above fovr hvndred povnds for 

bvlding the exchange and freely bestowed itt 

on this corporation ; contribvted to 

the bells and chymes which were cast 

and .set up in his maioraltyes ; was charitable 

to the poore, constant to his friend ; 

died in the trve christian faith, the last year 

of his maioralty, April 1, 1679, setatis 

sve 42. leaving William, Roger, and Jane, 

by Anna the davghter of Henry Hart, Esq. 



In the pillar near the western door entrance, is the following curious 
inscription quaintly cut in old-fashioned letters, gilt : — 



Memento Mory. 

Here lieth littell Samvell 

Barrington, that great vnder-] 

taker, of famiovs citties 

clock and chime maker, 

He made his one time goe 

early and lattei, bvt now 
he is retvrned to God his Cre- 
ator, the 19th of November then he 
scest, and for his memory 
this here is pleast by his 
son Ben. 2 1693. 



The Pery chapel is one of the more recent improvements in the cathe- 
dral; it is situated in the south-west aisle, is large, and beautifully orna- 
mented ; the ceiling is done up in bright blue and silver stars, the walls 
in gray marble, and underneath are the tombs to which the remains of the 
Pery family are consigned. A white marble monument, with a full length 
recumbent effigy of Lord Glentworth, admirably executed by Baily, and 
of the finest workmanship, is an object of much attraction in the Pery 
chapel. The monument bears the following inscription : — 

1 The family of Alderman Yorke, who was of Dutch origin, is said to be represented by the 
present Duchess of Eovigo. 

2 Ben having been a clock and chime maker, had a contract from the corporation of Cashel 
for fitting up and making a clock, for five pounds. 



HISTORY 03? LIMERICK. 



597 



Here lie the mortal remains of 

Edmond Henry Lord Glentworth, 

eldest son and heir of 

Henry Hartstonge Lord Glentworth, and 

Annabella, his wife, 

grandson and heir of Edmund Henry, 

Earl of Limerick, Viscount Limerick, Baron 

Glentworth of Mallow, and Baron Foxford of 

Stackpole Court, in the county of Clare, in 

the peerage of the United Kingdom. 

He was born on the 3rd day of March, 1809, 

and married on the 8th of October, 1836, • 

Eve Maria, second daughter of Henry Villebois, 

of Maiham House, in the county of 

Norfolk, Esq. 

He departed this life on the 16th of February, 

In the year of our Lord, 1844. 

This monument is erected to the memory of 

her beloved husband, by his widow. 



The Pery chapel, which is railed off by a heavy iron railing or grating, 
produces a subdued sombre effect, suggestive of thoughts befitting a rest- 
ing place sacred to the noble dead. Over the chapel is the hatchment 
of the deceased. It has a stained glass window of three lights, and it 
also contains the Stackpole and Roche (Catholic) vaults. 

In the north aisle is a tombstone to the memory of Nicholas Rice, Esq., 
" counsellor-at-law", and his wife Mary Rice: — 



Arms of 

the Rice family, 

cut on a floriated shield. 

Here lies interred, 

the body of Nicholas Rice, Esq., 

counsellor at law, 

who departed this life the 

19th day of March, 1709, 

aged 56 years, 

and also the body of Mary Rice, 

his wife, 

who died the 15 th day of March, 1724, 

aged 54 years. 



598 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Next to this is a slab cut with the Arthur arms and the date 1640. 
Adjacent to this are the following: 



Floriated shield, 
with the Arthur Arms. 

Expectans ultimam resurr actionem 

hie Jacet Thomas Arthur 

Fitz Francis qui hac vita migravit 

Die 6 a Junii, anno 1729, 

Aetatis vo 1 76, 

venit hora qua omnes qui in 

monumentis sunt audient vocem 

Filii Dei 

Jo. v. ver. 28. 



The following mural tablet in this north transept was taken from its pro - 
per place in the same transept, where the Hartstonge family are buried ; 
and the monument of Geoffrey Arthur, already described, was taken from 
the south transept, and placed where this slab had been, much to the 
chagrin of the Earl of Limerick: 



This small monument was erected by 

Standish Hartstonge, Esq., 

Recorder of this city, 

in memory of his deare wife Elizabeth, 

daughter of Francis Jermy, Esq., 

of Cuton, in the county of Norfolk, 

and by Alice his wife, 

the daughter of Anthony Irby, 

of Boston, Knt., 

who died the 5th of July, 1663, 

and lyeth buried in this church, 

who had issue eleven children, whereof 

seven are living. 

1677. 



There are several fragments of tombs with ancient dates, lying in the 
north transept. There is also the great altar stone of the ancient cathedral 
with its incised crosses. Outside this transept is a defaced tomb stone with 
the word " Rice" barely discernible. Among the fragments are the folio w- 



162 




1 Quere [An] no? 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Among the tombs in the north transept is this : 



599 



D.O.M. 

Here rests 
with, several of his children, 

In sure and certain hope 

of a glorious resurrection, 

William Ferrar, 

an honest man and a good citizen, 

who died August 25th, 1753, 

aged 53. 

Also Eose his wife, 

who died September 12th, 1772, 

aged 57. 



The above William Ferrar was father of John Ferrar, the Historian. 

Several new monuments have been erected in the cathedral within 
later years. The following may be noticed : — 

The monument to the Right Rev. Dr. Jebb is placed in the north 
transept. It represents the bishop seated in canonicals, with a book in his 
left hand, the right arm resting near the knee. It is admirably wrought out 
in all the details, in white marble, being the work of E. M. Baily, R.A., 1836. 

On the pedestal, which is of white marble also, is this inscription : — 



To the memory of John Jebb, D.D. 

Bishop of Limerick, 

this monumental statue is raised 

by the friends of religion and literature in 

Ireland, England, and America, 

in commemoration of benefits conferred by 

his life and writings 

upon the universal Church of Christ. 

Nat. Sep. 27, 1775. 

Ob. Deer. 9, 1833. 



A list of the subscribers, cut in white marble, is placed against the wall 
of the transept behind the statue. As a w r ork of art the statue is highly 
admired. 

In 1770, several feet of the church-yard of the cathedral were taken into 
Bow Lane; the vergers house, which stood over " the Bow", was taken 
down ; the passage, walls, and gate at the north door of the church, which 
served to hide the beauty of the cathedral, were all removed, by which 
means a good broad passage has been made to the quay, and carriages can 
approach close to the church door, which they never could do before. 1 

In October, 1809, the passage to the chapter room of the cathedral was 
opened under the eastern window, communicating with the main street. 

1 Cotemporary MS. The Quay occupied the site of the present city and county court huses. 



600 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



In 1812, Dean Preston dismantled and removed the old Episcopal 
Court, broke a passage through the wall at the back of a bench which was 
there, and laid the beams of a new gallery in the south aisle, to correspond 
with the gallery which had been recently erected in the north aisle. This 
was done for the accommodation of the then Corporation. 

February, 1812, the gallery for the military was erected in St. Mary's 
Cathedral, by the Rev. Geo. Harte, Chanter. 

March — An old house that stood in the S.E. end of Bow Lane, and pro- 
jected five feet into the main street, was pulled down. While this house 
stood, the entrance into Bow Lane was no more than thirteen feet wide. 
The lane below this house, leading into the north gate of the church, was 
opened and enlarged in the year 1770 — (Ferrar, p. 101). The improve- 
ment in 1812 was effected by the Rev. Dean Preston. Foundation of 
the new structure laid March 23. 

In 1842 Mr. William Bardwell of London, architect, who had been 
engaged in supplying a monument to the memory of Daniel Barrington, 
Esq., brother of Sir Mathew Barrington, Bart., suggested restorations of 
the cathedral, interiorly and exteriorly, and gave drawings which are now 
in the verger's lodge of the cathedral. Mr. Bardwell manifested much taste 
and cleverness in the suggested restorations, particulary of the exterior, 
which, if carried out, would contribute to beautify the appearance of the 
cathedral, and take from it the very heavy and clumsy look which it still has. 
He suggested a variety of pinnacles with stone crosses, a new belfry 
independent of the peal of bells in the quadrangular tower, etc. Some of 
Mr. Bardwell's suggestions have been acted upon in the recent decorations 
and restorations of the interior of the cathedral, particularly in reference to 
the seats. Mr. Bardwell took a plaster covering off the ancient stone 
western doorway of the cathedral, and displayed the attractive and beauti- 
ful original to the view of the antiquary. From cuts and marks in the 
pillars of this doorway, it is probable that it was used by the soldiers that 
were quartered in it several times, in and before the last sieges, for the 
purpose of sharpening their swords and side arms. 

The following is the inscription on the monument to the memory of 
Daniel Barrington, Esq., which is made of Caen stone, and very curiously 
and elaborately wrought: — 



Samuel Barrington, Esq., 

second son of 

Sir Joseph Barrington, Bart., 

born in October, MDCCXXII., 1 

died in February, MDCCOXLIL, 

leaving Anne, daughter of 

Richard Williams, Esq., his relict, surviving, in 

remembrance of his virtues, amiable 

qualities, and fraternal affection, strongly 

evinced through life, 

this monument is erected by his elder 

brother Matthew. 



1 This is an error of the sculptor. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 601 

"Within the last few years, the cathedral has undergone a more thorough 
repair and restoration than it got since it was erected — at all events, since 
1490, when it was so much enlarged, and the three bodies and aisles 
built. The occasion of the lamented death of Augustus O'Brien Stafford, 
Esq., M.P., in 1857, was suggested as a fitting opportunity to commence 
a work which had been rendered so necessary. The interior had been 
literally blocked up and rendered hideous by huge timber obstructions 
narrowing the nave and aisles, and giving a character of heaviness, gloom, . 
and ugliness to the whole. A committee was formed to erect a memorial 
to Mr. Stafford ; and it was finally decided that this memorial should be a 
stained glass window, and, at the same time, Mr. William Slater, of London, 
architect, was requested to examine the cathedral, when he found that a 
new roof over the chancel was essential, and subsequently, that the ceiling 
over the rest of the nave was bad and dangerous. Mr. Slater reported that 
it would be necessary to remove the modern perpendicular window, which 
had not been very many years in existence, and which was put up at very 
heavy cost, by Mr. Payne, architect. Contracts were entered into by 
Messrs. Clayton and Bell, of London, for the stained glass window, and 
with Messrs. Ryan and Son, for the roof and the stone work in the newly 
projected window. The Rev. F. C. Hamilton, and Robert O'Brien, Esq., 
Old Church, aided by John Long, Esq., Hon. Sec, proceeded to raise a 
portion of the money necessary for the roof, as the dean and chapter had 
not sufficient funds at their disposal to incur the expense. The appeal 
was successful. In £10 subscriptions, a sum of £460 was soon raised. 
Early in 1860, the dean and chapter sent a letter to the above named 
gentlemen to the effect, that they had voted a sum of £305 10s. 7d. for 
the new roof, and that the Right Rev. Dr. Griffin, Protestant bishop, had 
subscribed £50. The contract was entered into with Messrs. Ryan and 
Son ; the work went on prosperously, and was not long in hands. The 
ancient oak roof was found to be in the best order ; the oak as sound as ever, 
and nearly all that was removed of it was purchased by Mr. Stephen 
Hastings, brush manufacturer, who converted it into polished backs 
for hair-brushes, and walking canes. In addition, the organ gallery was 
removed from the west to the north side of the cathedral ; the arches 
which had been blocked with brickwork and sashes were opened up. 
Dr. Griffin contributed £50 more to this work. The dean 1 provided new 
stoves, new seats to the transepts, and soldiers' seats, removing all the 
monumental tablets to the north chapel, and cleaned the walls of the 
whole building. He also erected a door to the south porch, where there 
had been one before, and which was the chief entrance in the earlier part 
of the last century. The floor of the choir was extended ; twelve new oak 
stall seats were provided, similar to the ancient stall seats, which have been 
always looked upon with curiosity, for their strangely sculptured carvings 
under the seats, or " misericordes", as they were called in Catholic times. 
Deans' and precentors' seats, carved in oak, were provided, and a continu- 
ation of carved canopies over the stalls. Minton tiles, set in cement over 
brickwork, replaced the damp limestone flags and earth, which, in conse- 
quence of the numerous graves beneath, caused the floor to be in a bad 
state ; the bells, which were deficient, and their working out of gear, were 
set right by the Earl of Limerick ; carved oak altar table, chairs, and stools, 
1 The liberal and learned Very Rev. A. L. Kirwan. 

42 






602 HISTORY 02 LIMERICK. 



were provided by trie Rev. Maurice de Burgh, and tne Rev. F. C. Hamil- 
ton, at their own expense ; several other minor improvements and details 
were also introduced. The amount received for the memorial to Mr. 
O'Brien Stafford, was £1,556 18s. 2d. Mr. Ryan's contract for roof, etc., 
was £876 15s. lid.; Mr. Forsyth, for reredos, cornice, and extra work, 
£37 15s. Od. ; Messrs. Clayton and Bell, stained glass window, £388; wire 
guard, £25 10s.; fixing same at Limerick, £15 17s. — in all £429 7s.; 
sundry other expenses made up the balance of £1,556 18s. 2d. The me- 
morial window to Augustus O'Brien Stafford, Esq., may be described as 
follows : — 

St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. 
The east window erected as a memorial to the late Augustus O'Brien Stafford, 
Esq., M.P. Died 15th Nov., 1857, aged 47. Designed by Wm. Slater, 
Architect. Stained glass executed by Messrs. Clayton and Bell. Building 
by Mr. John Kyan, Limerick. 

NORTH SIDE LIGHT. 

No. 1. Burying the Dead. 

„ 2. " A stranger, and ye took me in". xxv. Mat. ver. 35. 

} , 3. " In prison, and ye came unto me". „ ver. 36. 

„ 4. "Thirsty, and ye gave me drink". „ ver. 35. 

CENTRE LIGHT. 

The Charity of Dorcas ix Acts, ver. 39; 

Our Lord Seated. 
" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these 

my brethren, ye have done it unto me". xxv. Mat. ver. 40. 

The Good Samaritan. x. Luk, ver. 33. 

SOUTH SIDE LIGHT. 

No. 1. Guiding the Blind. 

„ 2. " Naked and ye clothed me". xxv. Mat. ver: 36. 

„ 3. " Sick and ye visited me". „ ver. 36 

„ 4. " An hungered and ye gave me meat". „ ver. 35. 

It was intended to place an elaborate stone inscription over the window 
as an additional tribute to the memory of Mr. O'Brien Stafford ; and the 
stone was actually cut for that purpose; but the Dean and Chapter 
objected. 

A further sum of £1550 3s. 3d. has been expended by the Hon. Robert 
O'Brien, raised by subscription, in restorations, etc. The Rev. F. C. 
Hamilton has expended £240 18s. 2d., and in both instances balances 
remained due on the audits of accounts to the Hon R. O'Brien and Rev. 
Mr. Hamilton. The interior of the church has undergone quite a reno- 
vated appearance since these changes were made; and they have been 
followed by others, including a memorial to the Westropp family in the 
south transept, including a new roof, a new stone window of five lights 
filled with stained glass, and the complete fitting up of the transepts, from 
a design by Mr Slater. The subjects in the window are Scriptural, 
and are elaborately wrought out in colours particularly bright and well 
chosen. 

And a monument of Bath stone, representing the agony in the garden, 
the resurrection, and the taking down from the cross, in three compart- 
ments, erected by Mr. Poole, of Bath. 



HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 603 

A brass tablet has this legend : — 

This transept was restored and its stained glass window and monument 

erected in the year 1862, by Mrs. Anne Westropp, in memory of 

her son Thomas Johnston Westropp, who died in Madeira, in the year 1830, 

aged 20 years. 

The Westropp memorial is said to have cost a sum of about £2000. 

Among the objects shown to view by the removal of sundry obstruc- 
tions, is a beautiful credence arch with a circular window in the chancel. 
A stone had been placed here before ; and of the existence of the arch, 
etc., there was no knowledge in modern days until the restorations were 
undertaken. 

The family of the late Archdeacon Maunsell have placed a stone pulpit 
in the cathedral, with, carved in relief, representation of the presentation 
in the temple. It is very elegant. Other presents are about to be made, 
and further improvements effected, so that the traditionary zeal for the 
restoration and keeping of St. Mary's appears to have an active exis- 
tence at this moment. 

One of the latest memorials in the cathedral is in a western stone win- 
dow, filled with glass, to Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart. This memorial 
was got up by subscription : 

This west window was erected as a memorial to the late Sir Matthew Barrington, 
Baronet. Died 1st April, 1861, aged 72. Designed by William Slater, Esq., 
Stained glass by Messrs. Clayton and Bell. Building by Messrs. John Ryan 
and Son, Limerick. 

NORTH SIDE LIGHT. 

1. The Nativity. 

2. Flight into Egypt. 

3. Disputation in the Temple. 

4. Baptism of Christ. 

CENTRE LIGHT. 

• 

1. The Last Supper. 

2. The Agony in the Garden. 

3. Christ bearing the Cross. 

4. Women at the Sepulchre. 

5. " Noli me tangere". 

SOUTH SIDE LIGHT. 

1. St. Peter and St. John at the Sepulchre. 

2. Journey to Emmaus. 

3. The Ascension. 

4. Pentecost. 

In the south transept a window has been filled with stained glass to 
the memory of Charlotte, wife of Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart. Under- 
neath is a brass tablet with the following inscription: — 



In memory of Charlotte, wife of 

Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart., 

who died November 18th, 1858, 

this window was filled with stained glass 

by her son, Croker Barrington, 

as a mark of affection. 



604 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



We subjoin particulars of other monuments in the cathedral: — 



Quod vult, Valde vult. 

Sacred to the memory of 

Lieutenant-Colonel George Maunsell, 

3rd or Prince of Wales' Dragoon Guards, 

which regiment he commanded for 

many years, served with it throughout 

the whole Peninsula war, and received 

medals for the battles of Talavera, 

Albuera, Victoria, and Toulouse. 

He was beloved by his brother soldiers, 

and respected by the enemies of 

his country. 

The Almighty, who protected him in 

the day of battle, 

suffered him to depart this life in peace. 

Sincere, honourable, gentle, and brave, 

his surviving relatives have erected this 

testimonial in commemoration of his worth, 

Died Sep. 4th 1849. 

Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er, 

Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking, 
Dream of battle fields no more, 

Days of danger, nights of waking. 



Then follow the devices or emblems of war, and, we think, wolf dogs, etc. 

A handsome brass mural tablet to the memory of Colonel Clouster of 
the 61st Regiment, a distinguished Peninsular officer, who died in July, 
1861. 

To the gallant Sir Michael Creagh, K.H., a Lien tenant- Colonel of the 
73rd Regiment, his surviving children have placed the following monument 
of white marble on a pillar in the north transept : — 



In memory of 

Sir Michael Creagh, Knt., K.H., 

Major General in Her Majesty's Army, 

and Colonel of the 73rd Regt. 

Born in Limerick, 1787. 

Died at Boulogne-sur-mer, 

September 14th, 1860, aged 73 years. 

Also his wife Elizabeth, only daughter of 

the Right Honourable Charles Osborne, 

Judge of the Court of King's Bench in Ireland, 

who died at sea, January 14th, 1833, aged 36 years. 

This tablet is erected by their surviving children. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 605 

A monument to Denis Fitzgerald Mahony, Esq., father of Alderman 
John Watson Mahony, J.P., is of white marble, and has the following 
inscription : — 



Sacred to the memory of 

Denis Fitzgerald Mahony, 

Alderman, Chamberlain, and Magistrate 

of the city of Limerick, 

who died 22nd February, 1840, 

aged 67 years. 

He was a man of liberality, humanity, and 

moderation, a generous friend of the widow and 

orphan, a munificent contributor 

to the public charities of the city, an 

affectionate husband, a kind parent, and an 

humble follower of his Lord and Master. 

He lived in the universal esteem of 

his fellow citizens, and died in the assured 

hope of a joyful resurrection. 
His remains are interred in the family vault 

of St. Mun chin's, in this city. 
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord". 



The following are a few other of the monuments : — 



Sacred 

to the memory of 

Louisa, 

wife to the Rev. Wm. D. Hoare, 

who departed this life on the 9th of April, 1809, 

having just entered on her 27th year. 

This tablet is erected 

by her affectionate husband as a small mark 

of his love to her memory. 

She fell asleep in full assurance 

of a blessed and glorious resurrection to 

eternal life, through the blood and righteousness 

of Him who came into this world to 

save sinners. 

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. 



606 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Sacred 

to the memory of 

Matilda Alexina, 

trie beloved and only child of 

Major General Thomas Erskine Napier, C.B., 

commanding the Limerick district, 

and Margaret his wife, 

who, after a protracted sickness, 

borne with patient resignation 

in the will of her Maker, 

died April xvi., mdcccxlix., 

aged xxiii. years. 

This monument is erected by 

her beloved and affectionate parents, 

who, consoled by the remembrance of 

her affectionate disposition, cheerful piety, 

and peaceful death, 
sorrow not as those without hope for her 

who now sleeps in the Lord, 

in certain expectation in the resurrection 

to Eternal Life through the merits of 

Christ Jesus, her Saviour, 

AMEN. 



In the family vault of Caherconlish, 

rest the mortal remains of 

Robert Maunsell Gabbett, Esq., M.D., 

of Shelbourne House, 

who died June 22nd, 1850, 

aged 37 years. 

This tablet, 

sacred to his memory, 

is placed here by his brothers, 

to record 

his amiable qualities as a man, 

his good example as a Christian, 

and their own deep sorrow 

for the early loss of one who was 

universally esteemed and beloved. 

" Mark well the perfect man, and behold the 

upright, for the end of that man is peace". 

37 Psalm, 37 verse. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



607 



Sacred to the memory of 

Major Thomas Suranierfield, 

who died at Limerick on the 1st of March, 1833, 

in the 66th year of his age, 

After a faithful service of nearly forty years 

in the 83rd Regiment. 

This tablet is raised by his brother officers, 

as a tribute to the memory of a gallant veteran, 

and to record their feelings of respect 

for his character and worth. 



In the north transept is a memorial window of stained glass to the late 
Dean Preston, it has the following legend: — 



Arms of Preston 
Sans Tache. 

Arthurus Joannes Preston 

Hujus Ecclesigs ; Cathedralis 

xxxv annos 

Decanus 

Nat 6 Junii MDCCLXI. 

Ob 3 Novembris MDCCCXLIV. 

Memoria Justorum Beata 

testimonium 

Hoc Monumentum pietatis 

Posuerunt Filii Ejus 

Arthurus et Gulielmus. 



The following is a list of the Protestant Bishops in succession from 
Robert Sibthorpe, which we give from Dr. Cotton's valuable Fasti Ec~ 
clesice Hibernice : — 

1660 Edward Synge, D.D. (brother of George Synge, Bishop of Cloyne), 
Dean of Elphin, was promoted by patent, dated January 19th, which patent 
empowered him to hold the sees of Ardfert and Aghadoe in commendam. He 
was consecrated at Dublin on the 27th of the same month. On 21st Decem- 
ber, 1663, he was translated to Cork. At this time the sees of Limerick, Ard- 
fert, and Aghadoe were united. 

1663 William Fuller, LL.D., a native of London, educated at Westminster 
School, and at Oxford, became Chancellor of Dromore, Dean of St. Patrick's, 
and Treasurer of Christ Church, Dublin ; and was advanced to the united 
sees of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, by patent, dated March 16th. In 
1667 he was translated to the bishopric of Lincoln, and was buried in that 
city in 1675. See particulars of his life in Mason's History of fit. Patrick's 
Cathedral, p. 192, etc. 



608 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

1667 Francis Marsh, 1 D.D., a native of Gloucestershire, educated at Cam- 
bridge, came to Ireland on the invitation of Bishop Jeremy Taylor, and became 
successively Dean of Armagh and Archdeacon of Dromore. His patent for 
these bishoprics bears date October 28th, and he was consecrated at Clonmel 
on December 22nd. From hence he was translated to Kilmore and Ardagh, 
on 10th January, 1671, ana< afterwards, in 1681, to Dublin. 

167g John Vesey, D.D. (ancestor of the Viscounts de Yesci, and of Lord 
Vesey Fitzgerald), was a native of Coleraine, and was educated at Westmin- 
ster School and at Dublin University. He became Chaplain to the House of 
Commons, and was made Archdeacon of Armagh, and afterwards Dean of 
Cork, and Treasurer of Cloyne. He was promoted to this bishopric by patent, 
dated January 11th, and was consecrated on the following day. In 1678 he 
was translated to the archbishopric of Tuam. 

167g Simon Digby (son of Dr. Essex Digby, Bishop of Dromore) became a 
Prebendary, and afterwards Dean of Kildare : he also held a prebend in the 
church of Lismore. His patent for this bishopric bears date March 19 th, and 
he was consecrated on the 23rd of that month. In the year 1691 he was trans- 
lated to Elphin. 

169J Nathaniel Wilson, D.D., an Englishman, educated at Magdalene Hall, 
Oxford, became chaplain to the Duke of Ormond, and was made Dean of 
Eaphoe. He was raised to the bishopric by patent dated January 20th, and 
was consecrated at Christ Church, Dublin, on the 18th of the following May. 
On July 27th he was enthroned at his cathedral, He died of apoplexy, sup- 
posed to have been caused by a fall from his horse, at Dublin, on 3rd Novem- 
ber, 1695 ; and was there buried in Christ Church. 

1695 Thomas Smyth, D.D. 2 (grandfather of the first Viscount Gort), was a 
Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, and became Precentor of Clogher, Dean of 
Emly, and Chancellor of Clogher. He succeeded Bishop Wilson by patent 
dated December 2nd, and was consecrated in the Chapel of Trinity College, 
Dublin, on the 8th of that month, by William, Archbishop of Cashel, assisted 
by the Bishops of Clogher, Killala, Dromore, and Cloyne. He was enthroned 
at Limerick, on 30th April, 1696. In 1714 this prelate was appointed Vice- 
Chancellor of the University of Dublin. He was a liberal benefactor to the 
poor, both during his life-time and by his will. After being the founder of a 
numerous and distinguished family, he died on 4th May, 1725, and was buried 
in St. Munchin's Church at Limerick. 

1725 William Bourscough, D.D., an Englishman, educated at Wadham 
College, Oxford, became Chaplain to Lord Carteret, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 
and was made Dean of Lismore. He obtained this bishopric by patent dated 
June 16th, and was consecrated at Dunboyne in July following by the Arch- 
bishop of Armagh. He is described as a man of great learning and piety, a 
good preacher, of a tolerant and kindly disposition to persons of all persuasions, 
but unpopular because he did not reside and spend his income in the city. 3 
After filling the see thirty years, he died in 1755, and was buried on April 
3rd, at his private seat, New Ross, in the county of Tipperary, in the eightieth 
year of his age [Mant] in a vault which he himself had made. 4 

1755 James Leslie, D.D., a native of Kerry, became a Prebendary of Dur- 
ham. He was made Bishop of Limerick by patent dated November 4th ; and 
was consecrated in St. Andrew's Church, Dublin, on November 16th, by the 

1 Marsh was son of Marsh of Edgeworth, Gloucestershire. 

2 Smyth of Dundrum, grandfather of first Viscount $fort, came from Yorkshire, temp. 
Charles I. 

3 White's MSS. 
Ibid. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 609 

Archbishop of Cashel, assisted by the Bishops of Cork and Killala. He died 
at Limerick, on 24th November, 1770, and -was buried at St. Mmichin's. 

1770 John Averill, 1 D.D., Dean of Limerick, was promoted to the bishopric 
by patent dated December 31st, and was consecrated in Christ Church, Dublin, 
on 6th of January following, by the Archbishop of Dublin, assisted by the 
Bishops of Ossory and Clonfert. He was a man eminent and justly beloved for 
his piety and charity : but his career of usefulness was soon interrupted, for he 
was cut off by death on September 14th of that same year, while engaged on 
his diocesan visitation at Ennismore, in the County of Kerry. He was interred 
in the Cathedral of Limerick, where the following inscription records his name 
and virtues : — 

Hie jacet Recte Johannes Averill, D.D. 

Episcopus Limericensis obiit 14 mo. Sept. 1 , 1771. jEtatis 58. 

Cujus si in Deum pietatera 

In Regem fidem 

In Ecclesiam amorem 

Si in equales Liberalitatem 

In omnes spectes Benevolentiam, 

Yix a3tas ulla tulit parcern 

Nulla superiorem ' 
Though. Averill' s dust thus humbly here is placed, 
"With no proud monument or titles graced, 
Yet shall he live when Kueller's tints shall fade, 
And sculptured trophies moulder in the shade. 
The saint-like character his life imprest,. 
Is stamped indelibly on every breast ; 
And where the Muse's wail appears too weak, 
The Poor, the Fatherless, the Widows speak. 

1772 William Gore, D.D., Bishop of Elphin, was translated to Limerick by 
patent dated March 5th, and was enthroned on March 19th. He bore the 
character of a man of great learning and benevolence. He died at Bray, in the 
county of Wicklow, on 25th of February, 1784, and was buried in the vault 
of his family, in St. Mary's Church, at Dublin. 

1784 William Cecil Pery, M.A. (afterwards created Lord Glentworth), was 
a native of Limerick, where he was ordained deacon on 9th June, 1740. He 
became Chaplain to the House of Commons, and was made successively Dean of 
Killaloe, Dean of Derry, and Bishop of Killala. He was translated to Lime- 
rick, by patent dated May 13th, and was enthroned on May 22nd. He died 
at Limerick on 4th July. 1794, and was buried in his Cathedral. 

1794 Thomas Bernard, D.D. (son of the Bishop of Derry), became succes- 
sively Archdeacon of Derry, De<"in of the same, and Bishop of Killaloe : he was 
translated to Limerick by patent dated September 12th. See further particu- 
lars of his character among the Bishops of Killaloe. He died at a very advanced 
age, at Wimbledon, in Surrey, on 7th June, 1806. 

1806 Charles Mongan Warburton, D.D., Dean of Clonmacnoise, 'succeeded 
by patent dated July 7th. He was consecrated at St. Patrick's, Dublin, on 
July 13th, by the Archbishop of Cashel, assisted by the Bishops of Meath and 
Cloyne, and was enthroned in the following month of August. In 1820 he 
was translated to Cloyne, where he died in the year 1826. 2 

1820 Thomas Eirington, D.D., was a Fellow, and afterwards (by patent 
dated 15th December, 1811) Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. He was 
advanced to this bishopric by patent bearing date September 25th, and was 
consecrated in the College Chapel on October 8th, by the Archbishop of Dublin, 

1 Averill was a native of the County of Antrim. 

2 Dr. Warburton's proper name was Mongan ; he was a native of Derry ; his parents were 
Catholics, and he himself had been a Catholic. 



610 HISTOBY OP LIMERICK 

assisted by the Bishops of Kildare and Ossory. In 1822 he was translated to 
the sees of Ferns and Leighlin. 

Bishop Elrington was a man of great strength of mind, integrity, diligence, 
and learning ; a strenuous defender of the Protestant Church, as is evidenced 
by his numerous publications. 

1822 John Jebb, D.D., a native of Drogheda, Archdeacon of Emly, suc- 
ceeded, by patent dated December 23rd, and was consecrated in the Cathedral 
of Cashel, on January 12th, 1823, by Eichard Archbishop of Cashel, assisted 
by the Bishops of Waterford and Killaloe. 

Bishop Jebb from early youth was a person of retiring and studious habits, 
and latterly devoted himself almost entirely to professional studies. The 
powers of his mind and the extent of his reading -are seen in the quantity of 
works which he has left behind him. He was a benefactor to his cathedral, to 
which, besides other helps, he presented a new altar-cloth and a new pulpit. 
For some years previous to his death the Bishop was prevented from discharg- 
ing his official duties by a paralytic stroke. He died in England, at Easthill, 
near Wandsworth, Surrey, on 9th December, 1833, aged 59, and was buried in 
the churchyard of the parish of Clapham, near London. A life of him, with a 
selection from his letters, was published by his chaplain, Eev. Charles Forster, 
n 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1836. 

1830 Honorable Edmund Knox, D.D. (son of Thomas, first Viscount North- 
land), Bishop of Killaloe, was translated to Limerick on the death of Bishop 
Jebb. 1 He died at Birmingham, on his way from London to Limerick, on the 
3rd of May, 1849, aged 76. 

1849 H. Higgins, Dean of Limerick, removed to Derry, and succeeded by 

1854 Henry Griffin, D.D., the present bishop, Ex-F.T.C.D., who was con- 
secrated on the 1st of January in that year. 

The Protestant episcopal seal of Limerick bears, sapphire, on the dexter 
side a crozier crested ; on the sinister, a mitre with labels in base ; two keys 
n saltier, bows downwards, all topaz. 

The see is valued in the kings books by an extent returned anno 5 
Car. L, at £40 sterling, and Ardfert, a see united to it, is valued by an 
extent taken anno 26 Eliz., at £12 13s. 4d. sterling. 

The chapter of Limerick is constituted of the following members, viz., 
Dean, Chantor, Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon, and eleven Preben- 
daries, i.e. St. Munchin's, Donoughmore, Ballycahan, Kilpeacon, Tully- 
bracky, Killeedy, Disert, Ardcanny, Croagh, Efiin, and Athnett, which 
ast is the mensal of the bishop. The diocese is divided into five rural 
deaneries, viz., Kilmallock, Adare, Garth, alias Ballingarry, Ardagh, and 
Rathkeale. 

We have now given in detail the results of much careful inquiry res- 
pecting the venerable cathedral of Limerick, whose fortunes have been so 
diversified from the time of its foundation by one of the royal O'Briens, to 
he date of its reedification under Protestant hands, and with the assistance 
and direction of a descendant of that kingly house. For two hundred 
and thirty years, with very short intervals, it has been alienated from the 
professors of the ancient creed of its founders ; and under the various ad- 
ditions which have been made to assimilate it more closely to Anglican 
churches, many, if not most, of its ancient characteristics have been lost. 

1 It was Bishop Knox who first discovered the powers of the famous vocalist, Miss Catherine 
Hayes, who owed to him her musical education. 



HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 611 



CHAPTER LIX. 

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN SUCCESSION — DOWLEY — o'MOLONEY — O'KEEFFE — 
LACY — O'KEARNEY — NOMINATION, ETC., OF THE HON. AND REV. JOHN 
BUTLER, S.J CONWAY — YOUNG — TUOHY — RYAN — BUTLER. 

We will now give the lives of the Catholic Bishops of the See of Limerick, 
from the time of Bishop O'Dwyer down to our own day. The catalogue 
proves that, though driven from their possessions, from the Cathedral of 
St. Mary's, in which it was designed by its founder that the Mass of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary should be perpetually celebrated, and from the tem- 
poralities which their predecessors augmented and husbanded with pious 
solicitude for the use of the poor and of the Church, though banned by 
iniquitous laws, and forced to fly from the terrors of unheard of persecu- 
tions, the succession of the bishops and the faith have been faithfully pre- 
served, and the old religion nourishes even more healthfully than if it had 
been fostered by the state, and supported by the most munificent state 
endowments. 

James Dowley succeeded to the mitre of Limerick in 1670-1. He had 
been appointed Vicar* Apostolic about the month of July or August, 1669. 
On the 23rd of August in that year he was in Paris, where he wrote a 
congratulatory letter to the Archbishop of Caesarea, on the appointment 
of the Most Rev. Dr. Oliver Plunkett, (who suffered martyrdom on the 
scaffold at Tyburn not long afterwards) to the primatial chair of 
Armagh : — 

" Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord, 

" I return exceeding thanks to your Excellency for my election in the last 
congregation (through your solicitude and care) as Vicar- Apostolic of Limerick, 
whilst I also find it is your intention to exalt me, though unworthy, to a still 
higher dignity. 

" Most pleasing to all was the appointment of Dr. Plunkett, and J doubt not 
but it will be agreeable to the government, to the secular clergy, and to the 
nobility ; and all this we owe to your Excellency. We shall soon return to our 
country, when I shall give an account of the flock committed to my charge. . . 

" James Dowley. 

"Paris, 23rd August, 1669. 

" To the Archbishop of Caesarea". 

A national council or synod was held in Dublin on the 17th June, 1670, 
which was presided over by the primate, and at this council or synod a 
petition was drawn up and despatched to the Holy See, soliciting the ap- 
pointment of some new bishops to the vacant dioceses, and presenting the 
names of clergymen who were deemed most deserving of the episcopal 
dignity. For Limerick they named : 

"E. D. Jacobus Dulaeus, Vic. Aplicus. Limericen. cujus etiam doctrina et 
vitas integritas Illmae. Dni. Vrae. probe nota est, pro Dioecesi Limericen". 

The recommendation was successful. James Dowley was appointed, 
and he was consecrated by the Most Rev. Dr. Burgatt, Archbishop of 
Cashel. Dr. Dowley lived in troubled and anxious times. Persecution 



612 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

raged within and without the city, but he did not quail before it ; he had 
able and learned priests who gave him efficient assistance, and he zealously 
exerted himself to preserve the traditions and history of the diocese, as we 
find in the MSS. memoranda of the Rev. Dr. Jasper White. A letter of the 
primate, dated 20th September, 1671, thus refers to the persecution which 
then raged : 

"I sent another parcel", he' writes, "to Dr. Dowley, Bishop of Limerick. 
This poor man is still in trouble, the Earl of Orrery having published a few days 
ago an edict commanding all Catholic ecclesiastics or laymen to depart from, 
and live no longer in, that city. Some desired that he, instead of Berkeley, should 
be our viceroy ; a good bargain we would have made". 1 . . . 

It would appear, however, that owing to the advanced age and infirmi- 
ties of the Right Rev. Prelate, he was not banished, for we find the Most 
Rev. Dr. Brennan, Archbishop of Cashel, writing to Rome on the 21st of 
September, 1680, relative to the then state of the Church and the persecu- 
tion of the bishops : — 

" The Bishop of Limerick has permission (he says) from the government to 
remain in any part of his diocese, on account of his great age and infirmities". 

And writing again to the Secretary of the Propaganda, 14th August, 
1681, he says: — 

" Two bishops are already in prison, viz., those of Cork and Kildare ; but 
as yet, it is not known what will be done with them. Of all our prelates, the 
Bishop of Limerick is the only one who is tolerated on account of his old age. 
Nothing is known about the metropolitan of this province, and should he be 
taken, woe to him". 

Dr. Brennan, for the purpose of concealing the fact that he was the 
writer, in case of the interception of the letter, here speaks of himself in 
the third person. 2 

Immediately after the accession of King James to the throne of Eng- 
land, his majesty, on the 22nd day of March 1685-6, wrote a letter to 
the Most Rev. Dr. Dominick Maguire, Archbishop of Armagh, in which 
he granted pensions to the Irish Catholic bishops. The name of Dr. Dow- 
ley does not appear on the list, from which we conjecture that he must 
have died before that time. We have no record of the time or the locality 
of his death. We do know, however, that he was regarded with the utmost 
reverence by his clergy and people. 

The Right Rev. Dr. O'Moloney succeeded in 1687. He was second 
son of John O'Moloney, Esq., of Kiltannon, county Clare. James 
O'Moloney, Esq., son of the elder brother of the bishop, served first in 
King James's army and afterwards in that of King William. 3 A James 
Moloney, most probably the officer in question, appears as lieutenant in 
the infantry regiment of Colonel Charles O'Bryan, a distinguished regi- 
ment, which was principally formed of the gentry of Clare, while m the 
same regiment Daniel Moloney appears as captain, whose property was 
sold in 1703 by the Commissioners of Forfeitures to Thomas St. John, of 

1 Dr. Moran's Life of Oliver Plunlceti. 2 Ibid. 

3 Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 613 

Ballymullen Castle, in that county. 1 Dr. O'Moloney was educated in 
the Seminary of St. Sulpice, in Paris, where he became a distinguished 
student and an ornament to that celebrated seat of ecclesiastical learning. 2 
He was yet in Paris in 1669, when Oliver Plunkett was raised to the 
primacy ; and for that appointment, he wrote from Paris to the Sacred 
Congregation, thanking the Propaganda in the warmest terms for giving 
so illustrious an archbishop to the Irish Church. At a council convened in 
Dublin in June 1670 by Dr. Plunkett, a petition was forwarded to the 
Holy See, recommending certain ecclesiastics to Irish sees. The see of 
Killaloe was solicited for Dr. O'Moloney, " a learned and prudent man", 
and for Dr. O'Gripha. The choice fell on Dr. O'Moloney, who, in May, 
1671, was elected by the Propaganda, and consecrated in Paris shortly 
afterwards. Killaloe had been without a bishop since the death in 1650 

1 The circumstances here narrated make us revert to p. 283, and the history of events of which 
that page forms a portion, in order to make clear a circumstance in reference to one of those ' 
distinguished regiments which followed the fortunes of King James to France — we mean the 
4th regiment of Dismounted Dragoons, which was subsequently known in the continental wars 
as the regiment of Clare. The seventh, an infantry regiment of marines" (p. 283), of which 
Colonel Nicholas Fitzgerald was lieutenant-colonel, when he succeeded the Lord Grand Prior 
Fitzjames as full colonel, was always afterwards known as the regiment of Fitzgerald. Colonel 
Nicholas Fitzgerald was wounded at the battle of Oudenard, and died at Ghent in two days 
afterwards. He was younger brother of Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq., of Ballinruan, in the parish 
of Inchicronan, county Clare, and was grand-uncle of the Right Hon. James Fitzgerald, father 
of Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci. O'Callaghan's Green Book gives a full account of his highly 
distinguished military life. The Right Hon. James Fitzgerald was descended through his 
mother, eldest daughter and heiress of Pierce Lynch, Esq., in the fifth degree from Cornelius 
O'Brien, second Vicount Clare, through his eldest daughter Ellen, the Knight of Kerry being 
descended from a younger daughter. The Right Hon. James Fitzgerald was thus lineally 
descended in the seventh degree from Gerald Fitzgerald, the sixteenth Earl of Desmond, through 
his eldest daughter and heiress, Lady Catherine Fitzgerald, who married Daniel O'Brien, first 
Viscount Clare. No descendant of the third Viscount Clare remains in Ireland, his male line 
having terminated in Charles O'Brien, sixth Viscount Clare, generally known in his after life 
as Marshal Count Thomond, he being heir to his cousin, the Earl of Thorn ond, who died in 1741 
(see Historical Memoir of the O'Briens). He commanded the Irish cavalry at Fontenoy, and was 
mainly instrumental in gaining that battle. The colonelcy of the regiment of Clare had been 
presented to him by the personal interposition of the French king, who, at the death of his 
lather the fifth viscount, expressed his repugnance to the idea that a family who, in supporting 
the cause they espoused, viz., that of James II. and the Catholic faith, had sacrificed all ex- 
cept their sword and their honour, should lose the command of their proprietary regiment ; the 
colonelcy was therefore kept for the Right Hon. James Fitzgerald, now represented by his 
grandson G. F. Vesey Fitzgerald, Esq., of Crossbeg, county Clare, and Moyvane, county Kerry; 
Crossbeg having been purchased by Mr. James Fitzgerald, after having been ninety years out 
of the family descent, having been forfeited in 1694 by Daniel O'Brien, third Viscount Clare. 
The Right Hon. James Fitzgerald and his son, Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, were intimately connected 
with every measure for relaxing the penal laws against Catholics, from the first relief 
act passed in 1783, which was brought in by Mr. James Fitzgerald, to the passing of the 
relief act in 1829, which was so closely interwoven with the Clare election, in which public 
opinion was brought to a crisis on the question by the rejection of Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald in 
favour of Mr. O'Connell. Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, notwithstanding the loss of his position as 
member for Clare, had the satisfaction of supporting the bill in his place in the Duke of 
Wellington's cabinet, against the influences which were exerted against it by the king (Geo. 
IV.) Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald assumed the names and arms of Vesey and Fitzgerald, by royal 
license in a.d. 1860, in compliance with the wish of his uncle, William Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci. 
A very large portion of the forfeited estates of Daniel Viscount Clare, and which were purchased 
jointly with Francis Burton and Nicholas Wesby, Esqrs., in 1703, by James MacDonnell, Esq., 
of Kilkee, a captain in Lord Clare's Dragoons in 1689, and a scion of the House of Dunluce, 
who married Penelope (sister of Honora, second Viscountess Clare), is now held by his descen- 
dant William Edward Armstrong MacDonnell, Esq., of New Hall and Kilkee, J.P., D.L., High 
Sheriff of Clare in 1853, Major in the Clare Militia, etc., etc., who married in 1858 the Honourable 
Juliana Cecilia O'Brien, eldest daughter of Lucius, thirteenth Baron of Inchiquin, who has 
a son and heir, Charles Randal, born on the 29th of March, 1862, and two daughters, Mary 
Gertrude, born on the 9th November, 1859, and Honora Grace, born 29th November, 1860. 

a Dr. Moran's Life of Oliver Plunkett. 



614 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

of liis namesake, John O'Moloney. In October, 1671, the Congregation 
de Propaganda Fide entertained the project of uniting the small diocese 
of Killenora to either of the adjoining sees of Killaloe or Kilmacduagh, 
and transferring the then Bishop of Kilfenora, Dr. Andrew Lynch, to 
Cork. It appears by a letter of the internuncio at Brussels, that this 
project was approved of by Dr. O'Moloney; but Dr. Lynch declined the 
mitre of Cork, preferring to remain as suffragan to the Archbishop of 
Rouen; the proposed union, therefore, was for the present postponed. Dr. 
O'Moloney remained in Paris for some time, afraid of the Duke of Or- 
monde and his satellites ;* but the matter having been brought by Dr. 
Plunkett under the attention of the viceroy, in January, 1672, his ex- 
cellency replied that as he had no royal order against Dr. O'Moloney, 
he would not, on account of the enmity of an individual, exclude the 
subjects of his majesty from the kingdom. During his stay in Paris 
he made energetic and successful exertions to establish in that city 
a college specially destined for the education of Irish ecclesiastical 
students. Owing, however, to the earnest entreaties of the Propaganda to 
hasten to his diocese, and ultimately to the positive orders to that effect, 
which were issued on the 2nd of August, 1672, he at length left Paris, 
and arrived in Dublin early in November of that year; Dr. Plunkett 
and Dr. Brennan, Bishop of Waterford, requesting him not to return 
so soon. He remained in Dublin for some time, where he effected a re- 
conciliation between Colonel Patrick Talbot and Colonel Richard Talbot, 
Duke of Tyrconnell, who were, at the time, two of the most influential 
Catholics in Ireland ; as also between the Primate, Oliver Plunkett, and 
Dr. Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin, between whom, for some time pre- 
viously, a serious misunderstanding had existed respecting the primacy, its 
precedence, right of appeal, and other privileges. He communicated the 
result to Rome, in a letter dated from Dublin, 17th November, 1672. In 
the year after, he returned to Paris, resolved to forward his favourite pro 
ject of the Irish college, and supported on this occasion by; the entire 
hierarchy of Ireland. 

;. In carrying out this noble design the zealous bishop was materially 
assisted by Father Patrick Maguin, a Dominican friar, chaplain to Catherine 
of Braganza, queen of Charles II., and whose brother Ronan Maguin, 
D.D., was appointed V.A. ofDromore in 1671 ; as also by Father Lochlan 
O'Kelly, who, out of their private resources, repaired the old College 
des Lombardes, and endowed it with several burses for the maintenance 
and education of Irish priests, merely requiring to be superiors during their 
own lives, and to have the power of appointing successors. Dr. O'Moloney 
again returned home; but from the year 1678 to 1681, a violent persecu- 
tion raging against Catholic bishops and priests throughout Ireland, we 
find by a letter of Archbishop Brennan of Cashel, dated 12th September, 
1680, that he was not in his own district, being compelled to live in 
concealment, " as the enemies of the faith bear him great ill will and speak 
violently against him". In 1685 he was one of the bishops to whom, 
King James granted pensions, his pension being £150 per annum. If, 
however, he really was in Ireland in that year, he was not present at a 
council held in Limerick by the Archbishop of Cashel, neither was Dr. 

1 Dr. Moran's Life of Oliver Plunkett, 



HISTOEY OP LIMERICK 615 

Dowley, in consequence very likely of his infirmities. He was represented, 
however, at the council in question, by Thomas Kennedy and James 
M'Enery, Vicar- Generals of Killaloe, while Dr. Dowley was repre- 
sented by John Stretch, Vicar-General of Limerick. 1 

On the death of Dr. Dowley, Dr. O'Moloney was appointed adminis- 
trator of the diocese of Limerick, and one of his first acts was the conse- 
cration of the Franciscan chapel of the city, on the 1st of October, 1687. 
In the same year, on the nomination of King James, he was translated to 
the bishopric of Limerick, with the administration of his former see of 
Killaloe. When his majesty embarked for Ireland from France, in Feb- 
ruary, 1689, Dr. O'Moloney remained in France, and never returned to his 
native country. From Paris he wrote on the 8th of March to Dr. Patrick 
Tyrrell, Bishop of Clogher and Kilmore, then about to be translated to 
Meath, and who became principal secretary of state to the king, a letter, 
the original of which was found among Dr. Tyrrell's papers at the battle of 
the Boyne. "While in Paris he was constantly engaged in negociations 
respecting the affairs of Ireland, and it appears quite clear that he, as well 
as almost all the Irish hierarchy, was opposed not only to the policy of 
King James, but to that of Tyrconnell, as altogether English, for the Irish 
hierarchy were gifted with penetration sufficient to discern, what the Earl 
of Melfort in one of his state papers admitted, that the king went to 
Ireland only in order to go to England as soon the latter was in a condition 
to receive him with any probability of success. It is certain that the Irish 
were determined to have the act of settlement fully repealed, as far as the 
Cromwellian settlers at least were concerned : a measure which the king 
never had at heart, as is plain from his declaration to the people of England, 
dated April 17th, 1693. It is equally certain that at this period the 
Irish leaders, in case the king died without issue by Queen Catherine, and 
a Protestant king continued on the throne of England, were in favour 
of the severance of Ireland from England, and its annexation to some 
great Catholic power. In other respects also King James fell in the esteem 
of the Irish hierarchy, and more particularly of Dr. O'Moloney, who in 
one very important matter also seriously differed with his majesty's minis- 
ters, and that was on the question of the regality so far as it related 
to the appointment of bishops. No one took a more active part in the 
discussion of this question than did the Bishop of Limerick; and we 
shall briefly refer to the grounds on which his opposition was founded. 
An " indult" had been conceded by the Holy See to King James, by which 
his majesty had the nomination to vacant bishoprics in Ireland and vicars 
apostolic in England, which, after the king's death, was likewise acceded 
to his son and grandson. That the Catholic Church in Ireland looked 
with a jealous eye on the exercise of this power, is not to be wondered at. 
The Irish Catholics remembered with horror that it was the crown- 
appointed bishops of English birth who were the first among the hierarchy 
to abandon and abjure the faith of that Church from which they derived 
their mission and jurisdiction, and became recreants to duty and principle 
for the sake of mere temporal interest. They remembered that King 

1 He was son of Thomas Stretch, Mayor of Limerick in 1650, whose life and estates were 
forfeited by Cromwell. Dr. James Stretch was nominated to the see of Emly hy King James, on 
the 31st of January, 1G93, hut it is believed he never was consecrated, for we find him parish 
priest of Rathkeale in 1703, and Vicar-General and Administrator of Limerick. 



GIG HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

James's brother, father, and grandfather had basely deceived them, and 
bitterly persecuted their bishops and clergy, secular and regular ; they 
believed that, if the king were restored to his crown, he would be prin- 
cipally advised by Protestant counsellors, whose object it would be to 
promote improper nominees, partizans of the court, and enemies of the 
people ; they conceived that by these means the Church would be de- 
prived of its freedom and become the slave of a state party, and that the 
old project would be revived of appointing Englishmen to the vacant 
mitres, which had been intrigued for in the reign of the first Charles. It 
was in reality a veto discussion of the time, and to his honour it must be 
said, that no one took a more lively part in it, and in the interest of the 
Church, than Dr. O'Moloney and his friend Dr. Pierce Creagh, Bishop 
of Cork, and afterwards Archbishop of Dublin. The circumstances which 
gave rise to this state of affairs we shall shortly refer to. They appear in 
the unpublished report of Father John Young, of the Society of Jesus, 
addressed to the General Piccolomini, on the incorporation of the Irish 
with the English province, and dated at Rome in 1661, where he was then 
president of the Irish College. After giving some reasons at great length 
against such incorporation, he goes on to say : 

" But they who are intimately acquainted with the genius of either country, 
and the ineradicable hatred which exists between them, cannot on this point 
entertain the slightest doubt. The cause of this alienation I would much rather 
express orally than in writing. 

"2nd, The bishops and prelates of Ireland, who heretofore valued most 
highly the Society, will, for the future, consider as suspected, and the opinion 
will again revive which arose twelve years since, when the queen of England 
was treating with the Pope by her procurator, regarding the propriety of having 
English bishops consecrated for Ireland, to which proposition our Irish fathers 
were said to be favourable, and a great storm was raised against our order that 
the leading men of the kingdom connected with the Supreme Council, and who, 
up to this, entertained the deepest respect for us, resolved that, were the matter 
to go further, the Society should be expelled the kingdom". 

That Dr. O'Moloney was right in believing that Queen Henrietta 
Maria's design was entertained by King James, is fully proved by the 
king's advice to his son, the Chevalier St. George, supposed to have been 
slain in 1690. 1 

Referring to Ireland he says : — 

" As to the Catholic clergy, great care should be taken to fill the dignities 
with able, learned, and men of exemplary lives, and to break off that evil 
which we have too mnch practised, of giving orders to young men, and then 
sending them abroad to study; and 'twould not be amiss to make some few 
English clergy bishops there, and set up colleges, that the youth might not be 
obliged to be sent to study beyond the sea". 

In virtue of this indult numerous appointments of Irish bishops were 
made. 2 Capara, the agent of Mary of Modena, was the principal negociator 
of these appointments. None of the earlier ones appear to have been 
excepted to by Dr. O'Moloney, who, in fact owed his own appointment to 

1 Clarke's Life of James II., voi. ii, p. 636. 

2 Sir David Nai'rne's Stuart State Papers in the Bodleian Library. Sir David Nairne was 
private secretary of King James for many years. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 617 

the mitre of Limerick to the king's influence. But in 1694, when he 
forwarded to Rome, in reply to the memorial of Capara, objections to 
Edward Comerford's nomination by the king to the see of Cashel (loth 
August, 1693), and also against Dr. Richard Pierce's nomination to the 
see of Waterford, 23rd July, 1694, objections partly political, partly 
personal ; 2 he exhibited a very determined spirit against the proceedino-s 
of James. In this, however, he was not successful. The king replied to 
his remonstrances, showing that Dr. Comer ford was a doctor of the 
Sorbonne, that he had been many years on the English mission, and 
many yeais a parish priest in Ireland, and his majesty insinuated that Dr. 
O' Moloney's opposition arose because he had declined to appoint him 
to Dublin or to Cashel, or to appoint his nephew the Rev. — Moloney, 
Vicar of Limerick, to the see of Killaloe. The bishop's representations, 
though they retarded these appointments, did not succeed with the Propa- 
ganda in preventing the archbishop's bull being forwarded ; he was conse- 
crated by John Baptist Hayne, Bishop of Cork, assisted by Dr. Robert 
Pierce, Bishop of Waterford. We have no further incidents relative to 
Dr. O'Moloney, except those that prove how influential he was at the 
court of Louis, negociating assistance for Ireland when it was most needed 
in a perilous crisis of her fortunes. He died in Paris on the 3rd of 
September, 1702, in the 78th year of his age, and a mural tablet marks 
the spot where his remains are interred (see p. 220). 

The see of Limerick, which was governed for many years by a vicar- 
general, in the person of the Very Rev. Dr. James Stretch, or Stritch, P.P. 
of Rathkeale, remained without a Catholic bishop from the period of the 
death of the Right Rev. Dr. Moloney in 1702, to the year 1720, wholly 
owing to the ceaseless persecutions which continued to rage after the success 
of King William, and the passionate vehemence of the dominant faction, 
which could only satiate its vengeance by depriving the Catholics of every 
shred of political power and social position, in violation of solemn treaties, 
and against the dictates of reason and of justice. At length the Court of 
Rome judged it proper to confer the dignity of the see on Cornelius 
O'Keeffe, a native of the county Cork, of the ancient family of the 
O'KeefTes of Clounna-Phricane. He had studied with distinction at 
Toulouse, where he became a doctor of divinity, and he enjoyed the rector- 
ship of the parish of St. Chronicleu, in the diocese of Nantz, when the 
Holy See selected him to supply the position which had been occupied 
by a long line of illustrious men who preserved the faith in the midst of 
every danger. .Denis O'Keeffe, the father of the bishop, was expelled 
from his old family estate of " Dun", on the river Bride, by the ruthless 
Cromwell". 2 . After many hardships he settled at Drumkeene, in the 
county of Limerick, where he left six sons, viz., Daniel, Dermott, 
Philip, Donatus, Luke, and Cornelius, the bishop. In the year above 
mentioned, Cornelius O'Keeffe took possession of his see of Limerick, 
which he _ carefully governed for the space of seventeen years, his 
death having taken place in 1737. He founded three burses in the 
Irish College of Paris for boys of the name of O'Keeffe, of the family he 
was himself; he prescribed rules for the government of the burses, and 

1 Sir David Nairne'a Stuart State Papers in the Bodleian Library. Sir David Nairne was 
private secretary of King James for many years. 

2 D' Alton's King James's Army List, 

43 



618 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

gave money on his visit in 1731 to Paris for their support. 1 The wording 
of the will occasioned litigation between Dr. O'KeefTe's successor in the 
see of Limerick, viz., Dr. Robert Lacy, and Dr. Walsh, Bishop of Cork. 
The latter persisted on the literal interpretation of the will as being in 
favour of the subjects of the Cork diocese. The suit was carried before the 
courts of Paris, where it was left re infecta. Dr. O'Keefre endured severe 
persecution. He with other prelates was denounced to the government by 
one Rev. John Hennessey, whom he had suspended, and who in the 
old way, for the purpose of revenge, and to ingratiate himself with the 
no-popery faction of the day, fabricated a conspiracy, of which, however, 
nothing resulted save some violent resolutions of the House of Commons. 
In the Commons Journal of 1741, we find the following entry of the in* 
formations of the Rev. John Hennessey : — 

" The informations of Father John Hennessey state that in August or Sep- 
tember, 1729, he was in company with Conor O'KeefFe, popish Bishop of Lime- 
rick, Francis Loyd, popish Bishop of Killaloe, and D. Stones, a Franciscan 
Friar of the city of Dublin, at the House of Teigue McCarthy, alias Eabah, the 
then popish Bishop of Cork and Cloyne, when the said Keeffe and Loyd de- 
livered a letter to the said McCarthy from Christopher Butler, the popish Arch- 
bishop of Cashel, acquainting him that he had received a letter from the Pope's 
internunzio at Brussels, that the Pope had complied with the request of the 
archbishops of Ireland, that his Holiness had sent him an indulgence for ten 
years, in order to raise a sum of money to be specially applied to restore King 
James III. to his right, and put his then majesty and the royal family to 
the sword". 

On the strength of these informations Mr. Law, Collector of Mallow, 
seized Dr. M'Carthy's papers, and enclosed them to the speaker of the 
House of Commons as documents of an actual conspiracy. A committee 
of the house was at once appointed to inspect them ; their report, filled 
with insolence and invective, contained but one fact, viz., that a sum of about 
£5 had been collected. 2 On that fact they resolved that under cover of 
opposing heads of bills against the Papists, great sums of money had been 
collected and raised, and a fund established by the Popish inhabitants of 
the kingdom, through the influence of their clergy, highly detrimental to 
the Protestant interest, and of immense danger to the present happy con- 
stitution of church and state, and that a humble address be presented to 
his Grace the Lord Lieutenant to issue his proclamation to all magistrates 
to put the laws against papacy into execution. As an instance of the 
truculence of the times, we may here repeat what has already appeared in 
a previous chapter, that the Rev. Timothy Ryan was arrested by Lieu- 
tenant-General Pierce, Governor of Limerick, tried, convicted, and hanged 
at Gallows Green, for no other crime than that of marrying a Catholic and 
Protestant. Dr. O'Keeffe, however, was not daunted in the midst of 
perils. He not only revived the canons and chapter of the cathedral, 
but he made rules and constitutions for the chapter, which, with some 
additions and modifications by his successors, continue in force in the 
diocese of Limerick to this day. The high esteem in which he was held 
by the Propaganda, for his prudence, sound judgment, and varied abili- 

1 White's MSS* * Matthew O'Connor's History of the Irish Catholics. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 619 

ties, is demonstrated by the fact of his being entrusted in 1732 to act in 
the difficult and delicate commission of reporting to the Holy See on the 
differences which had arisen between Dr. Bernard O'Gara, Archbishop of 
Tuam, and the Rev. Patrick Bermingham, Warden of Galway, and the 
collegiate clergy, respecting the jurisdiction of the bishop over them. As 
such delegate, he proceeded to Galway and investigated the matter in 
dispute, when a compromise was entered into by which the right of visi- 
tation and of hearing appeals was conceded by the warden, etc., to the 
archbishop. He also investigated the complicated dispute which arose 
in Limerick between the Dominicans and Franciscans on the one part, and 
the Augustinian hermits on the other — a dispute which ended in favour 
of the latter on an appeal to the court of Rome. Dr. O'KeefFe died on the 
4th of May, 1737, and was interred in St. John's churchyard, but there 
is no trace of his tomb. 

On the death of the Right Rev. Doctor Cornelius O'KeefFe, Dr. Pierce 
Creagh, Dean of Limerick, convened the chapter, and they elected Dr. John 
Lehy, Pastor of St. John's, and Dr. John Begley, Pastor of Newcastle, to 
be capitular vicars during the vacancy of the see. This election was after- 
wards confirmed by Dr. Christopher Butler, Archbishop of Cashel. 1 The 
same chapter, at the same time, entered on a scrutiny for the electing and 
postulating a worthy successor to their deceased bishop, Dr. Cornelius 
O'KeefFe, to the see of Limerick, when, after a mature deliberation in the 
parish chapel of St. John's, they thought proper to elect and postulate these 
three, viz., Dr. John Lehy, then capitular vicar and pastor of St. John's, 
Dr. Pierce Creagh, then dean and pastor of St. Mary's, and Dr. Robert 
Lacy, a child of the diocese, and then superior of the Irish seminary of 
Bourdeaux. This postulation was immediately despatched off to the see 
of Rome for its determination. On the evening of the same day the greatest 
part of the members of the chapter, together with most of the parish priests 
of the diocese, had a private meeting, where they elected and postulated 
solely the Rev. Robert Lacy, superior of the Irish seminary of Bourdeaux, 
to be Bishop of Limerick, which postulation was also sent to the court of 
Rome, and was attended with success. Dr. Lacy was afterwards named by 
the court of Rome as Bishop of Limerick. On the 23rd of February, in 
the year 1738, he was consecrated Bishop of Limerick by his Grace the 
Right Rev. Francis Mariban, Archbishop of Bourdeaux, and he landed in 
Limerick in the month of September, 1738. 

The following is an account of the parish priests in the diocese of Lime- 
rick when the Right Rev. Dr. Cornelius O'KeefFe, Bishop of Limerick,clied, 
the 4th of May, 1737, and when the Right Rev. Dr. Robert Lacy became 
Bishop of Limerick, 2 consisting then of four decanates : — 

No. 1 . The decanate of Limerick, in Limerick city. 

Dr. Pierce Creagh, pastor of St. Mary's, and pastor of St. Nicholas. 

Dr. John Lehy, vicar capitular, pastor of St. John's and pastor of St. 
Laurence's. 

Kev. Walter Burke, pastor of St. Michael's. 

Rev. Patrick Scanlan, pastor of St. Munchin's, and of part of Keillely, and of 
part of St. Nicholas. 

Rev. Michael MacMahon, vicar of St Mary's. 

Rev. Owen Sullivan, vicar of St. John's. 

1 White's MSS. * Ibid. 

43 b 



620 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

In the County Clare. 

Rev. Barth. M'Namara, who died during the vacancy of the see, and succeeded 
by the Rev. Christopher Bermingham, pastor of Keilcuan, being part of St. 
Patrick's, and of part of St. Munchin's, and of part of Keillely. 

Rev. John Herbert, pastor of Keilfintanan, and of Cratloe, being part of 
Keillely. 

In the County of Limerick. 

Rev. William Murphy, pastor of St. Patrick's, and of Keilmurry, and of 
Derrighalavin. 

Rev. James White, pastor of Donoughmore, and of Cahirivahala, and of 
Cahirnarry. 

No. 2 The decanate of Kilmallock. 

Rev. Francis Nolan, pastor of Fedemore. 

Rev. Robert Hayes, pastor of Tullybracky, of Glanogry, of BrufiJ of Kyrane, 
of Camas, of Grange, of Kishemedeady. 

Rev. John O'Brien, pastor of Kilmallock. 

Rev. David Burke, pastor of Effin. 

Rev. Patrick Stanton, pastor of Brury. 

Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald, pastor of Drommin, of Athlacky. 

Rev. John Hayes, pastor of Kilbridy major, of Ballinaneasy. 

Rev. Timothy Hayes, pastor of Keilfinny. 

Rev. John Shinnick, pastor of Darragh. 

No. 3. The decanate of Adare. 
Rev. John Hynes, pastor of Mungrett. 
Rev. Daniel King, pastor of Adare, of Keilchidy. 
Rev. Ambrose Connors, pastor of Croagh. 
Rev. Edmund Higgins, pastor of Croome. 
Rev. William Cronine, pastor of Castletown, of Neantenan. 
Rev. Nicholas Moloney, pastor of Keildimy. 
Rev. Patrick Moore, pastor of Rathkeale. 
Rev. Patrick Myir, pastor of Keilscannell. 

No. 4. The decanate of Ballingarry or Ardagh. 
Rev. John Begley, capitular vicar, pastor of Newcastle and Monaghea. 
Rev. Darby Connors, pastor of Ballingarry. 
Rev. James O'Brien, pastor of Glin, of Loghill. 
Rev. William Hourgan, pastor of Mahunagh, 
Rev. Daniel Hurley, pastor of Knockadery. 
Rev. Philip Nolan, pastor of Shanagolden. 
Rev. Maurice Deeneen, pastor of Rathgonane. 
Rev. Daniel Rourke, pastor of Ardagh. 
Rev. James Barry, pastor of Keilidy. 
Rev. Luke Collins, pastor of Abbeyfeale. 
Rev. James Scanlan, pastor of Drumcollaher. 
Rev. Edmund Dillane, pastor of Askeaton. 

Our readers are now aware that there were two bishops Lacy in the 
diocese of Limerick, one in the sixteenth century, who suffered much perse- 
cution from Queen Elizabeth, and of whom a tradition prevails in his 
family that he was executed. The other bishop, Robert Lacy, succeeding 
to the religious changes of the revolution, and compelled to hide the reli- 
gious services of the Catholic Church " under a bushel" in highways and 






HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 621 

bye-ways". Bishop Robert Lacy was one of the sons of Pierre or Pierce 
Lacy and Arabella Goold, daughter of Robert Goold, of Knockrawn, by 
Eda, daughter of Mathew O'Connor. 1 

Dr. Lacy, while enjoying the bishopric of Limerick, was appointed 
administrator of the diocese of Kilfenora, by Dr. Daly, bishop of that see, 
who remained at Tournay in France. He conferred holy orders, and 
subsequently, on the 23rd December, 1738, priesthood, on the Rev. James 
White, compiler of White's MSS. He supplied his diocese with clergy by 
sending young students to foreign countries to study, where they received 
sacred orders, and then came home to the mission, which they generally 
discharged with distinguished fidelity. During his episcopacy the gentry 
of the country ruled with an iron rod, irrespective of law or order. On one 
occasion, Thomas O'Dell, Esq., the principal man in the parish of Ballin- 
garry, caused the Rev. Christopher Bermingham to fly to France because he 
was obnoxious to him, for no other reason than that he, O'Dell, preferred 
the parish should be given to another clergyman. 2 Owing to the terrible 
famine which prevailed in 1744, Dr. O'Keeffe, and the other bishops of Ire- 
land, granted a relaxation to the people of the Lenten fast. He saw religion, 
however, revive in some respects. He made a surrender of the old parish 
chapel outside Thomond Gate, which was tumbling to decay, and when a little 
more freedom was granted, the clergy were enabled to take a small waste 
malt house in the Little Island, of which they made a parish chapel, until 
they were tolerated to build a better, which was the case in 1749, when the 

1 The Bishop, according to the information imparted to us by Messrs. De Lacy Pearce and 
Nephews of London, had several brothers and sisters, one David Lacy, in the Spanish service, 
who died 1785. A sister Catherine married to David Mahony, the great grand-parents of the late 
celebrated Dublin solicitors, Pierce Mahony and David Mahony, Esqrs., of Dublin and county 
Kerry (1860). Another brother was Patrick of Rathiogill, who was a colonel in the Spanish ser- 
vice, and died in 1 723 in Spain. Another brother, George Lacy, of Lei trim, by marriage with his 
second cousin, Fanny Lacy, (daughter of Patrick Lacy and Lady Lucy Ankettle, the ancestors of 
the Rathcahill and Templeglantan branch, from which came General Maurice of Grodno,) united 
the two branches of the family, the Spanish and the Austrian exiles. Another of the branch was 
Francois Antoine Lacy, afterwards count and general in the Spanish service, and a diplomatist. 
He is described in the French biographies as "of an ancient and illustrious Irish family, which 
resided in Spain under Marshal de Berwick, born in 1731, and commenced his military career, 
at the age of sixteen as ensign in the Irish regiment of Ultonia infantry. He served in cam- 
paigns in Italy in 1747, was made colonel of his regiment in 1762 — in war against Portugal 
nominated commander of artilery in 1780, and employed at the famous siege of Gibraltar. After 
the peace of 1783 he was minister and plenipotentiary in Russia and Sweden, made commandant- 
general of la Cote of Grenada, and died at Barcelona, Dec. 31, 1792, full of honours. Louis 
de Lacy, his descendant, was born on the 11th January, 1775, at St. Roch, near Gibraltar. 
" Ayantperdu de son enfance son pere Patrick de Lacy, qui etait major du regiment d'Ultoniae, et 
sa mere etant allee rejoindre ses freres officers" in the regiment of Brussels infantry, Lacy at nine 
years entered as cadet in the regiment Ultonia. In 1794 he became captain, and was employed 
against the French in Catalonia until the peace of Bale in 1795. In 1798 was exiled to the Isle of 
For, condemned to imprisonment, sent to Cadiz, and he " solicited the honour to serve as a simple 
grenadier in the campaign of 1801 against Portugal. He left for France, and in 1803 arrived 
at Boulogne. He entered the 6th regiment of infantry as a common soldier. General Clarke 
(Due de Feltre) having narrated the adventures of his parent to Bonaparte, obtained for him 
the brevet of captain in the Irish regiment of O'Connor, organized at Morlaix. In 1807 he was 
nominated chef du batal. Irlande in the army of Murat in Spain, but Lacy determined not to 
war against his country. Disguised as a female he reached Madrid, 2nd May, 1808, was made 
lieutenant- colonel, and after a long series of services to Spain, and promotion and honour in 
the wars until the peace of 1815, he in 1817 joined the constitutionalists, and on the 5th 
April proclaimed it in Valencia. He was abandoned, arrested, and condemned to death, and on 
20th June, 1817, shot by soldiers of a Neapolitan regiment. In 1820 his body was transported to 
Barcelona. The Cortes, for honour of his memory, nominated his son - premier guardian of 
the Spanish army", who distinguished himself. 
White's MSS. 



622 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

citizens liberally subscribed for what was then designated " a sumptuous 
parish chapel", on a plot of ground in the Little Island, which was taken on 
the 20th of March, 1748, from Alderman Ingram, at the yearly rent of £10, 
and on which they built the present St. Mary's chapel. It was ruled that 
each parishioner should take his place in the chapel in proportion to the 
magnitude of his subscription. The shell of the new house of worship was 
finished in the beginning of December, 1749, and first Masses were said in 
it within the octave of the Immaculate Conception, on the 10th of that 
month, by the Very Rev. Dean Cieagh, P.P. of St. Mary's, the Rev. M. 
M'Mahon, pastor of St. Nicholas' and vicar of St. Mary's, and by the Rev. 
James White, pastor of the Abbey of St. Francis. 1 Dr. O'Keeffe proclaimed 
the great Papal jubilee throughout his diocese in 1750, being the fiftieth 
year of the century, and granted for the whole year by Pope Benedict 
XIV. It is stated that it produced the very best effects on the people. 
In the same year, on the death of the Right Rev. Dr. Daly, the diocese of 
Kilfenora and Kilmacduagh were united by Pope Benedict, who granted 
his bull to that effect to the Right Rev. Dr. Killikelly, Bishop of Kilmac- 
duagh. Dr. O'Keeffe had frequent interviews during his episcopacy with 
the Most Rev. Dr. Christopher Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, 2 and his coad- 
jutor bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. James Butler, # who succeeded him in the 
archiepiscopacy, particularly in reference to certain scandals which were 
caused in the city of Limerick, in consequence of the resistance of the Rev. 
Patrick Scanlan, P.P. of St. Munchin's, to his lordship's authority. On 
three occasions the Rev. P. Scanlan appealed to the archbishop and his 
grace's coadjutor, and from them to the Papal Nuncio at Brussels, each 
and all giving an unqualified decision in favour of Dr. O'Keeffe, who mani- 
fested prudence, firmness, and zeal, in the exercise of his high office. 
In the midst of political feuds he was firm, and resisted, with his 
episcopal brethren of Munster, including the Archbishop of Cashel, a 
certain pastoral letter which the Most Rev. Michael O'Reilly, Archbishop 
of Armagh, had forwarded to be signed by " the chiefs of the Roman 
Catholic clergy in Ireland, and all the parish priests serving in parishes 
throughout the kingdom" — a pastoral slavish in its tone to a persecuting 
government, and unworthy of men who were galled by the infliction of the 
penal laws. After a life of laborious exertion and unwearied zeal, Dr. Lacy 
gave up his pure spirit to the Creator, on the 4th August, 1759, at the hour 
of a quarter to four o'clock, a.m., having goverend his diocese for the space 
of twenty-one and a-half years, " with the greatest moderation, prudence, 
and applause". 3 He had been ill for a few years, and his death was like his 
life, calm, serene, and hopeful. He was slow in punishing, as he used all 
other means to reclaim, but resolute and determined when duty called for 
the exercise of authority. Entreaties could not move, nor threats deter 
him, whenever his resolution was taken. By Protestants and Catholics he 
was held in merited respect and regard. No man could be at the same 
time more loved and feared by his clergy. His body was removed from 

} Wliite's MSS. 

2 His Grace died at West court on the 4tli September, 1757. He was bora at Kilcash, in 1673, 
and resigned his paternal estate and the right of succession to the Duke of Ormonde's estate and 
the Earldom of Arran, to his younger brother, in order to embrace the ecclesiastical estate. He 
was 45 years Archbishop of Cashel, with the greatest applause, and was 84 years of age when 
died. He was buried in the family vault of the Butlers at Westcourt. 

• whites mss. 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



623 



Limerick to Ardagli, liis native place, on the 5th of August, where, by his 
own orders, he was interred with the rest of his family, and where an hum- 
ble tomb stone, which was erected by the Right Rev. Dr. Young, very 
many years afterwards, marks the grave of the apostolic prelate : — 



Beneath this stone are deposited 

the mortal remains of the Rt. 

Rev. Dr. Kobert Lacy, who was 

R. C. B. of Limerick 21| years. 

He departed this life Augt. 4th, 1759. 

R.I.P. 



Immediately after the death of the Right Rev. Dr. Lacy, the Very Rev. 
Dean Creagh cited all the members of the chapter, and all the parish 
priests of the diocese, to assemble at St. John's chapel, "near the gates 
of Limerick", 1 at eleven o'clock a.m., on the 8th of August, 1759, for the 
purpose of electing a vicar capitular to govern the see until a successor to 
the deceased bishop should be appointed by the court of Rome. With 
exception of three, who were absent from illness, all the parish priests of 
the diocese obeyed the summons of the dean. The pastor of Kilfinane, the 
Rev. Timothy Hayes, who was also absent, appointed the Rev. John 
O'Brien, P.P. of Kilmallock, as his procurator. It was debated for some 
time whether the election lay solely with the canons, of whom seven were 
present, or with the canons and parish priests together. Without putting 
the question to a vote, the canons waived what they conceived to be their 
exclusive privilege, lest the Archbishop of Cashel should question their 
election or annul it. It was judged proper, accordingly, in reference to 
the tenor of the Papal letter of 1755, 2 that the canons and parish priests 
should give their suffrages ; when the Yery Rev. Dean Creagh appeared 
from the scrutiny to have been elected by a great majority of votes; on 
which an act to that effect was drawn up and signed by the following 
priests, and witnessed and sealed by the Rev. Edward O'Brien, Notary of 
the Apostolic See, and the Rev. James White, Notary Apostolic : — 



David Bourke, Chancellor. 
Walter Bourke, Prebend. 
Luke Collins, Preb. 
James Barrv, Preb. 
Robert O'Hea, Preb. 
Edward O'Brien, Preb. 
John Herbert. 
Francis Xowlan. 
John Chennigh. 
James Dundon. 
Maurice Walsh. 
Matthew Corbett. 
William Marshall. 
John Hanrahan, S.F. Parisi- 
ensis, Doctor Theologus. 



Daniel O'Kearney, S.F. Par. 
Doctor and Pastor St. Pa- 
trick's. 

John De Lacy, S.T.D. and Rec- 
tor of Balhngarry. 

Rowland Kirby, Doctor of Theo- 
logy, and P.P. of St. Mun- 
chin's, Limerick. 

Daniel Guery. 

John Lyne. 

Thaddeus O'Hea. 

John Walsh. 

John Creagh. 

• Paul Slattery. 

Joseph Egan. 



William Hourigan. 
David Hourigan. 
Maurice Ley. 
Maurice Shaughnessy, 
James Lynch. 
John O'Brien. 
Daniel O'Brien. 
James White. 
Constantius O'Daniel. 
Sylvester Mulcaire. 
James Harnett. 
Martin O'Connor. 



On the following day, viz., the 9th of August, at the same place, the 
same canons and parish priests proceeded by scrutiny to postulate and elect 



White's MS 'S. 



* Ibid. 



624 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

a proper person to fill the vacant bishopric, when they unanimously chose 
the Very Rev. John Creagh, Dean of the diocese, above mentioned, to be 
eligible primo loco ; the Rev. David Bourke in secundo loco, and the Rev. 
Rowland Kirby in tertio loco, when an act to that effect was solemnly 
drawn up and duly signed by the canons and parish priests, and counter- 
signed by the Rev. John De Lacy, Prothonotary Apostolic, and the Rev. 
James White, Notary Apostolic. Though, as we have stated, the postu- 
lation was unanimous, the court of Rome, nevertheless, in consequence of 
an attestation signed by four bishops in favour of Dr. Daniel O'Kearney, 
a native of the city of Limerick, a Doctor of the Soibonne, and parish 
priest of St. Patrick's, chose Dr. O'Kearney, on the 21st of November, 
for the mitre of Limerick. At this period there were great troubles and 
apprehensions entertained by the government respecting a threatened 
French invasion of England and Ireland. The Duke of Bedford, lord 
lieutenant, signified, in consequence, to the Irish Catholics, the king's wish 
that they should manifest a perfect zeal and loyalty ; and in obedience to 
the proclamation of the viceroy, ninety of the principal Catholics of 
Limerick signed a most loyal and dutiful address to the throne, but many 
others refused signing it. 1 In Cork, one hundred and thirty Catholics 
signed the address, and in Waterford a very large number did the same. It 
may be observed as a strange fact, that the entire trade and commerce of 
the city of Limerick were at this time in the hands of Catholic merchants 
and traders. By sea and by land the Catholics held uncontrolled the mer- 
cantile affairs of the city and port in their exclusive possession. 2 But appre- 
hensions were indulged in, which were soon afterwards realized, that 
through the imprudence and avarice of some of the Catholic merchants, 
who, for the sake of getting large apprentice fees, took Protestant and 
Presbyterian apprentices, who began to settle in trade and business in the 
city, the Catholics would lose their preeminence. 3 This, however, is a 
digression. 

In consequence of the Pope's bull, which bore date the 27th of Novem- 
ber, 1759, the Right Rev. Dr. O'Kearney was consecrated, at Thurlee, 
Bishop of Limerick, on Sunday, the 27th of January, 1760, by his Grace 
the Most Rev. Dr. James Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, two ecclesiastical 
dignitaries having assisted in the room of two bishops, by virtue of a Papal 
indulgence to that effect. On Tuesday, the 29th of the same month, Dr. 
O'Kearney informed some of his clergy who had assembled at St. Mary's 
chapel, Limerick, of his election and consecration, they having met his lord- 
ship for that purpose. The court of Rome at the same time granted him a 
bull for the parish of St. John's with all its annexes, which had been before 
possessed by the deceased prelate, Dr. Lacy. On the 10th of May, 
Dr. O'Kearney was inducted into the parish in question by the Very Rev. 
Michael Hoare, ex-Provincial of the Dominicans, by directions of his 
grace the Archbishop of Cashel. Though the penal laws existed in their 

1 White's MS S. *Ibid. 

3 Mr. Stephen Roche, Mr. John Browne, Mr. Patrick Plunkett, Mr. John Pery, Mr. Edmund 
Sexton, Mr. Michael Rochford, Mr. Patrick Arthur, Mr. Patrick Bluett, Mr. Paul Sullivau, Mr. 
Laurence Mahon, were among the Catholic merchants and traders who took Protestant and 
Presbyterian apprentices, much to the chagrin and mortification of the Catholic citizens gener- 
ally, which was increased considerably when these apprentices afterwards set up in business for 
themselves.— White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 625 

full vigour, the loyalty of the bishop, of the clergy, and of the citizens, 
was not less warm than it had been. The death of George II., on the 25th 
of October, gave occasion for the expression of that feeling, in an address 
from the chief Catholic inhabitants of the city and county of Limerick ; 
in which the strongest feelings of devotion to the throne were declared, 
as well as the deepest regret for the loss of the late king, who had been 
mild and merciful in his relations to the Catholic subjects of the crown. 1 

The Rev. Denis Conway (afterwards Bishop of Limerick) was appointed 
by Papal bull, parish priest of St. Patrick's, on the promotion of Dr. 
O'Kearney, who was a zealous, learned, and active prelate, thoroughly 
versed in the canons and in Scripture, an accomplished theologian, of 
kindly and simple manners, but possessed of that strong masculine 
common sense which enabled him to surmount the difficulties at the 
critical time, of his appointment and during his episcopacy, of a dangerous 
position. Dr. O'Kearney held his first ordination of subjects for his 
diocese on the 15th May, 1761, being Friday of Whitsuntide, Quatuor 
Tense. On this occasion he exercised his sacred functions openly, notwith- 
standing the highly penal character of prohibitory laws, which were not 
as yet repealed, and conferred minor orders and subdeaconship on four 
young candidates for the ministry, who on the following day received 
deaconship, and on the Sunday next succeeding, priesthood. Dr. 
O'Kearney witnessed the demolition of the ancient walls of the city, and 
the commencement of the new town by Edmund Sexton Pery, and many 
other changes in the social and political aspect of his generation. He 
attended a meeting of the bishops of Munster, which was convened by the 
Most Rev. Dr. Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, near Cork, on the 15th 
of July, 1775, in consequence of the act 13 and 14 George III., which 
enabled subjects of all denominations to testify their allegiance upon 
oath. 

Many Catholics firmly declined to take the oath prescribed by that Act 
of Parliament, not alone because it was insulting in its language, but, as 
they conceived, because it was in downright opposition to what they 
believed to be their conscientious principles. To counteract this view on 
their part, and to satisfy the scruples of the people and clergy, the Most 
Rev. Dr. Butler called together the Bishops of Munster, and at this meeting 
the following declaration was agreed to and subscribed by Dr. O'Kearney, 
as well as by the other bishops : — 

" We, the chiefs of the Roman Catholic Clergy of the Province of Munster, 
having met together near Corke, have unanimously agreed that the oath of 
allegiance, prescribed by the act of parliament, anno regni decimo tertio et 
quarto Georgii Tertii Regis, contains nothing contrary to the Roman Catholic 
Religion" 

Dr. O'Kearney also attended another provincial meeting of the Bishops, 
held in Thurles, on the 28th of the same month, in which the able and 
enlightened work, entitled Hibernia Dominicana, and its supplement, 
written by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas de Burgo, Catholic Bishop of Ossory, 
were solemnly disapproved of (except by Dr. McMahon, Bishop of Killaloe), 
on the ground that they tended to weaken and subvert the allegiance, fidelity, 

1 White's MS8> 



626 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

and submission which were due to the king, by raising unnecessary scruples 
in the minds of the people, and sowing the seeds of dissension on points 
on which, from their religion and gratitude, they ought to be firmly united. 
Than the great work of Dr. Thomas de Burgo, which is a wonderful com- 
bination of facts and documents connected with the ecclesiastical history 
of Ireland, exhibiting an unequalled amount of industry, patience, research, 
and learning, there has never been published a work of more inestimable 
value to the student of Irish Church history. That Dr. Butler and the 
other bishops condemned it, was a source of pain in many quarters ; but 
the real cause of its condemnation by this provincial meeting was, as 
stated by His Grace the most Rev. Dr. Butler himself, in his Justification 
of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic Religion, that the Hibernia Domini- 
cana violently reprobated a similar oath of allegiance to the above, required 
by an act of 1756-7. Indeed, Dr. OKearney sustained in his own person 
strong ideas on the conduct of the government of the day. Pie would not 
cause to be read a certain printed form, which was forwarded from the 
Castle of Dublin, and which ordered on the part of the Catholics of Ireland 
a general fast to be observed throughout the kingdom on the 12th of March, 
1762, " to beseech the God of Hosts to bless his Majesty, his officers, and 
his troops, and to inspire and direct his councils to grant a glorious and a 
happy conclusion to this war, and that a solid, lasting, and advantageous 
peace may restrain the effusion of Christian blood". He did not admit that 
directions about observing a fast should come from the secular power, and 
he deemed it an infringement on the spiritual authority, permitting only so 
much of the printed form to be read as he thought proper, and omitting as 
much of it as contained an exhortation to the people to observe the fast 
" exactly according to the tenor of the proclamation for that purpose". Dr. 
O'Kearney stoutly and vehemently opposed the movements, the aggressions, 
and the violences at the same time of the Levellers and the Whiteboys, 
who to the number of some thousands, levelled what they said were 
encroachments on commons, wherever these encroachments existed, dug 
up the lay rich grounds of those who did not let out land to the poor 
for tillage, burned barns and haggards, and by degrees spread a reign of 
terrorism over Munster, doing great mischief in the counties of Waterford, 
Tipperary, and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, where they dug 
up, in one night, in the parish of Kilfinane, twelve acres of land which 
belonged to a Mr. Maxwell. 1 The bishop issued directions to all the 
parish priests to exert themselves, and to speak boldly against these aggres- 
sions, in which, however, Protestants were the chief actors, and into the 
causes of which the government at once sped an inquiry, with a view to 
redress any real grievance ; but to put down and to punish crime at the 
same time, a commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on the 
31st of May, when, on oath of one Joseph Prestage, a Protestant, who 
became kings evidence, several of those whom he admitted. in his evidence 
he had compelled to perpetrate these outrages, and whom he had furnished 
with arms for that purpose, were found guilty, and two of them, viz., 
one Banniard, a Protestant, and one Carthy, were condemned to death 
for killing cattle. William Fant, a Protestant, who began the troubles, 
was condemned to two years' imprisonment and a fine of £50, while 

1 White's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



627 



many otters were condemned also to various terms of imprisonment for 
the same cause. There was no Catholic of any weight, consequence, or 
position involved in these doings, though they were said to be the com- 
mencement of a Popish rebellion. They were, nearly altogether, con- 
fined to Protestants possessed of affluence, who had made _ the unsus- 
pecting Catholic peasantry their mere instruments and -victims in the 
business. The Rev. Father Kennedy, P.P. of Tulla, near the Silvermines, 
Co. Tipperary, was one of those who were arrested, and escorted by Sir 
James Caldwell's Light Horse into Limerick, on the 2d of May, charged 
with rebellious practices, which existed only in the fertile imaginations of 
his accusers. He was at once discharged when the facts were inquired 
into. As in other cases and circumstances, the Catholics were slandered 
and denounced for crimes and offences of which they had no cognizance ; 
but no prelate could act with more vigour in resisting the disturbers of the 
public peace, than did Dr. Daniel O'Kearney, who continued to discharge 
his onerous duties with zeal. He ordained many priests for the diocese of 
Limerick, and afforded the utmost satisfaction to all by the faithful and 
perfect discharge of every duty. His Lordship died at Ballyshannon, 
near Limerick, in January, 1778, 1 full of years and virtues, a noble speci- 
men of an Irish Catholic prelate. His acquirements were of a most varied 
character, and his mildness, playfulness, and simplicity, are even yet 
remembered in the traditions of the people. The good prelate was in- 
terred in St. John's churchyard, and over his remains was placed a tomb 
which was situated near the east wall, towards the S. E. end of the 
churchyard. 2 

On the death of Dr. O'Kearney, the Very Rev. Denis Conway, P.P. 
of Rathkeale, was appointed Vicar- Capitular until the election of a 
successor to the deceased bishop should be made. But, in the mean- 
time, His Grace the Archbishop of Cashel, who desired that his kinsman, 
the Hon. and Rev John Butler, a brother of Lord Cahir, and a member 
of the illustrious Order of Jesus, should be appointed to the vacant see of 
Limerick. Accordingly, on the 9th of March, 1778, Dr. Butler, his rela- 

1 Walker's Hibernian Magazine. 

2 Dr. Young's Note in White's MSS. In this church-yard were also interred the Rev. Dr. 
John Lehy, P.P. St. John's, who died 14th Decemher, 1754; the Rev. Denis O'Connor, the 
Rev. Owen O'Sullivan, who was curate to Dr. Lehy, and who died in 1750, aged 50 years, etc. 
The names of the Rev. Messrs. Lehy, O'Sullivan, and O'Connor, are inscribed on the same 
tombstone, which now (1856) forms the south side of the tomb of the Right Rev. Dr. Conway, 
whilst an older tombstone, with the date of 1728, forms the north side of the same tomb. Dr. 
O'Kearney's tomb is said to have been more northward, near where the tomb of the Right Rev. 
Dr. Michael Peter M'Mahon now is. Dr. M'Mahon's tomb has the following inscription, and in 
the same vault are buried his relative, William Hartney, Esq., and the Rev. John Thayer, the 
eminent convert and controversialist: — 



I. H. S. 

Here lieth the body of the late Right 

Rev. Doctor M'Mahon, Roman 

Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, who 

departed this life on the second 

day of March, 1807, in the 98th year of 

his age, and 40th of his 

episcopal dignity. May God be 

merciful to his soul. Amen. 



628 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

tive, the Hon. and Rev. Father John Butler, S.J., signified to him that all 
the prelates of Minister except one, 1 viz.: Dr. Carpenter,* who desired 
that Dr. Nihell should be promoted to the mitre, 3 and many other prelates 
had cast their eyes upon him as the most worthy person to fill the vacant 
see of Limerick under the circumstances ; that he hoped his humility would 
not be alarmed, and that, bearing in mind the joint postulation of the prelates, 
the will of Almighty God, he would submit to the order of Providence, 
and resign himself to a burthen which the Divine grace would render light 
to him and advantageous to the diocese he was invited to govern. To 
this communication Father John Butler returned an answer dated Here- 
ford, March 23rd, 1778, in which he announces his determination to resist 
the proffered dignity by every means in his power, whilst he expresses 
his sincerest thanks to all who have been pleased to entertain so favourable 
an opinion of him. The good archbishop, in his reply to this refusal, 
states that the postulation had been forwarded to Rome backed by the sig- 
natures of three archbishops and twelve bishops of Ireland ; by the Roman 
Catholic peers of Ireland ; by the united letters of the Nuncios of Paris 
and Brussels; of the first president of the parliament of Paris; and of 
Monsieur de Vergennes, Ministre des Affaires Etrangers, to Monsieur de 
Bernis ; and, to crown all, by the letters of the most worthy prelate, Dr. 
Walmsley, 4 in his favour. It would appear that a strong opposition, 
however, had been raised in other quarters to the appointment of Father 
Butler, 5 and that the Propaganda had rejected him as an ex- Jesuit; but 
the Pope, in attention to the earnest application which the prelates of the 
province of Munster in particular, as well as others, thought it for the in- 
terest of religion to make in his favour, overruled the determination of the 
Propaganda, and named him for the vacant mitre. The Right Rev. Dr. 
William Egan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, resident in Clonmel, 
wrote a long letter to Father John Butler, 6 in which the right reverend prelate 
urged him in the strongest possible manner to accept the dignity, to which 
Father Butler at length submitted on this express stipulation, " that when- 
ever the Society of Jesus be restored, I shall be at full and perfect liberty 
to reenter the same and retire again to my college, the seat of real virtue 
and happiness". 7 In May the archbishop writes to him to Cahir Castle, 
where he had arrived on a visit to his brother Lord Cahir, congratulating 
him, and announcing the receipt of a letter from the Very Rev. Dr. Conway, 
Vicar- Capitular of Limerick, assuring him that he would meet with the 
most pleasing reception there both from clergy and laity, and that all ranks 
of people were most impatient for his arrival amongst them. On the 10th 
of July, same year (1778), the archbishop announced that the bulls had 
arrived for Father Butler, and had been forwarded to him (the archbishop) 
from Paris the preceding week, but that an indispensable journey on his 
part had prevented him attending to them before. The Archbishop adds : 

" I need not tell you the pleasure it gave me to receive them, and how I 
wish and hope that the use which is to be made of them may tend to advance 
the glory of God and the good of the diocese of Limerick". 

1 Oliver's Collections. 2 Dr. Carpenter was Archbishop of Dublin. 

3 Renehan's Collections. 4 The author of PastorinVs Prophecies* 

6 Oliver's Collections. 6 See Dr. Oliver's Collections for Dr. Egan's letter. 
Dr. Oliver's Collections. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 629 

Father Butler, however, almost immediately after, completely withdrew 
from the honour which he had in his hands. In a meek, courteous, and 
respectful letter to the Archbishop, in which he cordially thanked his 
Grace for the zeal and interest he had taken in his promotion, he says : 

" I decline the proffered honour, because I really think myself incapable of 
fulfilling the duties of such a station in the Church". 

The father of this noble-minded priest was the ninth Lord Cahir, who 
was the eldest son of the eighth Lord Cahir and of Frances Butler, 
daughter of Sir Theobald Butler, Solicitor- General of James II. 1 

Whether there were other reasons than those advanced by Father 
Butler in his letter to the archbishop, which actuated him in his determi- 
nation not to accept the mitre of Limerick, we are not aware. It is true, 
indeed, that the majority of the chapter of the diocese of Limerick, in- 
cluding twenty-two beneficed clergymen, had forwarded to the Holy See 
a protest, 2 and that there was much inconvenience felt during the time 
that had intervened between the death of Dr. O'Kearney and the ultimate 
settlement of the grave question as to who was to succeed him and govern 
the diocese, the administration of the affairs of which continued in the 
hands of Dr. Conway, Vicar Capitular, who resided in Rathkeale, and 
who often consulted his intimate friend, the Rev. John Young, then curate 
of St. John's parish, who was destined to succeed to the see of Limerick, 
and whose learning and piety pointed him out as an able and a safe coun- 
sellor in difficulties. Dr. Conway was a learned, ready, gifted, and pious 
man. He visited Father Butler at Cahir Castle, when that excellent 
priest was regarded, what he had been for some months, virtually the 
Bishop of Limerick, but does not appear ever to have visited the diocese. 
He speaks of Lord Cahir, whom he met during one of these visits, as " a 
fine, sober, good man also, who lives like a prince" ; he states that he met 
the Archbishop of Cashel at Cahir Castle, who received him with cordi- 
ality and affability, and that there was a perfect reconciliation in refer* 
ence to any misunderstanding that might have arisen between his Grace 
and the chapter of Limerick. 

Whilst matters were in this state, the Right Rev. Dr. MacMahon, 
Bishop of Killaloe, who had resided generally in Limerick, blessed the oils 
in Holy Week, and performed other episcopal duties. The chapter, mean- 
while, continued to apply themselves to the court of Rome in the emer- 
gency, and the Rev. Dr. Kelly, then agent of the Irish bishops at the Holy 
See, was frequently written to by Dr. Conway, who was himself postulated 
for, and who, after some months, and after many rumours that the choice 
had fallen upon another, viz., the Rev. John Mullog, 3 received his bulls 
of consecration from the Archbishop of Cashel on the 14th of May, 1779 ; 4 
and on the 20th of June in that year, Dr. Conway was consecrated by 
His Grace, who decided that Thurles was the fittest place for the cere- 
monial. Dr. Butler, Bishop of Cork, and Dr. M'Kenna, Bishop of Cloyne, 
assisted, whilst the Rev. John Young, on the invitation of his dear friend 

1 Augustine Butler, Esq., D.L., Ballyline, County Clare, is the great-great-grandson of the 
celebrated Sir Toby Butler, whose son married a daughter of Lord Cahir's, and Lord Cahir's 
son (afterwards Lord Cahir) married Sir Toby's daughter. These marriages took place about 
the year 1711. 2 MS. Correspondence of Dr. Conway. 

3 This clergyman resided in Kilkenny. 4 Conway Correspondence. 



630 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the new prelate, accompanied him to Thurles. The Rev. J. Young con- 
tinued to be the constant friend and companion, and ultimately the coad- 
jutor in the episcopacy of Limerick, of Dr. Conway, who was a distin- 
guished student of Louvain. Versed in canon law and in Scripture, a 
pleasing and correct writer, as we likewise gather from the few letters 
which he has bequeathed, and in which his wit and sprightliness of disposi- 
tion flash frequently and agreeably, he was received at all times in the 
warmest manner by clergy and laity. During the episcopacy of Dr. Con- 
way, St. Michael's Chapel was built, and his lordship presided at the 
opening of it on the 29th of September, 1781. 

Of the public acts of Dr. Conway we have not many records. He 
attended a meeting of the Bishops of Munster, which was held in Limerick 
on the 1st of May, 1784, and which was presided over by the Archbishop 
of Cashel, at which a declaration of loyalty to the king and country was 
drawn up, agreed to and signed by the bishops, who, at the same time, 
enjoined their clergy to exhort the people to industry, sobriety, and a 
peaceable demeanour in all things, as a sure means of fulfilling their duty 
towards God and the state. He opposed the Rightboys and the White- 
boys in the most determined manner, and he was one of the Bishops of 
Munster who attended a provincial meeting held at Cork on the 26th 
of June, 1786, and which was presided over by the Archbishop, at which 
decrees were adopted condemnatory of the riotous and illegal proceed- 
ings of the Rightboys. At this meeting regulations were made in refer- 
ence to the dues of the parochial clergy, and the restraining of certain 
parochial expenses on the part of the parishioners. 1 Dr. Conway was a 
benefactor to the religious and charitable institutions of his native city 
of Limerick, and a friend of education, as he proved by his having be- 
queathed a sum of £415 7s. 8d. towards building a college for the edu- 
cation of Roman Catholic youth, should any such be established in this 
kingdom, or towards support of students thereof"- — {extract from will, 
1794). This money was invested afterwards in building the Catholic 
seminary at Park. He also bequeathed a sum of £92 6s. 2d. upon trust, 
for educating, clothing, and maintaining poor children of the charity 
school of St. John's parish, a bequest of which there is no account at 
present. 2 

He lived to the age of 75 years, and died on the 19th day of June, 1796. 
His remains were interred, as were those of his predecessors, Drs. 
O'KeefFe and O'Kearney, in St. John's Churchyard, near the south-east 
wall, under a plain limestone tomb, which bears the following inscrip- 
tion : — 



I. H. S. 

In this Sepulchre are deposited 
The remains of the Eight Revd. 

Dennis Conway, Roman 

Catholic Bishop of Limerick, and 

Parish Priest of St. John's Parish in sd. 

City, who departed this life on the 

19th of June, 1796, in the 75th year of his age. 



1 Vide appendix to Archbishop Butler's Justification of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic 
Religion. 

2 Vide Report of Commissioners of Endowed Schools, etc. 






HISTORY OP LIMERICK, 631 

Previously to the death of Dr. Conway, and owing to his increasing in- 
firmities, the Holy See appointed the Right Rev. John Young, bishop of 
Maxula, in partibus infidelium, and Coadjutor-Bishop of Limerick, and he 
was consecrated on Whit-Monday, the 20th of May, 1793, at St. Mary's 
chapel, Limerick, by the Most Rev. Dr. Bray, Archbishop of Cashel, 
assisted by the Right Rev. Dr. Conway, Bishop of Limerick, Right Rev. 
Dr. MacMahon, the venerable Bishop of Killaloe, the Right Rev. Dr. 
Egan, Bishop of Waterford, the Right Rev. Dr. Moylan, Bishop of Cork, 
the Right Rev. Dr. Teahan, Bishop of Kerry, and the Right Rev. Dr. 
Coppinger, Bishop of Cloyne. Dr. Young was a native of the city of 
Limerick, and one of its most distinguished and illustrious citizens, whether 
we regard his great learning, his extraordinary zeal and piety, or the deep 
interest he took in every measure calculated to advance the best interests 
of religion and of his country. He was one of the sons of William Young 
and of Mary Cahill, respectable citizens of Limerick ; he was born in St. 
John's parish on the 9th of April, 1746 ; was baptized on the 10th of that 
month; was sent, after his preparatory studies, to Louvain, where he 
matriculated in 1765; he defended his thesis, and took the degree of 
A.M. in that university on the 11th October in 1770; was ordained sub- 
deacon in December, 1768; on the 23rd of September, 1769, deacon; 
September 23rd, 1770, priest; deputed missionary to Ireland, 1771; 
was curate of St. John's, and Dean and Parish Priest of St. Mary's. His 
first appointment as parish priest was to that of Bruff, and he was conse- 
crated bishop, as we have just noticed, on the 20th of May, 1793. * Called 
to the active and onerous duties of the episcopacy in troubled and anxious 
times — in times of great peril likewise, Dr. Young at all times acted with 
prudence, firmness, and independence, which formed the most prominent 
features of his exalted character. He showed a bold front to the oppressors 
of his country on the one hand, whilst on the other he resolutely set his 
face against the wild and delusive schemes which just at this critical junc- 
ture were set afloat by the unhappy policy which resulted a few years 
afterwards in the horrors and atrocities of '98. He subscribed to the de- 
fence fund which was raised in Limerick when the French again menaced 
an invasion of Ireland. He became an active member of the defence com- 
mittee which was formed for that puipose ; and he thus showed that true and 
ardent patriotism, the deepest attachment to his religion, the purest piety, 
and the widest charity, were not inconsistent with loyalty to the throne 
and a deference to laws which, even yet, scarcely recognized the legal exis- 
tence of Catholics, and which then proscribed and outraged the Catholic 
priesthood and hierarchy. 

One of his earliest acts was to establish a school in Newgate Lane for 
female poor children, which was presided over with sedulous care by Miss 
Mary Anne Young, one of his gifted sisters, who not only taught the poor 
children of St. Mary's parish, but clothed them, and even to this day her 
name is held in deserved honour in the memories of the poor. The bishop 
published a catechism for the use of the children of the diocese, which 
went through several editions, and this catechism was printed in Irish and 
in English. 2 Dr. Young also published two or three editions of the Statuta 

1 Memoranda in pencil in a fly-leaf of the Conway Correspondence. 

a Dr. Young had these catechisms, etc., printed by Messrs. John and Thomas McAuliff, of 
Quay Lane, who printed and published, besides, many Catholic books which had the seal of his 
lordship's approval. 



632 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Dioeeesis Limericensis, to which lie affixed a brief memoir of trie life of the 
Right Rev. Dr. O'KeefTe, who, as we have seen, was the first to enact 
these statutes on the revival of religion after the violation of the treaty of 
Limerick. In the government of the diocese, Dr. Young was strict and 
particular, whilst in his demeanour to all classes, he was kindly, cheerful, 
and affable. He won the affections by a charming manner, and preserved 
that dignity which became the scholar and the prelate, without effort 
or affectation. Devoted to books, he read copiously and profitably ; his 
reading embraced every variety of subject connected with theology, the 
Scriptures, canon law, the classics, history, ancient and modern, antiqui- 
ties, etc. ; and his annotations on the books in his own as well as in the 
diocesan library, are, in some instances, extant, and show the extent and 
versatility of his information on almost every subject connected with 
sacred and profane literature. He, as well as the other bishops of Mun- 
ster, condemned in no measured terms the Rebellion of '98, which the 
Irish episcopacy and clergy in general resisted with all their combined 
strength and power- We do not find that he issued a pastoral address 
to his flock on the subject, at least we have no record of such as was 
addressed by Dr. Moylan, of Cork, Dr. Hussey, of Waterford, and Dr. 
Michael Peter MacMahon, of Killaloe, 1 who, at the time continued to 
reside in Limerick. In all likelihood, Dr. Young did address a pastoral : 
and that he exerted himself with zeal, skill, vigour, and success, in warning 
his flock of the danger they incurred, there is no doubt whatever. As we 
have already seen, he was one of the first in Limerick to insert his name as 
a subscriber to the large fund that was raised for the defence of the country 
from the threatened French invasion. Whilst he was loyal to the throne, 
however, he thought that to afford the government a control over the privi- 
leges of the hierarchy in the nomination of bishops, or in any other shape 
or form, was to be resisted by all honourable means and appliances. He 
opposed the insidious advances of Mr. Pitt and Lord Castlereagh as well 
for the subjugation of the Catholic Church as for the destruction of Irish 
freedom. In January, 1799, a meeting of certain Irish prelates was held 
in Dublin, at which resolutions were adopted in favour of a state provision 
for the clergy, and of giving the government a veto on the appointment of 
the bishops. The name of the Right Rev. John Young does not appear 
among the names of the prelates who met and resolved on that occasion ; 
but we find him in 1808, at another meeting of the Irish hierarchy held in 
Dublin in the month of September that year, denouncing the proposed 
change, and stating in language not to be mistaken or misunderstood, 
that it was inexpedient to introduce any alteration in the canonical mode 
hitherto observed in the nomination of Irish Catholic Bishops. On the 
24th of February, in the year 1810, another meeting of the Irish hierarchy 
was held in Dublin, and resolutions to the same effect were adopted. The 
resolutions of 1808 were not only then confirmed, but their lordships re- 
solved that they neither sought nor desired any other earthly consideration 
for their spiritual ministry to their flocks, save what the flocks from a sense 
of religion and duty might voluntarily afford them. We find his name sub- 

1 The episcopal 3eal of the Right Rev. Dr. MacMahon is in the possession of the Right Rev. 
Dr. Power, Coadjutor bishop of Killaloe, who was consecrated by the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, 
Lord Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, attended by all the bishops of Munster, in Nenagh 
Catholic church, on Sunday, June 25th, 1865. 



HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. 633 

scribed also to an address of the prelates which was issued in the same 
month to the clergy and laity of Ireland, reiterating their former resolu- 
tions, and further declaring, that during the captivity of the Pope, who 
then lay a prisoner in the hands of Napoleon Buonaparte, they would 
refuse and reprobate all briefs or pretended briefs, rules and rescripts, 
bearing title as from his Holiness, and purporting to be declaratory of his 
" free", or of any abdication of the papal office, until His Holiness should 
enjoy the full exercise of his liberty. 

As a friend of education, and one of a family that had afforded so many 
brilliant members to the Church, Dr. Young, about the year 1805, conceived 
the design of erecting a college in which students destined for the sacred 
ministry shouldbe educated. 1 There had been, at Peter's Cell, a small col- 
lege some time before, but it was too contracted for the increasing require- 
ments of the diocese, and Park College, near Park House, the bishop's resi- 
dence, was at length erected, to the building of which the Catholic citizens of 
Limerick contributed cheerfully and liberally. The first president of Park 
College was Dr. Young, and his lordship was succeeded in the presidency by . 
the Very Rev. Dean Hanrahan, a learned and accomplished dignitary. The 
Right Rev. Dr. Milner, the vicar- apostolic of the midland district of Eng- 
land, in the course of his tour through Ireland, visited Limerick in 1808, 
and was hospitably received by Dr. Young, who, to gratify the antiquarian 
zeal of the learned and gifted historian of Winchester Cathedral, and the 
indefatigable and chivalrous defender of the faith in various important pub- 
lications, obtained a clever artist 2 to make a drawing of the mitre and crozier 
of Cornelius O'Dea, which Dr. Young presented to Dr. Milner, and which 
Dr. Milner got engraved afterwards for the Archasological Society of Lon- 
don, with a letter-press description, as already stated. It is impossible to 
estimate the amount of good which the apostolic Dr. Young performed in 
his time, His name to this day is held in veneration by the people. 
He was particularly fond also of encouraging local genius, especially 
painters, and to that encouragement may be attributed the number of ex- 
cellent paintings which adorned the Catholic churches of Limerick, and 
•some of which are yet in existence. 3 Succumbing at length to illness, 

1 The efforts made by the Irish hierarchy and priesthood were constant and successful for 
education in ancient, as well as in more modern times. 

Two colleges were erected for the native Irish, before Trinity College, Dublin, and founded at 
Salamanca in 1 582. 
At the instance of Thomas White, native of Clonmel, one of these was instituted in 1582. 

At Alcala in 1590, by do. 

At Lisbon and Genoa, in 1595, by do. 

At Douai, in 1596. 

At Antwerp, in 1600. 

At Tournay, 1607. 

At Lille, 1610. 

AtLouvain, 1616. 

At Rome, 1625, by Luke Wadding. 

2 Mr. Jolm Gubbins. 

3 In Dr. Youngs time, viz., in 1808, Mr. Owen Madden, a respectable parishioner of Thomond- 
gate, presented Thomondgate chapel with a painting of the Ascension, by Henry Singleton, 
A.R.A., for which Mr. Madden gave fifty guineas. It was a beautiful picture, but it has been 
greatly injured by injudicious cleaning; and about the same time Frederick Prussia Plowman, 
a clever portrait painter, and student of the R. A. in Sir Joshua Reynolds' time, visited 
Limerick, and painted, among other subjects, the Virgin and Child, surrounded by Angels, for 
Father Denis Hogan, O-S.F., and a Crucifixion for him also. These pictures are in the Fran- 
ciscan church, Henry Street. Plowman painted a hrst-class portrait of Father Denis Hogan 

u 



634 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



caused in a great degree by the austerities which he practised, Dr. Young, 
after a life of intense labour in the episcopacy, died on Wednesday, the 
22nd of September, 1813, in the 68th year of his age. His funeral obse- 
quies were attended by all the clergy of the diocese, whose loss was incalcu- 
lable. The remains of the learned and zealous prelate were carried to the 
cemetery of St. Patrick's on Saturday, the 25th of that month, where 
they lay for six or seven years near the site of the ancient church of St. 
Patrick's, until the vault was built to which they were afterwards con- 
signed, where an humble memorial marks the spot where they rest. 
An inscription cut on a limestone slab, raised on stone of the same de- 
scription, on one of the panels of which the episcopal arms of the see of 
Limerick are brought out in high relief, and all being enclosed by an iron 
railing, tells who lies beneath: 



This Monument was erected at the expense 

Of the Parish Clergymen of the Diocese, 

To the memory of the Right Rev. John Young, 

R.C. Bishop of Limerick, who departed this life 

On the 22nd day of September, 1813, in the 

68th year of his age, and twentieth year 

Of his episcopal dignity. His life 

was truly exemplary and apostolical, 

He was remarkable for his Piety, 

Charity and profound learning. 

Humble and mortified in his manner 

Of life, he sought only the honour 

And glory of God, not the things 

Of this life. He died regretted by all his 

Clergymen, to whom he was a 

Faithful instructor, and lamented 

by the poor, to whom he was 

a parent and protector. 
May his soul rest in peace. 



The Right Rev. Dr. Charles Tuohy, a native of the city of Limerick, 
was the successor of the Right Reverend John Young, immediately on 
whose universally lamented demise he was elected Vicar-Capitular by the 

also. Mr. John Gubbins painted a small picture of the Annunciation, intended for the sacristy, 
on the order of Mr. James O'Connor, brother of the Right Rev. Daniel O'Connor, O.S.A., Bishop 
of Saldes — a native of Limerick. Mr. Gubbins copied also for the Dominican convent, where it 
is at present, from tho celebrated picture by Rubens, The Woman accused of Adultery, the 
original of which is in Sir John Leicester's gallery. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 635 

chapter of the diocese of Limerick, and on the 26th of October, 1813, 
received the greatest number of votes on the election for bishop. He 
was appointed in Rome in 1814, was consecrated in Cork on 24th of 
April, 1815, and throughout his episcopal career was held in sincere esteem 
by the clergy and laity of the diocese over which he presided. The ques- 
tion of the veto continued to be warmly discussed both before and during 
the episcopacy of Dr Tuohy ; and in these discussions, his lordship took 
a prominent part, always in opposition to the favourers of the government 
design on the independence of the Church and its pastors. We find him, 
as Vicar Capitular, in November, 1813, signing the protest of the bishops 
against the rescript of Quarantotti. 

On the 16th of February, in that year, the celebrated rescript of J. B. 
Quarantotti, Vice-President of the Propaganda, which had been addressed 
to the Right Rev. Wm. Poynter, Vicar Apostolic of the London district, 
recommended the amplest submission to the British Minister. It was stated 
in it that " nothing can be more agreeable to the Apostolic chair than 
that full concord and mutual confidence should prevail between your 
government and its Catholic subjects". It went on, " Wherefore we 
advise all in the Lord, and especially the Catholic bishops, to lay aside all 
contention, and for the edification of others to set an example of unani- 
mity of sentiment .... and if the law be carried which frees the 
Catholics from the penalties to which they are subjected that they should 
receive it with satisfaction; . . . but also return the warmest thanks 
to his Majesty and his most magnificent council for so great a benefit, 
and show themselves worthy of it". Copies of the rescript were sent 
to the Irish bishops, who indignantly, and with nearly unanimous accord, 
rejected it. The bishops met, the clergy throughout the land met, the 
resolutions against the Quarantotti manifesto were couched in terms of 
earnest repudiation. A meeting of the parish priests of the diocese 
of Limerick was held in St. Michael's chapel on Saturday, the 28th 
of May, 1814, the Very Rev. Charles Tuohy, Vicar Capitular of the 
diocese, in the chair. Thirty-eight parish priests were present. They 
resolved " that the rescript of Quarantotti should not be obeyed by the 
Catholic Church of Ireland, because they considered its principles dangerous 
to our holy religion, and contrary not only to the decision of the Irish 
bishops, but to the express sentiments of the Sacred College itself, promul- 
gated in the year 1805"''. This was unmistakeable. What was called a 
Catholic aggregate meeting was held on the 7th of September in the same 
year (1814), William Roche, Esq., in the chair. 1 A series of ambiguous 
resolutions were passed, and William Roche, John Howley, junr. (the 
present excellent Sir John Howley, Knight, Sergeant, Q.C., Ex Chair- 
man of Tipperary, etc.), Henry Lyons, and Michael Arthur, Esqrs., were 
requested to prepare petitions to the legislature in accordance with these 
ambiguous resolutions, one of which was unmistakably vetoistical, which 
gave anything but confidence to the people generally, and which are 
thus spoken of in a periodical of the time : 2 — 

" We have noticed these two years past that Limerick is on the decline, its 
Catholic spirit is evaporating fast, and the incubus which lay on Cork seems to 
have been thrown upon it. We regret this much, and we regret still more that, 

J Mr. Roche opposed the veto afterwards. a The Cork Catholic Repertory. 



636 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

the people of Limerick seem not to be aware of it. Is a proof wanting ? It 

is furnished by the last meeting — first, by having been miserably attended 

secondly, by the very men who are continually framing ambiguous and dangerous 
resolutions, and who have been hitherto suspected of an inclination to vetoism 
being the leaders, nay, the sole managers, and four of the very leaders of those 
leaders voted to be a standing committee, contrary to the usage of the rest of 
Ireland. Close meetings are generally corrupt — they are always suspected — four 
men can more easily combine than forty, Open meetings, and every man watching 
his neighbour, has kept Ireland honest, and saved us from the Veto. Thirdly, 
the Catholic spirit of Limerick must have evaporated, or they would never have 
adopted a Veto Resolution. I shall be told they have a Committee of Indepen- 
dence in Limerick, which is a proof of their spirit. They have for the purpose 
of getting into the Corporation ; but if they abandon their religion in this way, 
they had better spare themselves time and expense, for by taking the present 
Corporation oaths, or by having the Veto granted, there will be no obstacle to 
their admission. O Limerick! how art thou fallen? Not one voice raised 
within thy walls to oppose or to complain of a Veto Resolution ! ! ! — Not one 
solitary paragraph of a newspaper to remonstrate with thy recreant children ! ! ! 
— Limerick ! ! ! — Limerick ! ! ! — O Limerick ! ! ! — There is but one way off 
thy disgrace. Fling off those who have disgraced thee ! ! ! ,n 

The agitation against the veto became now fiercer than ever. The Right 
Rev. Dr. Milner threatened to resign his office into the hands of His Holi- 
ness if the veto were persevered in. Cardinal Gonsalvi at length arrived in 
London on a message of congratulation to the Prince Regent, and avowed 
that he never had heard of the rescript until he came to London. His 
Holiness denounced the entire scheme, of which Quarantotti was the in- 
strument, to serve the interests of certain of those Catholics in England 
and Ireland, who did not care how much the Church was enslaved, so 
that their own ends were gained and their interests promoted. The name 
of Dr. Tuohy is found in all the protests against the measure. 

But it was not in his public acts as protesting against the conduct of the 
government and its partizans, that Dr. Tuohy signalized himself. One of 
the greatest boons that ever had been conferred on the Catholics of 
Limerick was mainly attributable to his exertions. He conceived the 
design of calling to the aid of the education of the poor the invaluable 
services of the Christian Brothers. The order had been for some few years 
established in Waterford by its eminent founder, Mr. Edmond Rice ; and 
the great benefit it had conferred on that city was sufficient to induce the 
bishop to invite Mr. Rice to Limerick, in order that he might establish 
his order in the city. Accordingly, in June, 1816, the Schools in Sexton 
Street 2 and in Clare Street, Limerick, were established by Mr. Rice, who 
sent Mr. Grace and other Christian Brothers to take charge. The year 
previous, namely on the 1st of January, 1815, a bell was for the first time 
erected in the parochial church of St. Michael's, which, though built 
thirty-six years before, had not been furnished with a bell, though six or 
seven years before a bell was hung over the dwelling of the Franciscan 
Fathers in Newgate Lane. 

Dr. Tuohy lived to witness many great changes in the position and 
prospects of the people of Ireland, and it must be said that he aided the 

1 The number of these gentlemen in all was thirty-nine, and they went by the comical name 
of the thirty-nine articles afterwards. 

2 The locality of these extensive schools, etc., is now called St. Michael's Place. 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 637 

struggles of clergy and people with an undivided heart and a resolute 
spirit. He was gifted with much wisdom. Besides his numerous other 
accomplishments, he possessed a taste for music. While parish priest of 
Rathkeale, the people there entered into certain resolutions against the 
payment of more than a very trivial and insufficient sum to the pastor as 
dues at weddings, baptisms, etc. At a large wedding in Rathkeale, 
when the collection for the priest was being made, each person handed 
in a shilling, with a dogged determination to give no more. The good 
pastor took the money in the best humour, and asking the instrument 
from a performer who was at the feast, he played many airs with a sweet- 
ness and truth which were felt by every heart. At length, having 
concluded, he took the plate, saying, " As you have not paid the priest, 
I am sure you will not forget the musician". This was enough. Every one 
present experienced a sense of the injustice that had been done, and the 
utter folly and impropriety of the resolutions. Those who had come to 
refuse, and who did refuse, were the first to contribute liberally — a con- 
siderable sum of money was cheerfully given to the wise and zealous 
pastor, and from that time forward there was an end to the combination 
against paying the priest, not only in Rathkeale, but everywhere else 
throughout the diocese where the bad spirit had prevailed. Dr. Tuohy 
lived on the best terms with the Protestant bishop, Dr. Jebb; 1 and the 
latter spoke in the most earnest and cordial terms of Dr. Tuohy on several 
occasions, particulary in reference to his exertions against the Whiteboys. 
Dr. Tuohy died on the 13th of March, 1828, and was interred like his pre- 
decessor, in the ancient cemetery of St. Patrick's, where his remains were 
placed in the same vault with those of Dr. Young, and where no inscrip- 
tion marks the place of his sepulture. 

A few years previous to the death of Dr, Tuohy, his lordship had called 
on the Court of Rome to issue a mandate for the election of a coadjutor to 
assist him in the weighty cares which had pressed so severely and anxiously 
on him. Dr. Tuohy desired that the Very Rev. W. A. O'Meara, Pro- 
vincial of the Franciscan order, a native of Limerick, but then resident in 
Cork, should be his coadjutor, and forwarded his name to Rome. Finally, 
however, after some demurring on the part of a portion of the secular 
clergy, the Holy See thought fit, after due deliberation, to refer the 
question to the Most Rev. Dr. Lallan, Archbishop of Cashel, who selected 
for the high dignity the Rev. John Ryan, a priest of the archdiocese of 
Cashel, and a native of the parish of Thurles, county of Tipperary, and 
who had been parish priest of Doon. Dr. Ryan received the rudiments of 
his education in Thurles, and at an early age was sent by the Most Rev. 
Doctor Bray, Archbishop of Cashel, to Maynooth College, where he be- 
came a distinguished contemporary of many of those admirable eccle- 
siastics who were destined in after years to fill exalted places in the church. 
Called to the episcopacy as coadjutor bishop to the Right Rev. Dr. 
Tuohy, the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan took place in the 
old parish Church of St. John's on the 11th of December, 1825. Though 
his predecessors had done much for the advancement of religion, it re- 
mained for Dr. Ryan not only to perfect the glorious work in which 

1 In 1821, Bishop Jebb, who might often be seen arm-in-arm with some Catholic priest or 
other, addressed the people after Mass from the altar of the Roman Catholic church of Murroe, 
with a view to dissuade them from secret societies. The congregation were affected to tears. — 
Forster's Life of Jebb. 



638 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

they had indefatigably laboured, but to extend to every part of his exten- 
sive diocese the most enduring monuments of that ardent love for the faith 
with which every action of his lordship's episcopal career proved that his 
Boul was inspired. A native of the archdiocese of Cashel, it was not to 
be wondered at that his appointment by the Holy See to the mitre of 
Limerick was not regarded in the commencement with favour by a portion 
of the clergy. But no sooner had he undertaken the great and important 
duties inseparable from his office, than every symptom of coolness and pre- 
judice gave way. He was blessed with a clear judgment, with admirable 
tact and impartiality. His conscientious sense of justice was universally 
admitted, so that those who might not at first have looked upon his eleva- 
tion with favour became the most ardent among his admirers, the most 
attached among his friends. All were unanimous in awarding him the most 
earnest and unequivocal praise. The chains by which the liberties of our 
countrymen were fettered, had not been broken for some few years after 
Dr. Ryan's accession to the episcopal throne of Limerick. Catholics were 
excluded from every office of trust and emolument in the state : the old 
religion was banned, whilst bishops, priests, and people were looked upon 
in no other light than as helots in the land of their birth. To obtain 
emancipation was the Herculean labour to which O'Connell had been 
devoting his unparalleled resources ; and, though naturally adverse to agita- 
tion, the good cause had no more earnest friend than Dr. Ryan, who gave 
not only his sympathy, but his support to the efforts of his co-religionists 
to place themselves on an equality with their fellow-subjects throughout the 
empire. In the measure of emancipation, at length granted, no one more 
cordially rejoiced than Dr. Ryan. 

Once freed from the odious trammels to which hostile legislation had for 
so protracted a period of gloom, despondency, and terror consigned them, 
he saw that Irish Catholics, placed at length on an equality with their 
Protestant fellow-countrymen, were prepared to vie with them for the su- 
premacy in every field, and often to win the palm of precedence from those 
who had so long with impunity trampled upon them, with contumely and 
scorn. The progress of religion went hand-in-hand with political freedom. 
A desire to show forth the results of the independence they had achieved, 
soon took possesssion of the Catholic heart and intellect; and giving a right 
direction to the impulse, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan soon found means not 
only to extend the blessings of religion and education throughout every 
parish of his diocese, but to establish and endow convents, to build churches, 
to advance the position of his devoted clergy, and to obtain from all that 
unqualified respect and devotion which accompanied his footsteps wher- 
ever he went, and which must have been a solace to him in every one of 
his undertakings. He felt his task an easy one, whether it was to erect a 
church or build a cathedral, because it was a pleasure — a delight — to aid 
him in every way. He had only to ask and to obtain, because he was 
wise, right-hearted, and true ; and thus it was that nothing impeded him—- 
that when he spoke, a satisfactory answer was given. Thus, though in 
the year 1825 there was but one small conventual establishment for nuns 
in the city of Limerick, and we believe we are correct in stating not one 
elsewhere througLout the diocese, there are now five convents in the 
city, including the Presentation, the Order of Mercy, (2), the Good Shep- 
herd, the Faithfu companions, (Laurel Hill), whilst elsewhere in the 
diocese there are several. In the life of Madame D'Houet, foundress of the 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 639 

order of the Faithful Companions, a tribute of just praise is bestowed upon 
Dr. Ryan and the Very Rev. Dean Cussen for the wonderful services 
conferred on the great educational project in which that holy nun was en- 
gaged ; and the first convent of the order in Ireland was established in 
Limerick, the splendid convent of Laurel hill, which has been recognised 
since its formation as a leading educational establishment of the first class 
for young ladies. 1 In Bruff, the convent of St. Mary's was founded in 
1856, and in a few years afterwards, owing to the extraordinary sacrifices 
and exertions of the Very Rev. Dean Cussen, a new and beautiful con- 
vent was built, which has attained a first-class position as an educational 
establishment. 2 The open sincerity of Dr. Ryan's heart shone in those 
features which, even in death, had much grace and benignity impressed 
upon them. In 1825 there were but few schools in the city and diocese. 
The Christian Brothers had been but a short time before introduced by his 
excellent predecessor, Dr. Tuohy. Dr. Ryan not only gave them every 
encouragement, but he afforded them facilities by which they could extend 
their usefulness, increase the number of schools, and bring to the child of 
every poor person in the city all the advantages of an excellent education. 
As to higher schools, they were extremely few thirty or even twenty years 
ago in Limerick. By the earnest zeal of Dr. Ryan for the promotion of 
education among the better-to-do classes of Catholics, the Jesuit Fathers have 
been introduced there, and their college at this moment is one of the most 
flourishing in the south of Ireland. It was by Dr. Ryan that the unwearied 
and indefatigable Redemptorist Fathers, the sons of St. Alphonsus, have 
been introduced to bestow the inestimable blessings and benefits of their 
most pious labours on a people who know how to look upon them with 
deserved reverence and affection. As if by magic, too, he raised up the 
grand Cathedral of St. John's, having only sought assistance, and in a 
moment his most sanguine expectations being more than realised. 

In addition to his other admirable traits of character, Dr. Ryan was an 
ardent friend of temperance, as he was of its apostle, the illustrious Father 
Mathew, who ever spoke of him in the kindest possible terms, as of a prelate 
who was among the very first to invite him to leave Cork and administer 
the pledge to the millions. 

Thus Dr. Ryan went on, increasing in years, and not the less increasing 
in good works and in the veneration of his people ; and though with the 
majority of that people in some of their struggles he did not accord, this 
fact did not lessen or weaken their love for him, who was ever tolerant 
and liberal himself, and never yet was known to quarrel with others for 

1 Vie de Madame De Bonnault D 'Houet, Paris, 1863. Madame D'Houet also bestowed praise 
on the late Rev. William Bourke, the active and zealous administrator of St. John's, and after- 
wards parish priest of Bruree. His remains are interred in St. John's Cathedral, which he 
exerted himself with wonderful assiduity to build. 

2 The Very Rev. Robert Cussen, P.P., V.G., Dean of Limerick, died in London on the 13th 
of May, 1865, after a short illness. He was a most learned, exemplary, zealous, pious, and truly 
excellent ecclesiastic in every particular. He had reached only his 65th year, and hopes were 
entertained that he would live for many years, an ornament to the ecclesiastical state, and a 
source of support and strength to the educational institutions in which he took so deep an 
interest. Dean Cussen's remains were conveyed for interment to his parish of Bruff, where, amid 
the lamentations of his sincerely attached parishioners and the deep regrets of the religious 
and pupils of St. Mary's Convent, they were consigned to their last resting-place within the 
church of Bruff, in which he had so long, so faithfully, and so well ministered. Dean Cussen 
was a native of the city of Limerick, and he may be ranked amongst the truly learned and 
estimable of her sons. The Very Rev. Archdeacon O'Brien, P.P., Y.G., Newcastle West, suc- 
ceeded Dr. Cussen as dean, by Papal rescript, dated July 27th, 1865. The Very Rev. James 
O'Rourke, P.P., Patrick's Well, was appointed archdeacon at the same time by Papal rescript. 



640 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

entertaining opinions different from his, but gave the fullest credit to those 
who entertained views opposite to his own on public affairs. As we have 
said, though constitutionally adverse to agitation, there was no prelate in 
the land who gave larger toleration to the views of others ; and it cannot, 
in this brief and hasty sketch of his career, be omitted to state that the 
great O'Connell, on the very last occasion he ever visited Limerick, took 
occasion not only to make the most particular inquiries after the health of 
the Right Eev. Dr. Ryan, but to request the Right Rev. Dr. Whelan, who 
accompanied him, to make a special visit to Park House in his (the Libe- 
rator's) name to pay Dr. Ryan his compliments, the Liberator being 
unable to go himself. 

He breathed his last on the 6th of June, 1864. After his death, the body, 
robed in episcopal costume, with purple rochet and cross, etc., was laid 
out in the lower reception room of his residence, Park House, where, in 
the course of the afternoon, very many of the citizens proceeded to pay 
the sad tribute of their respect to all that was mortal of one who for so 
long a spaceof time was amongst them, a model of everything that was cal- 
culated to make man estimable. 

The remains of the lamented prelate were borne to the Cathedral of St. 
John's, in solemn procession, from his residence. The Bishop, the Right 
Rev. Dr. Butler, the clergy, the members of the various public bodies of 
the city, corporation, chamber of commerce, religious societies, the children 
of the Christian Brothers' and Presentation Convent and Sisters of Mercy 
Schools, etc., were in the procession in mourning. 

The body of the deceased Bishop lay in state in the Cathedral of St. 
John's, where, after the procession on Tuesday evening, it was received 
by the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, and where thousands thronged to pay their 
last sad tribute of respect to the remains of a bishop who, for the greatest 
part of half a century, had lived amongst them. Four of the clergy of the 
cathedral, including the Very Rev. the Administrator, were present through- 
out the night. The solemn appearance of the cathedral, clothed in black 
drapery, and lighted with gas pendants, gasaliers, and wax candles, was in 
perfect keeping with the solemnity of the occasion. 

The arms of the diocese — the mitre, the pastoral staff and crozier, were 
placed in front of the great organ gallery, which, with the noble organ, 
were all draped in black. The pillars of the church were in alternate 
black and yellow drapery of cloth, and had a very good effect. Between 
the arches of each pillar festooned curtains of black cloth were arranged. 
On the following (Wednesday) morning, from the very earliest hour, 
clergymen from all parts of the diocese poured into the city, and proceeded 
to the cathedral, where they celebrated mass. The lid of the coffin was 
closed down on the remains of the good bishop, on which was the following 
inscription on a brass plate : 



EIGHT REV. JOHN RYAN, 

LOUD BISHOP OF LIMERICK, 

ON THE 6th OF JUNE, 1864, 

IN THE 8 1ST YEAR OF HIS AGE, 

and 39 th of his bishopric. 



HISTORY OF LDIEBICK. 641 

At eleven o'clock a.m. the cathedral was crowded, and the solemn tones 
of the organ were awakened in the dirge notes, and immediately after that 
hour began the procession of the clergy, etc., headed by the Lord Arch- 
bishop of Cashel and Erniy, who had come to pay his respects to the 
memory of his old and sincere fiiend, Dr. Ryan, the Lord Bishop of 
Limerick, the Lord Bishop of Bombay, entered the choir, preceded by 
acolytes and cross-bearers. After the usual solemn services, the coffin was 
lowered into the vault prepared for it, opposite the great altar in the ca- 
thedral of St. John's. Thus were laid in the grave the mortal remains of 
the venerable bishop who for nearly forty years had governed the see of 
Limerick with prudence, justice, and Hberality, and who was one of the 
most munificent benefactors to the many convents and religious insti- 
tutions which are now established throughout the diocese. 

In the year 1860, then grown old, and well nigh unable to undergo the 
cares of duty, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan had called upon the Holy See to issue 
its rescript for the election of a Coadjutor Bishop. Accordingly on the 2nd 
of May in that year, the parish priests met in the old church of St. John's, 
and forwarded to the court of Rome the names of the Very Rev. Dr. George 
Butler, Dean of the Diocese of Limerick, and P.P. of St. Marv's ; the Very 
Rev. Dr. Robert Cussen.V.G. and P.P. of BrufT; the Yerv Rev. John Brahan, 
V.G., P.P., Newcastle West ; the Very Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, S. J., and the Very 
Rev. Dr. Kirby, President of the Irish College in Rome. The Holy See at 
length thought fit to select the Right Rev. Dr. George Butler, the present 
Bishop of Limerick, to whom all his acquaintances wish a long life of happi- 
ness unalloyed and continued usefulness in the ancient See of St. Munchin, 
which has been filled by men of most distinguished lives and services to reli- 
gion and country. Dr. Butler was bom in the city of Limerick in the year 
1815. At the age of fourteen years he entered the Diocesan Academy, which 
was kept by the Rev. Dr. Carey, under the patronage of the Right Rev. Dr. 
Ryan, where he continued for two years. At the early age of sixteen, the 
young student was sent to Maynooth College, and went through the whole 
collegiate course, on the completion of which, in the year 1838, he was 
placed on the Dunboyne Establishment. Towards the end of that year, the 
Bishop of Trinidad in the AVest Indies went to Maynooth for missionaries 
for his far distant diocese, the cliinate of which has been proverbially fatal 
to Europeans. The zealous and ardent youthful ecclesiastic, George 
Butler, did not hesitate: he, with a few others, including his brother, the 
Rev. John Butler, then, also on the Dunboyne Establishment, volunteered 
their services. The brothers were both ordained in Maynooth College in 
November in that year by the Bishop of Trinidad, the Right Rev. Dr. 
Smith, and soon afterwards they set sail for that island, in which one of 
them was destined in a very short time to find an early and glorious 
grave. The Rev. John Butler lived but nine months after their arrival. 
The Rev. George Butler resided for two years in Trinidad : during the 
greater part of the time he was cure or Parish Priest of San Fernando, one 
of the chief districts of the island. After the premature and lamented 
death of his brother, the health of the survivor became afTected, and within 
less than a year he had three severe attacks of fever. 

Having heard of these circumstances, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan signified 
his wish that the Rev. George Butler should return to Limerick. In 
obedience to that wish — for Dr. Ryan was still his bishop — the young 



642 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

missionary left the West Indies, and arrived in Limerick towards the end 
of 1840, when he was appointed to the curacy of St. Patrick's, of which 
the late lamented Rev. Mathew O'Connor was parish priest. In Saint 
Patrick's the Rev. George Butler continued curate for four years. He was 
then appointed to St. John's, where he remained for one year, at the expi- 
ration of which he was sent to St. Michael's, where he was curate for 
twelve years, during the last years of which he was administrator. In 
1857 he was appointed parish priest of Saint Mary's and dean of the 
diocese; and in 1861, on the 25th of July, he was consecrated Bishop of 
Cidonia in partibus, and Coadjutor Bishop of Limerick; the consecrating 
prelate was the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Archbishop of Cashel, assisted by 
the Bishops of Killaloe and Cloyne. The Lord Archbishop of Dublin, and 
many of the prelates of Munster and Connaught were present, as was also 
the Bishop of Bombay, as well as the Archimandrite of Lebanon, all at- 
tended by their respective chaplains. 

The consecration sermon was preached by the Right Rev. Dr. Moriarty, 
Bishop of Kerry. On the 6th of June, 1864, on the demise of the Right 
Rev. Dr. Ryan, the Right Rev. Dr. Butler succeeded to the see of 
Limerick, of the mitre of which his lordship has in every possible way 
proved himself preeminently worthy, and which it is universally hoped 
he may live for very many years to wear. 



CHAPTER LX. 

THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS. — CATHOLIC CHURCHES. — INSTITUTIONS, ETC. 

We shall devote this chapter to an account of those illustrious religious 
orders, which for so many years have made Limerick famous, and contri- 
buted so materially to keep the faith alive in the city. 

THE AUGUSTINIANS. 

First then in order of time, as in extent of their privileges, come the 
regular canons of St. Augustine, 1 a distinct order from that of his hermits, 
and originated in the regular community founded by St. Augustine 
in his own house. The order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, accord- 
ing to the learned Alban Butler and the ancient writers, dates its foun- 
dation from so early an epoch as a.d. .388, when it was established by 
the great saint himself. The convent of the order of the Hermits of St. 
Augustine was founded at Limerick in the thirteenth century by O'Brien 
of the royal race of Limerick and Thorn ond. 2 Its site is said to have been 
where the city court-house once stood in Quay Lane. Both Canons and 
Hermits were branches of the same illustrious order, with which, in Ireland 
at least, no other could stand in competition, being as great in this country 
as the Benedictines were in England. There were also ancient foundations 
of Augustinian nuns in Ireland, and all these foundations for men and 
women were represented in the city of Limerick, where the Augustinian 
nuns were called the Canonesses of St. Augustine. 

According to Sir James Ware, a priory for regular Canons of St. Augus- 

1 According to many learned writers, the old Irish Culdee monks were the same as the re- 
gular canons of St. Augustine, into whose order the ancient monks may have merged. Both 
the Culdees and secular canons officiated in cathedrals. Dr. Lanigan refers the canons to the 
eleventh century, hut is not generally followed. 

3 Bruodin in Hib, Dom. p. 749. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 643 

tine was founded in the reign of King John, anno 1227, by Simon Minor, 
a citizen of Limerick, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin and St. 
Edward the King and Martyr ; and according to this author it was the prior 
of this house who had the first voice in the election of the Mayor of 
Limerick, a privilege, 1 according to Archdall, which belonged to the 
Augustinian Hermits or Austin Friars. 

The site of the monastery of the Regular Canons was at the end of the 
Fish Lane, and near the site of Sir Harry's Mall. It had been rented for 
some time before its demolition as a fish house by the corporation, the pro- 
prietors of the Lax Weir, but not a vestige of it remains at present. It 
totally disappeared nearly a century since. An inquisition was held into 
the possessions of this monastery in the 19th Henry VIII; 2 and the grant 
to Edmond Sexton is set out in the 29th year of that reign. 3 The priors 
having, as stated, had the principal voice in the city election, occupied a 
seat in the court house next the mayor. The last prior before the sup- 
pression was Patrick Harrold. 

In the year 1472, a command was given by the Most Rev. Father 
Aquila, the General of the Order, that " regular discipline" should be 
observed in the convent of the Augustinian Hermits ; and though in the 
days of persecution there could hardly have been a regular Augustinian 
community in Limerick, there can be no question as to the uninterrupted 
existence of the order in the city. The Augustinian Hermits certainly 
lived in community in Limerick, even in the reign of George II. The 
friars occasionally fled, but they invariably returned. The succession, 
so to speak, was never broken. The possessions of the convent of the 
Holy Cross, consisting of lands and houses through town and country, 
were valued at its suppression at £8 6s. Id., equal to £166 Is. 8d. at pre- 
sent. They are now the property of the Earl of Limerick, to whose 

1 Archdall refers to an inquisition, 37th Elizabeth (a.d. 1595), to prove that the Eremites, not 
the Canons Regular, had the privilege. Stephen Sexton, while he lived, certainly claimed that 
privilege in right of that house, but, as appears from the next note, the prior of the Regulars 
claimed the same right. See next page, text and note. Perhaps the Sextons claimed in right 
of both houses. 

2 Inquisitio taken at Lymeric before Nic. Comyn, Mayor, \§th year of King Henry VIII. 

It is found, "That Symon Mynor some time citezen of the cittie of Lymeryk was fondowr of 
Sayntt Mary hows in the worsippe off the Blessytt Yirgin, Saynt Mary, and Sayntt Edward, Kynge 
and Martyr. The Prior Sir John Fox lefthe in the sayd hows a challs, that stands in Stywyn 
Creaghe is handes, to pledge of the sayd Prior for the som of 30s. The jury say thei found on 
the hey aulter of the forsayd Saynt Mary hows a table of alabaster, 4 candelstykes, a senc. 
toy payr cruetts, 21 bouks grett and small, holy water stok, a payr organys, • * * 18 tapers 
wex, try cowpyr crossyr, 3 westymettes, a grett bell, 2 small bells, 3 doss bowls, 2 old coffyrs, 
* * * beds, a standynge bed, 3 old surplices, a lydge table, 3 small tablys, 6 tastelles, 
2 chayres, 2 candelstykes, 2 broches, a hangynge candy! stick, a plateyr, 2 pattengs, a brass 
poth, 2***3 lowys of glas, a lydge trestell, and 5 fowrmys or beuss, whiche were 
found both in the chirche and hall of the sayd Sayntt Mary hows. That the Prior had the firste 
w ys eleccyon of Mayor, BallyfTes, * * * er, the Kynges Officerys in the sayd citie and 
sath nexth the Mayor, wt. in the tolse the days off eleccon in chossyng suche officeres . . . 
hawing no room nexth the Mayr nether among the Consayll nor statt but only the sayd days 
. . . wt. in the tolse, and was not of the Consayll of the citie ne wyr theles he had chyfthe 
and Mayr as a Mayr ys pyr beryng there for as any other Mayr is pyr and nown other. 

September 28tk 1537. 

3 A grant to Edmond Sexten by Privy Seal, to the King's well beloved servant Edmond Sexten 
Sewer of his Chamber of the Monastery, Priory or Cell of St. Mary-house, the cite ambit or ground 
thereof, and all Lordships, Manors, Lands, Advowsons of Churches, Tythes, Cbapels, Chantries, 
etc., spiritual and temporal thereto belonging, within the precinct of the city or in the county of 
Limerick, in as large and ample manner as Sir Patrick Harrold late Prior had the same 
together with the goods and utensils thereof, To hold to the heirs male of his body by the 
service of one Knight's fee, with directions for a Commission to issue for dissolution of said 
Monastery.— Inrolled, Rolls Office, Dublin, 29th year of Henry VIII. 



644 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

ancestor, Edmond Sexton, they were granted. White's MSS. assert that, 
from the ruins of the monastery of the Canons Regular, the Irish fired 
upon the soldiers of King William, as they approached the city from the 
heights of Park. 

In 1691, we find there were a community and convent in Limerick, 
De Burgo alludes to a lawsuit between the Prior of the convent of St. 
Augustine, in Limerick, and one William Lysaght, as to the possession of 
their convent. In that year, the Prior was the celebrated Bernard 
O'Kennedy, subsequently Provincial of the Order in Ireland. He after- 
wards fled to Spain from the horrors of the persecution of William III., 
where he died in 1704. In a letter which he wrote a little before his 
, death to the province of Ireland, for he was then the Provincial, he 
states that he left in trust with a friend in Ireland, a chalice and suit of 
vestments for the convent of Limerick, which is a proof that a convent had 
been there before his departure from Ireland. We find that almost all the 
regular clergy, notwithstanding the numbers banished in 1698, continued 
in theh- native land. It was not, however, until the end of the reign 
of George I., that regular clergy began to live in community and to erect 
chapels in the principal towns in Ireland. In the next reign, as before 
mentioned, and for the last century, we find the Augustinians living in com- 
munity in Limerick. 

In 1736 the Dominicans and Franciscans of Limerick applied to Dr. 
O'Keeffe, the bishop, for redress against the Hermits of St. Augustine, 
who, as they alleged, had settled themselves in the city without having 
any title for so doing, asserting they never had a convent of their order in 
the city. The bishop, attended by his secular clergy, often examined 
both parties on the merits of this affair, and ultimately passed sentence 
against the Augustinians. The Augustinians appealed to Cashel, and 
from thence to the Primate of Armagh. The Dominicans and Franciscans 
would not acknowledge the Primate's jurisdiction in Limerick, and there- 
fore they appealed to the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda; but not- 
withstanding their appeal, the Primate's commissary in absence of the con- 
tending parties, pronounced a sentence of absolution in favour of the 
Augustinians, who, by virtue thereof, opened their chapel, and ever since 
continued to officiate in the city. In some time after, the Augustinians pro- 
duced a decree of the Holy Congregation, declaring their censures sus- 
pended usque ad exitum causae; they required this decree in their favour 
to be published in all the chapels, which Dr. John Lehy, the Vicar- 
General, refused doing, as the Congregation did not send the decree to 
him. However, the Augustinians still continued to have their chapel open 
and officiated in town equally with the rest of the friars in 1755. 1 

In 1778 the Hermits of St. Augustine erected a neat chapel and chapel- 
house in Creagh Lane, which they occupied until 1823. Their com- 
munity were never less than three, and were sometimes four. Their chapel 
was the first in the city in which an organ was erected. 

The removal of the community from Creagh Lane to George's Street, 
which occurred in 1823, was occasioned by the pressing demands for in- 
creased accommodation, and by an opportunity which now occurred of 
purchasing the new theatre, which had been recently built, in consequence 

1 White's MSS. The MSS. particulars of the controversy are extant. Fitzgerald states that 
the question in dispute was "set at rest for ever in 1739 or 1740, by the Canons Regular of 
St. Augustine ceding to the said Hermits all their rights, privileges, and immunities". 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 645 

of the burning of the old one, and which was now brought to the hammer 
for the liquidation of arrears of debt. The theatre had been built by sub- 
scription in 1810, at the expense of £4,000, but the Very Rev. Father 
Cronin, the prior, aided by public liberality, purchased it for £400, and 
having insured the premises, employed an architect to make such altera- 
tions as would fit it for the service of religion. In negociating this pur- 
chase the prior was assisted by the Rev. D. O'Connor, now Bishop of 
Saldes, a distinguished member of the order, and in a few weeks, the work 
having been complete, the church was opened with great solemnity, and 
consecrated by the bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. Tuohy, the 
sermon being preached by the celebrated Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare 
and Leighlin, who was himself an Augustinian, and whose successful appeal 
on this occasion considerably assisted to liquidate the building debt. The 
alterations and improvements cost about £600 in addition to the purchase 
money. The interior is about ninety feet in length and sixty in breadth. 
The gallery is supported by metal columns and is in the form of a horse- 
shoe. The new and costly altar of marble, etc., is ornamented by the fine 
painting of the Ascension by the celebrated artist, Timothy Collopy,a 
native of the city, of whom we have already written fully (see p. 344). 
This excellent church is principally lighted from the roof. 

Of the fathers of the convent who have always been held in deserved 
respect by the citizens of Limerick, it is only necessary to mention the 
names of the Very Rev. Thos. Walsh, the Very Rev. Augustine Aylmer, 
the Rev. Patrick Green, the Rev. Thos. Connolly, the Very Rev. Father 
Stephen Egan, and the truly estimable Father Augustine Cronin, who were 
all distinguished for piety, learning, and amiability. Father Walsh, who built 
the old convent about one hundred years ago, was Provincial of his Order, 
lived to the age of ninety years, and said Mass every day almost to his 
death. Father Cronin, who was the principal means of removing the 
convent from the old to the new town, did great service to religion by the 
establishment of confraternities. He died regretted by all who knew him 
in 1835.* 

The following is an accurate list of the priors from 1760 to 1865 : 

1760— Very Rev. Thomas Walsh. 

1770 „ „ James Byrne. 

1778 „ „ Thomas Walsh. 

1786 ,, ,, Augustine Aylmer. 

1811 „ ,, Stephen Egan. 

1815 „ ,, John Augustine Cronin. 

1819 „ „ Stephen Egan. 

1823 „ „ John Augustine Cronin. 

1835 „ ,, Robert Dore. 

1839 „ „ James Dundon. 

1843 „ „ Robert Dore. 

1855 „ „ James Dundon. 

1859 „ „ Robert Dore. 

1863 „ „ James Dundon, the present prior, 1865. 

The Very Rev. Fathers Egan and Cronin are interred in the old vault on the north side of 
St. Patrick's churchyard. The former died on the 26th of June, 1832, aged 75 years; the 
latter on the 23rd February, 1835, aged 54 years. 



646 HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. 

The Canonesses of St. Augustine had a nunnery in Limerick, founded 
by King Donald O'Brien in 1171, and dedicated to St. Peter, whence its 
name of Peter's Cell. It stood near the town wall, at the lower end of 
Pump Lane or Peter Street. After the suppression, it became the pro- 
perty of Lord Milton. The dissenters of Limerick rented their chapel from 
him until 1798. A handsome house was afterwards built on its site, which, 
with its fine garden, became the residence of Madame O'Dell. This order 
had also three other establishments in the county, viz., at Cluan-Credhail, 
founded in the sixth century by St. Ita; at Kilsane, founded by 
MacSheehy, an Irish gentleman, and dedicated to St. Catherine; and at 
Monaster-na-CalliaghdurT, in the parish of Roberstown, barony of Shanid, 
founded by the Clangibbons in the thirteenth century. The Knights Tem- 
plars had a house in Quay Lane, and a Commandery at Newcastle, of 
which there are still some remains. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem 
had a house at Adare, and a preceptory at Any, both founded in the 
thirteenth century, by Geoffry de Maurisco : they had also another estab- 
lishment at Hospital. 

THE DOMINICANS. 

Next in order of time are the Dominicans, whose monastery was situated 
within and close by the walls of Limerick, on the north-east of the city, 
in a delightful situation, and not far from the waters of the Abbey River. 

According to the Book of the Friars Preachers of Limerick, 1 the first 
founder of the monastery of Limerick of the Friars Preachers was Donough 
Carbraigh O'Brien, who is said to have obtained from St. Dominic some 
of his religious to preach amongst the Irish. It is asserted by certain of the 
Dominican writers that St. Dominic himself visited Ireland. 2 This Donough 
Carbraigh, as appears in the ancient calendar and necrology of the monastery 
aforesaid, died on the 8th day of March in the year of our Lord 1 241. So that 
between the confirmation of the order of St. Dominic, which was con- 
firmed by Honorius III., Sovereign Pontiff, in 1216, and the death of the 
aforesaid founder, there intervened twenty-five years. The monastery 
and church were dedicated to St. Saviour. Of the founder there occur 
in the margin of the calendar, after the last day of the month, the follow- 
ing words : — 

Here lies Lord Donough Carbraigh O'Brien, a valiant leader in arms, 
Prince of Thomond, made a knight by the King of England, who caused to 
be built the Church of the Friars of the Order of Preachers, who died on the 
8th day of the month of March, a.d. 1241 : on whose soul may the Lord have 
mercy. Amen. Let each devoutly say a Pater and Ave. 

This is confirmed by O'Heyne 3 and De Burgo. 4 

Sir James Ware states that in his time the statue and the church existed, 
but after the two sieges of Limerick in 1650 and 1691, nothing remained 
of the tomb or the statue, and of the church and monastery there are only 
a few walls standing, which, by lancet windows of great altitude, and the 
debris of stone-work and tracery which now lie scattered in confusion 
about the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, tell what the monastery and 

1 Sloane MSS. in British Museum, 4793. 3 Chronological Epilogue, 

2 Tenda, Malvenda, etc, 4 Hib. Dom. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 647 

church had been in their days of splendour. It is said that the soldiers of 
King William broke in pieces the statue of Donough Carbraigh, who was 
a very religious and devout prince, having built 80 churches, abbeys, and 
chapels (according to MacBrody's Chronicles). The Abbey of Ennis for 
Franciscans was one of the first he built. He also erected an academy 
or seminary for learning at Clonroad, near Ennis, where, according to 
many authentic writers, six hundred scholars and a great many monks were 
frequently supported at the proper expense of the O'Brien family, until 
the reign of Henry VIII. of England, when the dissolution of abbeys, 
seminaries, etc., etc., commenced. 1 

It was he who also built the noble Cistertian Monastery of Holy Cross 
in the County of Tipperary. Ware states that he was interred in Killaloe ; 
but it is positively asserted by O'Heyne and others that he was buried in 
the Dominican Convent which he founded in Limerick. In the church 
of the same monastery was buried Hubert de Burgo, Bishop of Limerick, 
who died on the 15th of September, 1250. Hubert's ancestor was called 
pugnator, the " expugnator", because after his arrival in Ireland with 
Henry II., he subjected Connaught to the power of its new masters. He 
married, in the first instance, a daughter of the King of England, and 
afterwards a daughter of the great Donald O'Brien, who was the last king 
of Cashel. 2 There were, besides, three bishops of Killaloe buried in this 
monastery, namely, Donald 0'Kennedy,in the year 1252, Mathew O'Hog- 
hain in the month of August, 1281, and Mathew MacCrath on the 1st of 
September, 1391. There were also interred in the same monastery the 
following bishops of Kilfenora: Christianus, in the year 1254, Simon 
O'Currin in the year 1303, and Maurice O'Brien, in the year 1321. The 
fact of Hubert's burial in the Dominican Friary is stated in the ancient 
calendar of the order, and in the Black Book, whilst in confirmation of the 
fact as to the interment of the six bishops, we have it on the authority of 
an ancient sepulchral inscription which existed formerly in the archives 
of the monastery, and which was preserved in Latin, and which is in 
the Book of the Friars Preachers above quoted, the translation of which is 
thus given in Ware's Bishops : 

Six prelates here do lie, and in their favour 
I beg your friendly prayers to Christ our Saviour ; 
Who in their lifetime for this house did work, 
The first of whom I name was Hubert Burke, 
Who graced the see of Limerick, and Matthew, 
With Donald, Bishops both of Killaloe ; 
Christian and Maurice I should name before, 
And Simon, Bishops late of Fenabore. 
Therefore, kind Father, let not any soul 
Of these good men be lodged in the black hole. 
You who read this, kneel down in humble posture. 
Below three Aves say one Pater Nostjer. 
Whoever for the soul sincerely prays, 
Merits indulgence for a hundred days ; 
And you, who read the verses on this stone, 
Bethink yourself, and make the case your own ; 

1 JohnLoyd's Bistort/ of Clare, 2 De Burgo, Bib. Domin. 



648 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Then seriously reflect on what you see, 

And think on what you are now, and what you '11 be ; 

Whether you 're greater, equal, less, you must, 

As well as these, be crumbled into dust. 

In 1279, according to King, a general chapter of the order was held 
tliere. On the 13th of January, 1330, a " liberate" was issued for the sum 
of thirty-five marcs, for the payment of one year's pension to the Domin- 
icans of Limerick, Dublin, Drogheda, Cork, and Waterford. 1 Nine 
liberates had been issued. In 1340 Gerald Rochfort, a renowned knight, 
and head of his sept, died on the 29th of March, and according to Ware 
was interred here. 

About this time, according to the Arthur MSS., Martin Arthur built a 
magnificent peristyle of marble to the church of St. Saviour in Limerick. 

1345, John O'Grady, Treasurer of Cashel, and for a time Rector of 
O'Grimn, in the diocese of Killaloe, succeeded by the election of Dean and 
Chapter to the Archbishopric of Cashel, and having procured recommen- 
datory letters from the King to the Pope (dated 10th October, 1331) was 
by his provision placed in that see (Cashel) in 1332. " A mark", says 
Hogan, the author of the Annals of Nenagh *' of great wisdom and industry". 
He died in Limerick on the 8th day of July, 1345, in the Dominican habit, 
and was buried there in a monastery of that order. He made many 
donations to his church, and in that particular gave it a large pastoral staff. 8 

Indeed, according to the book of the Friars Preachers already referred 
to, 3 the Dominican monastery of Limerick was famous, among many other 
circumstances, for being the place of interment of illustrious Irishmen in 
olden days. It was there, it adds, that its founder *Oomc<vo CuijVbpouc 
0t)|\i4ni, as we have already stated, was buried. It was the place of 
sepulture, according to the same calendar, of De Burgo, alias uuficAi*o 
w Dux et Capitaneus", 4 as well as of many other distinguished leaders of the 
Irish nation, who chose it as their last resting place. Many of the 
Geraldines were buried there, as we learn on the same authority, and 
their anniversaries were commemorated with due solemnity, as is set forth 
in the authority in question. The second founder of this convent, viz., 
James Fitz John Earl of Desmond, was buried there in 1462, and it is 
recorded that the Friars Preachers were obliged to celebrate a yearly mass 
for his own soul, and for the souls of his parents and of his wife, and of 
his successors and their wives. There also, furthermore, was interred the 
" Dux et Capitaneus" MacNamara, alias foitbeAm<\, 5 who died in 1503. The 
sept of the O'Ryans had a tomb there also, and the Dux et Capitaneus of 
the sept, viz., Thaddeus Fitz Dermot O'Ryan, who is named in the ancient 
calendar 'Cu'05 tTIc tliArm IDeatl, 6 was interred there, as were also many 
Roches, otherwise tloifoe, whose Dux et Capitaneus was Gerald de Rupe 
Forti, a famous soldier, and able and strong in arms, who was buried there 
on the 4th Kalend of April, 1349. Many others of the old race and faith 
were interred there, as we find by the Arthur MSS., which mention 
several citizens of Limerick who directed that their bodies should rest 
there. In the year 1504 7 this convent, with others in Ireland, was reformed 
by the Most Rev. Master of the Order, Vincent Bandcllo, of Castro Novo in 

1 Archdale's Monasticon. 2 Ware. 3 Sloane MSS. in British Museum, 4793. 

4 The chief of his family is meant hy this expression. 5 The warlike 

6 Thaddeus O'Ryan the gentle. 7 De Burgo, Hib. Dom. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 649 

Lombardy, by bis own proper authority, as well as by that of Pope Julius 
II., and, with four others, it was erected into a university or general study, 
by the Chapter Generalissimo of the order in 1644. The other places 
thus favoured were Dublin, Cashel, Athenry, and Coleraine — one for 
each of the provinces. 1 Thomas Curchaeus was prior, but in what year is 
not certain. Considerable endowments were formerly bestowed upon 
this monastery by James Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond. 2 

Among the remarkable members of the Dominican order of Limerick 
convent were: — 

John Quin, or O'Quin, Bishop of the Diocese of Limerick (see Bishops), 
Terence Albert O'Brien, the martyr and illustrious Bishop of Emly, of 
whose martyrdom we have given an account in the history of Ireton's siege ; 
and James O'Hurly, the predecessor of Terence Albert O'Brien in Emly. 

There were many others also who suffered martyrdom, or who became 
distinguished for their sanctified lives. 

There was another house of the order at Six Mile Bridge, in the 
County of Clare, subject to the Limerick convent, of which de Burgo 
(Hib. Dom., p. 213) states, he can add nothing to the fact that it existed, 
except that it is asserted on the authority of O'Heyne, that it was called 
in Irish -dbbhtnn O'geAnnA, 3 from the name of the river (O'geAjuiA) which 
flows into the Shannon, and that it was demolished in the wars of 1641. 
De Burgo further states that he visited the site in the year 1754, on the 
5th of May, and that he could find no vestige whatever of the convent of 
Six Mile Bridge. 

Father John O'Heyne, who is frequently quoted by de Burgo, gives the 
history of the celebrated Convent of the Dominicans of Limerick, and de 
Burgo supplements, up to his own time, the annals which O'Heyne began, 
but died before he could have finished. O'Heyne also wrote the history 
of the convent of the same illustrious order at Kilmallock. The work is 
written in Latin, and is called " O'Heyne's Chronological Epilogue"; it 
is of extreme rarity, and for the extracts from it, in reference to the 
Dominican Convents of Limerick and Kilmallock, we are indebted to the 
Very Rev. Dr. Carbery, Prior of St. Saviour's, Limerick, who obtained 
them from the only copy of the book known to be in Ireland, namely, 
that in the convent at Esker, County Galway. O'Heyne is said to 
have been a native of Kilmallock. Having given a succinct account of 
the foundation of the convent, O'Heyne proceeds to enumerate and 
give a short history of the many distinguished men who belonged to 
it from time to time, and among whom, in the first and most distin- 
guished place, stands the Martyr-Bishop of Emly, the great Terence 
Albert O'Brien of Arragh. Father James Wolfe, the resolute and deter- 
mined opponent of Cromwell, who was taken while he was celebrating 
mass, and who was executed in the same year, viz., 1651, in which the 
sainted Bishop of Emly met his death, was also a member of the same con- 
vent. He then tells us of Father Cornelius O'Heyne, who studied in the 
College of Minerva at Rome, and taught theology for several years in the 
College of the Dominicans at Lisbon, and was rector of this convent, came 
to Ireland for subjects for the convent in Lisbon and died there ; of another 
O'Heyne; of Father John de Burgo, or Burke, who was prior in 1667; of 

1 De Burgo, Hib. Dom.^ p. 221. 2 Ware, vol. ii. p. 727. 3 River O'Gearna. . 

45 



650 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Father Philip Wolfe, " a delightful poet, and a wonderful propagator of 
the devotion of the Rosary" ; of Father James Comin, and of Father James 
Arthur, both of whom, like all the preceding, studied abroad ; of Father 
Cornelius G'Heyne ; of Fathers Nicholas Roche, Peter Lacy, Denis O'Gal- 
laher, John Halpin, Francis O'Grady, Patrick Sarsfield, Donatus O'Hehir, 
« John M'Convin, John Magee, Dominick Roche, James Convill, and 
Thomas O'Hurley, all of whom studied in Spain, in Louvain, in Rome, or 
in France. Some of these fathers were distinguished abroad ; Lacy had 
a pension from Louis the Great for preaching the faith to heretics, which 
he did with much fruit. Some were professors of theology or philosophy 
in colleges abroad. De Burgo visited Limerick in 1754, or in 1756, and 
states that the following fathers of the convent were then in the city : — 

A. R. P. ex-Provincial Fr. Michael Hoare, prior, aged 51 years, of his 
profession 33 years; A. R. P. Magister Fr. Nicholas Quin, aetat. 41, proff. 
18 (sent to Cork, where he was Vicar Provincial of Munster, a.d. 1758); 
R. P. Praesentatus Fr. Peter MacMahon, aetat. 45 years, proff. 23; P. Fr. 
Michael O'Loughlen, aetat. 54, proff. 27; and P. Fr. Denis Cahill, aetat. 
49, proff. 23 (died in Limerick in the year 1757). 

De Burgo, and after him Archdall and Ferrar, state that a portion of the 
ground had been converted into a tan yard, and a barrack was built on 
another portion of it. The barrack was built on a part of the site which 
had been taken by Government in 1679, on a lease for one hundred years. 
It was capable of containing eight hundred men ; it extended two hundred 
feet in length, and two hundred and ninety feet in breadth, and was 
strengthened on the east side by a broad deep ditch, etc. 1 This sumptuous 
monastery had great possessions in and about the City of Limerick, prior 
to the suppression in the reign of Henry VIII. It had the fishery of 
the salmon weir at St. Thomas's Island, which, in earlier times, Edward 
Bishop of Limerick challenged the right of King John to alienate, and 
for which King John, by way of compromise, granted him ten pounds 
of silver in free and perpetual alms annually for ever. Monabraher, or 
the Friar's Bog, near Parteen, belonged to it, as well as several other 
possessions. 

David Brown, Doctor of Divinity in this monastery, having been sent 
by King Henry VIII. as his envoy to Italy on affairs concerning the state, 
continued there till the suppression of religious houses, when he returned 
to this kingdom, where this truly good and exemplary man peacefully 
ended his days. 

Edmond was prior at the time of the general suppression, when he was 
seized of the site, church, steeple, dormitory, three chambers, a cemetery, 
sundry closes, containing an acre and a half within the precincts, a garden 
of four acres without the walls of the monastery, and thirty acres of arable 
and pasture land called Courttrocke, within the liberties of the city. The 
site, etc., were valued at 2s., and the garden and land at £5 2s. Od. ster- 
ling yearly. 

January 7th, and 35th Henry VIII. , this monastery, with the appur- 
tenances thereunto belonging, tithes excepted, and thirty acres of land, 
were granted to James Earl of Desmond, in capite^ at the yearly rent of 
5s. 2d. sterling. 

And an inquisition taken 23rd August, 1623, finds that James Gould, 

1 St. Dominick's Well is near where the ditch ran. 



HISTORY OF UMERICK. 651 

who died 6th September, 1600, was seized of this priory, and of twenty- 
four acres of arable land adjacent thereto; also of the castle, town, and 
lands of Corbally, and one caracute of land, in free and common soecage. 

The Dominican Fathers continued to reside in the city in the very 
worst times of persecution. We have seen by De Burgo, that in the last 
century they had a regular convent in the city. 

The following is the list of the Priors of the Dominican Convent, 
Limerick, from 1730 to the present time, 1864 1 : — 

About the year 1730, the fathers finally settled down in Fish Lane, 
and began to erect a chapel, over which they made a dwelling or small 
convent. The chapel was a parallelogram, about sixty feet long and 
thirty broad. It was decorated in rather good taste. The galleries were 
supported by accurately elaborated Corinthian columns. The altar con- 
sisted of an entablature supported on pillars of same style. The painting 
over the altar was a crucifixion. The only article belonging to the old 
church of St. Saviour that was to be found in this chapel, was the oak 
statue of the Virgin and Child which was made in Flanders in the early 
part of the seventeenth century, and which, after the final destruction of 
the original church, was buried in the ground for nearly a century. As 
soon as the fathers had their new place of worship completed, they brought 
in their dear old statue of our Lady, and placed it in a shrine prepared 
at the epistle side of the altar, where it continued an object of tender 
devotion to the faithful, who were ever alive to the pious traditions of the 
Fathers of the Rosary, as the Dominicans were then frequently called. It 
is said that many and great graces were obtained from God by the pious 
clients of Mary, who made their devotions before this shrine. We find 
at this time, that Father Albert O'Brien was Prior of Limerick, 1736; 
Father Michael Hoare, 1740; Father John Fitzmaurice, 1745; Father 
Peter M'Mahon, 1749. At the chapter held this year, 17 , Father 
Hoare was elected Provincial. Father Nicholas O'Quin was Prior in 
1761 ; Father Denis O'Connor, 1765 ; Father John O'Brien, 1769 ; Father 
Thomas Ryan, 1775; Father Dionysius M'Grath, 1789; Father Stephen' 
Roche, 1796 ; Father Richard Roche, 1803; Father Thomas Ryan, 1806 ; 
Father Peter Toole, 1810 ; Father Joseph Harrigan, 1814. Father Harri- 
gan, finding the old chapel in Fish Lane insufficient for the wants of the 
increasing congregation, and at the same time showing great signs of 
decay, got from Edmond Henry, Earl of Limerick, on a lease of lives 
renewable for ever, at the yearly rent of £54 17s. 8d., the plot of ground 
on which the present church stands, and which in those days was called 
South Prior's Lands. Here Father Harrigan began the work of building 
the present church, which in its time was a marvel of architectural splen- 
dour. This church was solemnly consecrated by the Right Rev. Dr. 
Tuohy on the 6th of July, 1816, with the unctions and blessings of the 
Pontifical. He was assisted in the solemn rite by the bishops of the 
province, and a vast number of the clergy. The consecration sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Father J. Ryan, OP., Prior of Cork. He was a 
native of Limerick. Father Harrigan and his community brought their 
venerable old statue of our Lady to the new church, where it still remains, 
to the great delight of the faithful. In order to pay the pressing demands 
and debts on the new church, the fathers applied for permission to raise 
1 Extracted from The Acts of Hie Chapters of the Irish Dominican Province. 

45 b 



652 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

the sum of £500 on mortgage. Accordingly that sum was given by 
Mr. John Connell, 1 getting as security a mortgage on the church and 
premises. No interest was required by Mr. John Connell. A deed of 
release was executed in 1811), on the payment of the above sum by 
Father Harrigan. 

Father John O'Ryan was Prior in 1821; Father William M'Donnell, 
in 1828 ; Father Thomas M'Donnell, in 1834 ; Father William M'Donnell, 
in 1836. Father William M'Donnell was elected Provincial in 1836 ; 
Father Luke Conway, from 1840 to 1846 ; Father Thomas M'Donnell, to 
1849; Father Luke Conway, 1854; Father William O'Carroll, 1856; and 
Father Carbery, 1859. Soon after the installation of Father Carbery, he 
began the work of improvement in the church. In 1860, he completed 
the execution of the fee-farm grant of the premises sought for and 
procured by his predecessor, Father O'Carroll. In 1860, Father Carbery 
added the northern porch to the church. In the month of May, 1861, he 
called a meeting of the citizens in the church, in order to devise a means 
of defraying the expenses incurred. The chair was taken by the Mayor, 
John Thomas M'Sheehy, Esq. Resolutions were proposed and en- 
thusiastically seconded by the principal citizens, and the result of the 
meeting was, that over £200 were subscribed on the spot. Encouraged 
by the proverbial generosity of the people of Limerick, the prior under- 
took the addition of a chancel to the church, the shell of which cost £450. 
A benevolent member of the congregation gave an order for a new marble 
altar for the chancel, and another for the northern side chapel. These 
altars were erected in 1862. Many and important improvements were 
made in the church during this year. The people, grateful for the ministry 
of the fathers, vie with each other in assisting in the good work of the 
decoration of God's house. A lady of her own accord made a collection 
for the exquisite new communion rail and marble pavement of the sanc- 
tuary. In the year 1863, a gentleman of the congregation gave an order 
to the Prior to procure a marble altar for the chapel of our Lady, as a 
tribute of devotion and thanksgiving for blessings received for himself and 
family. Far from growing languid, the devotion of the people increases 
for the time-honoured and venerable statue of our Lady. A silver gilt 
crown is offered by an humble woman to the shrine of Mary. During the 
May devotions of 1864, the Prior blessed the crown, and after a solemn 
procession round the church with our Lady's statue, in which thousands 
joined, there was a ceremony of the crowning of the statue. During the 
procession, the crown was borne on an embroidered cushion by a young 
lad clothed in the white robe of the order, and followed by over four 
hundred persons bearing wax candles lighted, and singing the Litany of 
Loretto. It was a truly soul-stirring devotion ; the crowd was so great, 
that to keep order it was found necessary to lock the iron gate in front of 
the church. At the close of the May devotions that year, the congregation 
offered to God in honour of His holy Mother a magnificent vestment of cloth 
of pure gold, and a pair of branches of four lights each, and a pair of 
candlesticks in polished brass. 

The sacristry was added in the year 1863, and during the year 1864 
there was added the handsome stained glass window in the church, 
which is the gift of four benefactors, as can be seen from the inscriptions at 
1 The celebrated Johnny Connell. 



HISTOEt" OF LIMERICK. 653 

the bottom of each light. The centre triplet of the window represents the 
Transfiguration of Our Lord, with Moses and Elias, and under them, 
Peter, James, and John. The light on the Gospel side represents our 
Lady, that on the Epistle side, St. Dominick. In the tracery at the top, 
we find the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging, the Crowning with 
Thorns, and Crucifixion. It was executed by Mr. Wailes, of Newcastle- 
on-Tyne. 

The following are the actual members of the community in 1865 : — 
A. R. P. J. J. Carbery, P.G., Prior; A. R. P. Luke Conway, S.T.M., 
Sub-prior; R. P. Michael Costello, P.G.; R. P. Hyacinth Condon; with 
two lay brothers. We understand the average number of communions 
each week in the church is over one thousand. A good test of the un- 
tiring zeal of the fathers. 

A figure in stone of St. Dominick is placed in front of the church imder 
the cross, and on a square stone, over the principal entrance, is the follow- 
ing inscription : 

A Domino factum est istud et est mirabile 

In occulis Nostris Psalm 118. v. 23. 

Deo Auspice conciviumque suorum auxilio. 

Nixus, banc gedem erexit F. J. S. Habpjgan, 

Prior ordinis sanctae predicatorum. 

Anno 1815. Episcopo Revd. D. D. C. Tuohy. 

Donough Carbrac O'Brien in 1240 founded a second monastery at 
Gabally, in the county of Limerick; and a third at Kilmallock, in 1291, 
by Gibbon Fitzgerald, ancestor of the White Knights, which was granted 
at the suppression to the Sovereign and Burgesses of Kilmallock. 
Maurice Fitzgerald, second Baron of OfTaly and Viceroy of Ireland, was 
the first who invited the Dominican and Franciscan Fathers to Ireland, in 
1230. 

THE FRANCISCANS. 

Next in point of antiquity and order, after the Dominicans, comes the 
Order of St. Francis of Assisium, which has been established in Limerick 
for many ages. 

Luke Wadding, quoted in the Hibernia Dominicana, states the Fran- 
ciscans had a monastery dedicated to St. Dominic in Limerick, that it 
was founded in the thirteenth century by William (Fion, i.e. handsome) 
do Burgo, whose wife was Ania, daughter of Donald O'Brien, king of 
Limerick, and that said William (Fion) de Burgo was buried there in the 
year 1287. Thomas de Clare, of the noble family of the Earls of Glou- 
cester, who died on the 2nd of September, a.d. 1287, was interred in the 
abbey also, as was his son Richard in the year 1318, who was slain, 
together with several others, on the Feast of St. Gordian, the 1st of May, 
by O'Brien and M'Carthy. Richard, we are told, was inhumanly torn to 
pieces. In the year 1293, King Edward I. granted to the Franciscan 
Friars of Limerick, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, and Drogheda, an annual 
pension of 35 marks. 

In 1356, liberates were granted to the Franciscans. 

Thady M'Houne, lecturer of this Friary, died in the year 1349. 

As we have already seen, Peter Curragh alias Creagh, Bishop of 
Limerick, in the year 1376, treated the Franciscan Friars with much 



654 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

indignity, and excommunicated every person who should repair to their 
church for divine service, or desire burial within their abbey (Ware's 
Bishops). He is said to have laid violent hands on Philip Torrington, 
Archbishop of Cashel, who came to Limerick to redress the grievances of 
the Franciscan Fathers, and when cited, refused to appear, and tore the 
citation with such force from the archbishop, that he drew his blood. We 
must treat these statements with some reserve, as there is no doubt the 
abbey was used in the bishop's time as a place of interment, and many 
bequests were made by pious citizens to the fathers. 

This monastery was reformed by the Observantines, a.d. 1534, and 
Donough was the last guardian. 

On the surrender of this friary, it was found to contain, within the 
precincts, a church, dormitory, cloister, hall, kitchen, three chambers, and 
a garden of one acre of the small measure, with ten messuages, and ten 
gardens in and near the site and precincts, which, with their appur- 
tenances, were then of the annual value of 43s. 2d., besides reprises; 
it was also found that Donough, the guardian, and the friars of the house 
had voluntarily quitted their premises. 

August 25th, in the 35th year of Henry VIII., this friary, with all its 
possessions — the tithes excepted, which were granted to the Lord Baron of 
Castleconnell — was granted to Edmond Sexten for ever, in capite, at 
the annual rent of 2s. 2d. sterling. 

The friary stood without the walls, where the old county court-house 
was afterwards erected, now or lately a corn store in the locality called the 
" Abbey": the old church had been converted into the county hospital. 

In chapter xiii. of this history, we have given details respecting the in- 
quisition that was taken in reference to this abbey, 33rd Henry VIII. 

The Franciscans, it is certain, continued always in the city of Limerick 
in the regular succession of the fathers as missionaries, etc., and gave aid 
to the people in their religious and political struggles in the most perilous 
times. Father Moroney, in his MS. History of the Irish Franciscans, 
speaks of the Franciscan Abbey of Limerick as it was in 1615, when he 
visited it, and when its beautiful gardens, as he states, had been converted 
by Sexten into tanyards. 1 He was delighted with the beauty of its 
situation, in an island in the midst of the Shannon, and of the con- 
venience and charms of which he had heard so many speak in the 
highest terms of praise before he had laid his eyes on them. He describes 
the monastery as placed under (outside) the walls of the city to the east, 
near the river, between the Monastery of Holy Cross to the south, and the 
Monastery of St. Dominick to the north. He states that the ancient Abbey 
of St. Francis had been destroyed as to the roof, but that the ample and 
well-proportioned walls were yet standing, and that they indicated the 
extent and nature of the building, but from bad materials of which it was 
constructed, threatened to fall. lie tells us he had learned that a former 
Baron of Castleconnell and his spouse had been the founders of the abbey ; 
that they had their tomb within its prccints ; that it was the resting place of 
many of the distinguished citizens; and that when he viewed it, in 1617, 

1 The words of Father Moroney, taken from his invaluable MS., and for which we are indebted 
to the kindness of the Rev. C. P. Meehan. M.K.I. A., SS. Michael and John's, Dublin, spc;<k 
in the most laudatory terms of the abbey. The original MS. was compiled at Louvain in lb' 17, 
and is in the Burgundian Library, Brussels. 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 655 

though its attractions had been lost, and its sacred places polluted by being 
converted into tan pits, yet its site was such as to command the admiration 
of every beholder. Another Theobold de Burgh, Baron of Castleconnell, 
however, " obtained a patent touching tithes and spirituall dutyes of 
St. Francis Abbey", and with Edmond Sexten he shared the spoils of 
this noble monastery, whose possessions were extensive, and whose gardens 
and orchards within the precincts covered some acres of ground. 1 The 
inquisition, already referred to, touching the crown's properties in 
Limerick (33rd Henry VIII.), showed the riches of the abbey's pos- 
sessions in its silver and gold vessels, its reliquaries, its chalices, etc., which, 
went into the desecrated hands of the spoiler, at a period when nothing 
that was good and useful was spared, and when the rapacity of the govern- 
ment was not satiated without the blood of clergy and people, or with 
the wealth and stability of their institutions. Even the Corporation of 
Limerick complained to the crown that Edmond Sexten had obtained the 
grant of St. Mary's House 2 , or the Monastery of the Canons Regular, by false 
pretences, and petitioned that the grant should be annulled. 8 The Corpo- 
ration obtained no redress by their motion; on the contrary, we are 
assured that Sexten exercised the power of imprisoning the Mayor and 
members of the Corporation on a certain occasion in the castle of Limerick ; 4 
and we find the grandson of this same Edmond Sexten, some few years 
afterwards, presenting a petition to the government which to the last de- 
gree was insolent and audacious : 

" TO THE LO. LIEUT. GENERALL OF IRELAND. 

" The humble petitio of Edmond Sexten of Limke. 
States ' by Letters Patents of Henry VIII. of famous memory, to his gran- 
father, Eddin. Sexten, part is carefully seyned to him and his heyres male, of 
the lat dissolvd monastery or religious houses of St. Mary and St. Franci*, 
lying within the citty of Limke., with all libertyss, privilegs, jurisdictions, 
immunities, and other appurtenaces, etc., in as full or ' as same hav been 
or ought to be befor the suppress thereof in the hands or pocessio of the 
religious psones whoe pocesed the same, and by such pocessio of the said lat 
Kgs. Matei.', that they might be free from all temporal jurisdictions, charge, and 

taxation whatsoever that Maior, baylifFe, Corpatio of 

Limke. do daily tax the same, etc. Prays and command to same". 

To this petition the following reply was vouchsafed: — 
a We are of oppinio that the pcincts of the freeiyes and religious houses ought 
to be free of all temporal charges and cesses, and so much of the lands or houses 
thereto belonging, as were free befor the stqyprcssio of abbeys, 22 May, 1C03. 

" Thom. Medensis, 
" Nicholas Walsh, 
" Antiit. Sentleger." 

Sexten went farther. He would not glaze at his own expense one 
of those houses which he had obtained by fraud and spoliation, and in 
order to compel the Corporation to do so, he, in 1615, went thereinbefore 
Lo. Dep. Chichester and council, with a petition to this effect: — 

" Petition of Edmond Sexten to the Lord Chichester, 
Declaring that when the rectory of St. John's, in the suburbs of Limerike, is 
appropriated unto St. Mary's House, ther wch. your petr. houldeth fro. his 

1 Letters Patent to Theobald Bm-kc, Lord Baron of Castleconnell. 2 The Augustinian Friary, 
3 Hamilton's Calendary of State Papers. 4 Sexten' s Book in the British Museum. 



656 HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 

Matie. by Letters Patents, the gable window in the frount whereof is to be 
glassed, that yr. Lr. may be pleased to give your opinion whether yr. petr. as 
psone. [parson ?] ought to glass the same, or the perhioners. And wherein wh. 
your Petr. tenants dwellinge uppo. the mances of that church are to be con- 
tributary with your petr. in repatio. of the chancel or with peshoners for repatio. 
of the church". 

The answer was as follows : 

" The gable of the chancel is to be repld. and mayntayned be whole pish. 
The syd. Avindowes, if any there be, are to be repld. and mayned. by the 
psone. This is agreeable bothe to laws and custom. The tenants that do 
dwell uppo. the psones. glebe, are to contribut. with the psone. for repation. 
of the chancell, and are not to be charged with the boddy of the church. 

" Thos. Dublin Canc". 
" I am of the same opinion with the Lo. Chancellor, and so it was ordered in 
the Eoyall Visitatio. of Cashell in my psence. 

" Meyler Cashellensis". 

Sexten wanted not only to enjoy his possessions free of cost, as parson, 
though he was not in holy orders, but to compel the people to discharge 
the expenses of repairs. Such was the unblushing effrontery to which 
the spoliations and oppressions of the time gave occasion. 

Previous to this, the elder Sexten had presented a petition, in which he 
besought the government to compel the Mayor and Corporation to do 
services at the public expense to his property in the abbey : — 

" Petition to the Lo. President and Connsell of Mounster, by Edmonde 
Sexten of Limerike, Gent. 

" That when your suppl. as of his inheritance amge. othere things of the 
disolvd monastery or abbey of St. Francis, in Limke., with all the lands, 
temets., and hdits. thereof, and all other apptences. thereunto belonginge by 
patent fro. her Matie, which abbey lyeth without the walls and within the river 
that compasseth the sd. city, in such wise, as there is no convenient way there- 
unto but by and thro, a gate uppo. the walls of the sd. citty, commonly called 
the Freer's Gitte, which gate upon the beginning of the last rebellion of 
Mounster, was damped and shut uppe by the Maior and bayliffes of the sd. 
citty wth. limbe and stone, ptending therebi the better to foiteffy the sd. citty 
for feare of any suddwyne invatio., wherebe yor. suplt. these twoe yeares last, 
have lost the most pte of the pfitt. of his sd. lands" (states application to Mayor 
and damages, xx). 

" And forasmuch as your supl. houldeth the sd. abbey of his Matie. imediately 
by a yearly rent and by tenure of knts. service in capite, he humbly prayeth 
that the nowe Maior and bailiffs may be complld. to open up the sd. gate that 
your suplt. and his tenants may have recourse as formerly to sd. lands. 18 
Apriell, 1602". 

The government ordered the Mayor to answer the complaint, but no 
answer was given, and then an order " to cause the same to be oppened 
and so kept at lawful and seasonable ty flies, etc.'* . . . was issued. 
Sexten thus had everything his own way in the teeth of Mayor, Corpora- 
tion, and bailiffs. He had determined to make the most he could of the 
abbey, and we find that an order soon afterwards came down to pro- 
vide a sessions house for the county convenient to the city, in order 
that it should not fall into the hands of the Spaniards, who, no doubt, 
would be happy to have so commodious a place for a garrison ; and it was 
resolved that i 



filSTOKt OF LIMEBICK. 65*1 

" We conceive the church of the dissolvd monastery of St. Francis Abbey 
beinge repd., will make a very fayre and convayet. house, which monastery is 
by his Mjisti. excepted out of the county for that purpose . . . rents, 
repairs, etc.". 1 

The grants to Sexten were confirmed by patent of King James, dated 
July, 1609, when not only was St. Francis's Abbey confirmed a part of 
the county of Limerick, but was exempted from all jurisdiction of the city 
magistrate. It was in consequence of these grants that Sexten not only 
enjoyed two votes in the Corporation of Limerick, but that the Mayor, 
sheriff, with their sergeants at mace, etc., w r ere obliged to wait on him 
with the first salmon taken in the great sea weir, nor could the Mayor 
carry his rod into St. Francis's Abbey. An inquiry was instituted by the 
Crown in October, 1614, into a complaint preferred by the Corporation 
against Edmond Sexten, but the result was favourable to Sexten, who 
obtained a confirmation of his privileges. 

We need not go further into the doings of Sexten in this regard. 
Suffice it to state, that the abbey was lost to its ancient possessors ; but it 
continued for many years afterwards to be the burial place of eminent men. 
The old families had their vaults within its hallowed boundaries ; and it was 
from one of these vaults, as we have seen, that, numbed with cold, and 
reduced to death's door with hunger, Dominick Fanning, the patriotic 
Mayor of Limerick, sat to warm himself at the guard fire within the abbey, 
when he w r as betrayed to Cromwell's soldiers by a traitorous servant of his 
own. 

Philopater Irenobus 2 speaks largely of the Franciscan Order as taking 
a decidedly active part in the cause of the country against those who had 
vacillated during the wars of the Confederation, a circumstance for which 
we are not surprised the writer of that remarkable book does not give them 
credit. 

Father Moroney states that during his visit to Limerick in 1615, the 
Franciscan Fathers were residing in " domo conductitia" or a hired house 
in the city, and that he preached there, and made a visitation of the place 
with the Provincial. 

On the 3rd of March, 1636, Edmond Sexten, son of the celebrated 
Edmond Sexten, died ; his funeral was solemnized for two days and two 
nights, and he was buried in the ancestral tomb in St. Mary's church, on 
Sunday the 5th, with " all the solemnitie the cittie and the countie made 
and could afforde". 3 On the 23rd of June in the same year, being 
midsummer, St. John the Baptists', and all Sexten's tenements in St. 
Francis's Abbey, were wholly burned between the hours of two p.m., and 
day light, with the exception of " the house wherein Robert Coyne lyved". 4 
The annalist adds that he M never heard before that any pt. of Limik. was 
ever burnt (to man's memorie) on the lyke night of St. John's". At the 
time of the confederation the Abbey church was in the possesion of the 
Franciscan Fathers, and again in the reign of James II. On the 3rd of 
October, 1687, the Franciscan Fathers once more took possession of their 
old church, which was consecrated by the Right Rev. Dr. Maloney, and 
which they rented on this occasion from Lieutenant Pery. 

1 These documents are extracted from Sexten's book in the British Museum. 

2 Vindicicce Catholicorum Hibernice. 

3 Sexten's Book in the British Museum. 4 Ibid, 



658 HISTOEY OF LIMEKICfc, 

There was an ancient oratory in the little island opposite the abbey, 
which is now a place for growing sally s. 1 This was a place of devotion, 
particularly on the festival of St. Anthony, 13th of June, and the people 
were wafted across in great crowds the abbey river in boats. The oratory 
was in connection with the great convent ; there are no remains whatever of 
it, but of the abbey itself there are some few remains. Tradition states that 
the convent, or rather a portion of it, continued to be occupied by the Fran- 
ciscan Fathers up to the period of the last siege of Limerick, when the com- 
munity were dispersed, and when they had to hide where best they could 
from the fury of the Orange storm. Four of the fathers are said to have 
located themselves in a castle or fortress which was in Mary Street, and in 
that portion of the street through which Athlunkard Street was cut. The 
ruins of this castle may now be seen in Athlunkard Street, and a water 
tank and fountain, erected by Mr. Malcomson, occupies a portion of the 
walls. Four Franciscan Fathers are said to have always remained in the 
city, and were accustomed to take advantage of the nights to visit the sick 
and dying, and administer consolation to those who dared to remain within 
the walls after the siege and surrender. As soon as the storm had subsided, 
and that they could go abroad, the Franciscans opened a school, classical 
and mercantile, in Quay Lane, which was attended by many of the first 
Catholics of the city, including the Roches, the Whites, the Kellys, the 
Gavins, the Rochfords, the Creaghs, the M'Namaras, the Hovvleys, the 
Meades, the Ryans, Fitzgeralds, Connells, Arthurs, etc. There were some 
excellent preachers attached to the convent in Newgate Lane, including 
Father Burke, an eloquent pulpit orator. The names of the other fathers 
were, Guilfoyle, O'Regan, Hynes, Kelly, and Denis Hogan, the friend 
of O'Connell, a bold and courageous man, who not only put up the bell to 
his convent, but laughed at the garrison when they in consequence turned 
out, and showed the entire posse comilatus that he was able for them, 
setting their fears aside by stating that he had an old woman very deaf in 
his service, and was obliged to put up the bell to awake her. 

On Christmas Day, 1782, they opened for the celebration of the sacred 
mysteries their chapel in Newgate Lane. The chapel in question was 
spacious, and it had a piece of ground attached to it, on which a house for 
the Franciscan Fathers was soon afterwards built. The liberal spirit of 
the times gave an impetus to the erection of the chapel, to which not only 
devoted and pious Catholics gave munificent aid, but to which Protestants, 
Dissenters, Quakers, Methodists, etc., largely contributed. That Limerick 
was always attached to the Franciscan Order may be proved, not only by 
the facts we have advanced, but by the additional one, that Father Harold, 
a native of the city, and a learned member of the order, wrote the life of 
the illustrious Luke Wadding, and gave an epitome of the voluminous 
and laborious works of that statesman, patriot, and historiographer. The 
date over the principal entrance to this chapel was 1802, though it was 
built many years before. The Franciscans discontinued their school, 
which was succeeded by Mr. M'Eligott's, Mr. Nolan's, etc., and about the 
year 1815, they established the nunnery for Poor Clares on the site of the 
present Convent of Mercy, and erected a school for female children, which 
cost £1,000, and where they had 1,000 children in daily attendance. They 

1 Ware mentions the foundation by Bourke, Baron of Castle Council, of a Conventual Fran- 
ciscan Abbey in the island near Limerick, a.d. 1201. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 659 

brought nuns from Galway and Dublin, Miss Lloyd, Miss Crumin, and the 
Misses Shannon, nieces of Father Walsh, of Thomond Gate, from the 
county Limerick. Miss Meade, a lady of large fortune, joined the order, 
which continued nineteen years in the city, but owing to a casualty — their 
funds being in the hands of parties who failed — they suffered. Their supe- 
rioress was Mrs. Clancy, of Galway, at whose demise the convent broke up, 
and the nuns went to other convents. The convent fell into the hands of the 
Very Rev. Father Michael Malone, O.S.F., who called a meeting, and 
handed over the convent to Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, the Bishop of Limerick, 
for the benefit of the city. 1 A branch of the Presentation Order came to 
the convent in question for a short time, but was not successful. It was then 
that the Sisters of Mercy took possession of the convent, on Father Malone's 
handing it over to them, for which he deservedly obtained the best thanks 
of the citizens. 2 The Poor Clares not only educated the children in 
reading, writing, etc., but taught them spinning, knitting, etc. About the 
time of giving up the Franciscan Academy, Father Richard Hayes, O.S.F., 
the celebrated pulpit orator, arrived from Rome, where he was sent by the 
Catholic Board to expostulate against the veto. This was immediately after 
the restoration of Pius VII. Father Hayes got permission to preach 
before the Pope and cardinals, but his speech was so strong, that he had 
to leave Rome in consequence. He first came to Limerick, where he 
preached in the Franciscan Church in Newgate Lane, and such was the 
lire and force of his sermon, that the people became nearly frantic with 
excitement. He put an end to the vetoists in Limerick. 

The Franciscans continued in Newgate Lane until the year 1822, early 
in which year they had to surrender the chapel and convent to Major 
Geo. P. Drew, the landlord, who " permitted , ' them to remove the fittings, 
etc., the lease having expired. The roof was soon removed, and the walls 
were speedily levelled with the ground. The convent in which the 
Franciscans had dwelt was not taken down. The Franciscans had a tempo- 
rary chapel in Bank Place until 1825. In the commencement of September 
in the year 1824, the foundation of their new convent in Henry Street 
was laid with much ceremony and amid great rejoicing. By earnest and 
indefatigable labour it was brought to a speedy and most admirable com- 
pletion in a comparatively short time. The church since it was opened 
has been a favourite one with the citizens, and over it are large apart- 
ments and halls for the Fathers, who reside there, but who have been 
making efforts to provide a more suitable residence, in which they are 
likely to succeed. Its situation is picturesque, and it is the first object 
after St. Mary's Cathedral that meets the eye of the mariner as he ap- 
proaches the city from the river. The Prior in 1865 is the Very Rev. 
Father Hanrahan, O.S.F. 

The Conventual Franciscans had convents also at Askeaton, Ballina- 
braher (Friarstown) fr. Clan-Gibbons, Alem. Cent. 13, granted to Robert 
Browne of Baltinglass. — Ware, vol. ii. p. 276. Ballinwillin, fr. granted 
to Robert Browne of Baltinglass. — Ibid. Island near Limerick, founded 
by Bourke, Baron of Castle Connell (Alem.) — Ibid. Franciscans of third 
order, Kilshane, fr. (quere if not mistaken for a Cistertian Convent at 

1 The Most Rev. Dr. M'Hale, Archbishop of Tuam, on one occasion preached a charity sermon 
for the Poor Clares of Limerick. 

2 The present beautiful schools in front of the street v^ere built by the Poor Clares. 



660 HISTORY OF LIMERICIt. 

same place). — Ibid., p. 282. Observantin Franciscans, Adare, fr. Thomas 
Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kildare, and Joan, his wife. — Ibid., p. 281, a.d. 1460. 

Any one who wishes to visit the sites and remains of the oldest religions 
foundations of Limerick in the shortest space of time, may proceed due 
north, from the Sand Mall opposite Sally Grove, the small willowed Island, 
in which there was formerly a Franciscan oratory. The site of the great 
Franciscan Abbey is now occupied by the late Mr. G. Sheehy's corn store, 
once a court house, and by the adjacent building, continued in a line 
towards the river, and formerly the county hospital. When altering the 
county court house, about fifty years ago, into a corn store, extensive 
vaults were found full of human bones, and one coffin of lead, in which 
the skeleton was perfect. 

In Mary Street, within a short distance of Fish Lane, on the left, as you 
go towards Ball's Bridge, there is a fine remain of a chapel, traditionally 
said to have belonged to the adjacent Franciscan Abbey, in the back part 
of the houses No. 18 and 19* now occupied by Messrs. Dargan and Gennane, 
who have obligingly admitted us to examine the localities. Both yards or 
gardens are vaulted underneath, and in the part occupied by the former 
there are cloisterlike passages through the side walls, in one of which the 
remains of the holy water font are still quite perfect. The occupier, who 
has still a portion of the old stone baptisterium, gave the cut stone frame- 
work of one of the windows in the paitition wall to the Hon. Robert O'Brien, 
of Old Church, who has got them fixed up in the old church — the ancient 
church oratory in his garden, where the old inscription which they bear, 
and which is quite clearly cut, though not of high antiquity, attracts much 
attention. The inscription, which occupies the right, left, and upper 
lintels, has been studied and copied by several persons, among the rest by 
the Ven. Dr. Todd, Dr. Petrie, etc., etc., but very few have ever attempted 
even to guess at the meaning. Some, however, say it is Danish ; but this 
is a great mistake. It is about fifteen inches long on each side, and 
bears, according to our reading, the following letters : 

" f fitts fo^nte xb mabe tyr Herons of ^williitlion" 1 . 

Passing to the west, we come upon the site of the great house of the 
Canons Regular of St. Augustine, marked upon all the old maps, but now 
utterly demolished, not one stone being left upon another. The ruins were 
extant in the time of the last siege, and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 
and later, the establishment still flourished, but owing to the decision 
given at that time in favour of the Eremites of St. Augustine, the order 
must have been going down. These regulars were essentially different 
from the secular canons, who were attached to the cathedral. 

Due north of the site of the monastery of the Canons Regular, and 
occupying part of Mary Street and Fish Lane, are the still perfect remains 
of the late Dominican chapel, now a store belonging to Mr. Hayes the 
baker. The pillars, floors, and staircases, are pretty much as they were 
before the building of the beautiful new Dominican chapel of St. Saviour. 
More northerly, and occupying the space adjacent to Mr. McCarthy's 
timber yard, between Little and Great Creagh Lane, are the vaulted 

1 The alleged antiquity and simple meaning of tins inscription, which belongs apparently to 
the year 1500 or thereabouts, will remind our readers of the Stubbs inscription in the Pick' 
voiclc Papers* 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 661 

remains of another modern ruin, the old chapel of the Augustinian 
Eremites. The water fonts are still in good preservation. The roof and 
all the rest but the walls are gone. The ancient position of the house of 
the Eremites is not given by White. Ferrar says it was on the site of the 
old city court house, that is, where a school of the Christian Brothers 
stands at present, facing the south entrance of St. Mary's Cathedral in 
Quay Lane, now more generally called Bridge Street. Fitzgerald states 
that the civic privileges of the Canons were ceded to the Eremites 
about the year 1736, but there could have been no Canons then. Per- 
haps, however, he means that the claims of the Eremites as inheriting 
of these privileges were then admitted. Archdall distinctly states these 
civic privileges belonged to the Eremites ; and says that it appears from 
an inquisition taken in the thirty-seventh year of Elizabeth, that this 
right of privileged voting for the Mayor, etc., belonged to the head 
of the Augustinians, meaning no doubt the Eremites. Battersby, in his 
history of the order, places the site of the monastery of the Eremites 
in the same locality where the canons lived. But this must be a mistake, 
for we have not any authority for believing that they succeeded the. 
Canons in their monastery, though it appears they did in their civic 
privileges. Of the house of the Knights Templars, placed by White in 
Quay Lane, I have not been able to find any vestiges. Proceeding still 
in a northerly direction, and passing to the left of the present parish chapel 
of St. Mary's, we come to Peter's Cell, a partly enclosed space, once the 
site of the convent of the Canonesses of St. Augustine, and subsequently 
occupied by Dominican nuns, as would appear from the map in White's 
MSS. Here was Madame O'Deli's house and garden, and more recently 
the Catholic College of Peter's Cell. North of Peter's Cell, and separated 
from it by the old burial ground of the Society of Friends and the Convent 
National School, are the interesting ivy-covered remains of the great 
Dominican Convent, of which the north transept wall still remains almost 
entire, with its high lancet windows, and looking venerably ancient in com- 
parison with the modern convent of the Sisters of Mercy, now standing 
within its precincts. The beautiful little cemetery of these admirable nuns, 
overshadowed by a magnificent drooping ash, now occupies the place of 
what was once the sanctuary. Still further north, in St. Thomas's Isle, 
are some traces of another Dominican house, but so few as will scarcely 
repay a visit. There were, however, large ruins, and many ancient 
monuments, some said to have belonged to the ancient bishops of Limerick ; 
but they were all destroyed when the island was occupied by Mr. Tuthill. 
We next proceed with 

THE JESUIT FATHERS. 

About three hundred Irishmen entered the Society of Jesus, from its 
foundation in 1540, to its suppression in 1773. They had twelve colleges 
at home, and six abroad for the education of Irish youth. Ten fathers died 
for the faith, forty endured the horrors of the prison or the bastinado, and 
forty have left to posterity about one hundred and thirty works, which are 
monuments of their genius, patriotism, and piety. Of these writers, half of 
whom were men of European reputation, only three, and those perhaps the 
least distinguished, were natives of Limerick ; yet Limerick had more en- 
dearing relations with the society than any other city in Ireland can boast 



662 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 

of. Why ? Because Limerick was the cradle of the Company of Jesus in 
Ireland: it was the birthplace of the first Irish Jesuit that entered Ireland, 
of the first nuncio whom the Pope sent to this country after the Reforma- 
tion, of the Archbishop of Armagh who " first and most coveted this 
company for the Isle of Saints" ; it was the birthplace of that father who 
was the companion and rival of the Venerable Anchieta, the Apostle of 
Brazils, and who afterwards was the first to preach the name of Jesus to 
the copper-coloured cannibals of the pampas of Paraguay. In fine, it was 
the birthplace of the first Jesuit Father that was hanged, drawn, and 
quartered for the faith in Great Britain and Ireland, viz., Father David 
Wolf, S.J., 1560, who was "one of the most remarkable men" (says 
Dr. Moran) " who laboured to gather together the stones of the sanctuary". 
He spent seven years in Rome, under the immediate guidance of St. 
Ignatius and St. Francis Borgia. He was attracted to the young society, 
probably, by the example of the first companions of St. Ignatius, Pasquier, 
Broet, and Alonzo Salmeron, who came to Ireland in 1542 as legate of 
Hie Holy See, invested with all the prerogatives attached to the Apostolic 
Nunciatura, and armed by St. Ignatius with written instructions that 
would do honour to the most consummate diplomatist. They went all 
over Ireland on foot, living on alms as the apostles of old, and at the end 
of five weeks they were ordered to Rome by his Holiness, as Henry VIII. 
had set a price on their heads, and had decreed confiscation and death 
against all who gave them hospitality. St. Ignatius, whose " first and 
dearest" mission Ireland was, declared the embassy of the fathers to be most 
successful, and Cox, the Protestant historian, says: 

" The observing reader will easily perceive the dismal and horrible effects of 
this mission, which hath ever since embroiled Ireland, even to this day". 

Thierry writes in his Norman Conquest: 

" By their nuncios in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and above all, 
by the Society of Jesus, which showed its usual cleverness in this business, the 
Popes succeeded in forming in Ireland a Catholic party, as hostile to the natives 
who turned Protestants as to the English themselves". 

In August, 1560, Father Wolf arrived in his native city as nuncio " to 
the most illustrious princes and to the whole kingdom of Ireland", and he 
at once notified his arrival to the whole island. He visited the four chief 
princes of the kingdom, and other leading men; he visited the bishops and 
priests, and helped them in every way ; he guarded the people against false 
ministers ; he endeavoured to establish grammar schools, monasteries, and 
hospitals; he risked his life for religion, and took no reward, even as an 
alms. In May, 1561, Elizabeth refused to admit the Pope's ambassador 
into England, because — 

"The Pope hath even at this instant in Ireland a legate who is publicly 
joined Avith certain traitors, and is occupied in stirring up rebellion, having 
already by his acts deprived the Queen of her right and title there". 

She refuses to send representatives to the Council of Trent, because an 
Irishman had been sent to excite disaffection against her crown. Well, 
this Irishman, a few months afterwards, sent representatives to the Council 
of Trent. He wrote from Limerick to the Cardinal Protector, by Dr. 
Donald M'Connell, the companion of his journey through the island, 
giving details of his tour, and giving a list of priests fit to fill the vacant 



HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 663 

sees. Two of these assisted as bishops six months afterwards at the Council 
of Trent — they were his friend M'Gonnell and Dr. O'Hart, and all those 
recommended by this father proved themselves worthy of their position. 
In this letter from Limeriok, he say3 Christopher Bodkin, Archbishop of 
Tuam, was fit for that diocese, because he could defend it, and that the 
Dean of Raphoe was unfit for the mitre, because " he knew more about the 
sword than about the cross". 

The following year he sent Dr. Creagh to Rome to be made Arch- 
bishop of Cashel or of Armagh. Dr. Creagh had refused the mitres of 
Limerick and Cashel before, and had preferred to remain teaching school 
at Adare. under the famous Dr. Leverous, the preserver of the Geraldines. 
He asked in Rome to be allowed to enter a religious order ; he was refused, 
and was consecrated Archbishop of Armagh. In 1563 he came to Ireland 
with two Jesuit Fathers, and brought a brief empowering himself and 
Father Wolf to erect schools wherever they thought fit, and giving such 
schools all the privileges of a university. About this brief Father Fitzsi- 
mons, S.J., of Dublin, writes, in a work published in 1610: 

" I shall afford certain parcels of a letter written by a most excellent late 
martyr of our country, the thrice glorious Primate Creagh. In this letter, 
which I preserve as a precious pledge and relic, he asked for men by whom the 
whole Christian world hath received principal information, and for whose main- 
tenance he offered to apply certain vacant benefices. Did modesty permit me 
to impart such high commands as he presenteth, the whole might be inserted. He 
says : ; I asked his Holiness to empower the Fathers of the Society to open 
schools and a university as soon as possible in Ireland by Apostolic authority. 
I obtained my request, and indeed in my opinion, together with all well-wishers 
of our nation, the said Fathers are so necessary to our reformation, that they 
cannot only not well be spared, but no others are to us in these times so need- 
ful. Wherefore by me, in behalf of the whole county, before and above all 
others they were first and most coveted' , 

In the same year, 1563, Father Wolf wrote to Father Newman of 
Dublin: 

u I regret that the dangers of the journey prevent me from going into Leinster 
in person, and that war and tyranny prevent the Leinster people from coming 
to me. I therefore give you full powers for that province". 

Three years after St. Pius V. wrote to his nuncio in Madrid : 

;; We have been informed that the Primate of Ireland has been imprisoned 
in the Tower of London, and that our beloved son David Wolf, of the Society 
of Jesus, is closely confined in the Castle of Dublin, and that both are treated 
with the greatest severity. Their sufferings overwhelm us with affliction on 
account of their singular merits and zeal for the faith. You, therefore, will use 
every endeavour with his Catholic Majesty in our name, that he may send 
letters to his ambassadors, and to the Queen, to obtain the liberation of these 
prisoners. No favour could at this time be more acceptable to us". 

Dr. Creagh has given a sketch of his cell in the Dublin Castle where he 
was Father \Volf's fellow prisoner: 

" My cell might make a strong man wish for liberty, if for his life he could. 
It was a hole where, without candle, there was no light in the world ; and with a 
candle, when I had it, there was such smoke, that, had there not been a little 
chink in the door to draw in breath with my mouth set on it, I had been, per- 
haps, shortly undone". 



664 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 

The Pope's letter was of no use to the prisoners. Dr. Creagh died 
poisoned in the Tower, and, as a state paper of the day says, 

"Sir Davy Wolf, the priest who so foreswore himself, fled from Dublin 
Castle in 1572, and went to Spain, taking with him the son of James Fitz- 
maurice, and is accompanied by Sir Rice Corbally. Fitzmaurice hath sent his 
son with Wolf, who is an arrant traitor, into Spain, to practise his old devices". 

In 1575 Fitzmaurice wrote to the general of the society that Father 
Wolf had gone to Ireland from St. Malo, where he had been living with 
the Desmond family. In 1577 he was in Munster, and the year after an 
Irish priest named David Wolf was living in Lisbon, supported by the 
generous contributions of the Holy See. Probably it was our Father 
Wolf. The author of Cambrensis Eversus says of this Father : 

H I have seen a dispensation granted by Father Wolf of Limerick to Richard 
Lynch of Galway, in which he is styled nuncio. I have heard that he was a 
man of extraordinary piety, and a fearless and strenuous denouncer of crime. 
The whole land being a large field of battle, he retired for protection to the 
Castle of Clonoan, in Clare, but on hearing that the warders lived by plunder, 
he would not eat the meat offered him, and from poor living contracted a dis- 
ease of which he died". 

Clonoan was a castle of the Order of Preachers, in the barony of Inchi- 
quin; it was taken by the English in 1.569, and again in 1586. l 

The next member of the illustrious order, a native of Limerick, was 
Father Edmond O'Donnell, S.J., who was sent to Ireland by Gregory 
XIII. , and Feather General Everard Mercarian. He was imprisoned in 
his native city, loaded with irons, insults, and blows. He was thence 
dragged and driven to Cork, with his hands bound behind his back, by 
brutal troopers, and there being found guilty of being a priest and a Jesuit, 
and of refusing to take the oath of supremacy, he was " torn, hanged, 
drawn, and quartered", on the eve of St. Patrick's Day, 1575. 

He was calm in all his sufferings, and after his sentence he was over- 
whelmed with unbounded joy. Father O'Donnell was the first martyr of 
the Society of Jesus in the British Isles ; he was the first of the ten Irish 
fathers who suffered death for the faith, and Father Wolf was the first of 
the forty who were imprisoned and tortured for the same faith. 2 

Father Field, another remarkable member of the order, was born in 
Limerick, fled from persecution to Rome, where he studied, and was 
received into the society by Father Edward Mercurian. Thence he went 
to Brazils, where for many years he was the witness and partly the rival of 
the wonderful works of the Venerable Anchieta, S.J., the apostle of 
Brazils. It is worthy of remark that the last provincial of Brazils was 
Father Lynch, a countryman of Father Field's, who, with his confreres, 
was expelled from Brazils in the year 1560. They were put in the 
hold of a ship and packed and treated as blacks on board a slaver. In the 
year 1586, Father Field and four other fathers were sent by the Venerable 
Father Anchieta to preach in Paraguay. English privateers boarded their 
vessel at the mouth of the Silver River, put Father Field in irons, carried 
him about these waters for a long time, beat him, toitured him with 

1 The above details have been taken from Eistoria Soc. Jesu. — Father Fitzsimon, Drs. 
Lynch, O'Renehan, Moran, and Kelly. 

2 See the Historia S. J., Imagines S.J. t Rotke, Bruodin, etc., etc. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 665 

hunger and thirst and insults of every kind, condemned him to be hanged 
from the yard-arm, and then through pity exposed him to the mercy of the 
winds and waves in a leaky boat, without rudder, sail, or ropes. He 
drifted away, nor thought the rough wind more drear than the foe he left 
behind, and under the Protector of innocence, he was wafted into the port 
of good winds or Buenos Ayres. l 

In 1593, Fathers Field and Ortega went to live among the olive-coloured 
cannibal Guaranses, and "for eight years could number their days by the 
flocks of infidels they brought to the fold"; their labours far exceeded the 
strength of the human frame, and their journeys alone would have damped 
any other zeal. In 1610, two hundred families, baptized by Fathers Field 
and Ortega, were formed into the Reduction of Loretto, the first of the 
famous Reductions which will ever be the miracle and glory of the Chris- 
tian Religion, 

The Lord President of Munster says, that, about the year 1600, all the 
Munster cities were bewitched by Jesuits, Popish Priests, and Seminarists ; 
and a Captain Mostian writes to the General of the Society, that Father 
Archer, S.J., was more to the Irish in Munster, and in the whole king- 
dom, than a great reinforcement of troops, for at his nod alone the hearts 
of men adhere and are held together". This Father Archer was feared by 
the English, who thought he could fly through the air, and nicknamed 
him Archdevil; he converted Black Thomas, Earl of Ormonde, the de- 
stroyer of the Desmonds ; he collected money for the support of the Irish 
colleges of Salamanca and Compostella, and " had many seminaries on 
hand" ; he had been rector of Salamanca, the first Irish college founded 
abroad, succeeding in that position Father White, S.J., of Clonmel, its 
founder and first rector. He and his companion, the lay brother Dominick 
O'Calan, encouraged one hundred and forty Irish to defend Dunboy 
against thousands, as they hoped that help would come from Spain or the 
north of Ireland, and so obstinate a defence, said Lord Carew, " hath not 
been seen within this kingdom". O'Calan was of noble family, and distin- 
guished himself in France as a cavalry officer, under the name of Captain 
Labranch. When the wars of the League were over, he went in search 
of glory in Spain, and signalized himself among the first captains of the 
Royal Fleet. Having spent thirteen years in France, and eight in Spain, 
he became a Jesuit lay brother, as he thought too humbly of himself to 
become a priest, though his learning and the will of the Father General 
marked him out for that position. After his capture at Dunboy he was 
offered great rewards and honours if he took the oath of allegiance. His 
relatives were brought to back up these promises by their tears and en- 
treaties — he refused, and by Mountjoy's order was tied to the tails of two 
horses, and then hanged, drawn, and quartered for the faith, in his native 
town of Youghal in 1602. He was a man of extraordinary piety, and his 
life was written by Father D'Oultreman, and Patrignani. 2 

About the year 1602, and afterwards, Fathers Lynch, Morony, Wall, 
and O'Kearney, evangelized all Munster, giving missions and going wher- 
ever they were most wanted. Father O'Kearney was brother of the Arch- 
bishop of Cashel, and he and his nephew, Father Wall, were hunted up 

1 The historians Cordova and Charlevoix give a detailed account of his proceedings in the 
Brazils. 

2 See also O'Sullivan Beare and Hibernia Pacata. 

46 



666 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

by order of the very judges who, on circuit, declared that these fathers 
had prevented more robberies and crimes than all the severity of the law- 
could hinder. 

Father O'Kearney wrote four boohs, laboured forty years in Munster, 
and died at the age of seventy-five. Appreciating the missionary labours 
of these men, Dr. White, Bishop of Waterford, wrote to Cardinal Baronius 
in 1606 :— 

"I beseech your most illustrious lordship to ask Father- General Aquaviva to 
send more of his men hither, for as many of them as are here are singularly 
distinguished in the battle for the glory of God". 

In 1624, Dr. Rothe, Bishop of Ossory, wrote to the Father General to 
ask that the fathers, " who had worked with so much fruit here and there 
in the different provinces, should have fixed residences". For, said he, 

" We cannot do without the piety, industry, and erudition of your Society, 
which is most necessary here and in every part of the kingdom". 

Five years later, Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Cashel, wrote to the Father 
General : 

" The affliction of the country is very great, and I see no remedy for it except 
the encouragement of your mission in this country". 

He was a singular benefactor of the Order, and his life has been written 
by his friend, Father St. Leger, who attended him when dying in the 
Irish Jesuit college of Compostella. 

According to the Imago Primi Sosculi, /S.J"., there were eleven Jesuit 
Colleges in Ireland in 1640, and one of them was in Limerick. Besides, 
the Primate of Armagh resolved to found two colleges of the society ; the 
Archbishop of Cashel, two ; the Bishop of Meath, two ; the Archbishop of 
Tuam, one ; the Bishop of Killala, one ; and Owen Roe marked out places 
for four soon after he came to Ireland, and the Supreme Council resolved 
to found a university and college under the name of Jesus and under the 
care of the fathers. 

On the 13th of July official news of the victory of Benburb and thirty- 
three captured standards were brought to the Nuncio in Limerick by 
Father O'Hartegan, S.J., chaplain to the army, and after a great proces- 
sion of the soldiers and civilians, were deposited in the Church of St. 
Francis. This Father O'Hartegan had been for some years the agent of 
the Confederation at the French Court, and his letters show him to have 
been a perfect man of business and a true Irishman. His confrere, Father 
Plunket, was sent to look after Irish interests in Belgium. 

In 1649, Rinuccini wrote to the Father General praising Father 
O'Hurley, S.J., rector of the Limerick College, and Father Virdier, sent 
as visitor to Ireland, gives the following account of Limerick: — 

" The rector is Father William O'Hurley, aged fifty, of noble and ancient 
stock, devout, charitable, humble, and learned". 

It is most probable that he was of Lycodoon castle, and grand-nephew 
of Dr. Hurley, and a relative of Sir William. Rinuccini proceeds : 

" The Father Minister is Father Thomas Burke, ex-professor of polemic 
divinity, a good classical scholar, of great family, and a great preacher. He 
has converted numbers to the Catholic Faith in Limerick". 



HISTORY OP LIMEEICK. 667 

It is of this Father, no doubt, that Father Peter Walsh speaks in his 
Remonstrance, when he says : 

" The Archbishop of Tuam was removed from Dublin to Connaught in a litter 
accompanied by two Jesuits, one of whom was his nephew, and the other Father 
Guin, and he was ever after in the power of these two priests. What a pity !" 

Dr. de Burgo, of a junior branch of Clanrickard, was born at Clontus- 
kert, was educated six or seven years at the Irish Jesuit College of Lisbon, 
sustained theses at Evora and Salamanca against all comers, and was dubbed 
Doctor of Divinity and of Civil and Canon Law. He was an enthusiastic 
admirer of the Jesuits, and advanced them money to maintain a college in 
Galway. He returned from exile in 1663, "to sleep", as he said, " in his 
native soil". He died in Tuam., on Holy Thursday, 1667, and Father 
Guin, " in whose power he was", celebrated Mass every day in his Grace's 
chamber for some time before his death ; he remained constantly by his 
bedside, the minister of his comforts, and the witness of his virtues and 
resignation. 1 

The Father Procurator of the Limerick College, S.J., was Father Nicholas 
Punch, a man of singular amiability and humility, forty-seven years of age, 
and nineteen in the society. The Professor of Rhetoric was Father James 
Forde, a very good and learned man. In 1656, he chose, in the middle of 
a vast bog, a spot harder than the rest, and built a hut on it. Thither a 
large number of youths soon flocked, erected little huts all round, learned 
literature and virtue from the good father, and imitated him in enduring, 
not merely with fortitude, but also with joy, all the inconveniences of their 
position. 

To this staff of masters belonged Father Maurice Patrick and Father 
Piers Creagh. The latter father was born at Carrigeen Castle, which is 
three miles from Limerick on the Roxborough road. He was nephew of 
the Primate Martyr Creagh, and brother of the Mayor of Limerick, 
who distinguished himself during the siege, and of John, domestic prelate 
to Alexander VII., from whom the family got the title of duke and an 
addition to their arms. While teaching in the Irish Jesuit College of 
Poictiers, Father Creagh directed the education of his nephew and name- 
sake, who became an accomplished scholar, spoke Latin, Italian, French, 
Irish, and English with great fluency, and was afterwards Bishop of Cork, 
and eventually Archbishop of Dublin. This father was related to the Net- 
terville family, one member of which, Father Robert Netterville, S.J., 
was beaten to death by the Puritans, whereas Father Nicholas Netterville, 
a Jesuit, is said to have been a great friend of Cronwell's, at whose table he 
often dined, and from whom he had leave to say Mass every day in Dublin. 
Being accused of saying Mass by Captain Nathaniel Foulkes, Father Net- 
verville said: " I am a priest, and my Lord General knows it, and tell all 
the town of it, and that I will say Mass here every day". He was a great 
scholar and musician, speaker and divine, took a leading part in the debates 
about the Remonstrance, and used to go about Dublin disguised as a 
cavalier, and was chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant, Duke of Tyrconnell. 
His brother, Father Christopher Netterville, S.J., was at one time very 
near falling a victim to Puritan fury, and had to remain hiding for twelve 
months in the vault of his father, Viscount Netterville. Apropos of 
Father Netterville's relation with Cromwell, we may say that the Rev. Sir 
1 See Dra. O'ftenehan and Meehan. 



668 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Francis Slingsby, S.J., was a first cousin of the cruel Sir Charles Coote. 
Fathers Robert and Nicholas Nugent were near relatives of Elizabeth, 
Countess of Kildare, who was a second mother to the Jesuit mission, and 
they are called by Dr. Oliver, uncles of the infamous Earl of Inchiquin, who 
killed Father Boyton, S.J., in the rock of Cashel. 

Father Christopher Holy wood, S.J., of Ashwood, near Dublin, who was 
imprisoned in the tower of London for five years, was a near relative of the 
zealous Protestant Lord Dunsany; and Father Fitzsimon, S.J., of Dublin, 
tells a damaging story of " Adam Loftus, an apostate priest, and Lord 
Primate, who exalted his plentiful brood to knighthood, noble alliance, and 
lofty estates", and ends by saying: " Let me be believed on the word of a 
religious man, that not private hate nor any desire to gravel Adam's issue, 
part whereof is linked to me in kindred, but truth and the glory of God, 
have occasioned me to narrate the fact, of which I was a witness". Primate 
Ushers uncle and first cousin, were Jesuits. Father George Dillon, a dis- 
tinguished theologian and writer, of the Society of Jesus, died a martyr of 
charity in Waterford in 1650, invoking the sweet name of Jesus; he was 
a holy, hard-working man, a cousin of Primates Plunket and Talbot, and 
a son of Robert, the second Earl of Roscommon. The same year, according 
to our Arthur MSS., J. Dillon, Earl of Roscommon, his brother, fell down 
twelve steps of stairs in Limerick, and died four days afterwards. In presence 
of death, he renounced Protestantism, and received the last sacraments, 
and most probably he owed this grace to the prayers of his brother. 

To return to Father Creagh : he was afterwards professor and superior of 
Poictiers Irish College, which was founded by the exertions of Father 
Ignatius Browne, a Waterford Jesuit. This Father Browne, and Father 
Meade and Father Maurice O'Connell, a man of noble family, and probably 
of the same stock as the Liberator, formed, as Dr. Oliver says, a glorious 
triumvirate of the word in those days, and gave missions with wonderful 
success in the south of Ireland. Another Father Creagh, aged 87, a very 
holy man, made his simple vows on the 26th February, 1670, and entered 
heaven the day after he entered the Society. 

Father O'Hartegan, who brought to Limerick the standards taken by 
Owen Roe, had been the agent of the Confederation at the court of France. 
His letters to the supreme council, in which he signs himself, " your lord- 
ships' faithful servant", let in a little light on the times. 

Father Hartegan's letters fell into the hands of Ormonde, who wrote to 
Clanrickard, saying: 

" Your lordship will perceive that I have the honour to wait on you in the 
reverend esteem of that father". 

Digby consoled the great duke by writing to him, that — 

" If O'Hartegan were not a madman, his presumptuous lies would anger 

him, for on my soul, no man living is more unblemished in the Queen's 

favour than Qrmond". 

According to Rinuccini, the most prudent and clever of the Irish were 
of his opinion, such as Father Hartegan. 

We know nothing of Father Hartegan after that till the year 1650, 
when twenty-five thousand Irishmen, sold as slaves in Saint Kitt's and the 
adjoining islands, petitioned for a priest. Through the Admiral du Poenry 
the petition was placed in Father Hartegan's hands. He volunteered him- 
self and disappeared from our view. As he spoke Irish, English, and 



HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 669 

French, he was very fit for that mission, which was always supplied with 
Irish Jesuits from Limerick for more than a hundred years afterwards. It 
is thought that Father Hartegan assumed the name of De Stritch to avoid 
giving umbrage to the English, for in the year 1650, according to letters 
written five years after the petition, an Irish Father de Stritch was wel- 
comed and blessed by the Irish of Saint Kitt's, heard the confessions of 
three thousand of them, then went disguised as a timber merchant to Mount 
Serrat, employed numbers of Irish as wood-cutters, revealed his real 
character to them, and spent the mornings administering the sacraments, 
and the day in hewing wood to throw dust in the eyes of the English. 
Meanwhile the heretics, jealous of the religious consolations of the Catholics 
of Saint Kitt's, treated them with great cruelty, transported one hundred 
and fifty of the most fervent and respectable to Crab Island, where they 
left them to die of starvation. This blow fell heavy on the heart of poor 
Father De Stritch. He got together as many of the Irish of S.iint Kitt's 
as he could, and passed with them to the French island of Guadaloupe, 
where he lived a long time with them, now and then going in disguise to 
help the Irish of the neighbouring isles. 

Not satisfied with instructing and consoling the Catholics, he converted 
in his excursions about eighty Protestants every year. 1 About the same 
time one Thomas Stretch by name, says the Earl of Orrery, a " Jesuit, lately 
turned schoolmaster, did in the county hall (of Limerick) with bis scholars 
act a play, whither a great confluence of people repaired, notwithstanding 
that Mr. John Andrews, minister of the place, did expressly prohibit him, 
because the design of it was to stir up sedition and to show the people his 
own condition and hopes", etc. 

Before we leave the Irish slaves we may say one word more of their mis- 
sionaries. In 1699 Father Garganel, S.J., superior of the island of Mar- 
tinique, asked for one or two Irish Fathers for that and the neighbouring 
isles, which were full of Irish ; for, continues he, every year ship-loads of 
men, boys, and girls, partly crimped, partly carried off by main force for 
purposes of slave trade, are conveyed by the English from Ireland. 

Father Kelly, the rector of Poictiers, writes to the superior of Ireland : 

" With most intense delight Father J. Galwey embraces the mission of Mar- 
tinique, offered by your reverence : meanwhile do not give him up, but lend 
him ; for should our affairs lift up their head again in Ireland, he will be very 
much wanted at home". 

Another Father Galwey, whose mission was connected with Limerick, 
distinguished himself some years before his namesake. He died in Cork 
in 1650, after having lived forty-five years in the society. He distinguished 
himself in Ireland by his piety and zeal, and did a world of good in his 
own country. Not satisfied with that, he went three times on the Scotch 
mission. For this he was well qualified. He had been a merchant in 
early life, and he spoke Gaelic. He first entered Scotland disguised as a 
merchant, but failed to make much impression, as the people were afraid 
of the Duke of Argyle. On his way home the merchant was asked by 
the Scotch sailors why he brought no goods back with him, and why he 
went so far, and he answered that he was trying to buy souls for Christ. 
He converted the crew before they reached the Irish coast. In his second 

1 See a full account of his labours in a French work called Mission de Cayenne. 



670 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

and third missions lie was more successful, baptized entire villages, parents, 
and children, and he laboured so unceasingly in instructing the High- 
landers, that for five months he never changed his garments, though often 
exposed to wind and rain when going about catechising, or even when 
taking his rest at night. The Protestants hated him so intensely that they 
sent his likeness about in order to secure his arrest, but he escaped through 
the manifest interposition of Providence, and sometimes by travelling as a 
merchant with samples of corn. In his day there were in Scotland two 
Franciscans, three Dominicans, six secular priests, and twelve Jesuits. 1 

This mission was patronized by Daniel Arthur, a merchant of Limerick, 
who helped it with his purse as well as with his prayers, and it was culti- 
vated by the Irish Jesuit Fathers for a hundred years afterwards : a Father 
Kaly was there some years after Father Galwey's death; and Father 
O'Meara, a Diogheda Jesuit, reconciled two hundred Scots to the Church 
in the year 1712. 

The Irish fathers suffered as much in their own isle as in the Caribbee 
or Scotch islands. Before the Puritan conquest they numbered eighty, 
had six colleges, eight residences, besides many oratories and schools ; but 
in the universal desolation there were but seventeen fathers, and they were 
stripped of everything, even of their breviaries. They offered up Mass in 
a cave or granary, or corner before day. Some found a refuge in the 
towns and in the huts of the poor, others dragged out a miserable exis- 
tence in the woods and mountains, consoling and confessing the Catholics ; 
some as rustics or mendicants, or seanachies, went from town to town and 
from house to house, dwelt in ruined buildings, and slept in the porticoes 
of churches, lest they should compromise the Catholics. They often had 
to live in bogs and mountains to escape the heretic horsemen. One father 
was hunted to death, another had to lie hid in his father's sepulchre, one 
lived in a deep pit, from which at intervals he went forth on some mission 
of charity. The enemy having ascertained his whereabouts, threw big 
blocks of stone into the pit, but fortunately the good father was out. 2 

Just before this persecution broke over the country, the Jesuits of 
Limerick were appointed to preach in St. Mary's Cathedral on Quinqua- 
gesima Sunday, Whit Monday, and on the Feasts of St. Matthew, and of 
St. Stephen, first martyr. 3 

In 1663, Father Dominick Kirwan made his " third year's probation" in 
the presence of the Jesuit Fathers of Limerick, and then went to Gal way 
to replace Father Maurice Ward. He was a distinguished, hardworking 
missioner, and he died in exile many years after he lived in Limerick. In 
the year 1687, he signed, with the secular and regular clergy in and near 
Galway, a document stating that the Augustinians could say Mass in the 
courthouse, and that the secular judges could administer justice in it at the 
assizes, without sacrilege, or censure of the canons of the Church specially 
in Ireland. 4 

1 Dr. Oliver, Dr. Moran, and unpublished letters. 

2 Extracted by Dr. Moran from a MS. history of the Irish Jesuits, now in the Irish College, 
Rome. Dr. Oliver says of this period, that the fathers went disguised as millers, merchants, 
milkmen, mendicants, peddlers, peasants, thatchers, porters, gardeners, carpenters, tailors, with 
needles stuck in their sleeves ; herdsmen, and physicians, and military men, etc. So what 
Macaulay says of the whole society can be applied with truth to the Irish part of it. 

3 White's M.S. 

4 Battersby*s Augustinian Ordei'. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 671 

Maurice Fitzgerald, one of the informers about the " Popish Plot", 
testified — 

" That in the winter of 1676, Captain Thomas Maclnerina having retured from 
France and Flanders, there was a meeting at Colonel Pierse Lacy's house, at 
Curra, whither came the Colonel, the Lord of Brittas, Dr. Molony of Killaloe, 
Dr. Brennan of Waterford, Dr. Dooly of Limerick, and two Jesuits, whose 
names the informant knows not". 

In the year 1728, says the Kev. James White's M.S., 

" The Rev. Thomas O'Gormarj, of the Society of Jesus, settled in Limerick, for- 
warded James "White, the writer of these annals, in his inclination for the 
Church, and in 1780, sent him to the Irish seminary of St. Iago, in Spain. 
He was the first Jesuit who fixed himself in this residence since the reign of 
James II.". 

Dr. Oliver says — 

" That Father O'Gorman came to Ireland in 1724, and distinguished himself 
as a preacher in Limerick, Clonmel, and Cork". 

Father James M'Mahon came to Limerick ten years after Father 
O'Gorman, and lived there thirteen years, till his death in 1751. 

In 1746, Father Joseph Morony came from Bordeaux to join Father 
M'Mahon and others in Limerick. He was a native of Limerick, and had 
become a Jesuit twelve years previously, and six years afterwards, he 
made his profession of the four vows Limerick. 1 

About the year 1825, Joseph Morony, an architect, and owner of part 
of Mary Street, informed the Rev. Father O'Higgin, O.S.F., that his 
father had listened with pride and profit to the sermons of Father Morony, 
his kinsman, preached in the Jesuit's Chapel in Castle Lane, near LahifY's 
Alley. He often visited the place with Father O'Higgin, and made him a 
present of the first edition of Morony s Sermons. The castle has been suc- 
cessively a chapel of the Society of Jesus, a school, a dance house, and 
a candle factory. In the castle is a stone, with a motto half effaced, 
very like the motto of the society. Near it is a stone, said to have been 
taken from it, with the motto, I.H.S., 1642, date of the opening of a Jesuit 
school in Limerick. In a wall behind a tanyard, near St. Mary's chapel 
is a stone, said to have belonged to the old castle, on which is the same 
motto, with the date 1609. Now, at this time, there were several Jesuits 
in Munster, and among them a Father Morony, who was probably a native 
of Limerick. Four very old inhabitants have stated that they heard from 
their fathers or grandfathers, that Mass was celebrated in that castle by 
venerable grayheaded friars. Now, we know that there were Franciscans, 
Dominicans, Augustinians, and Jesuits, living in Limerick about 1753; we 
know that the first three orders dwelt in Newgate Lane, Fish Lane, and 
Creagh Lane ; it is probable then that the Jesuits lived in the castle. Every 
trace of the presence of the Society of Jesus in days of long ago has faded 
from the minds of the citizens of Limerick, but it has not faded from their 
lives, and, perhaps, the few records given in the present history, prove that 

1 The celebrated Dr. Galian published Father Morony's sermons, in the title page of ■which 
we read: " Exhortations and Sermons for all the Sundays and Festivals of the Year, on the 
Most Sacred Mysteries and Most Important Truths of the Christian Religion", by the Rev. 
Joseph Morony, S.J., formerly a celebrated preacher in Limerick, "Waterford, and other parts 
of the province of Munster. 



672 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

we owe a little return of thanks to the old Jesuits of Limerick for that faith 
and piety which make the birthplace of Wolf and Creagh, O'Donnell and 
Field, one of the most Catholic cities of the world. 

"Joseph Ignatius O'Halloran was born in the North Liberties of Lime- 
rick, and was educated at the Jesuit's College of Bordeaux. He intended 
to embrace the medical profession, but after having gone through his course 
of philosophy and letters with singular success, he entered the Society of 
Jesus, and passed through all the degrees with eclat. Appointed profes- 
sor of philosophy, he was the first to open the eyes of the University of 
Bordeaux to the respective merits of the systems of Descartes and Newton. 
By his own experiments and by those of the most attentive observers of 
nature, he sustained the system of the English philosopher. He delivered 
his lectures in Latin, according to the rules of the university, and would 
have published them in English if duties of more importance in his eyes, 
and excessive diffidence had not prevented him. Some fugitive pieces of 
great merit were written by him while he professed Belles Lettres, and 
were much admired by the University. He was successively professor of 
Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Divinity, at Bordeaux. In the chair of The- 
ology he shone till the suppression of his order, when he returned home 
and distinguished himself in the pulpit and in teaching catechism. His 
sermons alone, when published, will be no small gratification to the friends 
of religion and morality, and some of his leligious tracts have already been 
published." 1 

I supplement this notice from Dr. Oliver and the Memoirs of an Octo- 
genarian. When Father O'Halloran came home, he accompanied Dr. 
Butler (Lord Dunboyne) to Cork, and was attached to the north chapel 
for years, where he taught public catechism, preached with great success, 
was assiduous in the confessional and in preparing children for first com- 
munion. From Cork he went to Dublin, where be died in 1800, and was 
buried in the vault of the Society of Jesus in Dublin. Moore says of him 
in his Travels of an Irish Gentleman : 

" I used to set off early in trie morning to street chapel, trembling all over 

with awe at the task that was before me, but finally resolved to tell the worst. 
How vividly do I, even at this moment, remember kneeling down by the confes- 
sional, and feeling my heart beat quicker as the sliding panel in the side opened, 
and I saw the meek and venerable form of Father O'Halloran stooping to hear 
my whispered list of sins. The paternal look of the old man, the gentleness of his 
voice, even in rebuke, the encouraging hopes he gave of mercy as the sure reward 
of contrition and reformation — all these recollections come freshly over my mind. 
Shade of my revered pastor ! couldst thou have looked down on me in the midst 
of i.iy folios, how it would have grieved thy meek spirit to see the humble little 
visitor of thy confessional, him whom thou hast doomed for his sins to read the 
seven Penitential Psalms every day, to see him forgetting so soon the docility 
of those undoubting days, and setting himself up, God help him ! as a controver- 
tisfc and Protestant !" 

Father O'Halloran was the brother of Silvester O'Halloran, M.D., 
M.R.I.A., an eminent writer on surgery, who is quoted by Haller, and 
also a good Irish scholar and historian. He was the granduncle of Major 
O'Halloran Gavin, one of the members for Limerick city. 

" Laurence Nihill, of the Society of Jesus, was born in Limerick", says 

1 History of Limericlc, by Ferrar, a Protestant writer. 



HTSTOJRY OF LIMERICK. 673 

Ferrar, " in the year 1727, and was made Bishop of Kilfenora in 1784 
on account of his piety and learning. In 1770 he published a work in 
Limerick on Rational Self-Love, which was much admired in England, 
France, and Ireland for its logic, philosophy, and philanthropy . ^ He is at 
present writing a work which may be considered an Introduction to his 
brother's Life of Christ. Both works will be published under the title of 
History of the Redemption of Man, as soon as Bishop Nihill's health allows 
him to put a last hand to the book" Ferrar. 

Dr. Nihill's family settled in the south after O'Neill, their chieftain, 
was defeated at Kinsale in 1601. They took a district near Killaloe, but 
being dispossessed several years after, they got considerable lands, and, 
formed alliances with respectable families in the west of Clare and 
Limerick. 

Dr. Arthur attended Downe O'Nihill in the year 1620, and recorded 
it in his diary, which is in our possession. 

Colonel Nihill of Dillon's regiment distinguished himself at Lansfelt and 
Fontenoy, and Brigadier- General Balthassar Nihill, colonel of the Limerick 
regiment in the Neapolitan army, was one of the gallant Irish officers who 
disengaged the king's person at Velletri, when he was surprised by the 
imperial general Count Browne, the conqueror of Frederick the Great. 
This Field Marshal Browne was a native of Camus, in the county Limerick, 
and was very near being surprised and put in prison in Limerick some 
time afterwards while examining the walls of that city in company with a 
Mr. Roche, who was a relative of Dr. Nihill's. 

Laurence Nihill's brother was James Nihill, M.D., who studied medicine 
in Paris, Leyden, and Montpellier. He was invited to Spain by his uncle 
Sir John Higgins, first physician to Philip V. of Spain, with a view to 
succeed his uncle. He went, and found his uncle dead and the post filled 
up. He showed a medical manuscript to the famous Dr. Solano of Cadiz, 
who highly approved of it. He published it in London in 1742, and, on 
account of its singular merit, was elected Fellow of the Royal Society 
without his own knowledge. He was the author of other medical and 
scientific works, and he left a manuscript life of Christ in the hands of his 
brother. 

Dr. Nihill had a nephew, Father David Magee, who entered the Society 
of Jesus in 1755, and was distinguished as a classical scholar. He was 
related to the families of Colonel Macnamara and of the late Macnamara 
Calcutt, M.P., and also to the Woulfes, and to the Butlers of Ballyline. 1 

Dr. Nihill's seal, which shows he belongs to the O'Neills of the north, is 
in the possession of Dr. McCarthy, the accomplished editor of Dr. O'Rene- 
han's manuscripts. Father Magee was also related to the Arthurs and 
Roches of Limerick. Mr. Roche, in his Memoirs of an Octogenarian, says : 
" Dr. Nihill was related to my father, at whose table I recollect him as al- 
ways a welcome guest, distinguished as a priest, a scholar, and a gentleman. 
I saw his consecration in 1784". The Rev. Father Kirwan, O.S.F., after- 
wards a Protestant Dean, preached on apostacy, and the Bishop of Cork, 
afterwards Lord Dunboyne, was one of the assisting prelates. 

Of the Rev. and Honourable John Butler we have already spoken in our 
lives of the Catholic Bishops. He was supported for the see of Limerick 

1 Several letters of his and of Dr. Nihill's were in the possession of Mrs. Macnamara of Moher, 
County Clare, who lent them to the late Dr. Kenehan. 



674 HISTOEY OF LIMEEICK. 

by his kinsman, the Archbishop of Cashel, while Dr. Carpenter and his 
friends used their influence in favour of Dr. Nihill. The former declined the 
mitre. Dr. Troy wrote to Dr. Fallon, Bishop of Elphin in 1788 (a Mrs. Fallon 
was a sister of Father Magee and niece of Dr. Nihill). In this letter he says : 

" The Archbishop of Cashel has been very successful iu obtaining signatures 
in favour of his namesake, and I could not refuse mine without endangering 
my present peaceable position, specially as no reasonable objection could be 
made against the Honourable and Eev. Mr. Butler, who, like Mr. Nihil], is an 
ex-Jesuit. I was applied to in favour of the latter when it was too late, and I 
am perfectly indifferent as to the choice of either". 1 

From Dr. Oliver's Collectanea, &J., I extract the following notice of 
Dr. Butler: John Butler, ninth Lord Cahir, was the eldest son of the 
eighth Lord of Cahir, and of Frances Butler, daughter of Sir Toby Butler, 
Solicitor- general of James II. He became a Jesuit in 1745, and was 
ordained in 1753. He was recommended for the mitre of Limerick by 
three Archbishops, twelve Bishops, and all the Catholic Peers of Ireland, 
by the Nuncios at Paris and Brussels, by the Archbishop of Paris, and by 
the President of the Parliament of Paris, by the Ministre des Affaires 
Etrangeres, and by Dr. Walmesley. He declined the honour most perse- 
veringly : " while the Society of Jesus, his mother, was dead", he would 
not be consoled, and died at Hereford in 1786. His brother succeeded 
to the title, and died unmarried. He was objected to by the Propaganda 
on account of his connection with the suppressed society ; but Pius VI. 
set aside that objection. Father Butler yielding to the wishes of the 
Pope, and to the earnest entreaties of Dr. Egan, was resigned to take the 
mitre on condition that he could enter the Society of Jesus whenever it 
would be restored. 

It is worthy of remark that all the Irish Jesuits believed in the resusci- 
tation of their Order ; they sighed for that resurrection, and died with that 
hope in their hearts, leaving what money they could dispose of to the 
future society. Father Fulham, of Dublin, died in 1793. He corresponded 
for more than tw r enty years with an ex-Jesuit, Father Peter Plunket, of 
Leghorn, who, after the suppression, held a chair of controversy and 
moral theology in a college established by the Grand Duke of Tuscany. 
Father Fulh&m made his executors the ex-Jesuits Father Power of St. 
Patrick's, Waterford, and Father O'Callaghan, of Dublin. 

In the year 1811, Father Betagh, the last of the Irish Jesuits, died in 
Dublin at the age of seventy- three, after having sent Fathers Kenny, 
Esmonde, and others, to the novitiate of their dear society. 

The last of the old society in Ireland was Claude Jautard, a French 
father, who died at Clongowes Wood College, S.J., in the year 1821. 

We have seen how the Society of Jesus w T as brought to Ireland by the 
Primates of Armagh ; it was fostered by Primates Plunket and Talbot, the 
Archbishops O'Kearney and Walsh, the Bishops Dease, Rothe, Kirwan, 
etc., etc. : it was revered and loved by the many pious and learned priests 
who were educated at the Irish Jesuit colleges of Salamanca, Lisbon, 
Seville, Compostella, Rome, and Poictiers. The last will of Dr. Kirwan, 
Bishop of Killala, begins with the following words : — 

1 Irish Archbishops ; Memoirs of an Octogenarian ; Dr. Oliver's Collectanea. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 675 

" Jesus ! Mary ! I have been brought up from my boyhood by the most reli- 
gious fathers of the Society of Jesus ; in after years I have been helped by their 
salutary counsels. I have loved that society all my life, and I desire to die in it 
and to be buried in the same sepulchre with its children", etc. 1 

When the Primate of Armagh saw the society menaced in 1759, he 
wrote to Clement XIII : — 

" Most Holy Father, -^Gratitude towards the holy Society of Jesus, and sad- 
ness at its sufferings, prompt me to write to your Holiness. I have been brought 
up in virtue and learning by these fathers from my early years. I know well 
their skill in educating youth, and their singular piety and zeal. How then 
could I not feel at their misfortunes ? If no one can be sufficiently thankful 
to God, his parents and masters, what must I feel and do, on whom the society 
has conferred so many benefits and favours for many years? I ought to shed 
my blood for the safety of that society, and indeed I would do so most willingly, 
if the occasion presented itself. Defend, Most Holy Father, those men, who are 
most devoted to your Holy See, and from whom I have learned and imbibed 
that attachment for the same Holy See, which I showed not long ago when 
other persons were w r eak and wavering. 2 Anthony of Armagh". 

The Fathers of the Society of Jesus opened a school in Limerick on the 
10th of March, 1859, about three hundred years after Father David Wolf 
came to reside there as nuncio, and got through Dr. Creagh faculties for 
the Jesuits to set up schools and a university in Ireland. 3 This school was 
opened at the corner house of the Crescent, which has its entrance at 
Hartstonge Street. In 1862, the fine house called Crescent House, in the 
middle of the Crescent, and opposite the O'Connell monument, was pur- 
chased by them from Richard Russell, Esq., J.P., and has been occupied 
since as the College of St. Munchin's. The first rector was the Very Rev. 
Edward Kelly, S.J., who was succeeded in .1864 by his brother, the Very 
Rev. Thomas Kelly, S.J., the present rector, in the rectorship. The 
Jesuit Fathers opened St. Patrick's preparatory school at Bedford Row 
in 1863. 

THE REDEMPTORISTS. 

The Redemptorist Fathers, who have obtained so many splendid 
triumphs for religion, established themselves permanently in Limerick, 
November 30th, 1853, after having given two missions in the city — 
the first in the old chapel of St. John's, October, 1851, the second in the 
parish church of 'St. Michael's, May, 1852. At first they occupied a 
temporary residence in Bank Place, where they opened a small oratory, 
which considerable numbers were in the habit of attending. In May, 
1854, they removed to Upper Henry Street, near South Circular Road, 
where they had built a temporary chapel, close by the site of their present 
magnificent church and convent. In August, 1856, the first stone of the 

1 Dr. Ly rich's Life of Dr. Kirwan. 

2 Father Kavignan's Clement XIII. 

3 The foregoing details have been taken from Dr. Oliver's collections : Cretineau Joly's Histoire 
de la Compagnie, Father D'Oultreman's Personnages Itlustres, Historia Societatis, Charlevoix's 
Paraguay, Dr. Moran's, Meehan's, O'Kenehan's, Brennan's works, Kinuccini's Nunziatura, and 
Carte's Ormond, etc. The manuscripts in the Irish College and the Gesu in Rome, in Stoney- 
hurst, and in the libraries of Spain, Portugal, and France, where the Irish Jesuits had colleges, 
with which the mother country kept up a constant correspondence, give further lengthened and 
important details of the proceedings of this illustrious order. 



676 HISTORY 0£ LIMEMCK. 

new convent was laid by the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, Bishop of Limerick, and 
the Fathers entered it June 24th, 1858. The first stone of the new church 
was laid with becoming solemnities, as already described, May 30th, 1858. 
The church was solemnly dedicated December 7th, 1862. 

The style of the church is the early pointed Gothic of the 13th century; 
the west front is varied by lines of red marble, which give it a rich 
effect ; and the principal porch has the tympanum of its outer door adorned 
with sculptures on a large scale, representing our Saviour and angels in 
adoration: these sculptures are surmounted by the legend, " Copiosa apud 
Eum Redemptio". The principal window over the porch is of great 
dimensions, and consists of five lancet lights. There is a clerestory and 
double transepts. The roof, which is a semi-octagonal ceiling, is sup- 
ported by principals and collar beams, ornamented with cusped arching. 
The pillars on each side of the nave are surmounted by foliated capitals 
in Bath-stone ; the flooring is formed throughout of black and red tiles, 
and the sanctuary is floored with encaustic tiles of varied and beautiful 
design, by Minton. The arch of the apse is supported on richly sculp- 
tured capitols resting on lofty columns of red Clare marble. The length 
of the church internally is 173 feet; the extreme breadth 73 feet; the 
main breadth throughout is 70 feet; the width of the nave is 36 feet; 
the width of the lateral chapels is 17 feet; the space occupied by the sanc- 
tuary is 38 feet; the internal height is 68 feet; the external is 75 feet to 
the ridge. An organ gallery is placed over the principal entrance, and 
there are two spacious sacristies, which adjoin the northern transept. 

At the end of the church, and on the exterior of the apsis, which is 
rounded after the ancient Basilican plan, there is a cross of red marble, 
with a tablet underneath, containing the following inscription : — 

Eevmus. J. Eyan, 

Episcopus Limericensis, 

Assistente 

Eevmo. D. Moriarty, 

Episcopo Kerriensij 

me posuit, 

hac 30 Maii, 1858, 

In honorem Sti. Alphonsi. 

In English: 

The Eight Eev. J. Eyan, 

Bishop of Limerick, 

Assisted by 

The Eight Eev. D. Moriarty, 

Bishop of Kerry, 

placed me, 

This 30th of May, 1858, 

In honour of St. Alphonsus. 

The back windows of the convent command a view of the Shannon, the 
docks, and the hills of Clare. The buildings were designed by P. 
Hardwick, Esq., M.R.I.B.A., who drew the plans of St. John's cathedral. 
Mr. Corbett superintended the work, and Mr. Wallace was the builder. 
The high altar, the munificent gift of John Quin, Esq., of Limerick, is 
one of the most beautiful works of the kind, for design, materials, and exe- 
cution, in the empire. It was erected from the designs of G. Goldie, Esq., 
architect, M.LU.B.A. 



Bggl HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 677 

I 

This new altar deserves a particular description. This altar may fairly 
claim to be the most important work of religious art erected in Great 
Britain. As a work of art, and in reference to its extraordinary magni- 
tude, its claims to this description are unquestionable : — 

The altar and reredos stand on the chord of the shallow apse which termi- 
nates the chancel of the church. The reredos consists of six niches con- 
taining statues nearly life size of angels bearing the emblems of the passion 
of our Lord ; these niches stand on a lofty base inlaid with various Irish 
marbles richly sculptured; they are divided from each other by red marble 
shafts, and are surmounted by pediments which are crocketed and finialed 
with elaborate foliage, and between which are figures of the angelic host in 
various attitudes of devotion, on a small scale. In the centre of the reredos 
arises a canopy surmounting the throne for exposition of the Blessed Sacra- 
ment. It is on this portion of the design that the utmost elegance of form and 
beauty and elaboration of detail have been lavished ; and some idea may be 
formed of the general scale of the work when we say, that this canopy measures 
no less than forty-one feet in height from the floor of the nave of the church to 
the summit of its gilt and jewelled cross. The effect of the whole work is sin- 
gularly enhanced by the introduction in the leading lines of the structure of 
bosses of variously coloured crystals, whilst the whole design is bound together 
by a carefully studied application of gilding. The tabernacle for the preservation 
of the Host stands at the foot of the throne which we have just described, and, 
as far as sumptuousness of material and elaboration of workmanship can go, it 
may be said to be somewhat worthy of its most sacred object. It is formed of 
polished walnut wood, lined with iron and poplar wood, alsoihighly polished^ 
the whole of the exterior being overlaid with elaborately engraved brass work, 
richly gilt, on which are enchased ruby crystals. The typical pelican, sculp- 
tured and gilt, crowns the cover. The altar itself is comparatively of simple 
design, as it is proposed to use the coloured frontals prescribed by the rubrics 
of the church ; nevertheless, it is supported by rich columns of polished marble, 
and inlaid with the same material ; and in the central panel a sumptuous cross 
of enamelled and gilt metal work, set with crystals, is introduced. The period 
of the architecture is in keeping with the church, being that of the severe thir- 
teenth century Gothic. The general material is the soft magnesian limestone, 
derived from the quarries of the north of France, intermixed largely, as we have 
above mentioned, with the beautiful native marbles of Ireland, from the coun- 
ties of Cork and Galway. In addition to the altar and reredos, the chancel or 
communion rail has been erected, which extends across the whole width of the 
transepts, being upwards of 70 feet long. This railing is composed of a balus- 
trade of red marble columns, each column being surmounted by a capital of 
sculptured stone, bearing a rail of polished Sicilian marble ; the spaces between 
the columns are filled with wrought scroll work, enriched with gilt brass foliage, 
whilst three elaborate gates of the same material and character give access to 
the chancel and the two side chapels. The general effect of the high altar has 
been materially improved by the decoration in colour of the shallow apse, to 
which we have already referred, the roof being painted of delicate azure and 
strewn with golden stars ; a rich band of foliage, which embraces various sacred 
monograms, separates this portion of the design from the lower part of the walls, 
which are painted with conventional representation of drapery, and further 
bands of ornament. 

The whole work occupied about ten months in its execution and erec- 
tion, and though most elaborate in its ornament, and perfectly finished in 
its every detail, was completed at comparatively moderate expense, to the 
entire satisfaction of the generous donor and the Rev. Fathers of the 



678 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

church. The architect, George Goldie, Esq., may justly pride himself 
upon the great success of this, one of the most difficult works of his art. 

The altar was unveiled and solemnly dedicated to public worship on 
Sunday, the 15th of October, 1865, by the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, Lord 
Bishop of Limerick, assisted by a large number of the clergy. The Very 
Rev. Dr. Carbery, O.P., prior of St. Saviour's, Limerick, preached on the 
occasion. 

The whole building is not unworthy of a community who, from the sanc- 
tity of their lives, the apostolic simplicity of their manners, and the extensive 
utility of their pious labours, have gained for themselves the love and 
respect of all men, and their significant and well merited appellation of the 
Holy Fathers. 

The following have been Superiors of the Redemptorist Convent, 
Limerick: Very Rev. Louis De Buggenoms, of Belgium, November, 
1853, to February, 1854; Very Rev. Bernard Hafkenschied, of Holland, 
February, 1854, to March, 1855 ; Very Rev. Louis De Buggenoms, March, 
1855, to May, 1857; Very Rev. John Baptist Roes, of Belgium, from 
May, 1857, to October, 1860, when he died; Hon. and Very Rev. William 
Plunkett (son of the Earl of Fingal), October, 1860, to June, 1865; and 
the Very Rev. Thomas Edward Bridgett, the present rector, elected June, 
1865. 

PAROCHIAL CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

We shall now allude more particularly to the Catholic parish churches, 
and to such other of the religious institutions of Limerick as have not 
been already noticed. Before doing so we may observe, that among the 
old, but not very ancient, religious buildings of Limerick, is that of the 
old Franciscan Friary in Newgate Lane, close by the old Post Office, 
and facing what is now called Abbey-Row Lane. No vestige of it is 
left ; but it is well remembered. The house of the nuns of the Order of 
St. Teresa stood on Sir Harry's Mall, and was established more than eighty 
years ago. Of the Poor Clares we have spoken before, as well as of the 
churches of the regular orders. 

In the Catholic arrangement the county of the city is divided into the 
parishes or districts of St. Mary, St. John, St. Michael, St. Patrick, and 
St. Munchin. 

St. Munchin's Catholic Church, situated on the North Strand, amidst 
some fine trees, stands opposite St. John's Castle, at the Clare side of 
the Shannon, between the Treaty Stone 1 and the site of the old mill of 

1 The last public monument erected in Liraeriok is the pediment and enclosure placed for 
the protection of the " Treaty Stone". It is about 12 feet high, of plain limestone, and bears 
upon its eastern and western sides, respectively, the inscriptions; " This pedestal was erected 
May, 1865, John Rickard Tinsley, Mayor" ; and " The Treaty of Limerick, signed a.d. 1691". 
The north and south sides bear the castle, the city arms, with the Virgilian legend: " Urbs 
antiqua fuit studiisque asperima belli". Of the Treaty Stone itself wo speak with some hesi- 
tation, for it is mentioned in none of the old historical documents, and yet the uninterrupted 
local tradition is that the treaty was signed upon it. But how ? No one could write on it as it 
existed, and it was still lower in situation before the erection of the present bridge. Possibly 
the stone served as a rest for a board, or for a chair for those who signed that celebrated docu- 
ment ; for it is not to be imagined that there was no table available for the purpose. In fact, 
a table was advertised years ago for sale in Cork, which, it wasustated, was the identical table 
on which the Treaty was signed. I have heard, but not on reliable authority, that the Treaty 
Stone was removed from the county Clare. O'Connell, during his references to the Treaty, 
always seemed to recognize the truth of the tradition. History says the treaty was signed in 
the camp. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



679 



Curragower. 1 It is an old plain cruciform structure, originally built in 
1744, afterwards rebuilt, and lately repaired, and supplied with a small 
sanctuary and altar to the Blessed Virgin. The seats in the gallery have 
also been renovated. St. Munchin's is remarkable as being the first Catholic 
Church publicly erected in Limerick after the Revolution. 

St. Mary's Catholic Church, a large plain cruciform edifice, was built, 
in 1749, on the Little Island. The altar exhibits three styles of archi- 
tecture, finely combined, and has a fine copy of Michael Angelo's picture 
of the Crucifixion, presented by John Kelly, Esq., merchant, at whose ex- 
pense was also built the altar, which was composed of several different kinds 
of architecture, and erected in 1760. The" church has lately undergone 
various improvements, with a new tabernacle, and grounds enclosed by a 
fine iron balustrade. 

St. Patrick's, Penny Well, was erected in 1750, chiefly at the expense 
of Mr. Harrold. The new church was built in 18 16. It is in the form of 
the letter T, and is small, but neatly fitted, having the entrance surrounded 
by trees. The building was much improved in 1835, and the Rev. Dr. 
Meehan, the present parish priest, has lately fitted up an apartment at 
the eastern side for a school-house. The chapel of Monaleen, a neat 
but small building, about two miles from Limerick, is attached to this parish. 

St.Michael's Church, situated in Denmark Street, was built in 1779, 
when it was surrounded by open fields. It was re-opened for divine service 
in 1781, and considerably enlarged in 1805. The Very Rev. Patrick 
Hogan procured an admirable organ for this church in 1816. 

In St. Michael's Church are two mural monuments. One is a handsome 
white marble monument in mediaeval style to the memory of the late 
Very Rev. Patrick Hogan, P.P., V.G., and has the following inscription: 



I. H. S. 

Revo, admodum 

Patricio Hogan, 

Dioec. Lim. Vic. Generali, 

Hujusq. Parochiae per XXVI. annos 

Pastori Vigili, 

Pietate, Zelo, Eloquio 

Eximio 

Monuui. hoc moereutes posuere 

Parochiani. 

Obiifc in Dno. Kal. Aprilis, 

MDCCCXXIX, 

Annos sexaginta natus. 

Requiescat in Pace. 

Bardwell Kelsey 



The walls of Curragower Mills are now quite gone. Here two of the Irish soldiers, who 
were unavoidably shut out by their friends during a sortie, and who were almost all massacred 
by the English, hid until the gray of the morning, when they swam over to the four-^un 
battery. Their names we have heard, were lioche and O'Halloran. 



680 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



This monument cost about £300, and is of fine statuary marble, with 
several admirably sculptured figures. " Father Pat Hogan", as this noble 
hearted priest was familiarly called, and by which designation he is to this 
day remembered, was a zealous and indefatigable pastor indeed ; he left a 
sum of £2,000 to Park College, if it should be revived. On his gene- 
rosity to the Presentation Convent we have already dwelt; he caused Mr. 
John Gubbins to execute the very fine painting of the Crucifixion which 
is placed over the Virgin altar in this church, saying that " a painting of 
the kind is the prayer book of the poor". 

The other and older monument is — ■ 



To the memory of 

Patrick Arthur, Esq., 

Who died on the 16th of December, 1799, 

in the eighty-second year of his age. 

In him the poor have lost a liberal benefactor, 

society an example of every Christian virtue, 

and his affectionate family a kind and tender parent. 

In memoria ssterna erit Justus. 

Requiescat in pace. 



Arthur Arms. 



Deus Justos Defendat. 



St. John's Chapel, near John's Gate, was built in the form of a cross, 
and finished in 1753. The altar, which was very handsome, had a picture 
of the Crucifixion, by Collopy, the native artist. St. John's chapel was 
demolished when the new cathedral was completed. Its site is now 
occupied by an enclosed garden, adorned with a variety of shrubs and 
flowers. 

St. John's Cathedral. — In the year 1854, the late Right Rev. Dr. 
Ryan determined to take down the old Parish Chapel of St. John's, not 
only on account of its being far too small for the wants of the large con- 
gregation and the extensive parish, but also because it was so unfit for a 
place of divine worship, being little better in appearance than a barn. 
The late Rev. William Bourke was administrator of the parish at the time, 
and gave the project every assistance. When the project of erecting a new 
church was first mooted, the intention was, that it should be only a plain 
substantial edifice, sufficiently spacious to contain the congregation, but 
of the simplest character and without ornament — one of the conditions 
most imperatively insisted upon being, that it should cost the smallest 
possible sum ; and those who know that the parish is principally inhabited 
by the poorest class will appreciate the prudence of the projector in not 
embarking upon a building of extravagant character, when his own 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 681 

parishioners were so little able, however willing, to assist him with large 
funds. 

The plans for the new church were made and the work commenced, 
and the building was about half finished when it began to attract much 
attention beyond the parish and those immediately interested in it, and it 
was determined to extend the scheme, and make the new church the 
Cathedral of the Diocese of Limerick. This decision rendered some alter- 
ation necessary in the arrangements of the building, not so much in the plan, 
which had been devised to meet the requirements of a very large congrega- 
tion, but in the height and decoration of the building ; as the plain structure 
designed merely for a parish church was scarcely suitable in character for a 
cathedral. It was unfortunate that this decision had not been sooner arrived 
at, as the work was too far advanced to alter the extreme simplicity of 
character already given to the exterior, and which could not well be 
altered without too extensive changes in what was already executed, and 
cost was still a very important consideration. The result, however, is a 
certain poverty of appearance in the exterior, unaccountable perhaps to 
those who have not heard the early history of the building we have here 
given. The style of the building is the architecture of the thirteenth cen- 
tury, for which the hard material furnished by the limestone quarries of 
the neighbourhood is perhaps better adapted than any other. 

The church consists of a nave 97 feet long by 30 feet wide, separated 
by piers and five arches from aisles, which are 19 feet wide. Transepts 
extend beyond the nave, and these are the same width as the nave, and 
their extreme length from north to south is 116 feet. The chancel is 30 
feet wide, and 43 feet deep from the end of the transepts. Opening east- 
wards from the transepts are four chapels, two on the north and two on 
the south side; these are 19 feet wide. The total length of the building 
internally is 168 feet. The height of the nave and transepts to the apex 
of the roof is 80 feet; the height of the aisles is 52 feet. 

From the necessity of strictly economizing the funds placed at his com- 
mand, the architect had to trust to large simple forms for the effect of 
the exterior of the building, rather than to any decoration or richness of 
detail, which were impossible ; and for the interior, to general proportions 
and the play of light and shadow obtained by the arrangement of the 
transepts and chapels. 

It is needless to say that the roofs were obliged to be, like the rest of the 
fabric, perfectly plain, and are left for coloured decoration at some future 
time. Ornamentation of this character has, however, been commenced in 
the chancel, and across the chancel arch is placed a rood beam, according 
to ancient custom, bearing the figure of our Lord on the cross, with figures 
of the Blessed Virgin and St. John on each side. These figures are carved 
in wood larger than life size, and are the work of Phyffers, a Belgian 
sculptor. The most conspicuous and important object in the interior is 
very properly the high altar, which is in the ancient form of a canopy 
standing on four columns, which are of the red Limerick marble. 
Stone alabaster, and the same red and other marbles, are used for the ma- 
terials of this work, which is much decorated by figures and bas-reliefs, also 
executed by M. Phyffers. This altar was the munificent gift of one lady, 
according to the record of an inscription placed against the chancel pier: 

47 



682 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 



The High Altar 
of this Cathedral Church 

was given by 

Mrs. Frances McNamara, 

in memory of her husband, 

Mr. Charles McNamara, 

and to obtain for him and herself 

the prayers of the faithful 

who come here to worship God. 



One of the most striking of the ornaments of the cathedral is Benzoni's 
beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin, presented by the Right Hon. William 
Monsell, M.P. It is of pure white marble, and is supported by a pedestal 
of Portland stone, consisting of a slab resting on a cluster of pilasters with 
floriated capitals. The statue, which is of life size, and most exquisitely 
chiselled, represents the Madonna as standing on the crescent and crushing 
the serpent's head, in reference to the third chapter of Genesis and twelfth 
of the Apocalypse. The gracefulness of the figure, the holy beauty of the 
countenance, the delicacy of the lineaments, the elegance of the draperv 
and, above all, the heavenly air of resignation and lovino* charity that 
characterise this most beautiful piece of statuary, reflect the hio-hest credit 
on the artist, and realize the highest conception of the human presentments 
of the mother of the Lord. Near the statue of the Blessed Viroin is sus- 
pended a glassed frame containing the Italian and Latin originals of the 
great indulgence made by the present Pope Pius IX., whose sign manual 
is attached to them, to those who shall recite certain prayers before the 
statue, and who contribute to the decorations of our Lady's Chapel. The 
following is a translation : — 

" Mr. William Monsell, a Catholic member of the British Parliament, havino- 
presented a beautiful marble statue, the work of the sculptor Benzoni, to the 
new Cathedral of Limerick, is anxious that indulgences shall be granted to such 
as shall pray before the statue as well as to those who shall contribute towards 
the decoration of our Lady's Chapel in the same Cathedral. To render these 
indulgences more precious, he requests that they may be subscribed by His 
Holiness's own hand. 

"Rome, at S. P. 1859, 14th day of January. 

"MONSGR. CULLEN. 

" We grant three hundred days' indulgence to all the faithful who shall 
devoutly recite the Litany of Loretto, and one hundred days' indulgence to those 
who shall recite three times the Angelical Salutation, before the holy image 
mentioned above. 

"PIUS IX. 
" We certify and bear witness that the grant of indulgences written on the 
other side of this leaf, has been signed by our Most Holy Father, by Divine 
Providence Pope Pius IX. 

" Alexander G. Barnabo, Prefect, January 14, 1859, 
at the House of the Sacred Congregation de Propa- 
ganda Fide". 



The following inscription is appended to this grant : — 

"The first stone of St. John's New Cathedral was laid by the Right Rev. 
Dr. Ryan, on the 1st of May, a.d. 1856". 



HISTORY OF UMERICK. 683 

A remonstrance is preserved in the cathedral, the gift of Thady Quin, 
Esq., of A dare, the ancestor of the Earl of Dunraven, to the Parish of St, 
John's. It bears the following inscription : — 

" Ex dono Thadaei Quin Armigeri de Adare, ad usum Parochiae Sti. Johannis 
Limericencis in honorem Venerabilis Sacrumenti, a.d. 1725. Orate pro eo". 

It only remains to speak of the tower, which is placed on the north side 
of the church, and is still unfinished. The height to which it is now 
carried is 70 feet, and it is intended before long to complete it, when its 
height will be 253 feet to the apex of the spire. Altogether, this is a 
cathedral worthy of the ages of the faith, and a proof that the traditional 
love for religion is as active as it ever had been among the Catholics of 
Limerick. 

Near St. Patrick's Church, but on the opposite side of Clare Street, and 
occupying the position which was originally the site of Walker's Lace 
Factory, is the noble institution known as the Convent of the Good 
Shepherd, originally established as a Magdalen Asylum (which it still is), 
about the year 181:2, the funds of which were raised from public subscript 
tion, charity sermons, the interest of £1,000 given by Miss White (who, 
at the same time, subscribed £1,000 towards the Lying-in Hospital then 
situate in Nelson Street, now in Henry Street), and by washing. Miss 
Reddan had long presided over the Asylum, until it was placed under the 
care of the nuns of the Good Shepherd. The convent, which has been 
greatly augmented in latter years, is a spacious, airy building, but without 
any special character, and containing, besides an extremely neat chapel 
and ample dwelling apartments, a large dormitory, very neatly kept; 
a reformatory, a wash-house or laundry of great extent, having clothes 
airing and drying rooms. The chapel has recently been fitted up with 
beautiful stalls and altars carved in wood from designs of G. Goldie, Esq., 
architect. The nuns of the Good Shepherd arrived in Limerick from 
Angers, in France, in 1849. Mrs. Smith was the first Superioress, 
Madame de Balligand, a native of France, was the second, and Ma- 
dame Lockhart is the third and present superioress. Very fine Brussels 
and Valenciennes lace and vestments are made here by the nuns, 
who are twenty-five in number; as also by the penitents, who are 
seventy-five in number, and who are constantly employed in industrial 
occupations. In connection with the convent, but separated from that part 
of the building appointed for the penitents, is the reformatory, in which 
there are forty-five girls, who are thus preserved from the contamination 
of prisons, and fitted for honest occupations. In chapter Hi. we have 
given an account of the Presentation Convent, the convent of the Sisters 
of Mercy, and Orphanage of Mount St. Vincent (attached to this orphan- 
age has been built an asylum for widows) ; and we have given also else- 
where, in the course of this work, an account of the grand educational 
convent of Laurel Hill, etc., and of the other noble Catholic educational 
and charitable foundations of the city. Indeed few cities of its rank can 
boast of so many Catholic religious and charitable institutions as Limerick. 



684 HisTour or limerick. 

CHAPTER LXI. 

PROTESTANT ANGLICAN AND DISSENTING CHURCHES. 1 

St. Munchin's Church, which has been already partly described, was 
rebuilt in 1827 at the cost of £1,460, and is a handsome structure, with a 
lofty square tower, embattled and pinnacled. The living is a rectory, 
united from time immemorial to the rectory and vicarage of Killonehan 
and the rectory of Drehidtarsna, the three parishes constituting the corps 
of the prebend of St. Munchin in the Cathedral of St. Mary, Limerick, 
and in the patronage of the Bishop. Of the churches mentioned as 
existing in Limerick in the will of Martin Thomas Arthur, four have 
entirely disappeared, namely those of St. Laurence, St. Nicholas, St. 
Patrick, and St. Michael, notices of which frequently occur in the history. 

St. Mary's Cathedral *has been already fully described. 

St. Laurence's Church stood on the Cork road, near the site of the 
present county jail. The parish is an entire rectory, and had been in the 
gift of the Corporation, who sold the advowson to the trustees of the Blind 
Asylum. 

St. Nicholas's Church, near the Castle barrack, on the ground after- 
wards occupied by the old post office, was destroyed during the last 
siege of 1691, Described as a busy scene of action in 1642. 

St. Michael's Church, outside the walls, in the churchyard near Mar- 
dyke. Destroyed in the siege of 1691. The cathedral is now the parish 
church of St. Nicholas, as well as of St. Mary's. The parish of St. Michael, 
which is a rectory, united from time immemorial to part of the rectory of 
Kildimo and the rectory of Ardagh, the three parishes constituting the 
union of St. Michael and the corps of the archdeaconry of Limerick, in 
the patronage of the Bishop, comprehends the whole of the new town, as 
St. John's forms the Irish town, and St. Mary's, St. Munchin's, and St. 
Nicholas's, the English town. All these parishes are within the bounds of 
the county of the city. 

St. George's Church, a neat structure which was used as a chapel of 
ease for the parish of St. Michael, has also disappeared. It occupied the 
site of the present Provincial Bank of Ireland in George's Street. It was 
built and endowed in 1789 by the Pery family, and was a plain but neat 
and commodious edifice. St. Michael's Church, Pery Square, is built of 
cut stone, and possesses little interest, except the east window, which is 
well worthy of inspection, being very lofty, and elaborately decorated in the 
style of the fifteenth century, to which date it belongs, having formerly 
belonged to the ancient abbey of St. Francis. 

An episcopal chapel of cut stone, in connection with the Blind Asylum, 
which is attached to it, was erected in Upper Catherine Street, in the parish 
of St. Michael, in 1834, by subscriptions raised in England and Ireland, 
by the personal exertions of the Venerable Ed. N. Hoare, Archdeacon of 
Ardfert, subsequently chaplain, and one of the trustees. Its portico is 

1 The Protestant Bishop's palace stands at the north side of Henry Street, in close juxta- 
position with Mr. Russell's linen store, which had been the residence of the Earl of Limerick. 
The two mansions present one great hut plain facade of brick masonry, and send off a con- 
joint demesne from their rere to the quays. The joint value of Limerick, Ardfert, and 
Aghadoe, which were consolidated with Limerick in 1663, on nn average of three years ending 
December 31, 1831, amounts to £4,535 3s. Ud. gross, and £3,987 17s. lfd. uett. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 685 

supported by two massive pillars of the Ionic order. The facade is very 
elegant. An iron balustrade goes round the entrance. 

St. John's Church stands in the square 1 opposite the remains of the old 
black battery, on the ground which will be ever memorable as one of the 
busiest battle-grounds of the last of the sieges. It is a very neat, compact, 
and substantial building of cut liine stone, Anglo-Norman in design, built 
in 1843, and forming an imposing feature of the scene, notwithstanding 
the superior attractiveness of the new Catholic cathedral of St. John's, 
which stands in close proximity. Over the organ loft is a handsome 
wheel window with richly stained glass in the centre, in which are the 
armorial bearings of the Russells. There are also stained glass memorial 
windows to the memory of deceased members of the Pery family, the 
Russells, Maunsells, and Corneilles. The old church of St. John, before its 
renovation, was an ancient edifice, comprising a nave, with a north and 
south aisle, extending the whole length of the building. It had been 
repaired by a grant of £185 19s. 3d. from the Ecclesiastical Commis- 
sioners. St. Johns is a vicarage and in the gift of the Earl of Limerick. 
The cemetery, which, judging from the quantity of human bones occa- 
sionally dug up in the square around it, must have been originally of 
greater extent, is surrounded by a wall which bears an inscription, 
informing us that it was repaired not by John Foorde, Mayor, as Fitz- 
gerald, copying the blunder of Ferrar states, but by the parishioners at 
at their own expense. 

The following is the inscription : — 

Johanne Foord, Pretore 
et hujus operis promot 
ore parochiani sancti 
Johannis de Santa Cruce 
post recentes belli cla 
des hos csemeterii mur 
os suis sumptibus ex 
trui curarunt. 
A.D. 1693. 
Johanne Pateeson, Yicario, 
Edvaedo Uncles, } n -,. 
Eobep.70 Kshp, ]■ Guardl ^»- 
John Barey, Sculpsit. 
Which may be thus literally translated — 

John Foord being Mayor, and 

promoter of this work, 

the parishioners of 

St. John of the Holy Cross, 

after the recent havoc 

of the war, 

procured the 

building of these 

walls of the 
cemetery at their 
own expense. 
Then follow the names of the vicar and churchwardens. 

1 In this Square, just opposite St. John's cathedral, the foundation stone, a handsome foun- 
tain of cut lime stone, was laid on the 31st of October, 1865, by John R. Tinsley, Esq., mayor, 
it being erected by the committee of the Fery Jubilee Fund. 






686 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Inside the wall, in the churchyard, is a cut stone recess, with death's 
head and cross bones carved on it, and this inscription : 

John Foorde, Mayor, 1693. 

The period of the erection of the old church has been supposed to be 
coeval with the fortification of the Irish town, in the early part of the 
fifteenth century. The oldest tomb in the churchyard, probably belonging 
to a date not much posterior, is fixed in the wall near the entrance, 
bearing the device of a slipper, and having a defaced inscription written 

round the sides, stating that Philip — ; caused the monument to be 

erected, and praying the Lord to have mercy on his soul. The slipper 
probably refers to the fatal dancing which led to the beheading of John 
the Baptist, to whom this church is dedicated. Several respectable 
citizens of modern times, including the Gavin family, are buried in this 
churchyard. Among the other tombs are those of the Catholic Bishops 
O'Kearney, Conway, M'Mahon, and one of older date bearing a variety of 
most curious sculptures, representing that part of the Gospel history 
which describes the betrayal of the Saviour. The cock, thirty pieces of 
silver, etc., etc., are quite visible. Before 1763, when £500 were ex- 
pended on the repairs of this church, it contained a fine monument of the 
Power family, surrounded by figures of the twelve apostles, sculptured 
in stone, with armorial bearings, and having the following inscription 
underneath : — 

THOMAS POWEE, quondam civis Limericensis, et ejus uxor 
JOANNA RICE, hoc monumentum hseredibus suis construxerunt, in 
quo arabo sepeliuntur. Ora pro eis plus lector. 
Quisquis eris qui transis, 

Sta, perlege, plora, 
Sum quod eris, fueramque quod es, 
Pro me precor ora. 

Hoc finito, a.d. 1622. 
In English: — 

Thomas Power, formerly citizen of Limerick, and Joanna his wife, 
erected this tomb for their posterity, in which both of them are 
interred. Pray for them, pious reader. 

Whoe'er thou art who passest, stand, 

Read and mourn at heart ; 
I am what thou shalt be, 
I had been what thou art. 
Pray for my better part. 
The original entrance to the church was at the western door, to whicli 
it was again transferred, after the building of the square. Over the eastern 
entrance in John's Street, was a coat of arms cut in stone, bearing the 
following inscription : — 

Sursum Cor 

Contritus 

JOHANNES MUKEAY, Aberdonensis, 

Erected this Gate at his own Expenses. 

Johannes Sinclair, Sculpsit, 1693. 

Memento Mori. 

1 Murray expended much of the money whi c h he had made as a publican, in building this 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



687 



The following are the benefices in the diocese of Limerick : 

Benefice. 
Union, Rectory, Vicarage, 
or Perpetual Cure 

Abbeyfeale, v. ... .., 

Adare, v. 
Ardcarmy, r. 
Askeaton, u. 
Ballingarry, v. 
Bally cahane, r. 
Bruff, and Uregare, 
Bruree, v. 
Cahernarry, p. c. 
Castlerobert, u. 
Chapelrussell, r. v. ... 

Clonelty, u. 
Corcomohide, v. 
decora, v. 
Croagh, v. 
Croom, r.v. 
Derrygalvin, r. 
Donoughrnore, r. 
Drehidtarsna, r. 
Dromin, u. 
Dysart, r. 
Effin, r. 
Fedamore, w. 
Kilbreedyminor, r.v. 
Kilbrodan, r. v. 
Kilcolman, r. 
Kilcornan, r. ... 

Kildimo, p. c. 
Kilfintinan, v. 
Kilfergus, v. ... ... 

Kilfinane, u. 
Kilflyn, r. 
Kilkeedy, r. v 
Killaliathan, v. 
Killeedy, r. v. 
Killeely, r.v. 
Kilmallock, 
Kilmoylan, v. 
Kilmurray, r.> ... 

Kilpeacon, u. 
Kilscannell ... 

Loughill, u. ... 

Mahoonagh, r. 
Manistemenaghj v. 
Mungret, v. ... 

Nantinan, p. c. 
Newcastle, u, 

gate, and was soon afterwards so reduced, that Lis goods were distrained by the excise; where* 
upon a poetical guager subjoined the following couplet to the above lines: — ■ 
" Johannes Murray, had he been wise, 
Would, have kept this money to pay his excise, 



Church Revenue 
Patron. from Glebe lands : 


Rent Charges, etc. 


Crown, 




Earl of Dunraven, ... 


£200 


Bishop, 


205 


Sir M. Blackiston, ... 


183 


Earl of Cork and Orrery, 


172 


Bishop 


120 


Bishop, 


70 


Dean of Limerick, ... 


180 


Dean of Limerick, 


97 


Bishop, 


143 


Bishop, 


69 


Vicars Choral of Limerick, 


132 


Vicars Choral of Limerick, 


240 


Vicars Choral of Limerick, 


68 


Henry Watson, Esq., 


400 


John Croker, Esq., 


752 


Bishop, 


96 


Bishop, 




Incumbent of St. Munchin's, ... 


117 


J. Croker, Esq., 


470 


Bishop, ... ... 


54 


Earl of Dunraven, ... ... 


254 


Bishop, ... ... 


304 


Bishop, ... ... 


120 


Bishop, ... ... 


170 


Bishop, ... ... 


59 


Eev. T. Waller, 


306 


Archdeacon of Limerick, 


107 


Lord Leconfield, 


53 


Vicars Choral of Limerick, 


84 


Earl of Cork, 


217 


Bishop, 


135 


Crown, 


739 


Lord Muskerry, 


30 


Bishop, 


313 


Bishop, ... ... 


264 


Dean and Chapter of Limerick, 


90 


Vicars Choral of Limerick, 


95 


Crown, ... ... 


277 


Bishop, 


202 


Bishop, ... ... v 


63 


Bishop, 


567 


Earl of Devon, 


408 


Crown, for Lord Southwell, 


14 


Dean of Limerick, 


182 


Precentor of Limerick, ... 


94 


Earl of Devon, ... 


440 



688 



HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. 



Bishop, 
Bishop, 
Earl of Limerick, 


... £871 

86 

... 140 


Earl of Limerick, 


... 100 


Trustees of Blind Asylum, 


19 


Crown 


... 454 


Bishop, , 9J 

Bishop, 

Bishop, 

Precentor of Limerick, 


70 
„. 334 
... 293 

95 


Bishop, 

Precentor of Limerick, 


... 130 

18 


Bishop, 


.., 355 



Rathkeale, it. 

Eathronan, r. v. 

St. Michael's, p. c 

St. John's, v. 

St. Laurence, v. ... • . . . 

St. Mary's, u. 

St. Michael's, u. 

St. Mun chin's, u. .. 

St. Patrick's, r. 

Shanagolden, v . 

Tankardstown, r. ... 

Tomdeely, u. 

Tullebrackey, r. ... 

The total revenue may be gleaned from the above. Cost of glebe 
houses, £25,894, statute acres of glebe, 1082, cost of Protestant parish 
churches, £27,647, number of persons for whom accommodation is pro- 
vided in parish churches, 8,670, number of members of Established Church 
in benefice, 11,122, Catholics in benefice, 246, 302. 1 

The following are the places of worship attended by the Protestant 
dissenters, w T ho form a numerous and respectable portion of the in- 
habitants 

The Presbyterian Meeting House, a commodious edifice of cut 
stone, is situated in Glentw T orth Street, near the Dominican church. 
Their former place of worship was in Peter Street, having been built in 
1775, with a house for the minister, at an expense of £500. They had 
previously, that is, soon after the Revolution, rented the chapel of the old 
Augustine Nunnery in Peter's Cell. The Presbyterians in Limerick have 
been largely increased by an accession of several Scotch families, whose 
representatives are now T merchants, and otherwise respectably employed in 
the city. 

The Quakers' Meeting House is at present in Cecil Street. It had 
been first in Creagh Lane, and w T as afterwards in Peter Street, where they 
had a cemetery, now disused for the more modern one at Ballinacurra 
Pike. The Quakers settled in Limerick in 1655. 

The Methodists.— Shortly after 1748 or 1749, when the first Methodist 
sermon was preached upon the Parade Castle Barrack by a Mr. Swindall, 
the celebrated Mr. Wesley visited Limerick, and a society being formed, 
they rented the old Church of St. Francis' Abbey, where they continued 
until 1763, when they erected a handsome brick house, near the city court 
house, at the expense of £600. It was supported by four columns of 
the Tuscan order. The congregation subsequently removed to the new 
town. 

The Methodist Wesleyan Chapel. — In 1812 this very neat preaching 
house was erected in George Street. It is built of cut stone, with a 
flight of steps and balustrade of cast iron. The interior is neat and con- 
veniently arranged. After the disputes respecting the expediency of 
sacramental administrations by the preachers in 1815, the Methodists 
divided into the Wesleyan Methodists, who kept possession of the new 
house in George Street, while the Primitive Wesleyan Methodists retained 

1 Sir William (Justice) Slice's History and Statistics of the Irish Church. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 68& 

the old one ; but the latter society soon found means to build a better 
bouse, known as 

The Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Preaching House, in Bedford 
Row, founded in 1821, built of cut stone, in the Gothic style, with 
iron balustrade and handsome entrance. The interior is very neat. Apart- 
ments for the preacher are attached to the house. 

The Independent Chapel — a plain, substantial building, we'd suited 
for the purpose for which it is intended, and adjoining the latter place 
of worship. 



690 



ItlSTORY OF LIMERICK. 




CHAPTER LXIII. 



A LIST OF THE PROVOSTS, MAYORS, BAILIFFS, AND 
SHERIFFS, OF THE CITY OF LIMERICK, FROM THE 
YEAR 1195, TO THE YEAR 1866, etc. 

1197. In this year, being the ninth of Richard I., Limerick obtained a 
charter to elect mayors and bailiffs. The Arthur and Sexten MSS. say: 
" On the 18th of December this year, John, Earl of Moreton, then sole 
Lord of Ireland, dwelling at the time in Killaloe (in pago Laonensi), 
bestowed on Limerick, by his charter, the honours of a city, and gave to 
it the same liberties, immunities, indulgences, and privileges, which he 
had a short time before granted to the city of Dublin ; he gave to it the 
faculty of electing prastors, who are called mayors, and duumvirs, whom 
they used to call bailiffs, but whom by a more recent charter of King 
James I., they now call sheriffs". The first royal charter was not granted to 
Waterford till 1205-6, by King John in the seventh year of his reign; 
and it was not till 1220, the 5th of Henry III., that a charter was granted to 
Cork. The 6th of July, first Richard L, 1189, is assigned by some autho- 
rities as the date of the grant of mayor and bailiffs to London. 1 The 

1 We learn from Nash's City of London Records, that Alfred, King of the West Saxons, com- 
mitted the safe custody of London to his son-in-law, Adhern, Earl of Mercia; on his death the 
whole city reverted to King Edward "the Elder", and remained in his hands and governed by 
him by " Portgraves" or "Portreeves". 

Coke says, 2 Institute, " Before and since the time of Richard I., London was governed by a 
Portreeve. In Richard I. by the bailiffs, afterwards by a 'mayor' appointed by the King. 
But by 9th John, the King granted ' quod eliyant a mayor de seipsis annually' ". 

Stow says, that in the reign of King Edward, the last before the Conqueror, Wolfegare was 
portgrave, as appears by charter. 

The charter was, " Edward, King, greeteth Alfward, Bishop, and Wolfgare, my Portgrave, 
and all the burgesses of London". 

Another charter, " King Edward greeteth William Bishop and Swetonan my Portgrave". 

Also in another charter to Cherlsey he says, " To William Bishop and Leofstane and Alfly 
portgraves". 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 691 

White MSS., followed by Ferrar and Fitzgerald, state that London did not 
obtain a mayor till 1207, ten years after Limerick. The charter of King 
John to London (12th May, 1208), gave the privilege of appointing the 
mayor annually to the citizens. Richard reserved the choice to the king. 
White, who states he compiled his list of mayors from three ancient manu- 
scripts, disagrees in some particulars with Sexten's Chartulary and Book 
in the British Museum, which contains a list of mayors and bailiffs from 
1256, when he places Reynald de Sancto Jacobo as mayor, to 1636, 
when his list terminates. The Arthur MSS. begin the list in 1215, 
when they place Siwardus de Fferandona as provost; and in the year 1218, 
give Thomas Fitz-John Arthur as mayor. Arthur's list ends in 1651. 
We compile our roll from the three MSS., supplying names from one which 
do not appear in the other. 

PROVOSTS. 

1195 John SpafFord, elected and sworn on Monday after Michaelmas 
Day, and to continue such till Monday after Michaelmas the year 
following. 

1196 Alexander Barrett, 

1197 Henry Troy. 

MAYORS. BAILIFFS. 

1197-8 Adam Sarvant, John Bambery, Walter White. 

1199 Thomas Cropper, 

1210 Roger Maij, 

1211 John Cambitor. 

MAYORS. BAILIFFS. 

1212 Walter Crop, 

1213 Robert White, 

In reign of William Conqueror, " William Bishop" procured from the Conqueror his charter 
of liberties. " To the said William Bishop and Godfrey, portgrave, and to all the burgesses of 
the city of London". Anno 1087. 

"Portgrave, or portreeve, means (Saxon, two words) port or town, and guardian or keeper". 

The first charter was as follows : — 

" William, Kyng, gret William Bisceep and G-osfregh porterelan, and ealle tha Burhwarn 
binnen Londone Frencisce and Englisce friendlise". 

(By William Conqueror in Saxon language.) 

King Stephen used portgrave. 

Henry II. " Portgrave". 

These portgraves were called vice comites, viscounts, or sheriffs, as being under comes, i.e., an 
earl. 

Fitz-Stephens wrote (Henry II.), this city is divided like Rome, instead of consuls has 
sheriffs, it has senators and aldermen. 

Richard I. changed the title of portgrave to bailiff", and appointed two persons yearly. 

1209 King John altered the title from bailiff to "mayor" (quere from Latin major, or meyr 
(Sax.), or miret (Brit.), and the sheriffs called baliva. 

Stowe shows that the office of mayor was older than that of Richard I., 1189. 

FIRST MAYOR. 

Henry Fitz-Alwyn (draper) was first elected Mayor of London. He served from Richard I. 
Until loth John (2i years), but he was originally " bailiff", and then nominated "mayor". 

In 1208 the King, by letters patent, granted to the citizens the liberty and authority yearly 
to choose themselves a mayor. 

In 12th May, 9th King John, by letters patent, granted permission for a mayor to be annually 
chosen by themselves out of their own body. 

Henry III. in 1233, granted a charter to the citizens of London to choose their own mayor. 

The title of " Lord" accorded to mayor by Richard II. in 1381. 

The first Provost of Dublin, given in Harris's His. of Dub , was John Le Decer, 1308 ; first 
mayor, 1309, Thomas Cussack ; first Lord Mayor, Sir Daniel Bellingham, 1665. 
[A. S. W. refer respectively to Arthur, Sexton, and White's MSS.] 



692 



HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 



John Moore, Richard Reymbold. 



1214 Siward Minutor, 

1215 Siwardus de Fferendona. 

1216 J. Russell, alias Creagh. 

1217 John Banbury. 

1218 John Fitz-Thomas Arthur. Nicholas Walsh, Nicholas Fitz-Hiu, A. 

1219 John Avenbrugger, 

Fitzgerald gives the above name and date, on what authority I know not. 

1230 Reynold de St. Jacobo, Maurice Blund, Pierse Russell. 

In page 2a of the Black Book, Simon Herwarder is styled Mayor, and Maurice Blund and Walter of Adare 
Provosts ; again, p. 40, Reginald de Sto. Jacobo is called Seneschal of Limerick. 

1231 Nicholas Fitzsimon, John Bolingford, William Mac John. 

1234 Geraldus Domiler, 

1235 John de Hanco, 

1236 John Poines, 

1237 Henry Troy, John White, Philip Rainbold. 

1238 Richard Millesowen. 

From 123S to 1255 sixteen Mayors are unknown say White's MSS., but the following appear In A. and S. 

1241 Nicholas Fitz-Thos. Arthur 
1255 John White, 

1258 Thomas Crop, 

1259 Adam Serjeant, 

1260 Henry Troy, 

1261 Robert Juvenis (S.) (or 

Young?) Robert Reym- 
bold, Alexander Barret 
(W.) 

1262 Reginald de St. Jacobo, 

1263 John Russell, alias Creaghe, 

1264 John Banbery, 

1265 Richard Troway, 

1266 Geraldus de Mulier, S. 

1267 John Hamilton, (S. W. 

Hampton, W.) 

1268 Robert Poynes, (W.) 

1269 Henry Troy, W. 

1270 Richard Milles Owen, W. 

1271 John White, W. 

1272 Gregory Wanybould, W. 

1273 John Bambery, W. 

1274 Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, W. 

1275 Geraldus Millis Owen, 

1276 Edmund Longan, 



Anlane None, Owen Moore, S. 



John Moore, Richard Reymbold, S. 
John Danyell, John Nash, (S.) 

Thorn Albe, John Troy, (S.) 
Richard Whyte, Richard Laceye, S. 
Richard White, Gregory Winebald, S 



A. gives Gregory Wynedbald Mayor, and William de Eupe and John Daniel as bail! 

1277 Gregory "Vonbonde (Bon- 
William De Rupe, John Danyell, S. 



bonde), 

1278 Morris Lisborne, S. 

1279 Gerald De Murley, 

1280 Maurice Blund, 

1281 Richard Troy, 

1282 Henry Troy, 

1283 John Kildare, 
1284* Gerald Morles, 
1285 Edmond Longane, 

1294 Maurice Lisborn, 

1295 Gerald de Morly, 

1296 Richard Troy. 

1297 Nicholas Fitzsimons, 

1298 Gerald Morles, 

1299 Richard Troy, 

1300 John Kildare (second time 

Mayor, Arthur MSS.) 
Gerald Domilier W. 

* No names are given for sixteen years, commencing 1284 and ending 1300, by Sexten 
Wlilto supplies some names during these years. 



Anlane O'Noyne, Owen Moore, S. 
Anlane O'Noyne, Owen Moore, S. 
John Walsh, John Troy, S. 
John Walsh, John Troy, S. 
John Daniel, Thorn. Ricolf, A. 
Nicholas White, Richard Longane. 
Nicholas White^Gregory Wainbold. 

Anlonus O'Neonan, Owen Moore, S. 
Nicholas Walsh, John Troy, S. 



HISTORY OF LIMEEICK. 



693 



MAYORS. 

1301 John de Hanco, 

1302 Robert Poines, 

1303 Henry Troy, 

1304 Richard Milles Owen, 

1305 John White, 

1306 Thomas Bambury, 

1307 William Loung, 

1308 Robert Juvenis or Yong, 



1308 Gregory Wambold, 

1309 Gregory Wainbold, 

1310 John Bambery, 

1311 Rowland Troy according to 

White, but according to 
Arthur, Fitz-John Albus 
(or White), 

1312 John Creagh of Adare says 

White, but according to 
Arthur, Gaylbardus de 
Melen, 

1313 Walter White says White, 

but according to Arthur, 
John de Langeton, 

1314 John Samtone, 
Robert Troy, 

1315 Robert Juvenis, 
Gregory Wambold, 

1316 John White, 



John White, Philip Troy, S. 

John Moore, Richard Symbols. 

Walter Jannell, Robert Warren. 

Henry Troy, Alexander Barrett. 

W. gives the following for 1308 and 1309 : 

John Kildare, William Croppe. 

William Clean, David Russell 

Walter White, Philip Rainbold. 



Robert Long, Thomas Crop. 



Richard Long, Thomas Winnebol. 



Thomas Crop, Nicholas Ricalf. 

Thomas Croppe, Nicholas Ricolfe, S. 

Richard Loung, Thomas Wambold, W. 

Henry Troy, Alexander Barrett, S. 

John DannelL John Nash, W. 

Nicholas Fitz-Thomas Blake, and William Fitz-Thomas 

Mouer, S. 
Stephen Danniel, Alanus O'Hartegan, W. 
John Wigmor, John Troy, S. 



Maurice de Lisborn, 

1317 Thos. Blake Kildare, 
Gregory Wambold (White) 

From 1318 to 1328, Sexten gives no list. WMte gives thefollowing :— 

1318 Nicholas White. William 

Prendergast,* according 
to Roll Just. It. 44, 45 
Hen. III. 

1319 Philip Rainbold, 

1320 Thomas Bambery, 

1321 Richard Loung, 

1322 Walter White, 

1323 Roger de Lisborn, 

1324 John Fitz-John White, 

1325 John Fitz-John Le Blunt, 



Owen Moore, Richard Milles Owen. 



Hugo Woedfor, Laynach. > . 

John Hamond, Daniel Martell. j ' 
White gives for 1324 and 132-5, Thomas Kildare, and Richard Miles Owen, Mayors. 

1326 John White, Nicholas Black, William Moore, W. 

1327 Gregory Wainbold, John Daniel, John Nash. 

1328 Henry Troy, John White, Phillip Rembold. 

1329 Greg. Wyneband, William Blunde, David Russell. 

A. and S , but according to White, Richard Milles Owen, John Moore, and Richard Rembold. 

1330 Greg. Wyneband, John of Kildare and William Cropp (A. and S.). 
John White, John Moore, John Rembold (White). 

1331 Greg. Wyneband, William de Rupe, John Daniell. 

From 1302 to 1349, Sexten gives no names ; Arthur gives some, and White the following : — 

1332 Thomas Bambery Thomas Tallow, John Howse. 

1333 Greg. Wainbold, William de Rupe, John Daniel. 

1334 Thomas Black, of Kildare, John Vigmor, John Troy. 

1335 Richard Milles Owen, John Rembold, Richard Rembold. 

Sexten states that John Daniel was mayor this year, James Moore, John Massie, Bailiffs. 

* The Prendergasts had large estates in those days at Kilcolman, near Doneraile, and also at Mitchels- 
town, then considered in the county of Limerick. There was a suit raised as to what county part of their 
estates was in, and twelve freeholders of Cork, and twelve of Limerick, were summoned to decide the point. 
The record as to thii is, Roll of Justices Itinerant, 44 and 45 Hen. III. I presume this branch of the Prender- 
ga*ts ended iu an heuess, who carried the estates to the family of the Geraldines known as the White 
Knights, 



694 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



MAYORS. BAILIFFS. 

1336 John White, Richard Noxthine, John White, W. 

1337 Greg. Wainbold, John Daniel, John Nash. 

According to Arthur the persons following— John of Kildare, John Daniel!, Thomas Ricolf. 

1338 John Kildare, A. W. 

1339 Thomas Kildare, 

1340 Richard Miles Owen, 

1341 Thomas Bambery, 

1342 Robert White, 

1343 Gregory Wambold, . 

1344 Simon Bouir, 
Gregory de Lisborn, W. 

1345 Nicholas Fitz-Thomas, 
Simon Coney, 

1346 Nicholas Fitz-Symons, 



Nicholas Symons, John Troy, A. 
Richard Troy, Nicholas Howse, W. 
John Fleming, Laurence Daniel, W. 
Thomas Taylor, John Howse, W. 
John Daniel, John Nash, W. 

Richard Miles Owen, Thomas De Rannecks, A. 



Martin Fitz-Thomas, William More A. 
Richard Miles Owen, Thomas de Knock, W. 
Nicholas Tabernator, Thomas White, A. 
W. gives John Bambury as mayor. 

1347 John Croft, W. 

1348 Richard Miles Owen, senior, Adam Moore, Richard Reymbald, A. W. 

349 Richard Miles Owen, of 

Emly, Rd. F. Thomas, John Lofts, A. 

White gives Thomas Silver, Richard Troy, and Nicholas Hussey. 

350 Richard Millisse of Emly, Richard Fitzthomas, John Loftus, W. 
John Moore, Richard Rembold, W. 
Martin Fitz-Thomas, William Moore, A. 
Wm. FitzAdam More, Maurice FitzRichard FitzThomas, A. 
Thomas Troy, Mw Howse, of Hunlin, S. 
John Vigoner, Richard Rembold, W. 
Richard Fitzsimon, Thomas Troy, W. 
Henry Croyn, Branden Valens. (A. & S.). 



1351 Robert Creagh, 

1352 Nich. Fitz-Thomas 

1353 Nicholas Fitzsimon, 

1354 John Nash (W), 

1355 Nicholas Black, of Kildare, 

1356 John Kildare, 

1357 Rd Bultingfourd, 

1358 John Crofte (S.), 

White gives John Baltingford, Henry Troy, and Branden Valens. 

1359 Rd. Milles Owen, Rd. Fitz-Thomas, Henry Croyne (A.). 

This mayor was sworn in on the festival of St. Senan the Bishop. A. MSS, 

1360 Rd. Milles Owen, jun., A.W. John Ffleminge, Laurence Daniel, A. 

1361 Nicholas Bakkecar, John Wigmor, John Troy, A. 

1362 Robt. Creaughe, S. 

1363 John Bambery, Wm. Longe, John White, S. 

1364 Thos. Pill, * Walter Gilbert, Roger White, S. 

1365 John Fitz-Thomas Arthur, Rd. Nashe, John White, S. 



1366 Thos. Bambery, 

1367 John Bultingfourd, 

1368 Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, 

1369 John White, 

1370 Gilbert F. Thomas Blake, 

1371 Robt. Creaugh, S. 

1372 John Arthur, S. 

1373 Nicholas Blackader, 

1374 Rd. Milles Owen, 

1375 Wm. Bambery, 

1376 Rd. Bultinfourd, 

1377 Thomas Kildare,* 

1378 William White, 

1379 Thomas Kildare, 

1380 Rd. Bultingford, 

1381 John Banbery, 

* One of this name (Kildare) was representative for the county and city of Limerick in the parliament of 
Edward III., a.d., 1376, at Westminster. 

[Between the Sexten and Arthur, and the White MSS. roll there is much discrepancy from 1357 to 14S3, 
which I have endeavoured as far as possible to adjust by a careful compai ison of the rolls. In reading these 
confused accounts of the chief magistrates of Limerick, we are remintied of what Livy says of those of liome : — 
" Tanti implicant errores temporum et nominum ut nee qui consules fuerint secundum quosdam ore inares, 
nee etc". " So many mistakes about persons and dates embarrass one, that you can neither tell who were consuls 
after others, nor", etc. However, there is nearly a perlect agreement in all the MSS. rolls from 14S3 down to 
1636 and 1 665, when S. and A. end. Arthur would appear to have had access to Sexten's roll, which he margins 
some times with E, S. He quotes, ancient MSS. for his roll, Sir James Ware, family monuments and lecords, 
etc., etc..) 



Rd. Dony, Robt. Lisborne, S. 
John Vigmor, Rd. Skiner, S. 
Dominick Cricke, William Man, W. 
Richard Nophine, John White, TV. 
John Creaugh, John Troy, A. 
John Arthur, W. 
David Cricke, Thorn. White, A. 
John Wigmore, John Troy. 
These were officers A.r>. 1362, 12th August. S. 

John Ffleminge, Laurence Daniell, S. 
Wm. Longe, John White, S. 
Thorn. Pill, Roger White, S. 
Wm. Longe, Rd. Grant, S. 
Thomas Barkley John Man, TV. 
Thomas White, Thomas Spicer, S. 
Peter O'Cullen, Brandon O'Hurtigane S. 
Wm. Longe, Thorn. Taylor, S. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



695 



1382 John White, 

1383 Richd. Troy, 

1384 Thomas Kildare, 

1385 Thorn. Pill, 

1386 Richard Bultingfourd, 

1387 John White, 

1388 Thomas Malby, 

1389 John White, 

1390 Richard Baltingford, 

1391 John White, 

1392 John Kildare, 

1393 Thomas Kildare, 

1394 Thomas Kildare, 

1395 Walter Daniel, W. 

1396 Richard Bullingfourd, 

1397 Thomas Kildare, 

1398 Thomas Kildare, 

1399 Nicholas Black, 

1400 John Arthur, 

1401 Peter Loftus, 

1402 Thomas Spicer, 

1403 John Arthur, 

1404 John Arthur, 27th June. 
John Spofford, 6th Dec. A. 

1405 Thomas Kildare, 

1406 (Wanting in S. A. W.) 

1 407 Thomas Comyn, 

1408 Thomas Comyn, 

1409 Thomas Comyn, 

1410 John Bambery, 

1411 Thomas TroyJ A. W. 

1412 (Wanting in S. A. W.) 

1413 Thomas Comyn, 

1414 Thomas White, 

1415 Peter Loftus, 

1416 Thomas Comyn, 

1417 Thomas Comyn, 

1418 John Gale, alias Spafford, 

1419 John Spafford, 



Richard Nopthyrein, John Whyte, de Ballysheada, A. 

Nich. Woulfe, John Troy, S. 

William Longe, Richard Grand, S. 

Mathew Long, Roger White, A. 

Nich. Gough, Nich, Scourlock, A. 

John Spaffourd, Roger White, A. 

John Cassy, Richard Wigmor, S. 

Roger White, Thomas White. 

Pierce Callan, Brandon O'Hartigan, W. 

John Carter, John White, Alanus, O'Noyn, A. 

John Man, John Carter. 

John Sraws, Alanus O'Noyn, A. 

John Grante, John Carter, S. 

John Grant, Philip Moddii, S. A. 

Brandanus O'Hethigan, Petrus O'Cullan, A. 

Richard Wale, Willam Yonge, A. 

Nicholas Walsh, Richard Mason. 

John Vigoner, John Moody, W 

Richard Troy, John Moddii, A. 

John Budston, John Fitz-Robert Crevagh, A. 

Thomas Comyn, John Whyte, A. 

Thomas Comyn, Philip Lawless, A. 



1420 Richard Troy, 

1421 Thomas Arthur, 

1422 Richd. Troy, 

1423 Spafford, 

] 424 Pires Loftus, 
1425 Richard Troy, 
1226 Thomas Arthur, 

1427 Nicholas Stritch, 

1428 Thomas Comyn, W. 

1429 (Wanting in S. A. and W.) 



John Moddy, Peter O'Cullan. A. 
Richard Troy, Nicholas Fitz-Howe, S. A. W. 
Philip Callane, John Moddy, W. 
Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh. A. 
Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh, W. 
Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh. A. 
William Long, John White. A. 
Richard White, Nicholas Howell, A. 
Nicholas Walsh, A. 
Philip Lawless, Richard White, A. 
Richard White, Peter Loftus, A. 
William Budston, John Crevagh,A. 
John Nagle, Nicholas Walsh, A. 
Richard White, Peter Loftus, A. 
Richard White, William Harold, A. 
Nicholas Palliel, John Moddy, A. 
Sworn the first Wednesday after the feast of Corpus Christi, A. 
Peter Loftus, John Troy, A. 
Patrick Cogan, Thomas Barton, W. 
Pires Loftus, John Troy, W. 
Richard Arthur, William Harold, W. 
John Creaugh, William Budstone, A. 
William Creaugh, John Borton, W. 
Nicholas Walsh. John Rede, A. 
Edmond Harrold, Phillip Nagle, W. 



1419 The woorke about Towre ny Clony and St. John's Gate in the suburbs began. S. Annals. 

1428 Cahan's Towre in ye east of the suburbs builte. Ibid. 

The following are from the Arthur MSS. : — 

In 1419, Na Clouna Tower, and that portion of the town walls which looks towards St. John's 
Gate and the country, were built. Previous to this date, the walls were principally confined to 
that part of the city which is now called the English town. Thomas Arthur, who was Mayor 
in 1421, obtained a pardon (Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery and Select Molls, 58). A 
pardon was granted in 1422 to the Corporation, of fines, etc. (ibid.) 

In the charter of Henry VI. to the city, the abominable exclusion of " Irishmen" from all 
privileges, etc., is expressed. 

In 1424, the charters of Limerick were confirmed (P. and C. Molls, 272). The bishop was 
summoned to answer certain charges (ib. 234). 

In 1429, another charter is granted to Limerick by Henry VI., and in this year the eastern 



696 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



1430 Richard Troy, 

1431 William Arthur, 

1432 John Spafford, 

1433 Thomas Bambery, 

1434 William Wailsh, 

1435 Richard Fox, 

3436 Nicholas Arthur, A.S.W. 

1437 William Yong, 

1438 Thomas Comyn, 

1439 Walter Yong, 

1440 William Arthur, 

1441 William Arthur, 

1442 Nicholas Arthur, 

1443 Richard Ffox, 

1444 Nicholas Arthur, 

1445 Richard Arthur, 

1446 Nicholas Arthur, 

1447 William Loflus, W. 

1448 William Comyn, 

1449 William Arthur, 

1450 Thomas Arthur, 
145 I Richard Arthur, 

1452 Nicholas Arthur, 

1453 Thomas Burthon, 

1454 Nicholas Arthur, 

1455 William Longe, 

1456 Edmund Howell, 

1457 Nicholas Arthur, 

1458 Nich. Arthur A. W. 

1459 William Comyn, 

1460 Richard Arthur, 

1461 Patrick Torger, A. W. 

1462 Nich. Fitz-Thomas Arthur, 

1463 Nicholas Arthur, A. S. W. 



Patrick Cogan, Phillip Russell, A. W. 
Robert Warren, John Loftus, W. 
Richard White, William Harold, W. 
John Cassy, Richard Vigoner, W. 
William Loftus, Thomas Fox, W. 
John Loftus, Robert Nagle, W. 
John Husshie, John Cromwell, A.S. 
Edmund Howell, Philip Midchael, A. 
Phillip Russell, John Axdy, A. 
Robert Warren, Laurence Scott, A. 
Robert Waring, John Loft. 
Robert Nangle, Richard Galway, A. 
Patrick Turger, Robert Warren, S. 
John Lofts, Robert Nangyll, A. 
John Lofts, Edmond Harold, S. 
John Loftus, Robert Nagle. 
John Loft, Edmond Howell, 

Robert Waring, John Rede, jun. A. 
Patrick Cogane, Robert Nangle, A. 
John Creagh, David Arthur, W. 
Edmond Howell, Robert Nangle. 
John Long, Patrick Torger, A. 
Patrick Vogane, Thomas Budstone, A. 
John Lofts, Edmd Harold, S. 
David Creagh, John Comyne, S. 
John Verdune, William Whyte, A. 
John Roch, John Verdun, A. 
Maurice Roch, John Arthur, W. 
Patrick Fox, Richard Fanning, A.W. 
John Arthur, William Young, S.A. 
Richard Stretch, Anlenus O'Neonen, A. 
Philip Troy, Walter Whyte, A.W. 
Peter Arthur, John Dondon, A. 



side of the suburbs is fortified by a wall and tower. The tower was called Cogan Tower, and 
it did not occupy a long time in building, because, in 1430, Richard Troy, mayor, Patrick 
Cogan and Phillip Russell, bailiffs, rendered an account of the expenses of building Co«-an 
Tower in the eastern wall of the southern suburbs, Hen. VI. {Arthur MSS.). This tower lay 
on the east walls of the suburbs of the Irish town " Richard Troy being mayor" ( White's MSS.) 

In 1434, Gerald Earl of Kildare being Lord Deputy, a parliament was held here (22nd 
Ewd. IV.). 

In 1436, a trial is prohibited in Limerick by ecclesiastical authority. 

In 1441, 20th Hen. VI., William Arthur, mayor, Robert Nangyle and Richard Galway, 
bailiffs, they furnished an account of the expenses incurred in building the walls of the southern 
suburbs (Arthur MSS.). White's MSS. state : " In this year part of the town wall near 
Cromwell's Tower was built, and add that the different joinings in the wall, to be seen at 
Mr. Robert Carr's house, prove that this wall was built at several different periods". 

1449 This year the Tholsel (which afterwards was converted into a gaol) was building. The 
fact is told in rhyme in the Davis MSS. 

1450 This year they began to build John's Gate of Limerick, near Tower-ne-Clouny, Thomas 
Arthur being Mayor. 

1451 The Tolsel began to be built. SexterCs Annals. 

1460 The following account of salaries and expenses appears in the Arthur MSS. : 

1460 To Catherine Carter, return of tolls 

Salary at the time usually given to the Mayor 

To Nicholas Arthur, for the custody of the castle 

Bailiffs 

There was a public clock, to the caretaker of which used to be paid ... 

To the Public Assistant Clerk (Amanuensis) of the Court 

To the Mayor's Sergeants 

To the two Porters 

To Thomas Hay, for market dues 

Organist ,,. ... ,„ 



s. 


D. 


2 


2 


50 





5 




40 





5 





20 





27 


4 


10 


8 


3 


4 


6 


1 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 697 

MAYORS. BAILIFFS. 

1464 Nicholas Arthur, John Fitz-William Arthur, John Marshall, A. 

Stephen Skeolan, 1st February, A. 

1465 Patrick Torger, Gerald Tews, William Whyte, A. 

1466 Thomas Arthur, James Creagh, John Stackpol, A. 

1467 Thomas Arthur, Patrick Arthur, Richard Stretch, A. 

This year being the nineteenth of Edward IT., David Ffanning was Assessor of Limerick. A. ilSS. 

1463 William Comvn, John Stackpool, William Verdune. A. 

1469 Thomas Arthur, John Creagh, Daniel Arthur, A. W. 

1470 Henrv Creagh, S. Garret Woulie, William White, W. 
David Creagh, W. 

1471 John Arthar, John Comvn, John Stacknoh A. 

1472 Patrick Arthur, John Waring, Thomas Woulfe, A. 

1473 William Comvn, John Stackpol, John Verdon, W. 

1474 John Arthur, John Stackpol, John Comvn. 

1475 David Creagh, Edmond Arthur, William CromwelL W. 

1476 Patrick Arthur, Edward Arthur, William CromwelL A. 

1477 Daniel Crevagh, Edward Arthur, William Cromwell, A. 

1478 Thoma3 Arthur, Edmond Torger, David Mlagh, A 

1479 Thomas Arthur, John Warren, David MidcheU, A. 

1480 John Arthur, John Creavagh, David Arthur, A. 
1431 John Comvn, George Arthur, Walter Arthur, A. 

1482 David Arthur, William Comvn, David Miagh, A. 

1483 John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, John Fitz-William Comvn, William Fitz-Richard Creragh. 

1484 Walter Whyte, S.A.W. Mamie i Stackpol, Philip Richibrd, S. 

This was the first of the Whites of Ballycondon that came to Limerick. W. MSS. 

1485 William Harold, John Stackpol, Richard Stritch, W. 
1436 John Arthur, William Cromwell, Myles Arthur, A. 

1487 John Arthur, William CromwelL Myles Arthur, A. 

1488 David Creagh, I Imond Long, Nicholas Nangyll, A. W. 

1489 Thomas Arthur, A. W. Christopher Arthur, John Whyte, W. 

1490 Patrick Arthur, George Comvn, Pierce Rice, TV. 

1491 David Creagh, David Roche, Christopher Arthur. 

1492 Maurice Stackpol, William Arthur, Edmund Nangyll, A. W. 

1493 Edmund Longe, Nicholas Whyte, David Yerdune. 

1494 Geo. Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, Richard Fox, David Meyagh. 

1495 Edmond Longe, David Roche, Walter Harold, Thomas Stackpol. 

1496 George Comvn, Richard Fitz-David Creagh, Thcmas Stackpol, 

1497 George Comvn, Richard Fitz-David Creagh, Thomas Stackpol. 

1498 William Harrold, Nicholas Stretch, John Fitz-William Whyte. 

1499 David Roche, Thomas Roche, John Stackpol. 

The city sent this David and Bichard Serjent, its orators, to Henry YII. A violent contention arose between 
him and his successor Philip Stackpol, relative to the succession to the mayoralty. A. MSS. 

1500 Philip Stackpol, John Everard, Richard Fitz-Xicholas Creagh. 
150 L Christopher Arthur, Robert Stackpol, Edmond Comvn. 

1502 John Creagh, Richard Harrold, Thomas Cromwell. 

1465 In this year it was enacted that every- town in Ireland should have a constable, and a 
pair of butts for shooting every holiday (Irish Stat. Edwd. IV.) 

1466 Liberty given to the cities of Limerick and Waterford to coin money (Hid.). 

1470 It was enacted that every merchant who imports goods into Limerick, must import bow» 
to the value of 100 shillings (ibid). Charter granted by Henry VI. to barbers and chirurgeons, 
or Guild of St. Mary Magdalene, Limerick. 

1485 William Harrold, Mayor. Numbers of cattle died of murrain. This year cow hide sold 
for four pence, and the bushel of wheat for a shilling (Arthurs MSS.) 

1489 In this year, the charter ot Henry VII. was granted to Limerick, on the 26th of July. 

1492 The citizens then sent John Woulf, clerk of tbe court, and Richard Stretch, their 
pleaders, to the King of England, and for the expenses of the journey, granted them £d sterling 
From an old MS. quoted in Arthur MS& 

1494 They were then engaged in the building of the St. John's Gate, and Wm. Donnyll (?) 
[this name is Daniel, or O'Donnell, an ancient family represented no .7 bv General Sir Charles 
O'Donnell and his relatives] appointed treasurer of that gats ; and the bailiffs were bound to pre- 
side alternately over those who watch this and Thomond Gate every- night (Arthur MSS.). 

1495 A guild of merchants was incorporated in this city, and it was enacted in this year that 
every subject having goods to the value of £20, must have a jack, sollet, an English bow and 
sheaf of arrows, and every freeholder a hor t e also, to assist the king (Irish Stat.). 

1501 This year there were collections made by the mayor to 3 place the cathedral of St. 
Mary's in repair. 

48 



698 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



MAYORS. 

1503 Nicholas Stretch, 
1504= Nicholas Stretch, 

1505 William Harrold (2nd time) 

1506 William Arthur, 

1507 William Creagh, 

1508 Richard Fitz-Patrick Fox, 

1509 Nichs. Thos. Fitz-W. Arthur, 

1510 Nicholas Stretch, 

1511 Thomas Roch, 

1512 Robert Harrold, 

1513 Robert Stackpol, 
15U Richard Fox (2nd time 

1515 Thomas Corny n, 

15 16 Nicholas Harrold, 

1517 Nicholas Harrold, 

1518 David Corny n, 

1519 John Rocheford, 

1520 Walter Ryce, 

1521 David Comyn (2nd time),* 

1522 David Whyte, 

1523 David Roche, 

1524 Christopher Arthur, 

1525 James Harrold, 



BAILIFF3. 

Robert Roche, Nicholas Bonevyle. 

Nicholas Lawless, Nicholas Fitz-John Arthur, John Lewis 

or Lawless 
Nicholas Creagh, Nicholas Rochford. 
Richard Whyte, Richard Sergeant. 
Nicholas Harrold, Nicholas Ryce. 
Thomas Yong, Richard Sargeant. 
David Comyn, Richard Boneovle. 
Walter Rice, Richard Fanning. 
Patrick Fanning, Thomas Rochefort. 
David White, Peter Comyn. 
James Stretch, Christopher Harrold. 
Christopher Creagh, James Fitz -Edward Arthur. 
William Long, William Arthur. 

Richard Milonis (Fitz-Milo) Arthur, Galfridus Stretch. 
James Harrold, Peter Walter Arthur. 
George Stretch, Peter Fitz- William Creagh. 
Edmond Harrold, Daniel Fitz-John Arthur. 
Stephen Creagh, Thomas Woulfe. 
William Fanning, Andrew Harrold. 
John Ryce, Thomas Arthur. 
James Creagh, Stephen Comyn. 
Peter Creagh, Patrick Everard. 



Richard Comyn, Patrick Everard. 
White, who gives James Arthur as Mayor this year, states " that a lease made to Thomas Roche, a citizen 
of Limerick, on the 2(Jth day of February, 1526, which is in my possession, was witnessed by James Hairold, 
Mayor of the city"— another proof of the general correctness of the Arthur roll. 



1526 Thomas Yong, 

1527 Nicholas Creagh, 

1528 Nicholas Stretch, 

1529 Patrick Fanning, 

1530 Stephen Creagh. 

1531 Edmond Harrold, 

1532 Daniel Fitz- George Arthur, 

1533 Thomas Yong, 

1534= John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, 

1535 Edmond Sexten, 

1536 Bartholomew Stretch, 

1537 Nicholas Comyn, 

1538 Wm. Fanning, 

1539 Leonard Creagh, 

1540 Dominick Whyte, 

1541 Patrick Everard, 

1542 George Crevagh, 

1543 David Whyte, 

1544 James Harrold, 

1545 Dominick Whyte, 



Nicholas Fitz -Thomas Creagh, John Nangyll. 

John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, Peter Fitz-Christopher Arthur. 

William Creagh, Leonard Creagh. 

Nicholas Comyn, Patrick Long. 

William Verdun, Richard Stackpol. 

John Harrold, Roland Arthur. 

George Creagh, Wm. White. 

David Ryce, Thomas Long. 

Bartholomew Stretch, John Fitz-John Stretch. 

Dominick Whyte, Oeunepherous Fitz-Christoper Arthur. 

John Comyn, Jasper Fanning. 

William Yong, Patrick Ryce. 

James Fox, James Roche. 

Wm. Stretch, Thomas Creagh. 

David Creagh, James Loftus. 

Walter Harrold, and Dominick Comyn. 

Wm. Stretch, James Stackpol. 

Wm. Creagh, Wm. Yong. 

Andrew Harrold, Hector Fitz- James Arthur. 

Patrick Long, George Rochfort. 



* 1521. 13th Hen. VIII. 1522, David Comyn second time Mayor, Nicholas, son of Thomas "William Arthur, 
William Fanning, Andrew Harrold, bailiffs. A terrible pestilence prevailed all over the city, and carried off 
Mayor Comyn, who was succeeded by Nicholas (F. W.) Arthur on the 4th day of September, on which day he 
was made mayor (Arthur MSS.). It was then that the Supreme Pontiff conferred on Henry VIII. the title 
of Defender of the Faith, in consequence of the book he published against Luther, and it was then that the 
Turks invaded the Island of Rhodes (Arthur MSS ) 



1505 William Harrold imposed several penalties or taxes on the citizens for the repairs, etc., 
of St. Mary's Church. 

1529 On the 10th of June, Edmond Butler, Archbishop of Cash el, held a Provincial Council 
at Limerick, at which were present — Nicholas Comyn, Bishop of Lismore and Waterford; 
John Quoin, Bishop of Limerick; and James O'Corrin, Bishop of Killaloe. In this synod power 
was granted to the May*or of Limerick to commit to prison ecclesiastics for debt, without any 
prohibition to the contrary, until their creditors were satisfied. The clergy complained 
grievously of this decree, as an impiety and a violation of their rights {Arthur MSS.). The 
MSS. adds, it is doubtful whether the concession avails. 

1530 Richard Fanning was clerk of the court, Town Clerk (?) of Limerick (Arthur MSS). 

1542 Hector Arthur was Clerk of the Court of Limerick (Arthur MSS.) 

1543 David White being Mayor of Limerick, was the first Mayor who carried a white wand 
(White's MSS. p. 41). This year the title of Earl of Thomond was conferred on Maurice 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



699 



MAYORS. 

1546 Stephen Creagh, 

1547 John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, 
154:8 Wm. Stretch, 

1549 John Fitzgeo. Stretch, 

1550 James Fox, 

1551 James Creagh, for one month 

Mayor ; James Fox, second 
time for two months. 

1552 William Stretch, 

1553 William Verdune, 

1554 James Stretch, 

1555 John Stackpol, 

1556 John Comyn, 

1557 Clement Fanning, 

1558 Edward Fitz- Daniel Arthur, 

1559 Daniel Comyn, 

1560 Peter Fitz- Leonard Creagh, 

1561 Richard Fanning, 

1562 Nicholas Whyte, 

1563 Nicholas Harrold, 

1564 George Roche, 

1565 Thomas Fitz-John Arthur, 
1666 Roland Harrold, 

1567 Christopher Creagh, 

1568 Dominick Fanning, 

1569 Philip Rochford, 

1570 John Fitz-Stephen Comyn, 

1571 Geo. Fitz-William Fanning, 

1572 Richard Stretch, 

1573 Thomas Fitz John Arthur, 

1574 Thomas Harrold, 

1575 Roger Everard, 

1576 Stpn. Fitz-Dominick Whyte, 

1577 Thomas FitzJohn Arthur, 

1578 John Woulfe, 

1579 Nicholas Fitz-Bw. Stretch, 

1580 Jordan Fitz-Gerald Roche, 



BAILIFFS. 

Wm. Verdun, Myles Stretch. 

Thomas Arthur, John Stackpol. 

Peter Whyte, James Creagh. 

John Harrold, Christopher Creagh. 

James Stretch, Edward Fitz-Daniel Arthur. 

Clement Fanning, Nicholas Harrold. 



Roland Harold, Philip Rochford. 

Nicholas Whyte, John Creagh. 

William Fox, Richard Fanning. 

David Comyn, Thomas Creagh. 

Peter Fitz- Leonard Creagli, George Roche. 

Richard Arthur, John Everard. 

Stephen Whyte, Dominick Creagh, 

Dominick Fanning, Thomas Fitz-Peter Creagh. 

Thomas Fitz- Patrick Creagh, Richard Young. 

Patrick Rochford, David Cromwell. 

Nicholas Woulfe, Patrick Fox. 

John Comyn, John Fanning. 

George Fanning, Thomas Harrold. 

Patrick Creagh, William Creagh. 

Roger Everard, Stephen Fanning. 

James Creagh, John Wolf. 

Thomas Fitz- Arthur, Richard Cromwell. 

Nicholas Price, Stephen Whyte. 

Dominick Everard, Daniel Fitz-Daniel Arthur. 

George Fitz-Daniel Arthur, George Comyn. 

Philip Comyn, Jordan Roche. 

Thomas Stretch, Milo Fitz-Eustace Arthur. 

George Cromwell, Nicholas Whyte. 

Stephen Fitz-Dominick Whyte, David Rochfort. 

William Fitz-John Arthur, Patrick Fanning. 

Walter Fitz-Patrick Ryan, Nicholas Stretch. 

John Stretch, Peter Stretch. 

Thomas Stretch, Arthur Creagh. 

Andrew Creagh, Edward Fitz-Hector Arthur. 



O'Brien, descended of the O'Briens who were Kings of Limeriek, and the title of Earl of Clan- 
rickard on Ulick Bourk (ibid.). 

1549 Hector Arthur was amanuensis of the court of Limerick this year. Arthur MSS. 

1559 The Masse put down, and the communio. put up: so Thorn. Creagh [Creagh, bailiff of 
LimerickJ. Sextets Annals. 

1565 The Earl of Desmond taken and sent to England. Ibid. 

1 565 John Hawkins, who had come from Santa Fe, in South America, originally introduced 
potatoes into Ireland. 

1569 Coner, Earl of Thomond, pclayd. trayter (by Thorn. Creaugh), fled to France, from 
thence he ca. to England, and was pdoed. Conor O'Brien was third Earl of Thomond. In his 
letter of submission to Queen Elizabeth, dated 27th September, 1572, he proposed to "advance 
the Book of Common Prayer, the Sacraments, and the Communion Book". Sexten's Annals. 

1570 Kilmalock spoyled by James Fitz-Morris. Ibid. 

1570 Kilmallock burned by James Fitzmaurice, Earl of Desmond. 

1571 Printing in Irish characters introduced by Nicholas Walsh, Chancellor of St. Paul's, 
Dublin. — Dublin Directory. 

1573 A terrible pestilence broke out in Dublin this year. 

1574 James Fitz-Morris, the archtrayter, wet. fro. Inshcatty beyond ye seas. A great 
plage in Dublin. Sexteris Annals. 

1755 (18 Eliz.) A swoord grattd. and borne before ye maior. Ibid. 

1575 The Queen (Elizabeth) sent by the Viceroy, Henry Sydeney, a royal sword, to be 
borne before the magistrates for the greater honour. Arthur MSS. 

Symon Sexten was clerk of the court of Limerick this year. Ibid. 

1576 The ruins of the King's Castle at Limerick are repaired this year. Ibid. 

1577 James Fitz-Morris landed and fortified at Smerwick, and the Earl of Desmond rebelled. 
Sexten's Annals. 

1579 James Fitz-Morris and Theobald did slay either the other. Sexten's Annals. 

1580 The fort at Smerwick taken, and the no. of 600 or 700 Spaniards and Italians put to 
the sword [1580]. Ibid. 



700 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



MAYORS. 

1581 James Fitz-John Galway, 

1582 John Fitz-Bw. Stretch, 

1583 Nicholas Comyn, 

1584 James Fanning, 

1585 Stephen Sex ten, 

1586 Thomas Yong, 

1587 George Fanning, 

1588 Jordan Roche, 

1589 Nicholas Bourke, 

1590 Thomas Fitz-VYm. Stretch, 

1591 Oliver Bourke, 



BAILIFFS. 

Thomas Yong, George Harrold. 

Peter Fitz-Dominick Creagh, Peter Oenopherous Arthur. 

Oliver Harrold, Nicholas Bourke. 

Nicholas Harrold, Patrick Midchell. 

Patrick Woulfe, Oliver Bourke, 

Robert Whyte, James Cromwell. 

Stephen Roche, Edmond Comyn. 

Martin Creagh died, Walter Ryce, and Patrick Woulf. 

William Fitz-Wm. Creagh, Thomas Stackpol. 

Thomas Woulf, Nicholas Fox. 

Edmond Fox, Richard Woulfe. 

1592 Nicholas Fitz-Thomas Arthur John Fitz-Andrew Comyn de Parke, David Woulfe. 

(first time), 

1593 Peter Fitz-Dominick Creagh, Bartholomew Fitz-Jas. Stretch, Ed. Fitz-Stephen Whyte. 

1594 John Fitz-Bw. Stretch, Dom. Fitz-John Arthur, Edward Stretch. 

1595 JamesWhyte, who died in the John Fitz-John Stretch, Clement Fanning. 

first month, and in his place 
was chosen Peter Fitz-John 
Creagh, 

1596 Robert Whyte, 

1597 Dominick Fitzjordan Roche, 

1598 James Cromwell, 

1599 Wm. Fitz-John Stretch, 

1600 Galfridus (Sir Geoffrey) Gal- 

way, afterwards made a 
baronet, fined and im- 
prisoned by the lord presi- 
dent {Sexten' s MSS.). 

1601 Stephen Roch, 



Bartholomew Stackpol, Robert Bourke, 

Wm. Fitz-Thos. Arthur, Jas. Fitz-Stephen Whyte. 

Philip Roche, Thomas Bourke. 

David Fitz-Nicholas Whyte, Michael Waters. 

Simon Fanning, Robert Arthur. 



1602 Philip Roch, 

1603 Nicholas Bourke (2nd time), 

1604 James Galway (2nd time), 



Wm. Fitz-Thomas Stretch, for the first six months; Jas. 

Fitz- Edward Arthur, for the second six months; David 

Fitz- Walter Ryce. 
James Fitz- James Whyte, Wm. Myeagh. 
Thomas Fitz-Philip Comyn, Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh. 
David Fitz-Milo Comyn, Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh. 

1605 Edmund Fox, for two months, Dominick Fitz-Peter Creagh, James Woulf. 

1606 Edmund Sexten, Christopher Arthur, P. Creagh. 

Sexten Sheriff of the County Limerick a second time, S. 

1607 Nicholas Arthur, Nicholas Whyte, William Hally. 

Galway and Sexten Agents for England, S. 

Sir Henry Bunkard, President of Munster, commenced a truculent persecution against the Catholics; and 
because Edmund Fox, three weeks before Michaelmas Day, refused to take the oath of supremacy and go to 
church, he was deposed of his office. The citizens being driven to a new election, chose Andrew Creagh Fitz- 
Gasper, who was the first Protestant Mayor. Arthur MSS., and White's MSS., p. bG. 

Andrew Creagh was May 5 for one month. 

1582 A hat of maintenance granted and borne before the maior. Ibid. 

1583 Queen Elizabeth granted the Salmon Weir, the Island of Iniscattery, in the Shannon, 
with twenty-four acres of land, a house and castle in the island, to the Mayor and citizens of 
Limerick for ever, and their successors, at the annual rent of £3 12s. 8d. ; also ten cottages, 
one church in ruins, twenty acres of wood and stony ground in said island, called beechwood, 
with all the tithes, and the several customs following: — From every boat of oysters coming 
itno the city of Limerick, once a year 1,000 oysters; and from every herring boat, once a year 
500 herrings (Archdall, etc.). The Queen also granted the customs of the several gates of 
the city. 

1594 A hundred talemen were sent to ye north of Trland, under the leadinge of David Woulf 
capte. in somer tyme. My father dyed this year. Sexten's Annals. 

1600 On the 14th of November in this year, Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, held 
a sessions of jail delivery in Limerick, when several of the Irish were condemned and executed 
{Hib. Pacata, p. 305). 

1601 Siege of Kinsale and overthrow of the Spaniards. 

1601 Edm. Sexten sher. of the county of Limke. ye first tyme, and then married. Sir J. 
Norish the Lo. President, and Sir Thorn. Vic. Pdt. longe befor absented fro. church. 

KiOi Geffrey Galway, Maior. This maior fined and imprsd. by ye Lo. Presdt. Secured ye 
East Dich of ye south suburbs. 

1602 All the cittyes and towns of Munster entered into arms, and put upp Masses in their 
churches, which continued not long. 

160i A terrible pestilence, brought over from England, scourged the province of Munster, 
and carried off three, hundred of the inhabitants of Limerick (Arthur MSS.) 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 701 



MAYORS. BAILIFFS. 

1608 Patrick Arthur, Wm. Creagh, Geo. White. 

These -were the last Bailiffs and the first Sheriffs <?f Limerick. 

SHERIFFS. 

1609 David Whyte, William Myeagh, Dominick Creagh. 

1610 Clement Fanning, Walter Whyte, Jasper Whyte. 

1611 David Comyn, one month, David Fitz-Geoffry Ryce,two months; Christopher Creagh. 
This David Comyn and David Ryce were deposed for refusing the oath of supremacy and not going to 

chui ch, aud were chosen 

Edmund Sexten, Christopher Creagh, Patrick Lysaght. 

1612 Wm. Myeagh, for four months, Patrick Fitz-Henry Whyte, John Skeolan, for four months. 
This Mayor and both Sheriffs were deposed for not taking the oaths, etc., and in their places were chosen 

Christopher Creagh, who took Geo. Fitz-James Creagh, John Lyseiaght, conformable 

the oath, but did not go to Sheriffs for eight months, 
church, and held the office 
for eight months, 

1613 Dominick Fitz-Peter Creagh, John FitzJohn Arthur, George Woulfe, for three months. 

This Mayor and Sheriffs were deposed for the same cause, and in their places were chosen 
William Haly for nine months David Bourk, Thomas Power, nine months. 

1614 Michael Walter, for five Nicholas Fitz-Nls. Stretch, Wm.Roch de Cahiravahalla, five 

months, months. 

The Mayor and Nicholas Stretch were deposed for not going to church, and in their places were chosen 
James Fitz-James Whyte, William Rochford, Peter Fitz-Peter Creagh, three months. 
They were likewise deposed for the same cause at the following assizes, and there were chosen 
James Galway, (third time David Bourke (above), Thomas Power, two months, who 
Mayor), resigned the office, then chosen Arthur Fanning, Chris- 

topher Fitz-D. Arthur. 

1615 William Stretch, fourteen James White Fitz-Henry, Walter Fitz-Richard Arthur, 

days, fourteen days. 

This Mayor and Sheriffs were deposed for the same cause, then chosen 
Simon Fanning, George Sexten, George Rochford. 

The Mayor also and George Sexten were deposed for the same cause, then chosen 
David Comyn (second time) Nicholas Fitz-Henry Whyte, Geo. Rochford. 
The Mayor and Nicholas Whyte resigned office, then chosen 

1616 James Galway, (fourth time) James Fitz-John Stretch, George Rochfort. 

The Mayor and Rochfort were deposed for refusing the oaths, then chosen 
Christopher Creagh, (con- Patrick Leyseaght, James Stretch. 
formed), 
This Mayor, for now refusing the oaths which he took in 1611, when Sheriff, was brought to the Star 
Chamber, was fined £100. and was confined ; none of these five Mayors or Sheriffs, in 1615, would take the 
oaths or go to church, except Patrick Lyeseagh, who was a Protestant. 

1616 Dominick Roche, (second John Fitz-John Stretch (conformed), Richard Lawless, 

time Mayor), (conformed). 

1617 John Fitz-John Stretch, George Fitz- James Creagh (conformed), Peter Harrold, 

(Poyson), (conformed), 

1618 Dominick Roch, (third time) 

He resigned in Dublin, then chosen 
Peter Fitz-Peter Whyte, Edward Sexten (conformed), David Roch (conformed). 

1619 Edward Sexten, (third time), Edward Sexten (conformed), Philip Ronane (conformed). 

1620 Henry Barkley, 

Who was deposed through the opposition of the Earl of Thomond, the very day of election, then chosen 

1621 Dominick Roche (the fourth James Lawless (conformed), Robert Lawless (conformed), 

time Mayor,) booksellers. 

1608 This year James I. granted his charter to the citizens, by which they obtained sheriffs, 
and the ancient name of bailiffs abolished, and tbe mayors increased (1)-— Arthur MSS. 

1608 (7 J as.) Ihe plague at Limke., wliereoff 300 dyed. Limke., Cork, and Galway, made 
countyes. Clonmel bad first a mayor and bayliffe wt. a swoord. 

1613 An act was passed for tbe King's genera land free pardon ; also an act to repeal a former 
act, which prohibited the Irish, English, and Scotch, from intermarrying — Irish Statutes, llth 
Jas. I. 

1615 Edm. Sexton 4 time sheriff of ye county of Limke., whoe had ye corporation seised in 
the Castele chamber for a riott. Sexterts Annals. 



702 HISTORY OF LIMEBICK. 

MAYORS. SHERIFFS. 

1622 John Fitz-John Stretch, Peter Harrold (conformed), Philip Ronane (conformed). 

(Poyson), 

1623 Edward Sexten (3rd time George Fitz-James Creagh, Patrick Lawless. 

Mayor), 

1624 David Fitz-Nicholas Comyn James Sexton (conformed), Edward Barkley (conformed). 

(3rd time Mayor), 

1625 Henry Barkley (conformed), Nicholas Fanning, John Meyeagh, Catholics. 

1626 James Fitz-Nicholas Bourke, James Fitz-Bw. Stackpol, George Bourke, Catholics. 

(Catholic), 

Mayor and Sheriffs went publicly to Mass. 

1627 James Fitz-John Stretch, Andrew Fitz-Andrew Creagh, Peter Fitz-Oliver Harrold. 

1628 Peter Fitz Peter Creagh, Dominick Fitz-Bw. Whyte, Edward Skeolane. 

1629 Dr. Domk. Fitz-David Whyte, Peter Fitz-Andrew Creagh, William Fitz-Stephen Roch. 

1630 Nicholas Fanning, Stephen Fitz-James Whyte, Robert Haly. 

1631 Andrew Fitz-Andrew Creagh, Stephen Stretch, Dominick Tyrry. 

1632 James Lawless, James Fitz-Stephen Whyte, Francis Fanning. 

1633 John Meyeagh, James Fitz-Ed. Fox, Peter Fitz-Peter Creagh. 

1634 Peter (or Pierce)* Creagh John Fitz-Thomas Bourk, William Fitz-Peter Creagh. 

Fitz-Andrew, 

1635 Thomas Fitz-Martin Arthur, Daniel Nihell, James Fitz- Water Ryce. 

1636 Sir Domk. Fitz-Bw. Whyte, Luke Stretch, William Leyseaght. 

This Sir Dominick was father to the Marquis of Albavilla in Germany. 

1637 James Fitz-James W hyte, James Fitz-John Creagh, James Hackett. 

1638 Robert Lawless, James Fitz- David Whyte, Nicholas Fitz-Ed. Fox. 

1639 Jordan Roch (the younger), David Fitz-David Whyte, William Fitz-Wm. Stretch. 

1640 William Fitz-Ed. Comyn, John Fitz- Jasper Comyn, Henry Cassy. 

1641 Dominick Fitz-Simon Fan- Thomas Fitz-James Whyte, George Fitz-Patk. Rochfort. 

ning (third time). 

1642 Peter Fitz-Pierce Creagh, Laurence Whyte, Laurence Ryce. 

1643 Dominick Fitz-David Whyte, Thomas Fitz-David Comyn, James Sarsfield. 

1644 Francis Fanning, James Mahowne, Patrick Meyeagh. 

1645 John Fitz-Thomas Bourk, Thomas Fitz-Patrick Stretch, Edmund Fitz-Stephen Roch. 
This Mayor was deposed by the clergy and populace for endeavouring to proclaim Ormonde's peace, and the 

rod was given to Dominick Fanning (second time). 

1646 Dominick Fitz-Stephen Fan- David Fitz-Peter Creagh, James Fitz-Geo. Sexten. 

ning, 

1647 Peter (Pierce) Creagh Fitz- Bartholomew Fitz-David Ryce, Patrick Woulfe. 

Andrew, 

1648 Sir Nichs. Fitz-David Comyn, Patrick Fitz-Oliver Arthur, Andrew Bourk. 

1649 John Fitz-Wm. Creagh, David Rochefort, James Bonefield. 

1650 Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh, Martin Fitz-Andrew Creagh, Nicholas Ronan. 

1661 Peter Fitz-Peter Creagh, Stephen Fitz-David Skeolan, Wm. Fitz-David Creagh. 

These were the last Catholics in office in Limerick. 

This was the year of Ireton's siege, referred to in detail in this work. The mayoralty was vacant for four 
years after that most lamentable event, and governed by the military governor until June, 1656, when twelve 
English aldermen were elected, who chose, for the remainder of the year, until Monday after Michaelmas, 
Colonel Henry Ingolsby as Mayor. 

1656 Colonel Henry Ingolsby, John Comyn, Peter Ash. 

1657 Captain Ralf Wilson, John Comyn, Peter Ash. 

* The Christian name of the Creaghs are called Petrus in Latin, which we translate Peter throughout In 
White's MSS. it is called Pierce, for which Pierius and Peircius are also given in the Camb. Lat. Die. 

1622 Mungret Gate opponed and nowe built, half ye street paved wc. was shut tyme out of 
mynde. St. Mary Church repayrd, and organ put up there. The spitell bego. to be built. iS. Annals. 

1627 (4 K. Chas.) Generall agents sent for England from the pvinces., whoe granted 
£120,000 subsidy to be granted by parlt., but levied for the souldiers wt. out. pliament. Ibid. 

1631 The lower part of the sub. burnt, and ale at £3 the hogset. Ibid. 

Indenture of last day of August 1609, denning boundaries of county of the citty of Lk. 
between Erl. Thomond, Bishop Limck., and Mayor of Limck, etc. Ibid. 

1 652 John Cullen, of the Order of St. Dominick, was executed for the faith in Limerick. — 
Whites MSS. 

1654 Commons of Ireland limited this year by Cromwell's Parliament to thirty. The 
counties of Limerick, Clare, and Kerry, one member only; city of Limerick and Kilmallock, 
one each. 

1657 The death of Oliver Cromwell is thus noted in the Davis MSS. :— 
*• Oliver Cromwell hurried to his woe, 
Justly rewarded by a quid pro guo'\ 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 703 

MAYORS. iHERIFrS. 

1658 Wni, Yarwell, Esq., Jeremy Heywood, Christopher Keyes. 

1659 Wra. Hartwell, Esq., Robert Passy, John Crabb. 

1 660 Thomas Miller, Henry Price, Robert Shutt. 

1661 John Corny n, James Banting, Wm. Pope. 

1662 Henry Bindon, Henry Salfield, Wm. Joint. 

1663 Sir Ralph Wilson, Thomas Martin, John Burn. 

1664 Sir Ralph Wilson, John Lence, Samuel Foxon. 

1665 Sir Wm. King, Henry Price, John Symmes. 

1666 Samuel Foxon, John Backner, John Arthur. 

1667 Sir Ralph Wilson, Wm. York, Anthony Bartlett. 

1668 Sir Ralph Wilson, Edward Clock, John Bennett. 

1669 E. Werendoght, Rowland Bonton, Henry Clinton. 

1670 R. Studdendoght Francis Whittamor, George Bockendoght. 

1671 John Bourin, chirurgeon, Daniel Hignett, John Hart. 

1672 Sir Geo. Ingoldsby, John Beer, John Halpin. 

John Halpin deposed ; James Philips, Sheriff. 

1673 Wm. York, Robert Higgins, Bartholomew Ast. 

1674 Wm. York, Thomas Rose, Robert Smith. 

1675 Edward Clarke, George Roche Wm. Craven. 

1676 Capt. Humphrey Hartwell, Pierce Graham, Edward Waight. 

1677 Capt. Humphrey Hartwell, Richard Lyllis, Wm. Clifford. 

1666 A great drought this year, without great heat; the river Shannon was so low that people 
walked dry round the city, and from Thrawnoe (new strand) now big Water Gate, to Emblin 
Gate (I suppose Creagh's Gate) about the time of St. James's fair, there were scarce any brooks, 
ponds, or wells running. Cattle were driven many miles tojwater. 500 salmon would be taken in 
a day at the weir. — Whites M SS. 

1666 On September 1st, his Grace James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, Lieutenant-General, 
General-Governor and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick, Sir William King being 
Mayor. He was accompanied by many of the nobility: the Earl of Barrymore carried the sword 
before him ; a drummer mounted on horseback beat the kittle drums, which was the first of the 
kind ever seen in Limerick. He was lodged by and at the expense of the Mayor. It was an 
excessive hot summer, all commodities exceeding oheap. — White's MSS. 

1666. The following inscription was on the bridge near Villadora: — "This causeway was 
repaired by the Commons of Limerick, Samuel Foxon, Mayor, a.d. 1666. 

1669 On May day, some Protestants of the Company of Grocers, would fain bring the 
Catholic merchants under quarterage, as other trades practised, and, therefore, would form 
themselves into a company, and began to march through the streets with their officers and 
colours, as oLhers did; but as they imagined that all other trades should give way to them, 
they attempted to take the right hand, but they were terribly banged and beaten, which ought 
to deter them from the like for the future. — White's MSS. 

John, Lord Roberts of Truro, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, after reviewing the troops at the 
Curragh of Kildare, on the 1 8th of September, came to Limerick, but in no great pomp, and lay 
at the bishop's for two nighti. — Ibid. 

1669 This year the poundage for Protestant ministers began — .Ibid. 

1670 The shaking fever and bloody flux greatly raged in this country, and swept away 
numbers. — Ibid. 

The Mayor of Limerick, Robert Shute, was accused at the assizes of ravishing his maid and 
of other high crimes. — Ibid. 

1671 Proclamation was made for the restoring all the exiled merchants to their ancient 
freedom and privileges, in all the corporations of the kingdom. 

1672 John Bourin, the Mayor, collected all the boys of the town, and perambulated the 
Gravelines with them for two days. 

1672 November 10, The Earl of Thomond admitted to ye freedom of this citty, and ye same 
presented to him in a silver box, in Latin. Cor. Book in British Museum from 1672 to 1680. 

1672 Salary of mayor £100. 

John Baptist Rouzell, of Bridges (Bruges ?), in Flanders, admitted to his freedom. 

Tobacco from Antigua to Richard Pierce. 

Charity Pyne charges half a year's lodging of Earl of Inchiquin, when he was a captain of a 
troop of horse, in this city in 1672, according to a contract with the corporation, £9. From 
Corporation Book in British Museum, from 1672 to 1680. 

1673 No swyne to be kept within the walls, nor dogs loosed after ten at night. Corporation 
Book, ibid. 

1674 Charter granted to plasterers and slaters. 

1676 Tobacco-makers made a fraternity. Corporation Book, ibid. 

1677 Total rent roll, £867 10s. 10£d., besides coquet, customs, pilotage. Corp, Book, ibid. 
Masons' charter granted. Felt maker's guild created. Corporation Book, ibid, 



704 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



MA.TORS. SHERIFFS. 

1678 Wm. York, (third time), Thomas Long John Bond. 

This Mayor died in April, Sir William King (second time) chosen. 

1679 Sir Wm. King, (third time), Wm. Allen, Moses Woodroff. 
Richard Ingram, Thomas Meagher. 
John Craven, Nathaniel Wehb. 
Edward Clark, Giles Spencer. 
Kichard Allen, John Ford. 
Daniel Bowman, Simon White. 
Thomas Breveter, Samuel Bartlett. 
John Young, James Robinson. 
Thomas Harrold, a Catholic, Peter Monsell, a Protestant. 



1680 Anthony Bartlett, 

1 68 1 Fras Whitamor, innkeeper, 

1682 Wm. Gribble, 

1683 Wm. Gribble, 

1684 Robert Smyth, 

1685 George Roche, 

1686 George Roche (second time), 

1687 Robert Hannan, a Catholic, 



None of them would he admitted, hut Sir Stephen Rice, Lord Baron, compelled Roche, a Protestant Mayor, 

to admit them. 



1688 Robert Hannan, (2nd year) 

1689 Thos. Harrold, a Catholic, 

1690 John Power of Drogheda, a 

Catholic, 

1691 George Roche, Protestant, 

1692 John Craven, 

1693 John Foord, 

1694 Edward Waight, 

1695 Thomas Rose, 

1696 Simon White, 

1697 John Young, apothecary, 

1698 James Robinson, goldsmith, 

1699 Robert Twigg, 

1700 Richard Pope, 

1701 Wm. Davis, 

1702 George Roche, ye younger, 

1703 John Vincent, 

1704 Richard Lyllis, 

1705 Tock Roch, 

1706 John Higgins, 

1707 Randel Holland, 

1708 Richard Craven, 

1709 Rawly Colpoys, 

1710 Pierse Piercy, 

1711 Edw. Waight (second time), 

1712 Wm. Butler, 

1713 Ezechias Holland, 

1714 Wm. Franklin, 

1715 George Sexten, 

1716 Francis Sergeant, 

1717 George Bridgeman, 

1718 Wm. Medcaff, hatter, 

1719 Richard Davis, 

1720 John Seamor, sadler, 

1721 George Roch, 

1722 Joseph Wilson, butcher, 

1723 Tock Roche, 



Francis White, a Catholic, Philip Stackpole, a Catholic. 
Thos. Creagh, a Catholic, Richard Harrold, a Catholic. 
James Arthur, a Catholic, Nicholas Morrough a Catholic. 

John Young, a Protestant. Jas. Robinson, a Protestant. 

Zachary Holland, Bartholomew Lee. 

Wm. Davis, Abraham Bowman. 

Henry Chaplain, Charles Atkins. 

Richard Sexton, George Roche. 

John Vincent, Pierse Piersy. 

Thomas Flaxon,.John Higgins. 

Tock Roche, Randal Holland. 

Richard Craven, Ezechias Holland. 

Walter Parker, George Robinson. 

Railly Colpoys, Robert Wilkinson. 

Redmond Fitz- Maurice, Isaac Moth. 

Wm. Grimes, George Bridgeman. 

George Sexton, James Jacques. 

John M'Call, Wm. Medcaff. 

Wm. Butler, Richard Chinnery. 

Henry Exham, Wm. Franklin. 

Francis Sargent, John Seamor. 

David Davis, James Yeamans. 

John Murray, Thomas Cash. 

Paul Terry, Wm. Carr. 

Christopher Carr, Robert Palmer. 

Joseph Phibbs, Michael Abjohn. 

Benjamin Barrington, Edmond Vokes. 

Charles Coply, John Carr. 

Joseph Wilson, David Bendon. 

John Busshery, Wm. Buxton. 

Arthur Vincent, Richard Moore. 

Joseph Hartwell, John Graves. 

Wm Norris, Isaac Clampett. 

Thomas Mason, Wm. Turner. 

Christopher White, Richard Roch. 

George Wright, Wm. Parker. 



Mayor directed to agree with the Dean " for making a public seat on the north side of the 
quyre in ye cathedral of this city, for ye mayor, aid., and burgss". Corporation Book, ibid. 

1678 Citizens complain of the oppressions suffered by billeting soldiers within the walls. 
The corporation answers: that butchers, bakers, brewers, maltsters, shoemakers, and broag- 
makers, are served by the soldiers; and this ordered that the sheriffs, for the time being, do 
command and require the constables of the several wards within the walls of this citty, to 
quarter the said soldiers upon all the master tradesmen of the said trades, and such as make 
mault to sell, whether they keep inns and sell ale or not. From Corporation Book as above. 

April 2nd, 1678. Articles between Sir George Preston and Corporation as to the purchase of 
Lax Weir, etc. Vid. Corporation Book, as above. 

Call on the freemen, Protestant bishop, clergymen, etc,, etc., to lend money to the cor- 
poration. Ibid. 

1678 The old shambles near Baal's Bridge, were this year converted into a guard house for 
the army; it continued to be a main guard until the year 1750, when the city jail was built 
in Mary Street. 

1688 The brogue makers granted a charter by the Corporation, 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



705 



MAYORS, 

1724 Tock Roche, 

1725 John Carr, 

1726 Lieut.-Gen. Thomas Pierse, 

1727 John Vincent, 

1728 Arthur Vincent, the above's 

son, 

1729 Walter Parker, 

1730 Wm. Carr, shoemaker, 

1731 Philip Rawson, 

1732 Charles Smyth, Esq., 

1733 Wm. Wilson, Esq., 

1734 Richard Maunsell, Esq. 

1735 George Wright, 

1736 Thomas Vincent, 

1737 The Lord Thos. Southwell, 

1738 George Sexton, 

1739 Isaac Clampett, 

1740 Josph. Roche, this Mayor died, 

and was succeeded by Thos. 
Vincent (second time), 

1741 John Wight, 

1742 John Robinson, 

1743 Arthur Roche, 

1 744 Henry Long, 

1745 Robert Cripps, 

1746 Tlenry Ivers, Esq., 

1 747 John Ingram, 

1748 John Jones, 

1749 David Roch, 

1750 Captain Henry Southwell, 

1751 James Smyth, Esq., 

1752 John Shepperd, 

1753 Peter Sargent, 

1754 John Gough, 

1755 Stepney Rawson Stepney, 

1756 Arthur Roch, 

1757 Andrew Shepherd, 

1758 Sexten Baylee, 



SHERIFFS. 

Thomas Vincent, Joseph Franklin. 
Samuel Mounsell, Wm. Gardiner. 
Philip Rawson, Wm. Jespop. 
George Rose, Richard Chester. 
James Seamor, George Sexton. 

John Wight, Benjamin Barrington. 
Richard Seymour, Joseph Roch. 
Thomas Roch, John Ingram. 
John Bull, Mark Scaly. 
John Shepherd, Simon Burton. 
Peter Sargent, Arthur Roche. 
James Sargent, William Roch. 
Henry Long, William Robinson. 
John Franklin, Zachary Davis. 
Richard Graves, David Roche. 
John Long, John Gough. 

Robert Cripps, John Davis: the latter died, anl was sue 
ceeded by George Waller. 

James Smyth, Wm. Vokes. 
John Jones, Walter Seymour. 
Henry Ivers, Esq., Thomas Maunsell. 
James Robinson, Thomas Brown. 
Wm. Davis, Zachary Johnson. 
Henry Holland, Frederick Gore. 
Richard Nash, Esq., Francis Sargent. 
George Vincent, Robert Hallam. 
John Smyth, John Bull. 
Andrew Shepherd, Joseph Cripps. 
John Weakly, John Tavernor. 
Thomas Palmer, Joseph Barrington. 
Sexten Bayly, Dr. John Barrett. 
George Sexton, Christopher Carr. 
Edward Villiers, Esq., Joseph Johns. 
Andrew Welsh, Exham Vincent. 
Christopher Britson, Wm. Goggins. 
John Parker, Wm. Gubbins. 



The list In White's MSS. is continued down to 1814, for the most part in the hand-writing of the Right Rev 

Dr. John Young. 

1759 Francis Sargent, 

1760 Arthur Boche, (third time.) 

1761 George Vincent, 



Walter Widenham, Thomas Pearse. 
Thomas Vokes, Eaton Maunsel. 
John Monsell, Francis Sargent. 
The ahove Mayor was the hest and most active we had within the memory of the living. W. MSS. 

1762 Edward Villiers, Esq., Eyres Evans Powell, Esq., Thomas Vereker. 

1763 Robert Hallam, John Prendergast Smyth, John Vereker. 

1764 Thos. Smyth, Esq., admitted Alexander Franklin, Counsellor John Tonnadine. 

in 1755, 

1765 George Sexton, junr., Samuel Johns, Francis Sargent. 

1766 Joseph Cripps, Counsellor Henry Wm. Bindon,* John Shepherd jun, 

1767 Thomas Vereker, Esq, Wm. Smyth, Raleigh James. 

1768 Dr. John Barrett, M D., Wm. Gabbett, Richard Harte. 

1769 John Vereker, Esq., Edmond Morony, Thorn ns Ewer. 

1770 Exham Vincent, post master, John Creaghe, John Atkinson. 

1771 Christr. Carr Christopher, Bryan Mansergh, Wm. Pierey. 

1772 Arthur Roche elected, but Wm. Stamer, Pierse Pierey. 

being disqualified, George 
Roche (parson) his son, ad- 
mitted in 1755, 

1773 Joseph Johns, silversmith, Thomas Carpenter, Miles Jackson. 

* Was elected Recorder in the room of Baron Smyth, which office he held until liis death, ad. 1781. 

1749. David Roche (Mayor) died on Monday, 22nd of May, 1797, aged eighty-one years. 
He was father of the city, buried at St. Munchin's, Thursday, 25th May, 1797. 
1752. Thomas Palmer (who was sheriff this year), died in 1792. 
1755. Christopher Carr (who was sheriff this year), died 24th March, 1791. 

49 



700 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



MAJORS. 

1 774 Richard Hart, 

1775 Wm. Gabbett, 

1776 Thomas Smyth, 

1777 Walter Widenham, 

1778 Philip Smyth, 

1779 Eaton Maunsell, 

1780 F. Sargent James, 

1781 Thomas Carpenter, 



sheriffs. 
Philip Smyth, Burton Bindon. 
"Wm. Fitzgerald, Joseph Gabbett. 
Christopher Knight, Thomas Vincent. 
Charles Sargent, Francis Russell. 
John Gabbett, Amos Vereker. 
Hugh Gough, John Harrisson. 
Edward Parker, John Ferrar, author of the History of 

Limerick. 
Wm. Fosbery, John Frederick Furnell. 



1782 George Smyth admitted in George Tomkins, Hugh Brady, 

1776, 

1783 Alexander Franklin, 

1784 Thomas Pearse, 

1785 Sir Christopher Knight, Kt. 

1786 Wm. Fitzgerald, Esq., 

1787 John Creagh, attorney, 

1788 Richard Maunsell, Esq., 

1789 Joseph Gabbett, Esq., 

1790 John Minchin, 



John Fitzgerald, Wm. Russell. 

Wm. Wallace, Michael Blood. 

Joseph Sargent, Arthur Vincent. 

Wm. Piercy, M.D., Henry Rose, Attorney. 

Robert Wallace, Samuel Hunter. 

John Cripps, Wm. Hunt. 

Henry D'Esterre, Thomas Moroney. 

John Augustine levers, Bryan M'Mahon. 



Said levers died in office in the month of February, 1791, and Michael Furnell, Esq., was associated as a 
colleague with Bryan M'Mahon for the rest of the year. 

1791 Rev. Thomas Shepherd, George Sargent, David Dwyer. 

1792 Benjamin Frend, Esq., Ralph Westrop, Henry Brady. 

1793 Henry D'Esterre, Esq., George Davis, Thomas Edwards. 

George Davis died in office the latter end of July, 1794, and was succeeded by Philip Russell. 

1794 Henry D'Esterre, Esq., re- Robert Briscoe, Joseph Cripps. 



1795 Thomas Gabbett, Esq., Nicholas Mahon, Frederick Price. 

1796 John Harrison, Esq., Robert Briscoe, Andrew Watson. 

This Mayor died in the beginning of April, 1797, and Joseph Cripps was sworn into his office the 25th of 
the same month. 

1797 Joseph Cripps, re-elected, Francis Lloyd, Richard Webb. 

1798 Frederick Lloyd, Andrew Watson, Henry Pierce Carroll. 

1799 Frederick Lloyd, Francis Lloyd, Richard Webb. 

Mr. Webb died suddenly on the night of Tuesday the 25th of March, 1800, and was succeeded by Philip Russell 
for the rest of the year. 

1800 Ralph Westropp, Philip Russell, Henry Collis. 

1801 Ralph Westropp, reelected, Ed. Morony, Thomas F. Wilkinson. 

1802 Joseph Sargent, nephew to Abraham Russell, Henry Collis. 

Peter, Mayor in 1753, 

1803 Arthur Vincent, Henry Pierce Carroll, Colclough Stritch. 

1804 Robert Briscoe, Henry P. Carroll, Colclough Stritch. 

1 805 Wm. Fosbery, Ab. Colclough Stritch, Bryan M'Mahon. 

1806 Richard Harte, Henry P. Carroll, D. F. G. Mahony. 

This Mayor was knighted the year following. 



1807 Kilner Brooke Brasier, 

1808 John Cripps, 

1809 Francis Loyd, 

1810 Francis Loyd, 

1811 William Hunt, 

1812 Andrew Watson, 

1813 Thomas S. Wilkinson, 

1814 Edmond Morony, 



Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. 
Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. 
Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. 
Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. 
Denis F. G. Mahony, Henry Watson. 
Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. 
Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. 
Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. 



1792. Henry Vereker was killed in a duel with Michael Furnell this year (Ousetys MSS). 

1814. Bow Lane was reduced to an inclined plane of easy ascent, making a difference of 
seventeen feet. 

1814, June 1, The inland navigation opened between Limerick and Killaloe, after being 
suspended since the bursting of the banks on 5th February, 1809. On the 31st of May, the 
Directors General of Inland Navigation purchased the property of this branch from _ the 
proprietors for the sum of £17,666 13s. 4d., two- third of the original stock; each share consisted 
of £250, for which the Directors General paid £176 13s. 4d. The original stock was 100 
shares, at £250, £25,000. 

Provisions at famine prices — beef lOd. per lb.; mutton, lid.; veal, 7d. to 8d. Wheat 8s. 3d. 



HISTORY OF. LIMERICK. 707 

MAYORS. 8HERIFFS. 

1815 John Vereker, Henry Collis, Arthnr Brereton. 

1816 Jolin Vereker, Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. 

1817 John Vereker, Henry Collis, Arthur Berreton. 

1818 Joseph Gahbett, W. M. Jackson, J. M'Al. Taverner. 

John M'Alister Taverner died in office, then was chosen Wm, Taylor. 

1819 Joseph Gabbett, Wm. M. Jackson, Wm. Taylor. 

1820 Sir Chris. Marrett, Knt., Wm. M. Jackson, Wm. Taylor. 

Sir Christopher Marret was the first Mayor of Limerick who presented an address to a sovereign in 
London; and on the visit of King George to Dublin, he received the honour of knighthood from his 
majesty, at a special court held in Dublin Castle, 30th August, 1821. In this year, Carew Smith, Esq, was 
Recorder, E. Parker, Esq., Town Clerk, D. F. G. Mahony, Esq., Chamberlain. Charter Justices— Right Hon. 
Lord Viscount Gort, Andrew Watson, Esq., Denis F. G. Mahony, Esq., Henry Watson, Esq. 

1821 Thomas Ormsby, W. Taylor, Andrew James Watson. 

1822 I). F. G. Mahony, W. Taylor, Andrew James Watson. 

1823 Henry Watson, John Piercy, Henry Rose. 

1 824 Henry Watson, Wm. Hunt, Wm. Piercy. 

1825 Henry Watson, John Harrison, John Westropp. 

1826 Nicholas Mahon, A. J. Watson, Richard Franklin, jun. 

1827 Thomas Jervis, John S. T. Piercy, Edmond Moroney, jun. 

1828 Vere Hunt, William Gibson, John Standish, 

1829 Henry Rose, William Piercy, George Lloyd. 

1830 John Cripps, Andrew James Watson, Henry Mahon. 

1831 Hon. J. P. Vereker, Edmond Moroney, jun., Ralph Westropp Brereton. 

1832 Hon. J. P. Vereker, Richard Franklin, George Sexten. 

1833 John Vereker, jun., William Piercy, Samuel Moore Watson. 

1834 John J. Piercy, George Loyd, Francis Philip Russell. 

1835 William Gibson, Edmond Moroney, jun., Ralph W. Brereton. 

1836 Alderman J. Vereker, jun., Henry Mahon, Hughes Russell. 

1837 Edmond Moroney, Richard Franklin, Henry Vereker. 
1 838 Garret Hugh Fitzgerald, George Lloyd, James Sexten. 

1839 Richard Franklin, M.D. Robert Hunt, Thomas F. G. Sexton. 

This Mayor was knighted by Earl Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 

1840 Henry Vereker Lloyd, Ralph Westropp Brereton, Thomas Lloyd. 

1841 Hon. C. S. Vereker, Robert Ringrose Gelston, M.D., Arthur Vincent Watson. 

These were the last of the Mayors and Sheriffs chosen by virtue of the charter of James I. 

REFORM MAYORS AND SHERIFFS. 

Under the Act 3 and 4 Vic, c. 108 (the Municipal Reform Act), there is but one Sheriff, who is appointed by 
the government, and the Mayor is elected on the 1st of December, and is installed on the 1st of January 
following, for twelve months. 

1842 Martin Hon an, first Reform 

Mayor. 
[Dr. Gelston continued to act as Sheriff during this year, pending the litigation between the old and re- 
formed * Corporations referred to in chapter liii.] 

1843 Martin Honan, re-elected, John Morris Russell, first reform sheriff. 
1-44 Pierse Shannon, Samuel Dickson. 

Mr. Shannon died in office in June, 1844, W. J. Geary, M.D., was chosen for the remainder of the year. 

per stone, every other article in proportion. Gold coin vanished, silver rare, paper money 
universal, the effect of twenty years war with France. 

In the summer of this year, in consequence of the scarcity of water, the canal navigation 
was suspended All the flour mills near the city were obliged hy the same cause to cease 
working, which rendered bread stuffs very scarce and dear. 

The new theatre, George Street (now the church of St. Augustine), opened on the 29th July. 

Many failures in country banks. Limerick banks refuse to discount. 

From 17th to 27th of March in this year, the number of troops billeted on the citizens was 
157 officers, 258 non-commissioned officers, and 3,996 privates. 

1842 Alderman John Cripps was elected Mayor by the old Corporation on the 29th of June ; 
James Sexton and Amos Vereker were elected Sheriffs, hut were never sworn into office. 
The Municipal Reform Act having at length come into operation in Limerick, the functions of 
the Old Corporation ceased, and the New and Reformed Corporation began. The Mayors and 
Sheriffs under the Old System were elected on the 29th of June, sworn into office on the first 
Monday after Michaelmas day, and continued in office until that day twelve months. 

1853. The Limerick Corporation Act, 1853 (16 and 1 7, Vic. c. 73), received the Royal assent 
on the 28th of June this year. There was no election of Mayor until the 1st of January fol- 
lowing. The Limerick Improvement Act (L6 and 17, Vic. c. 1), received the Royal assent on 
the 15th of August, 1853. 



708 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

MAYOKS. SHERIFFS. 

1845 Wm. John Geary, M.D. re- Wnv Roche. 

elected, 

1846 E. F. G. Ryan, Henry Watson. 

1847 Thomas Wallnutt, Richard Russell 

1 848 Michael Quin Henry MaunselL 

1849 John Boyse, David Leahy Arthur. 

1850 Laurence Quinlivan, Wm. Spaight. 

1851 Thaddeus McDonnell, P. A. Shannon. 

1852 Thomas Kane, M.D. Wm. Gabbett. 

1853 Wm. H. Hall, James Spaight. 

1854 Henry Watson, Major George Gavin. 

1855 Henry O'Shea, Francis Grene. 

1856 James Spaight, Helenus White. 

1857 Thomas Kane, M.D. (second Captain Michael Gavin. 

time), 

1858 Edmond Gabbett, Thomas Keane, M D. 

1859 Michael R. Ryan, Andrew V. Watson. 

Mr. Ryan restored the ancient arms of Limerick, according to the Corporate seal of the city, oxer the city 
jail and other public edifices, and had them engraved on the coat buttons of the sergeants at mace and 
bailiffs. Mrs. Ryan presented by the Corporation with a silver cradle on the occasion of the birth of a sou 
during her husband's year of office. 

1860 Wm. Fitzgerald, Edward Murphy. 

Mr. Fitzgerald died in office, October 1860. when Alderman T. M'Donnell was elected for the remainder 
of the year. A portrait of Mr. Fitzgerald, painted by Catterson Smith, Esq., and the result of a subscription, 
is placed in the Town Hall. 

1861 John T. MacSheehy, Thompson Russell. 

Mr. MacSheehy was presented with a valuable testimonial in the shape of a piece of plate value 200 
guineas on his retirement from office. He received a public procession which was attended by the congre- 
gated trades, with banners, etc., also in testimony of his exertions on behalf of the unemployed labouring 
classes, for whose relief a sum of £1,200 was subscribed by the citizens during his year in office. 

1862 Wm. Lane Joynt, Robert Hunt. 

1863 Robert MacMahon, Thomas Boyse. 

] 864 Eugene O'Callaghan, H. G. Smyth Vereker. 

1865 John Rickard Tinsley, John Thomas M'Sheehy. 

1866 Peter Tait, Eugene O'Callaghan. 



The Arms of the City of Limerick are, argent, a castle, triple-towered, proper, the centre 
tower of a conical shape, and terminated with a cross, the portcullis of the entrance to the 
Castle elevated. 

City Seal. — The Royal Charters, including the Charter of Elizabeth, etc., gave a seal to 
the Corporation, and the power of altering, breaking, or changing it. The ancient Corporation 
seal is of silver, and a correctyac simile cut of it is given at the head of this chapter.* 

The Mayor's Chain is of gold, with forty-three links, to which a gold ring has been 
attached by each Mayor, with few exceptions commencing a.d. 1822. On each gold ring is en- 
graved the name of the Mayor on the obverse, and on the reverse, beginning with the Reform 
Mayors, a legend records some memorable event which occurred during the tenure of office of 
the chief magistrate. The chain, in consequence, is massive, and weighs 19oz. and 7-jdwts., includ- 
ing a gold chain of fifty-one links to which the other is hooked. Martin Honan, Esq., the 
first reform mayor, attached a gold medal to the chain, with his crest and name, " and 
Mayor for the years 1842 and 1843", on the obverse; and on the reverse, the City Arms, with 
legend, " the Municipal Reform Act became law in Limerick, Nov. 9th, 1841". 

Town Clerk's and Treasurer's Chains. — These chains were formerly worn by the 
Sheriffs; they are exactly of the same make and material as the Mayor's chain, with the excep- 
tion of the rings. 

The Sword. — The Sword granted by Queen Elizabeth to the Corporation is kept in the 
Council Chamber of the Town Hall, and is a cut-and-thrust cutlass-like weapon, with a cross 
guard or " mameluke" handle. The blade is 44 inches long, and was divested of its ancient 
ornamental scabbard of crimson velvet, with silver bands, etc., before it came into the posses 
sion of the Reform Corporation. It is now never borne in public. 

The Hat of Maintenance, granted by Queen Elizabeth, is not in existence. 

The Maces are four in number, of silver, very massive and ornamented with the royal arms ; 
they are borne by the sergeants at mace and constables on public occasions before the Mayor. 

* Feirar gave in his first edition a cut of arms which have no existence, and in his second a cut of seal, of 
which there is no record, whilst Fitzgerald equally misrepresented the City Arms. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 709 

The Maces bear the following inscription : — 

George Sexton, Esq., Mayor, David Roche and Richard Graves, Esqrs., Sheriffs, 1739. They 
had each eight lions wrought in silver, supporting a crown, on the top, before these appendages 
were stolen, previous to the time of the reformed corporation. 

There were four Sergeants at Mace in the old Corporation ; and there are but two in the 
Reformed Corporation. TLey wear a cocked hat with gold lace, a blue cloth coat, trimmed 
with gold lace, etc. There were four constables in the old Corporation and two town criers, 
or bell men. There are two constables and two town criers in the new Corporation. They wear 
a blue livery with gold lace hat-bands.* 

Joseph Murphy, Esq., solicitor, is Law Agent, John Ellard, Esq., Town Clerk, and Mathew 
H. De Courcey, Esq., Treasurer of the Corporation of Limerick; William Edward Corbett, 
Esq., C.E., City Surveyor of Limerick. John Gleeson, Esq., is City Coroner. 

* The present dress of the sergeants at mace is rather modern, dating no farther back than the mayoralty 
of the late Henry "Watson, Esq., in 1824. Previous to that period they wore no gold lace coats or cocked hats, 
hut a blue surtout, and plain hats with orange and blue cockades (the colours of the clothiers and combers, 
the staple trades of Limerick in those days). On certain public occasions they wore large red cloth cloaks 
richly trimmed with gold lace, the cellars of which were trimmed with gold lace also. The constables and 
criers or bellmen, wore eocked hats, with the corner over the right temple. The hats of the constables were 
trimmed v. ith black lace and they had black ribbon cockades, those of the criers wj.th silver lace, and black 
ribbon cockades. The high constable carried a slung sword, and wore a black cloak and cocked hat trimmed 
with black lace. The sword bearer wore a black cloak and a bearskin cap with a red bag hanging down from 
the top. According to the Charter of Elizabeth, the sword bearer is to carry the sword and *e>ar the hat 
of maintenance, when public duty requires. 



710 HisTOiir or limerick. 



CHAPTER LXIV. 



HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF REMARK- 
ABLE PLACES IN THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK. 



TOPOGRAPHS', STATISTICS, ANTIQUITIES. 

The county of Limerick is situated between 52 and 53 deg. of north 
3at., and 9 deg. west long, from London. It is bounded on the north by 
Clare, the estuary of the Shannon, and Tipperary ; on the east by Tip- 
perary, on the south by Cork, and on the west by Kerry. The surface is 
an undulating plain, but the boundary over a great part of the south, and 
part of the east and west, is mountainous. The chief rivers, besides the 
Shannon, which forms its great boundary line on the north, are the Maig, 
Deel, and Mulcair. The Mulcair river, flowing from the Slievephelim 
mountains in the north-east, is greatly increased by the Newport river, 
which pours a large volume of water into the Shannon, three miles of 
Limerick. The Feale traces much of the boundary with Kerry. Lakes 
or ponds are not numerous, those of chief interest and size being, Coola- 
pish, in the barony of Coonah, and Gur in that of Small County. The 
soil is remarkably fertile, especially in the " Corcasses" along the Shannon, 
and the Golden Vein, which extends ^frorn the borders of Tipperary west- 
ward, through the centre of the county, from the sources of the Mulcair 
to the Maig, forming an area of about 160,000 acres, equally suitable for 
tillage and grazing, but chiefly used for the latter. Its soil is a rich, mellow, 
crumbling, calcareous loam. The subsoil of the county, generally, is lime- 
stone, trap, and sandstone. The Corcasses extend fifteen miles long, from 
Limerick to the embrochure of the Deel, and have a soil of yellow or blue 
clay, thickly covered with a rich black mould. The coal, which has 
been observed in six beds, is soft and slaty, and was worked at Newcastle 
and Loughgill. Iron, copper, and lead ores occur in various parts of the 
county, but they have not as yet attracted the investment of capital. The 
occupations are chiefly agricultural; pasturage and dairy farming are most 
cultivated, tillage less attended to. Large quantities of produce are ex- 
ported. The manufactures are coarse woollens, flour, meal, tanning, 
lace, linen, and flax, the latter having lately received an additional 
stimulus. A good cider is still made in various districts, particularly 
round A dare, Rathkeale, and Croom. 

The Palatines are the descendants of the German Protestants brought 
over by Lord Southwell in the beginning of the last century, and settled 
chiefly near Rathkeale ; other colonies were also planted in various places 
throughout the county. 

Arthur Young, Ferrar, and Mrs. Hall, have given detailed descriptions 
of these German settlers, whom they describe as an industrious, indepen- 
dent sort of people. They had many curious customs ; such as sleeping 
between two beds, getting a copy of the Bible to be buried with them, 
etc. ; besides certain superstitions which are directly traceable to Germany. 
They used to speak German, but, like the Barony Forth people in Wex- 
ford, they have now lost their language. 

Connected with the establishment of the Palatines in the county of 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 711 

Limerick, the Earl of Dunraven, in the Memorials of Adare, 1 states that 
there is a list extant of the names of the families that settled in Ireland, 
M found in the original document". 2 Those in italic in the foot note are at 
present tenants on the Adare estate. 3 

The Palatines settled in the county in 1708, and at Adare in 1777-8. 

Statistics. 4 — The population in 1851 was 262,136; in 1861, 217,271. 
The greatest length, north and south, is 35 miles; greatest breadth, east 
and west, 54 miles, comprising 1,061 square miles, or 640,842 acres, of 
which 526,876 are arable, 120,101 uncultivated, 11,575 in plantation, 
2,759 in towns, and 18,531 under water. 

Baronies — Owneybeg, Coonagh, Clanwilliam, Small County, Costlea, 
Coshma, Pubble Brien, Upper Connelloe, Lower Connelloe, Kenry, Glen- 
quin, North Liberties of Limerick, Shanid, and liberties of Kilmallock. 

Towns — The post towns are, Adare, Askeaton, Ballingarry, BrufT, 
Castleconnell, Croom, Glynn, Kilmallock, Limerick, Pallasgreen, Pallas- 
kenry, Rathkeale, and Shanagolden. Post Office accommodation is fur- 
ther extended to many villages, etc. 

The county is in Limerick and Emly dioceses, with small portions in 
Cashel and Killaloe. The principal towns are, Limerick, population in 
1861, 44,476; Rathkeale, 2,761; Newcastle, 2,445; and Askeaton, 1,636. 
Limerick returns four members to parliament; two for the county at 
large, constituency in 1859, 6,481 ; and two for Limerick city, constituency, 
2,013. The assizes are held in Limerick; the county is in the Cork mili- 
tary district. The city has been lately made head quarters for a regiment, 
instead of a depot station ; before the last twelve years it was head quar- 
ters, and a military district. The net annual value of property under 
the Tenement Valuation Act is £519,162. 

Antiquities. — The antiquities, which will be noticed with the towns 
when connected with them, are very numerous, and may be generally 
described as follows : 

Round Towers — three ; at Limerick, now extinct ; at Ardpatrick, fallen 
a few years since ; and at Carrigeen, which is still extant near Croom, 
and which is fifty feet high. 

Cromlechs at Ballenacaellagh hill, and two others near it. 

Tumulus 5 at Bruree, stone circles and other druidical works at Grange, 

1 This truly beautiful and admirably illustrated book, wbicb is tbe joint production of tbe 
Countess Dowager of Dunraven and the Earl of Dunraven, was printed for private circulation 
in 1865, by Parker, Oxford, and is replete with most interesting and important matter, relative 
to Adare, ancient and modern, the Quin family, etc., etc. 

2 An account of Palatines published in the Irish Evangelist, in June 9th, 1860. 

3 Baker, Barkman, Banolier, Bonner, Bethel, Bowen, Bowman, Boviniyer (now Bobanizer), 
Brothower, Cole, Coach, Corneil, Cronderg, Dobe, Dulmage, Embury, Figgle, Grunse, Gruer, 
Heek, Hoffman, Hiffle, Ueavener, Glozier (probably now Leguer), Lawrence, Lowes, Ledwick, 
Long, Miller, Mich, Modeler, Neizer, Piper, Reinheart, Rose, Rodenbucher, Ruckle, Switzer, 
Sparling, Stark, St. John, St. Ledger, Strange, Sleeper, Shoemaker, Shier, Switzer, Shoultare, 
Shunwire, Tesley (now Teske.y), Tettler, Usbenlaugh, Williams, Young. 

4 I follow Thorn's Almanac in these statistics. 

5 Tumuli and Rath s. — On this interesting subject the reader will find ample illustrations 
in Wakeman's Handbook of Irish Antiquities, and in the examples and models in the 
R.I.A. We have only room for a few words on this subject. Cromlechs are sepulchral monu- 
ments used before the Christian era ; they are not now considered to have been in use for 
sacrificial purposes. The tumuli, from the simple cairn to the magnificent barrow, were also 
intended for sepulchres. The bodies were buried horizontally or perpendicularly, or burned, 
In the small sqiiare stone grave or " kistvaen" is frequently found the cinerary urn. The 
great tumulus or mausoleum, as at Newgrange, consists of a large cavern containing one or 



712 HISTORY OF LIMERICK.' 

and very early, ancient, and interesting monuments on the banks and hill 
screens of Lough Gar, and within a large circuit around it, large earthen 
works, chiefly of the military class, as at Friarstown ; circular moats, duns, 
intrenched forts, raths, etc., occur in various districts, the largest raths being 
at Bruree, Kilpeacon, and Kilfinnan, and one in segments near Shanid Castle. 
At Caher Park, Caherconlish, are the traces of an ancient city. Of religious 
houses not in the city, there were thirty -five, chiefly founded by the Desmond 
family. Seven monastic establishments were on the banks of the Com- 
mogue. The most interesting remains of religious houses are at Adare, 
Askeaton, and Kilmallock, Manisternenagh, Kilshane Abbey, Mungret, 
Galbally Friary, Kilflin monastery, and the fine old abbey in the parish 
of Rochestown. 

Ruined Castles. — Of these there are nearly one hundred, as at Shanid, 
Croom, Carrigogunnell, Castleconnell, Cappagh, etc. 

Old fireplaces of the Fenians (Fulacht na Feinne), fossil remains, bones, 
and horns of the great Irish deer ; bog butter or tallow ; caves and islands, as 
at Lough Gur. 

Natural Curiosities. — Castleconnell chalybeate spa, sulphuric spring 
at Montpellier, parish of Kilnegariff. 

ADARE. 

Eleven miles by railroad from Limerick, or by post road nine miles 
s.s.w., upon the river Maig, stands the market and post-town of Adare, an- 
ciently Aith-daer, or the " Ford of the Oaks", celebrated for its ancient im- 
portance, its frequent notice in history, its fine architectural ruins, and its 
extremely beautiful scenery. The Earl of Dunraven's demesnes, upon 
which a noble castle has been erected of late years, are indeed unsurpassed 
by any property in the three kingdoms for their delightful combination 
of objects of antique interest and modern improvement. 

The deeply interesting ecclesiastical edifices, of which the ruins of 
three still remain in various degrees of preservation, the ancient bridge 
with its ivy-clad battlements, the old castle of the Desmonds, formerly of 
great strength, and so situated as to command the passes of the river 
Maig, form a combination of peculiarly effective and rarely equalled views, 
exhibiting highly picturesque features amidst the groves, the lawns, the 
meadows, which make up the variegated landscapes that distinguish the 
beautiful seat of the Earl of Dunraven, the lord lieutenant and custos 
rotulorum of the county and city of Limerick. Venerable yew trees, 
wild ashes, and alders, add very much to the impressivenes of the scenery, 
while a profusion of shrubs, flowers, and other accessories of ornamental 
gardening, and the silence and seclusion of the locality, complete the 
effect produced by the antiquarian and romantic features of this most 
interesting of Irish manors. Referring our readers to the Earl of Dun- 
more sarcophagi, and was perhaps occasionally the receptacle of treasure. Detached and 
isolated graves, popularly known as " giant's" beds, or " Darby and Grana's" beds, such as 
occur at Lough Gur, were not uncommon. 

The ancient Irish lived after a very nomadic fashion ; in the summer retiring to their 
" booleys", or summer habitations, with their flocks and herds ; and in winter returning to their 
entrenched villages or forts, attended by their bards and hai'pers. Cashels were houses, or 
enclosures of houses, which latter were properly called cloghnas. The dun was a military work 
of uncemented stones. Some of the larger ruths were dwellings of chiefs or kings; a beehive-like 
cavity is found in som?, probably intended for a granary. Rath ground is always very rich. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 713 

raven's new and splendidly illustrated work, Memorials of Adare, for 
more perfect information respecting everything about this delightful spot, 
we can only give the principal features of the history and antiquities, for 
which purpose we shall transcribe without alteration, the notes taken 
during a recent visit, as well as such reference as we find in our MS. 
materials to its ancient and modern history. 

The Augustinian Abbey is now repaired, and used as the parish 
Protestant church. It is an early English building, and has been care- 
fully, beautifully, and elaborately restored. In the interior there is some 
fine stained glass The schools are in keeping with the rest of the church. 
It contains on the north side, besides the nave, choir, and tower, the 
cloisters, in which are buried some of the servants of the Dunraven family, 
whilst the family mausoleum is an object of much interest. 

The Abbey of the Holy Trinity, the remains of which consist of the 
tower, nave, and part of the choir, is used for a Catholic church. The 
Franciscan Abbey, within the demesne, is a very fine ruin; the choir 
is large, and fitted with stalls and niches, and has a beautiful four-light 
window; the steeple is supported on an arch; there is an aisle on the 
south side of the nave, which contains three crooked niches, and a three- 
light window. The cloisters are nearly entire, and have Gothic windows, 
on most of which were escutcheons, with the English and Saltire crosses, 
generally ranged alternately. The remains, including refectory and offices, 
are roofless, but in good preservation. 

History. — The early history of Adare is involved in great obscurity. 
In the reign of Henry II. it was distinguished for its castle and church, in 
the following century it became the property of the Fitzgeralds. 

1279. John, Earl of Kiidare, founded and entirely endowed the 
monastery of the Holy Trinity, now called the Black Abbey. 

1310. Some time before this date, the town appears to have been in- 
corporated. In this year a grant of murage and customs was made by 
Edward II. to the " bailiffs and good men of the town of Adare". The 
customs were for three years, to enable them to surround it with a stone 
wall. (Rot. Par. 3 and 4 Ed. II., note Grace's Annals). 

1312. John Thomas Fitzgerald knighted Nicholas Fitz-Maurice and 
Robert Clahull at Adare (Grace's Annals). 

1315. The White Abbey founded by John, Earl of Kiidare. This is 
the Augustinian Abbey. Others give the date 1306. 

1326. The castle, originally built by the O'Donovans, rebuilt by the 
second Earl of Kiidare. 

1376. Edward III. issued a writ prohibiting the demand of services and 
customs from the " provost and commonalty" of Adare, until the town, 
which had been burned lately by the " Irish enemy", should be rebuilt 
and inhabited. 

1464. The Franciscan Abbey founded by Thomas, Earl of Kiidare, 
and his Countess Joan, who was buried in it. This stands within the 
demesne. The castle was subsequently burned by Turlough O'Brien, and 
in the time of Gerald, Earl of Kiidare, who favoured Perkin Warbeck, 
was forfeited to the crown with other possessions. It was, however, after- 
wards restored to him. 

1519. The Earl set out from this castle to meet the accusations of Car- 
dinal Wolsey. On the rebellion of Silken Thomas, his son, the castle and 
family estates were again escheated to the crown. 

50 



714 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

1578. Castle taken and garrisoned by the English, under Captain 
Carew, assaulted soon after by Sir John Desmond, who, however, was 
repulsed, and obliged to seek protection from the Knight of Glyn, his 
relative. 

1581. Castle again besieged, and garrison put to the sword by the 
Earls of Desmond and Kerry. Castle shortly afterwards retaken, and 
confederate earls defeated with great slaughter by the English forces under 
Colonel Zouch, who arrived somewhat tardily from Cork. 

1600. Castle besieged again, garrison for many days without food, and 
obliged to cut a subterraneous passage to the bed of the river. 

1641. Castle seized by the insurgents, who however were driven out 
by the Earl of Castlehaven. 

1657. Castle dismantled by Cromwell's orders. 

In 1786, 1793, and in the time of the Rockites, Adare was the scene of 
many outrages. 

In the year 1809, the friary of the Holy Trinity was given by Richard 
Valentine Lord Adare, for the purpose of a parish Catholic church, and 
its ancient architectural ornaments were restored. This house was founded 
in 1230, in the reign of Edward I., by John, Earl of Kildare, for the re- 
demption of Christian captives. In the rere of this building is a singular 
piece of antiquity — the country people call it a pigeon house, but it was 
thought by some antiquaries to be nothing less than a vestal fire house, 
built prior to the introduction of Christianity. It is still entire, except 
the stone over the door, which is wanting; it is perfectly circular, about 
fourteen feet in diameter externally, the walls nearly three feet thick ; the 
inside at least consists of a species of fire stone, certainly brought from the 
shore of the sea, as many marine particles are still visible in them. The 
top is covered with a dome, and a circular opening, about eighteen inches 
in diameter, well secured by a ring of carved stone work, admits the light 
in the centre. In the Earl of Dunraven's Memorials of Adare it is de- 
scribed as a dove-cot attached to the monastery. 

In the year 1811, the friary next the bridge of Adare, the Augustinian 
Friary, was converted by the same nobleman into a Protestant parish 
church: it has been roofed, and its ancient ornaments restored. This 
friary is a beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture ; it underwent many 
improvements and restorations in more recent years, when several stone 
coffins were dug up in the nave of the church. The refectory is now a 
school-house. 

In the old churchyard are two ruined churches — one the old parish 
church, the other a chapel of the fourteenth century. 

A Visit to Adare. — On our arrival we entered on the grounds, crossed 
a double bridge towards the Franciscan abbey, the only one in the demesne, 
found it remarkably well preserved; a church, handsome steeple in the 
centre, a transept, and to this last three chantries attached. In the church 
are several canopied niches. The plan of all appears much the same as 
that of Askeaton. The convent lies at the north side of the church sur- 
rounding a small cloister. One side of the square contains twelve small 
pointed arches, the other three sides consist of a series of windows each of 
five lights, the mullions of stone, and perfect. In the centre of the cloister 
is an old yew tree, but not so broad in the boughs as that of Mucross. 
This place is kept in admirable repair, all the breaches in walls, windows, 
in chimneys, etc., have been carefully filled up and renewed, and inter- 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 715 

ments are no longer permitted. The appearance of the whole, nevertheless, 
seems somewhat sharp and rather fresh, and if not relieved by a consider- 
able covering of ivy, permitted, however, not to grow ad libitum, the effect 
would not be so striking as it is at present. There is a great absence of 
inscriptions in this abbey. 

Desmond's Castle — stands within view on the brink of the river, 
its bawn wall nearly perfect. The keep had been wofully battered. A 
tower just over the river is in better preservation, and much had been 
done to repair the numerous breaches in it. A fosse has been opened near 
the door of the keep, which shows that access must have been by a draw- 
bridge. The space covered is considerable. An ancient chapel stands at 
a little distance from the castle, but has no characteristic interest. In the 
centre is a high gable, surmounted by a double ope for bells. In this 
chapel several members of the Quin family were buried. 

The castle of the Earl of Dunraven is a magnificent Tudor castellated 
structure of cut limestone, with bay windows of stone, mullions, etc., 
flanking towers, etc. The stone-cutting admirable, the ornaments, etc., 
grotesque, and of excellent pattern, all executed by local workmen, etc. 
The situation at the river-side is beautiful, in the midst of a noble demesne, 
finely planted, and commanding views of abbeys and castles. The whole 
of these buildings would well occupy the pencil for days. The schools 
of the Christian Brothers, the convent schools of the Sisters of Mercy, 
etc., also merit a visit, and afford a further proof of the munificence of the 
Earl of Dunraven. 

Gerald Griffin's beautiful verses on Adare are too well known to be quoted. 

The ancient town of Adare was situated on the eastern bank of the river 
Maig, near the castle, and the ancient parish church, which is now within 
the demesne, and about half-a-mile distant from the present town, which 
is situated on the western bank of the river. When the interior of the 
abbey was ordered to be cleared of its tombs and heaps of skulls and bones, 
some forty years ago, a party of military had to be brought in from Lime- 
rick, as the people around could not be induced to aid in the work of 
removal. 

ABBE YFE ALE, 

distant thirty miles s. w. from Limerick, is a village situated in a 
wild mountain district, some years ago so inaccessible, that the locality 
between it and Glin was selected by the Rockites in 1822 as head- 
quarters, of " our camp at Abbeyfeale". The abbey, which gave 
name to the place, was a Cistercian one of some celebrity, founded in 
1188 by Brien O'Brien, and afterwards made a cell to Monasternenagh. 
Half a mile below the village, and overlooking the Feal, are the ruins of 
Purt Castle, built by a branch of the Geraldines. The Feal is the scene 
of Moore's beautiful song, " By the Feal's wave benighted". 
Seats. — Glenasrone (Richard Ellis, Esq.), etc. 

ABINGTON, 

is a small fair town or rather village, situated on the little river Mul- 
chair, in the barony of Owneybeg, county Limerick, and about seven 
miles east of Limerick. Its more ancient name, and that by which 
its history is more particularly traceable, was Woney. It gives name to 



716 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 

that parish which is a rectory in the diocese of Emly, in the patronage of 
Bishop of Cashel and Waterford. There is a church here, and a glebe 
house with twenty acres of glebe land. The map of this parish, as ex- 
tant in the Down Survey, has suffered considerable mutilation. Its acreable 
contents have, however, been ascertained at about 5,718. 

1189. John, Earl of Moreton, afterwards King John, granted a large 
district of country, comprising the lands of Abington or Woney, to 
Theobald Fitz- Walter, Lord of Carrick, the head of the Ormonde family. 
This Theobald was the nephew of St. Thomas a-Becket, in allusion to 
which kindred, and to the scrupulous bounty of Henry to all such objects, 
when Viscount Baltinglass, in the time of Elizabeth, took up arms with 
the Earl of Desmond and others in defence of the Catholic religion, he 
wrote to the Earl of Ormonde to cooperate with them, adding, " Had not 
blessed Thomas of Canterbury died for the Church of Rome, thou hadst 
never been Earl of Ormonde". 

1205. About this time an abbey was founded here for Cistercian monks 
and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Theobald Fitz- Walter, 
Lord of Carrick. He filled it with monks from the abbey of Savigniae, 
in France, richly endowed it, and was in the following year interred here. 
His charter of foundation is still extant. 

1299. Theobald the Fifth of the family of Butler, was interred here. 
So early as the reign of Edward II. , the Prior of Woney was summoned 
as a Lord of Parliament. 

1365. By a record of this date it appears that the abbot of this house 
was entitled to the advowson of the Church of the Blessed Virgin at 
Arklow. 

1382. The abbot was one of those appointed to collect a subsidy which 
the clergy of the diocese of Emly had voted for the service of the state. 

1537. The Lord Deputy came to this abbey and there received the 
submissions of O'Mulryan, Lord of the Country, Ulick Burke, of Clan- 
rickard, etc. 

1540. One of the articles of impeachment brought in this year against 
the Lord Deputy Grey was, that he held secret correspondence with 
James, Earl of Desmond, and went to visit him in his tent in his night 
gown, and forced the abbot of this house to give him the sum of £40 for the 
purpose of insuring his abbey against spoliation. At the dissolution the 
last abbot was found seized of this rectory, then valued at £1 ; also of the 
rectories of Thurles, annual value £11 ; Enagh, in Ormond, £4; Arklow, 
£4; Tullowfelim, £4, etc., etc. 

1550. The abbey was burnt by O'Carrol. 

1563. This abbey with its appurtenances, and the rectories of Tullow- 
felim, were granted to Peter Walsh in capite at the annual rent of £57 
Irish. In his family they continued for many years, and to one of his 
descendants a yet splendid monument remains amidst its ruins. 

1601. Some interesting particulars connected with the escape of 
O'Donnel from the Lord Deputy's forces, on a morning of extreme frost, 
under the walls of this abbey, are detailed in the Pacata Hibernia. 

In 1641 these estates were forfeit to the crown. 

1688. There are extant, and of record, maps of such lands in this parish 
as were forfeited in the civil w r ars of this period, and sold in 1702 by order 
of the commissioners. 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



717 



1776. This parish was by act of council united to the rectory and 
vicarage of Tuough. 

1808. The board of First Fruits contributed £100 towards building 
the glebe house here. 

Dineley, in his tour through Ireland, 1 visited Abbey Owney, in the reign 
of Charles II., and speaks of it as he saw it. The ruins of the abbey 
at that period extended over a considerable portion of ground. They are 
now covered by a small green mound. It contained some ancient monu- 
ments, of which we give the inscriptions in Latin, which we take from 
Dineley ; they have been somewhat effaced since his day, by mischievous 
depredators. Over the door at the entrance to a small chapel belonging 
to the Walshes, was an inscription with the date 1619: 



Wqz Urates of Sr* <gbmon& lEalslje, Smgijt, 
ani 1)2* fLafcge (Silsce (Krace* 



The Walsh monument, which is of the Doric order and of black marble, 
has the following inscription in raised Roman letters : — 



Clarissimo Viro 


D. Dno Edmundo Walsh Equite Aura 


1^ De obit, clarissimi viri 


(apostrophe ad defunctum) 


Domini Edmundi Walsh 


Sat Walshee Tibi Yixisti Mors Tua Nato 


Equitis Aurati 


Te Rapuit terris ut fruerere polo 


Hexasticon 


Son sat pauperibus nee amicis mors tua namque 


Chronologicon 


utrisq. ; ingentes divitias rapuit. 




Patricius Kearin fabricavit. 




|J« lam sexcenti mille annis septemque decemque 




Virgo ex quo enixa est immaculata deum 


8. A 


Alreraque orta dies juli cum redditur umbris 


s s 


inchta Walsheas lausque decusque domus 


Edmundus Torquatus eques vir maximus armis 


8 S . 

O g S 


major at hospitio nee pietate minor. 


^'52 




sis 

g £ o 





sup atmssnrqou ooq urruuanmuoui oiounj -bjia 'iiiaxo -pui imcao(j 



Over the inscription are the arms of the Walshes and of the Butlers ; 
on either side are incised figures of St. Peter and St. Bernard, and the 
Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Mary Magdalene. 



1 Published from the original MS., by Evelyn P.- Shirley, Esq., M.P., in the Transactions of 
the Kilkenny Archosohgical Society for January, 1865. 



718 HISTORY OF .LIMERICK. 

The following is a literal translation of the inscription :- 



To that most distinguished man, Sir Edmond Walsh, Knio-ht, 



»5< On the death of that (apostrophe of the deceased) 

most distinguished man, Walsh, thou hast lived long enough for thyself, 

Sir Edmond Walsh, Thy death for thy son snatched thee from earth to 

Baronet, a six verse thy enjoy Heaven. Not long enough for the poor and 

chronology for friends for thy death great riches took from them. 

Patrick Kearin maker. 

t^ One thousand six hundred and sixteen years 
after the Immaculate Virgin bore God, 
^ And when the second day of July verged towards evening, 

% 9 J The distinguished praise and glory of the house of Walsh, 

■5 "o ^r <"> ^ collared knight, a mighty man in arms, 

■g fl .2 es Greater in hospitality, and in piety not less. 

ill"! 

« % £W 






^uaumuora stq^ 'pasueoap '•m&xoptH pjoi jmo jo xbq£ aqq. ut 



There was a mural monument, with arms, and date 1633, of the Barrys, 
with the following inscription : — 

" Nobilis admodum Dulamus Barry 
In honorem suorum parentum sui ipsuis 
Uxoris Joannas Bourck et filiorum 
Suorum hoc sepulchrum fieri curavit. 
Antiqua Genitus Barri de Stirpe Dulamus 
Quique Appollinea doctus in art viget 
Quique fide plenus nusquam languentibus aggris 
Defuit et patriam qualibet auxit ope 
Hsec pius extinctis monumenta parentibus affert 
Quse sibi quseque deiusint [sic] monumenta suis 
Tu qui cernis opus mortis memor esto futurse 
Pic praacor [hac vi] vant qui tumulatur humo". 

In literal English : 

" The very noble Dulamus Barry 
In honour of his parents, 
His wife Joanna Bourke, and their sons, 
Caused this monument to be built. 
Dulamus, born of the ancient race of Barry, 
And who flourished, learned in Apollo's art ; 
And who being full of faith, never to the languishing sick 
Was wanting in his duty, and served his country with considerable resources, 
Duteously erects these monuments to his deceased parents 
As a memorial for himself and friends. 
Do thou who viewest this work be mindful of future death, 
Pra3 r , I beseech thee, that they may live who are buried in this Earth". 

This monument is now lying flat in the churchyard of Abington. An 
ancient figure of the Crucifixion, sculptured in stone, taken apparently 



HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 719 

from the ruins of the abbey, is close by it on trie ground. The Barry 
family is said to have resided at Rath, in the parish of Abington. There 
was a monument to the head of the powerful sept of the Ryans : this is 
the country of the Ryans. When Dr. Thomas Arthur wrote, one of the 
O'Mulryans held a high position here. There is no trace whatever of the 
Ryan monument, of which Dineley gives the following inscription : — 

NOBILISSIMUS DNS. GULIELMTJS RIIAN PATRI^ SILE 

DE OWNIl NEC NON ASTIQTJ^ RIIAXORUM FAMILIES CAPUT 

ET PRINCEPS SIBI UXORI ET LIBERIS SUIS HANC SEPULCHRI 

MOLEM ERIGI CURAVIT. 

POSTERITATIS, HOXOS MAJORUM LAUSQUE STJORUM 

HOC GULILM. OPUS STRUXERAT ARTE RrAXX 
NOB1LITATIS HEU QUANTA TOGA BELLOQUE PROBATA (Anno. Dom. 

SAXCTA FIDES VIRTUS ET DECUS EXIMLUM \ mdcxxxii. 

HAC RIAXORUM CLAUDUXTUR MOLE SEPULCHRI 

SI CLAUDI QU.E XOX SUNT MORITURA QUEUNT 
OSSA TEGUNTUR HUMO TANTUM, SED CETERA. MORTIS 

NESCIA PERPETUOS SUNT HABITURA DIES. 
LAUSQUE RIANJE.F ET GLORIA GENTIS 
SEMPER HONORATO NOMINE VIVET HONOS. 

In literal English thus : — 

THE MOST NOBLE CHIEF WILLIAM RYAN, OF HIS NATIVE COUNTRY 
OF OWNEY, AS ALSO OF THE AXCIEXT FAMILY OF THE RYANS, THE 
HEAD AND PRINCE, FOR HIMSELF, HIS WIFE AXD HIS CHILDREX, 
THIS SEPULCHRAL MOUND CAUSED TO BE ERECTED. 
THE HONOUR OF HIS POSTERITY AND PRAISE OF HIS ANCESTORS 

WILLIAM RYAN WITH ART HAD RAISED THIS WORK. 
ALAS ! HOW MUCH NOBILITY PROVED IN PEACE AND WAR, S Ano. Dom. 

HOLY FAITH, VIRTUE. AND EMINENT DISTINCTION, j iidcxxxii. 

ARE SHUT UP IN THIS SEPULCHRAL MOUND OF THE RYANS. 

IF THINGS NOT DOOMED TO DIE CAN BE SHUT UP, 
THY BONES ALONE ARE COVERED BY EARTH, THE" OTHER PARTS 
INCAPABLE OF DEATH, 

ARE DESTIXED TO ENJOY PERPETUAL DURATION. 
THE PRAISE, VIRTUE, AND GLORY OF THE SEPT OF RYAN, 
WILL LIVE FOR EVER IN HIS HONOURED NAME. 

The parish of Abington comprises about 32,000 statute acres, of which 
12,920 are in the county Tipperary ; the benefice nets £500 per annum. 

Seats. — Glenstal Castle (Sir William H. Barrington, Bart.), Ashrow 
(Thos. P. Evans, Esq.), Clonshavoy (Caleb Powell, Esq.), Tower Hill, 
(Mrs. Lloyd, widow of the late William Lloyd, Esq.), Farnane (Thomas 
Costelloe, Esq.), and Abington (Mrs. Apjohn). 

There was an inscription which is now almost totally defaced, on the 
bridge of Abington ; it is supposed to have referred to the building or 
repairs of it by the Walsh family. 1 

At the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII., 
the lands belonging to the abbey were held by the crown, and in 1545 
were granted by Edward VI. to Walter Powell for a number of years, and 

1 Dineley states that on the ancient bridge of Athlone (quere? Abington) there was an inscrip- 
tion nnder the arms of Sir Edmund Walsh, stating that Ellice Walsh erected the bridge after 
the death of her husband, "for devotion and charity, prayinge passengers to praye for the rest 
of their souls in heaven", — and that the stone was cut by Patrick Kearin, who, I believe, was 
the sculptor of the monument of Myler Magrath in the cathedral of Cashel, of Walter 
Bourk at Glankeen Church, Borrisoleigh, and of Maurice Hurley in Emiiy. The inscription on 
the old bridge of Athlone stated it was built by Sir Henry Sydney. See page 98. 



720 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

subsequently were vested in Sir Edward Walsli, and were forfeited in 1641, 
and distributed among several persons. The Stepney family acquired a 
considerable estate, which had been previously held by King, ancestor of 
the Earl of Kingston. The grant of the lands of Annagh and Tough to 
the Earl of Orrery became vested, in the year 1706, in the Right Hon. 
George Evans, father of the first Lord Carberry, whose descendants con- 
veyed to Sir Matthew Barrington. The derivative proprietors holding 
under fee farm titles are Lloyd of Tower hill, Evans of Ashrow, Powell 
of Clonshavoy, Ribton of Killuragh, De Burgh of Drumsally, and others. 
The entire barony of Owneybeg, m which Abington is situated, is valued 
by Griffith at about £11,000 per annum. 

ARDPATRICK. 

Ardpatrick is a beautiful green hill situated at the foot of the moun- 
tain which stretches away at its south-east and west. The ascent 
is steep and toilsome, but the view from the summit is good — a fine moun- 
tain outline in the southern distance, terminating in the Galtees. Castle 
Oliver, a modern edifice, crowns a cone-like hill, in the middle of the 
mountain pass called the Red Chair, the ancient Barna Derg, where a 
memorable fight occurred, temp. Brian, in the tenth century, for which 
see the Munster Annals. The Red Chair is the dividing line of the 
counties of Cork and Limerick. Kilfinan lies about two miles west, and 
Mortelstown moat nearer at one mile. " The moats in these parts", said a 
farmer tome, " were all built by the Danes". Ardpatrick, which was for- 
merly a parish, is in the barony of Costlea, and four and a-half miles s E. 
of Kilmallock. 

On the summit of the hill is an ancient church, the stump of a round 
tower, and a holy well. The church lies east and west: at the west end is 
a portion of a lesser building, evidently part of a square belfry : two sides 
of it remain, but the western wall is gone. The church measures 3y 
paces in length (108 feet), and is 24 feet 6 inches broad. The walls are 
built of large stones; the conglomerate prevails. There are no poly- 
gons in the construction. At the n.e. side is a small ruinous square 
building, transept-like. At the s.E. is an arched ruinous chamber. The 
door is round-headed in and out, but beneath this is a pointed arch evi- 
dently an interpolation. Some detached stones are carved with tracery ; 
the windows must have been few, none now remain ; two-thirds of the north 
wall is perfect. The well lies at a short distance to the s w. It is said to 
be 40 feet deep, is faced with stone, and has some steps, and with its water 
cattle are said to have been cured. The monastery is said to have been 
built by Saint Patrick. 

On delving into the stump of the round tower, after clearing away the 
fallen stones and rubbish that choked the upper part of the structure, the 
delvers came upon a bed of earth, which extended down for some feet. 
This, according as it was shovelled out, they examined, but it presented 
nothing particular beyond a piece of coarse amber, weighing about a quar- 
ter of pound, a small piece of metal sconce, some fragments of mortar, and 
a piece of brass. What its use or purpose there is no telling, but the 
strangest things found were a number of oyster shells. 1 

1 Another discovery of oyster shells was made amongst the similar first strata of the earth 
of the round tower of Cloyne. — J. Windle's MSS. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 721 

Of five silver bells, said to have belonged to the monastery, long missing, 
three were found in the ruins of the tower, and carried away by the exca- 
vators. These bells, which tradition reports, possessed the most ravishing 
tones, were concealed on the destruction of the monastery, but they used to 
b^ heard ringing in the air at midnight of Christmas and Easter, giving out 
the most heavenly music, and so year after year they were heard on those 
nights, until on one occasion a wicked woman in the neighbourhood, wish- 
ing to conceal her child, threw it into the holy well to the west of the 
town, since which the bells were never heard, and the well ceased to be 
frequented for religious purposes ! 

Amongst other curious things said to have been found, was a transparent 
stone, which being put before the eyes, the most remote objects could be 
seen, and with wonderful distinctness. As for the coast of Clare, beyond 
the Shannon, that could be observed as close to you as the next ditch. 
Another great curiosity was the " slug of the horn of St. Patrick's little 
cow". This animal it was that supplied the saint with, his daily milk ; and 
the cow might be seen painted on many a signboard. 

Ballygreine, Sunville, is in the vicinity of Ardpatrick. This preserves 
the ancient name of the place as given by Colgan. Dalkns near the 
church door pointed to the primeval paganism of the site. The residence 
of John Low, Esq., D.L., is situated here, which he calls Sunvale; 
formerly the residence of the Godsall family, who also had a bouse at Kil- 
mallock. 

Immediately on our arrival at Ardpatrick we proceeded to visit the hill 
which, steep as it is, on the morning of our visit, from the extreme beat of 
the weather, appeared doubly so. On our way up we met many of the 
peasantry descending on their way to Mass, and deeming this a good 
opportunity, we asked several of tbem to give us the Irish name of the 
" steeple" on the hill, and although on a former visit but one old woman 
gave it to me as Cluice, our response on the present occasion unanimously 
gave it as Cluice. 1 

The workmanship, i.e. stone dressing, etc., of this tower is excellent. 
They constructed the wall by facing it internally and externally with cut 
stone, and filling up the space between with rubble, whilst that of the 
neighbouring church is very rude. 

On a fragment of an old tombstone I read in mediaeval letters the words 
" Vicarius Huj. eclias". 

a.d. 1114, Ardpatrick burned this year, O'Donovan, Four J/., vol. ii. p 
999. Ceallach, or Cclsus, Archbishop of Armagh, died in Ard Padraig, 
in Munster, a.d. 1129, ib. p. 1033. See also Colgan, Trias 7'Jiaum., p.p. 
300, 301. Also Annals of Ulster, at 1129. See also Four Masters, at 
1602,— O'Connellan. 

ASKEATOX. 

That is As-cead-tinne, " the cascade of the hundred fires", is a post, 
market, and ancient borough town, sixteen miles w.s.w. from Limerick, 
situate on the river Deel, over which there is a good bridge. 

1 Cloice, according to Vallancey, Collectanea, vol. v, p. 330, signifies a stony country. The 
Chaldean clakk signifies the same. Cluice means clothing or vesture, also as applied to tower?: 
could it figuratively mean the last stone vesture of the bodies intei-red therein ? — J. Windle's 
MSS. 

5L 



722 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

The castle was a stronghold of the Earls of Desmond, of whom, in 1420, 
James, the seventh earl, founded the venerable Franciscan abbey, in which 
James, the fifteenth earl was buried, 138 years after its foundation. 

1490. Reformed by the Observantines. 

1564. A chapter of the Franciscans held at the abbey. 

1574. Castle being attacked by Sir George Carew, was blown up by 
the garrison, who withdrew. This destroyed the greater part of the 
edifice, but the remains are still considerable, viz., the great hall with its 
windows, and a large arched vault beneath. It is a noble ruin. 

1642. The town, which was then walled, was for some time defended 
by 200 men, sent by Lord Broghill; but at last surrendered. 

1648. The confederate Catholics took possession of the abbey, and 
commenced restoring and repairing it. 

Silver chalices, crosses, and coins, have been found near the abbey and 
castle. 

The Deel is tidal, and navigable for small coasters. 

The parish church was a commandery of the Knights Templars. The 
ruins of the south transept (date thirteenth century), separated from the 
nave by two early pointed arches (now blocked up), remain. At the east 
end rose two towers, square at the base and octangular above. There is an 
excellent Catholic parochial church close by the town. 

The Franciscan or Rock Abbey, was a splendid cruciform building. 
The cloisters, of gray marble, which are very perfect, are enclosed on each 
side by twelve pointed arches, supported by cylindrical columns. The 
abbey was one of the finest in Ireland. The chapter house forms the burial 
ground of the ancient family of the Naishes of Bally cullen, the oldest, I 
believe, Catholic family of the county. There is an old black letter Latin 
inscription on a monument erected by two ladies of the Brien and Browne 
families to their husbands, members of the Stephenson family, in the 
central chapel. Tuesday is market day. Population 1637. 

Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons have very large flour mills at Askeaton, 
in fact they are amongst the finest in the south of Ireland, and contribute 
much to the industrial prosperity of the town. 

Askeaton was a parliamentary borough before the Union ; the names of 
the representatives of Askeaton are given in Addenda, page 743. 



Bruff, a post and market town, situated on the Morning Star or Dawn 
River, 12 miles s. s. E. of Limerick, was another of the principal towns 
of the Geral dines. In the reign of Henry III. a castle built in the town, 
and another near it by the De Lacys, who subsequently held under the 
princes of Desmond, in whose fortunes they shared. A few fragments 
of the ancient castle remain, and not far distant, the foundation of an 
ancient friary. North-east of the town are some traces of Templeen or 
Templebodeen, said to have been built by the Templars in 1285. 

1600. Pierce De Lacy, the governor, defeated by Captain Slingsby, 
from Kilmallock, with the loss of 300 men. The castle was garrisoned 
by the Lord President. 

1641. The insurgents defeated by the English here, after a bloody 
engagement. 



IIISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 723 

1762. The Whiteboys assembled here in great numbers, and committed 
outrages. 

1786. They repeated their visit and atrocities. 

1793. Large body of Defenders attempted to seize the town, but 
repulsed by the 34th Regiment, after many being slain on both sides. 

1822. The Rockites attempted to burn the church and several private 
buildings, but frustrated by the determination of the gentry and the 
nobility. 

The town and neighbourhood forming the property of the Hartstonge 
family, whose monument is in the church. It now belongs to the Earl of 
Limerick. 

The Catholic church of BrufT, a handsome building in the early English 
style, was erected in 1833, and completed by the late Very Rev. Dean 
Mac Namara, P.P., V.G, The altar, which is of scagliola marble, is em- 
bellished with a very beautiful painting of the Three Marys, by the late J. 
Haverty, Esq. 

The beautiful convent of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, a branch 
of the establishment at Laurel Hill, owes its existence to the great zeal 
and ability of the late Very Rev. Dean Cussen. It is a first-class educa- 
tional establishment, with about ninety boarders, and a great number of 
extern scholars. There is also an admirable school of the Christian 
Brothers at BrufT, which owes its existence also to the indefatigable 
zeal and assiduity of the learned and pious Dean, whose remains are 
interred in the Catholic church, and to commemorate whose estimable 
services by a public monument, the parishioners have raised a large sum of 
money. 

Seats. — Rockbarton (Lord Guillamore), Miltown (G. Gubbins, Esq), 
Camas (F. Bevan, Esq.), Baggotstown House (J. Bouchier, Esq.), 
Kilballyowen, (The O'Grady), etc. 

Friday is market day. Population 1430. 

Near BrufT is Lough Gur, the " Enchanted Lake" of the last of the 
Desmonds. It is, however, well worthy of a visit, for other reasons than 
those of a legendary kind. Its druidical remains, castles, a cromlcach, 
natural curiosities, and beauty, have won the admiration of every tourist 
and antiquary. One of General Vallancey's tracts refers particularly to it. 
The following are notes of a visit to Lough Gur : — 

My object was to see the druidic circles or temples, and the lake and 
castle of Lough Gur. Having hired a boy to accompany me, I walked on 
from BrufT to Lough Gur, a distance of about two miles, and the sight of 
its huge druidical reliques which I got from the road rewarded me for my 
walk, and in a moment a jump placed me inside the hedge, and within a 
field of the temples. Before me stood a green hill, here called the Paddock, 
which shut out the waters of the lake from the view; and at its feet, 
between it and the road, a rather small distance, now formed into two or 
three fields, is the site of the circles. The first, which lies nearest to BrufT, 
I should call the south circle. I could find no other name for it here than 
the Lioss. It consists of fifty-eight stones or columns 1 of different forms, 
never touched by hammer or chisel, and of various heights. Some scarcely 
appearing above the surrounding surface, whilst others rise to seven and 

1 Fitzgerald says sixty-five large upright stones, but there were formerly many more. 



724 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

nine feet. It is fifty-six paces in diameter, or about 430 feet in circum- 
ference. The enclosed space is a void. The largest stone stands at the 
north-east side, and is distinguished by the name of Rounach Crom Dubh 1 
a denomination pointing to the worship of the Irish Jupiter, Crom, within 
this temple. Forty paces north of this, is another larger circle, also 
called a Lioss, which, like the former, consists of fifty-eight stones, but all 
so sunk in the earth, that the greatest apparent height of any does not 
exceed three feet. This temple is sixty-five paces, 1 or about 190 feet in 
diameter, say 580 feet in circumference. The enclosed space has been 
tilled. Twenty- three paces north-east of this last, is a smaller circle, con- 
taining fifteen stones, which average about four feet high each, and from 
five to six feet thick ; it is twenty-two paces, or fifty-five feet in diameter, 
about 175 feet in circumference. The enclosure has been tilled. 150 
paces north-east of this again, is a sunken " gowlaun", about four feet high 
by six broad, quite rude. 100 paces (still in the same north-east line) from 
the goulaun, just at the rise of the Paddock hill, 2 is another, eleven feet 
high, six broad, and three thick. 

The lake, or Lough Gur, lies embedded between high green hills, 
rendered in several places precipitous by gray limestone rocks, which stand 
thick and frequent upon their surface. It is almost of a circular, perhaps, 
more properly, an oval form, being from west to east. In the centre 
stands a steep hill, called Knockadoon — the hill of the castles or fortresses ; 
it being defended at the east and south by two (of which hereafter), around 
whose base the waters spread like a river, varying throughout but little in 
their breadth. The whole extent seems to have been about two English 
miles. 3 The view of Garrode's Island from Knockadoon is beautiful. At 
the north side stands the hill of Knocknasilla. The house of a Mr. Harte, 
sub-agent of Count de Salis, owner of the property, is passed at the west 
side, and farther on is a fort or lioss, standing above the water's edge on 
the hill slope, of about seventy -five feet in diameter, and ten feet above the 
surrounding level. Ascending this hill still higher, are two natural caves 
in the rock, about which there are some notices of no interest ; thence there 
is a view of the Black Castle at the opposite side, standing at the north- 
east base of Knockadoon. A quick descent down the hill, and a walk of 
about a quarter of a mile, brought me sufficiently near it. It is a square, 
thick tower, evidently built about the period of the Roses ; its upper story, 
the bower, as well as the roof and parapets, are gone, so also are the out- 
works, whose site is occupied by a farmhouse and offices, and near it the 
handsome residence of Mrs. Cleary, sister of E. J. Synan, Esq., M.P. 
Crofton Croker was much mistaken in saying that it stood on an island out 
of the reach of musketry. It stands on the isthmus which connects 
Knockadoon with the surrounding country, and was placed there, as well 
as the castle of Killalough — a little further on — for the defence of that 
almost isolated spot ; but neither castle could be deemed out of the reach of 
musketry; neither at the BrufT side is the country in the least rugged, so 
as to render the approach of cannon a matter of difficulty. In 1600, Sir 
George Carew, President of Munster to Queen Elizabeth, reconnoitred 
the place, then held by 200 men for the Earl of Desmond. He found it 

1 Fifty yards in diameter — Fitzgerald. 

2 This hill is now in the possession of Mrs. Spillane of Limerick. ; 
8 Fitzgerald most inaccurately calls Knockadoon an island, but it is an isthmus. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 725 

to be a place of exceeding strength, by reason that it was an island 
encompassed by a deep lough, the breadth thereof being in the nearest 
place a eulverin shot over. On one side thereof standeth a very strong 
castle, which at this time was manned with a good garrison, for there 
was within the island John Fitz-Thomas, with 200 men at least, who 
showed themselves prepared to defend the place. 

Fitzgerald 1 says, with some ignorance of the obvious evidence to 
the contrary afforded by the style of the castle, that it is supposed to have 
been built during the reign of Elizabeth by Sir George Bouchier, son to 
the second Earl of Bath, who, he states, built the chapel of ease called 
New Church on the side of this lake. The style of this chapel refutes the 
idea, and it was also built by Catholic founders. Carrigcolour, or Pigeon 
Rock, is the topmost eminence of Knockadoon. Eagles had nests here 
formerly, but none are now to be seen. 

Killalough, which defended Knockadoon at the south, is now in a very 
ruinous state ; the hill here joins the mainland by a narrow neck, on which 
a causeway fifteen feet broad had been raised, defended at the hill side by 
a fortified gate westward along the shore, and joins the tower. 2 This 
Fitzgerald describes as fifteen feet high and eight thick, made up of 
immense blocks of stone. These stones are the largest that can be seen 
in any building of this kind in the country ; and within the ruins of the 
castle the walls are blackened with smoke, as if it had been the dwelling 
of some persons within more recent years. 

Knocknafrion, or Mass Hill, is near Killalough. 

On the north side of Knockadoon is a cave, twenty-two feet deep, and 
about twelve feet broad, the mouth hidden by an alder tree, and over the 
cave are irregular layers of large protecting limestone rocks rising about 
twenty feet above it. There is a fine echo here, and the view of the lake 
is really beautiful. 

Garret Fitzgerald, the rebel Earl of Desmond to Queen Elizabeth, is the 
guardian spirit of this lake. He is held there by enchantment, which will 
cease when the silver shoes of his horse, whom he is seen riding over the 
surface of the lake once every seven years, are worn out, and he will 
thence once more return to life. 3 This legend strongly resembles that of 
Don Sebastian, King of Portugal. There are no trout in the lake; it 
contains pike and roach in abundance. 

Not a tree or shrub occurs anywhere near the lake, except a few near 
the Black Castle adjoining the farm, and on the small tufted islet called 
Garrod's Island, which is an object of deep interest, and on which are 
the ruins of a castle. The hills have a great irregularity of outline, 
assuming the forms of miniature mountain ranges. They are said to 
have been hunting grounds of the ancient Irish. 4 

Some years ago, near the Black Castle, Mr. Baylee, the then landlord, 
cut a drain for the purpose of drawing off the water of the lake, but being 
killed by a fall from his horse, the work was not resumed to any extent, 
though there has been a considerable quantity of water drawn off. The 

1 History of Limerick. 

2 History of Limerick, vol. i. p. 311. 

3 Fitzgerald's History of LJmerick, vol. i., p. 312. 

4 In the Book of Lismore (folio 196) mention is made of ancient royal hunts in the vicinity 
of Lough Gur, one of which is described as having taken place over the brow of the hill of 
Knockfenneil. 



726 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

peasantry attribute his death to the indignation of the Earl of Desmond 
on account of the attempt ! 

On Bailinallycailleach Hill, in this neighbourhood, is a cromlech, called 
Labha-na-Mucka, or Pig's Bed, near which a stone coffin was found 
some years since, with a human skeleton. The tradition here is, that a 
giant was buried beneath, and a golden sword was buried with him. At 
less than half a mile south of this are two others, one of which has been 
lately broken down by a farmer, who had two of the stones taken to make 
pillars for his gateway. On the west pinnacle of Knockfennell is one of 
the strongest forts in this country, circular, 360 feet in circumference, wall 
ten feet thick, and must have been proportionally high, from the quantity 
of stone that has fallen aside. 

General Charles Vallancey notices Lough Gur, 1 and attributes to the 
Fomori or giants, the first inhabitants of the western isles, the erection of 
these cir-gors, or circles, or temples of the sun, of which he states there are 
many in Ireland, particularly around Lough Gor, or Gur, in the county of 
Limerick, on the borders of the lake, and from thence to Bruff. He adds 
that if an inquirer will venture in a corroch or leaky punt to the centre of 
the lake, with a peasant of the neighbourhood, he will pretend to show him 
the great city and cir-gor that sunk in one night, when the water rose 
above it and formed the lake. Fossil remains of the Polar bear have been 
found in this lake, 2 as well as many tons of bones of skulls of deer, pigs, 
cows, horses, dogs, sheep, and according to some, a rhinoceros ! 



This village was distinguished from a very early period for the half- 
yearly meeting of the Irish Bards, which, according to O'Halloran, was 
continued until the year 1746. The name means " the country of the kings". 

It possesses remains of a strong u triple" fortress, i.e., three strong 
castles of the De Lacys, enclosed by a rampart wall more than 120 yards 
round. There is also, close to the church, a castellated building, erected 
by the Knights Templars in the twelfth centnry. There are also some 
remains of the small church of Cooleen, or Tempiecoleman, now called 
Howardstown, built by the same knights in 1287. 

Seats. — Bruree House (Captain Jonathan R. W. Shelton), Steyle Park 
(Neil Mac Donnell, Esq., J.P.), etc. 

Bruree Mills are the property of Michael Ryan, Esq., J. P., and are 
among the flourishing and extensive mills of the county. 

CAHIRCONLISII. 

Cahirconlish, a post-town, formerly incorporated, seven miles e.s.e. 
from Limerick, formerly a walled town containing four castles, and an 
extensive and celebrated college, of which even the site only is now 
known from the name of the " College Field". 

1 Vallancey's Tract on the Ancient Stone Amphitheatre found in the county of Kerry, etc., 
etc., p. 46. 

2 Carte's paper on fossil remains of the Polar bear, read before the Geological Society of 
Dublin, a.d. 1861. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 727 

1358. (Edward III.) "murage for twenty years" conferred upon the 
provost, bailiff, and commonalty. 

1690. August 7, William III. encamped here, as did also Crinkle in 
the following year. , ^ 5 ^ , 

Antiquities near the town : Carrigoreely, or " O'Farrell's Rock' , built 
by the Bourkes, and last occupied by the O'Dalys; Croc-a-ySenenachuslean, 
or " the old Hall of the Castle", the outer wall of an old fortress apparently ; 
and the ruins of Castle Brittas, built by the Bourkes, Lords of Brittas. 

An inscription in the chancel of Cahirconlish Church is on the tomb 
of Theobald, son, we believe, of the first Lord Castleconnell, who was killed 
in action against Fitzmaurice, during the Desmond war. Fitzmaurice also 
lost his life in it, being killed by Theobald ; and consequently Sir William 
de Burgh was created Lord Castleconnell by Elizabeth. The following is 
all that can be read of the inscription : 

Hunc tumulum Theobaldus Bourk 

sibi et uxori sues Slany Bryan 

fieri fecit 

Bourkiana soboles carol . . . san 

guine tincta atque Bryenorum . . . 

Hie Theobalde jaces tecum perire . . 

issim firma fides martis gloria paeie 

non totus abis tua fama superstes . . . 

Pbalanx spiritus ad superas vol. . . 

The rest of the inscription, and those parts not completed, are concealed 
by the vault recently erected by the Wilson family. 

Seats. — Cahirconlish House (Charles Monk Wilson, Esq.). The old 
mansion house was one of the old castles abovementioned, which suddenly 
split from top to bottom, leaving one half standing. 

CASTLECONNELL. 

Castleconnell (anc. Carrig-Connil), a post-town, six miles N. E. 
by N. of Limerick, happily described by Inglis as "a little village 
of neat, clean country houses, situated close to the Shannon, and backed 
and flanked by noble demesnes and line spreading woods". Just below 
the village commence the rapids of the Shannon, which is 40 feet deep, 
and 300 yards wide above them, pouring an immense volume of water 
through and above a congregation of huge rocks, which extend nearly half 
a mile. These are the falls of Doonas. N. P. Willis says the Shannon 
here, for a considerable distance, resembles the rapids of the St. Lawrence. 
Castleconnell is " surrounded by every kind of beauty, fine mansions, 
green lawns, and lofty towers", and Inglis truly says that none of the 
Welsh waterfalls, nor the Griesbach in Switzerland, can compare with 
these famous falls. 

The castle stands on the summit of an isolated rock close by the town, 
and within a short distance of the river Shannon, and was built by 
Conal, a native chieftain; afterwards a seat of the O'Briens, Kings of 
Thomond, and in which a grandson of Brien Boru is said to have been 
treacherously murdered by the reigning prince. 

1199. King John granted five knight's fees to William de Burgh, 
including this parish, with a condition that he should erect a castle thereon. 

Here and in the adjacent districts the English first obtained a footing 
in Limerick. 






728 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

1578. Elizabeth condoles with William de Burgh for the loss of his 
son, slain in a skirmish with the Earl of Desmond, and in the same year 
created him Baron of Castleconnell, and gave him a yearly pension of 
100 marks. In 1691, this title became extinct. Rickard of Dromkeene, 
M.P., for Naas, died without issue in 1762 ; bequeathed his estates to Chief 
Baron Walter Hussey, who took the name of De Burgh. 

1641. Lord Castleconnell forfeited his estate and title, which, however, 
were restored on the accession of James II. 

1651. Garrisoned by Ireton. Its subsequent history is related else- 
where in the course of this work. The castle was blown up by order of 
De Ginkle. 

Castleconnell Spa. The waters resemble those of Spa in Germany, and 
are considered efficacious in scorbutic affections, liver complaint, jaundice, 
and worms. They are a strong chalybeate, having a mixture of earth and 
marine salt, and have been favourably noticed by Rutty. 1 Sir Richard 
Donnellan De Burgo, Bart., Major of the County of Limerick Royal 
Regiment of Militia, is the owner of Castleconnell. A very elegant 
Catholic church, built by Mr. Launcelot Ryan, of Newport (Tip.), from 
designs by W. E. Corbett, Esq., C.E., Limerick, was opened and dedicated 
to public worship in Castleconnell, through the exertions of the Rev 
Patrick Hennessy, parish priest. This church contains a fine memorial 
window of stained glass to the late John White, Esq , J.P., of Belmont, 
and a beautiful altar presented by Helenus White, Esq., J.P., in 1865. 

Seats — Island House (Sir Richard Donnellan De Burgo, Bart, D.L.), 
Woodlands (Captain Rich), Hermitage (Lord Massy), Stradbally Cottage 
(John Stephen Dwyer, Esq., J. P.), Prospect (Eyre Lloyd, Esq.), Castle 
View (Thomas Spunner White, Esq.), Belmont (George Sampson, Esq., 
J.P.), Shannon View (Helenus White, Esq., J P.), World's End Cottage 
(Thomas Grove Grady, Esq), Lacka House (Edward G. Bell, Esq), 
The Grange (Edward Gonne Bell, Esq., R.M.), Rock Lodge (Major 
Thomas Gillie), Upper Coolbawn House (Captain Spencer Vansitart), 
Lower Coolbawn House (William Corbett, Esq , whose collection of the 
rarest foreign and Irish birds, and of falcons, is said to be the largest in 
Ireland). All these seats are on the Limerick side of the Shannon. The 
seats at the Clare side of the river are — Landscape (Standish Thomas 
O'Grady, Esq.), Doonass House (Sir Hugh Dillon Massy, D.L., Bart.), 
Summer Hill (Berkley Vincent, Esq.), Water Park (John N. Phelps, 
Esq.), Rose Hill (James O'Grady, Esq.), Erinagh House (the residence of 
the late Admiral O'Grady), Erinagh (Thomas Smith O'Grady, Esq.). 



Croom, a market and post-town, distant from Limerick nine miles, 
s.w. on the Cork and Limerick direct railway, beautifully situated on the 
eastern bank of the Maigue, over which is a handsome bridge of six arches. 
A place of importance and high antiquity. The castle was built by 
Dermot O'Donovan in the reign of King John, to protect the ford and the 
property newly wrested by O'Donovan from the M'Eneirys, and said to 
have been secured to him by King John, when Earl of Moreton. The 
O'Donovans having been driven out, and having fled to Cork, the castle 

1 See Rutty's History of Irish Spas. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 729 

was rebuilt by the Earl of Kildare, who made it his principal seat, taking 
from it the war cry of " Crom-a-Boo". Several times attacked by the 
English in the reign of Elizabeth. The Geraldines were three times 
besieged in the castle. The last time in 1600, when the celebrated Pierce 
Lacy, the constable, was attacked by Lord President Carew, and compelled 
to fly in the night. The castle surrendered next day. In the war of 
Desmond with Elizabeth was held by the De Lacys in Earl's interest, 
but Carew in 1600 ousted them on his way to the seige of Glen. It then 
vested in the Crown. Charles II. granted it to his natural son, the 
Duke of Richmond, who resided here some time, and then sold it to the 
Crokers. 

1610. Castle and manor of Croom restored by King James to 
the Fitzgeralds. * 

1641, Forfeited by them for joining the insurrection. 

1678. Granted by Charles 11. to the Duke of Richmond, who resided 
in the castle several years. 

1691. Garrisoned by James II., but on the approach of William, the 
garrison fled to Limerick. 

The castle was rebuilt by John Croker, Esq. 

The castle was lately in the possession of Colonel Dickson, Esq., ex- 
M.P , who sold it to Colonel Russell, brother of F. W. Russell, Esq., M.P. 

The very extensive flour mills of Sir David V. Roche, Bart., and Henry 
Lyons, Esq., give considerable employment. There are several handsome 
residences in the neighbourhood, including Carass Court, Islandmore, 
Croom House, etc., etc. 

A VISIT TO CROOM AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 

Two miles from Croom is Manister an Aonach, " the Abbey of the fair, 
or place of Meeting". We rode in view of Tory hill, a conical mount 
with a gentle slope to the north, and presenting a steep and stony front 
to the south. At its base are some comfortable houses and clumps of trees, 
as also a small lake of great depth, which I did not see. In the reign of 
Elizabeth, the Earls of Kerry and Desmond encamped on this hill, cer- 
tainly a strong and well chosen site for such a purpose, and beheld the 
battle and defeat of their hopes, fought on the plain beneath, adjoining the 
abbey, by Sir James FitzGerald, Desmond's brother, and Malby, the com- 
mander of Elizabeth's forces, when two thousand of the Irish were defeated 
and two hundred and sixty of them slain, amongst whom was the famous 
Dr. Allen, the Roman Legate. 

This was called Tory Hill, from the number of freebooters and haters of 
English power who within the two last centuries frequented its sheltered 
sides. 

The abbey was founded by O'Brien, King of Limerick, in 1148 and 
filled with a colony of Ulster monks, of the Cistercian order, from the abbey 
of Mellefont, in Louth. At the dissolution it was found possessed of five 
plowlands, together with tithes, oblations, a mill weir and watercourse 
on the river. 

Holy Cross, a daughter of this house, far excels it in beauty, so do the 
abbeys of Adare and Kilmallock, though it has been so highly lauded by 
Fitzgerald and others. The abbey is situate in an open, almost level 
country, on the banks of the Commogue, neither tree nor shrub about it. 

52 



730 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Some few of its features are worth being looked at. but, on the whole, it will 
not stand comparison with some, I may say the majority of our Munster 
abbeys. The abbey ox Manister consisted of church and convent : the latter 
stands at the south side of the church, and is so ruinous, consisting of 
detached ragged fragments, that it defies description. The cloister, 
which was large, is scarcely distinguishable. There is no trace of a stone 
arcade, and I believe there never had been any. The front, or north wall 
of the church, faces the river Comogue. The church consists of nave and 
choir. If there was a transept, it has totally disappeared. A blank wall of 
great height divides the two portions of the church, and admits of commu- 
nication only by a low pointed doorway six feet high by five broad. The 
two portions thus divided belong to very different architectural eras, the 
nave containing Saxon or Norman features, the choir being entirely 
pointed. The nave thus is the more ancient, and doubtless the portion 
built by the king of Limerick. The part of the nave adjoining the choir 
contains at either side two lofty pointed arches of plain (Fitzgerald says 
beautiful) masonry : those at the south side open into the field : whether 
there was any building there into which they opened, is only probable, for 
its traces are quite gone. The arches at the south side open into a low side 
aisle, running parallel with the south wall of the nave : these arches are 
of a similar plain and massive character. The west wall contains the prin- 
cipal ancient feature, viz., the remains of a low semicircular doorway of 
plain workmanship, formed of blocks of red grit. The chevron, zig-zag, 
etc., and all the other characteristic ornaments of the Hiberno- Romanesque 
style, are absent. Over this door are two round-headed windows 
i'aced with the same red stone, worked in a large cylindrical moulding, 
which runs along the edges of the jambs and arches. Above these is a 
string course of the same form and stone, accompanying the outline of the 
window heads at about one foot distance. High up in the south wall are 
two plain round-headed windows, and near them on the outside at the s.w. 
angle of the nave, part of the wall or steeple of the old belfry remains, 
rather an unusual situation for this structure, but as the whole church seems 
to have consisted of parts built and added long after the original church 
was founded, the want of unity of purpose and this choice of situation are 
easily accounted for. The tower, which was a noble square structure of 
great height, fell about sixty years ago. The choir is accessible only from 
the nave by a side door in the south wall, of small dimensions, which 
opened into the body of the convent. The altar or chancel end is covered 
over by a broad and pointed arch, thirty feet broad, which for about six- 
teen feet covers this portion of the church : it springs from either wall of the 
choir, and attains a good elevation at the base of the soffits ; a stone frieze 
runs along its whole course, and the outer part is sustained by tali pilas- 
ters, or antse, rounded at the angles, with laboured bases and capitals, de- 
corated with leaves of a graceful pattern, the whole remarkably well 
wrought in a light brown coloured grit. The walls containing the choir 
to i r s junction with the nave, contained one or two considerable windows, 
and in the centre of each wall, opposite each other, and partly hidden by 
the masonry of the walls, is a round column of same stone as that in the 
antae. The capitals are beautiful specimens of the skill and taste of the 
sculptors, consisting of leaves and flowers of different patterns, although 
undoubtedly not copied from nature, the designs belonging to the artists 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 73 L 

own fancy. These pillars formed portions of arches in these walls, which 
had been filled up before the destruction of the building in some of its 
many alterations. The altar was lighted by a lofty window of three shaip 
lancet lights occupying nearly the entire height, and neatly finished with 
stone mouldings Its style refers it to the thirteenth century. 

Tory hill in this neighbourhood was anciently called Cnoe Droma A sal. 
Book of Rights, 92. 

FOYNES, 

a hamlet beautifully situated on the Shannon, and important as the 
proposed station for the American mail packets. Good coal plants and 
shells have been found in the coal shales near Foynes. Near Foynes is 
Knockpatrick, traditionally said to have been visited by Saint Patrick, on 
the top of which is an ancient church and cemetery, and certain stones on 
which, tradition states, the Apostle of Ireland knelt in prayer. From 
Foynes there is railway communication with Limerick, and steam boat 
communication with Kilrush. The first steamer that has left the Shannon 
direct by Foynes for America, was Mr. Tait's blockade runner, the 
Evelyn, with clothing made up at his factory in Limerick for the late 
Confederate army of America. 

Seats — Mount Trenchard (Lord Mounteagle). 

GLIN, 

a butter and grain market and post-town, twenty-six miles w. by s. of 
Limerick, charmingly situated close by the Shannon, of whose salmon 
fisheries it was the great depot. 

Near the town is the castle, the seat of the Knight of Glin., whose 
family has in uninterrupted succession held it for between 600 and 700 
years. The present knight is the twentieth in succession. The manor, 
which was forfeited for some time in the reign of Henry VIII. and Queen 
Elizabeth, was restored in 1602. 

The old castle of Glin, still extant, was celebrated for its siege by Sir 
George Carew in 1600, during Desmond's rebellion. During this siege, 
after a desperate fight, the Knight of Glin and his gallant band were 
either killed or drowned. We have alluded to this siege before. 

The ruins of the castle are very extensive; two of the towers are extant, 
as are the tower and banqueting hall, near the church. Many parts of 
its extensive range of vaults are also perfect. In the castle demesne is a 
chalybeate spring. 

Principal Seat. — The Castle (Knight of Glin). 1 

Saturday is market day. Population 1,243. 

KILFINANE, 

within two miles of Ardpatrick, a neat and thriving town. The locality 
is famed for its large rath, k ' 130 feet high, 50 feet in diameter at the 
base, and 20 feet at the summit, encircled by seven earthen ramparts, 

1 John of Callan, ancestor of the Fitzgeralds of Munster, who was slain at Callan by the 
Mac Carthys, with his third son, Maurice, the first Knight of Kerry, had three other son*, 
Gibbon, ancestor of the White Knigbt; John, ancestor of the Knight of Glin or the Valley; a: id- 
Thomas, ancestor of various families of the Fitzgeralds in limerick. The Earls of Desmond, 
as Princes Palatine, created barons and conferred knighthood. 



732 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

about 20 feet apart, gradually diminishing in height from the inner to 
the outer moat, which is 10 feet high, and 2,000 feet in circumference". 1 

Seats — Castle Oliver (Captain Charles Frederick Gascoyne, D.L.). 

Tuesday is market day. Population 1,274. 

KILMALLOCK, 

an ancient corporate and post-town, fifteen miles and three-quarters 
south from Limerick, styled from its fine ruins the " Baalbec" of Ire- 
land, anciently Killocia and KilmDchcallog, derived its name from an 
abbey founded for Canons Regular by St. Mochcallog, or St. Molach, 
in the beginning of the seventh century. It is situated on the left 
bank of the little river Commogue, in the old territory of Hy Cairtre and 
Abhdha, and present barony of Coshma. The early tribe occupants of 
this district were the O'Donovans, until the twelfth century, when the 
O'Briens and other clans expelled them, and they settled in Corca Laighde, 
giving the name of their vacated territory to the Carberies in the south- 
west of the county Cork. A corporate town by presentation or charter, its 
privileges as a borough being recited by a charter by Edward III. It was 
surrounded by a stone wall of great strength, a great part of which remains, 
fortified with mounds of earth, and having four gateway towers of a lofty 
character, called respectively, St. John's Gate, Water Gate, Ivy Gate, and 
Blossoms Gate, of which the last only is now remaining. Inhabited at a 
very early period by several of the chief nobility and gentry. Elizabeth 
granted a charter to Kilmallock for its resistance to " the arch- traitor 
Garret Fitz Gerald, Earl of Desmond". It returned a member of parlia- 
ment until the Union. 

The church of SS. Peter and Paul, which is within the town walls, is 
the older of the two ecclesiastical ruins. It consists of a choir, nave, 
south transept, and circular belfry, or rather a round tower. The choir 
is used as the parish church. The nave is subdivided by a range of four 
pointed arches, which spring from square columns of plain mason work. 
The transept and the nave contain several sculptured monuments to mem- 
bers of the Fitzgerald, Verdon, Blakeney, and Haly families. The 
circular belfry, or round tower, has been perforated by several pointed 
windows. 

The Dominican Abbey, situated on the Commogue outside the town, is 
said to have been founded in 1291 by Gilbert, second son of John of 
Callan, Lord OfTaly. The architecture of the whole structure is de- 
scribed by the late Sir Richard Hoare, " as surpassing in decoration and 
good sculpture any he had seen in Ireland". The form of the pile is 
cruciform, with a tall steeple rising from the intersection of nave and 
transept. The east window is very elegant. In the centre of the choir 
is a fragment of the tomb of the White Knight, which was broken by 
some treasure seekers from Limerick, soldiers we have heard, then stationed 
in that garrison. We have already referred to the ecclesiastical antiquities 
of this ancient manor of the Bishops of Limerick. 

On the floor lies a broken slab, the covering of the tomb of the White 
Knights of the clan Gibbon. There is shown a small hollow in this 
tomb, which is pretended to have been formed by a continual drop of 

1 Wakeman. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 733 

rain, non vi sed saepe cadendo. This is called the " Braon Shinsior", or 
hereditary drop, and is regarded as a mark of the divine displeasure for the 
cruelty of the White Knight to his Catholic countrymen. In the cloister 
is flung another broken tombstone of three brothers of the Burgate family, 
martyrs of loyalty, slain in the war of 1641. The conventual buildings 
which lie at the north side of the cloister, consist of the usual compart- 
ments of such buildings, such as a great kitchen, refectory, dormitories, 
schools, prior's and professors' apartments. 

In an inquisition taken in twenty-ninth Elizabeth, the abbey is valued 
at the annual sum of 6s. 8d., and is called by the name of Flacispaghe, a 
designation not very intelligible. 

In 1028 Caithnia Ua Tighernain, Lector of Cill Dachellock, died. 

1050. Conaill Airchinneach or Warden of Cill Mochallag and its lector 
previously died. 

It is asserted that Killmallock was a walled town before the Anglo- 
Norman invasion. 

1291. A Dominican monastery founded east of the town, by Gilbert, 
son of John of Callan, Lord of Offaly, by others said by Geraldine, Lord 
of Desmond. 

1340. General chapter of the order held here. Granted to the corpora- 
tion at the dissolution. 

1412. Eadleis and the son of the Earl of Kildare fell by each other's 
hands at Kilmallock. 

1482. Again incorporated by Edward IV., and royal mint established 
there. 

1568. Principal military station of the English during the wars in the 
reign of Elizabeth. Taken by surprise this year by James Fitz-Maurice, 
who put all the principal inhabitants to death, and burned the town, to 
prevent its occupation by the Lord Deputy, who was marching against 
him from Buttevant. Gerald, Earl of Desmond, taken prisoner. 

1572. Sir J. Perrot, President of Munster, compelled James Fitz- 
Maurice to surrender, and received his submission kneeling in the parish 
church, with the point of the president's sword at his breast, to show that 
he had his life at the Queen's hands. 

1579. Sir W. Drury, coming here with 900 men to oppose Sir John of 
Desmond, with his Spanish and Irish forces, summons the nobility of 
Munster to repair to his standard, but dies soon after his defeat at Gort- 
na-Tobrid. 

1582. The events of this period are related in the previous history. 
Part of the garrison attacked Gerald, the sixteenth Earl of Desmond, and 
nearly captured hirn. 

1584. The town receives a new charter from Queen Elizabeth, with 
various privileges. 

1590. Town besieged by James Fitzgerald (the self-styled Earl), who 
was repulsed by Norris and Ormonde. 

1600. James, son of the late earl, sent over by the English to destroy 
the popularity of the usurping earl. The circumstances attending this 
event have been already related. 

1642. The Irish army, under Lord Mountgarret, took possession of 
the town, which was unsuccessfully besieged next year by Inchiquin. 

1645. Lord Castlehaven, commander-in-chief of the Irish army, deposits 



734 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

all his arms and stores in the town, which soon after fell into the hands of 
the Parliamentarians. The fortifications were soon after dismantled by 
Oliver Cromwell ; they were subsequently restored by the corporation. 

1648. The Rev. Father Gerald Fitzgerald, and David Fox, lay-brother, 
were killed for the faith in the Dominican convent here. 

1673. A coin or token was struck here bearing the legend of Mathew 
Meade, merchant, of Kilmallock. 

1690. The Duke of Berwick withdrew his forces, having marched 
through Kilmallock, for the succour of Kinsale and Cork, then beseiged 
by his nephew, De Churchill. 

Kilmallock was, as we have said, the residence of many of the nobility 
and gentry, a few of whose town houses, dating from the time of James or 
Elizabeth, remained up to a comparatively recent period, but they are now 
in a ruinous condition. They are distinguished by spacious semicircular 
arched entrances, opening into small halls; windows small, square, and 
compartmented, sometimes divided by a cross of stone. The two mansions 
that still remain, belonged to the Earl of Buckinghamshire and the familv 
of Godsall. 1 

Kilmallock was a parliamentary borough before the Union ; the names 
of the representatives appear in Addenda B, pages 742-3. 

KNOCKLONG AND KNOCKANY. 

Damh Goire was the ancient name of Knocklong. 2 The present Irish 
name of Knocklong is Cnocltnn^A. Knocklong castle, on an eminence, the 
remains of which are in a wretched state, was the seat of O'Hurley. 
O'Hurley's beautiful tomb is at Emly. 8 The coignstones, frames of doors, 
windows, etc., have been ruthlessly removed; it was not a lofty structure. 
Its form a square, with four gables, one of which remains surmounted by a 

1 Kilmallock gave the title of Viscount to the Sarsfields; Lough Gur, the title of Baron to 
the Fanes ; the Tracys, Viscounts of Rathcoole, were also Baronets of the County of Limerick. 
— Crossley's Peerage, p. 117. 

2 For Drom Damhgaire, now Knocklong, see O'Donovan, Four. M. appendix, p. 2433. See 
also Keating's History of Ireland, for a full account of the battle of Drom Damhgaire, which 
is an abridgment of the wild and magical tale of that name. 

3 The tomb at Emly, referred to in Fitzgerald's History of Limerick as that of Sir Thomas 
Hurley, belongs to Maurice, and not Thomas. The following is the inscription . — 

DOM. DOM. 

Perillustris Dominus D. Mauritius Hurlasus Armiger, Monument. 
Hoc sibi suisque charissimis conjugibus Grania? Hogange et 
Graciae Thorentonaa totique posteritati posuit elaborarique fecit 
Hie jacet hospitii columen, pietatis asylum, a.n.d.i. 1632. 

Ingenio clarus, clarus et eloquio, 
Laus patriae, litura suppressor, pacis amator, 

Regula justitias, religionis ebur, 
Hostibus Hurlaeus fuit hostis, amicus amicis, 

Mauritius moderans tempore temporibus, 
Fax fidei, fulcrum miserorum, gemma virorum, 

Stemmatis antiqua, magna gloria sui, 
Huic decus, huic probitas, sors corporis integra, mille 

Naturae dotes, unicus omne capit, 
Vixisti mundo, vives in sasculo vivis, 

Fortuna faslix, prole pereximia, 
Ergo Vive Deo, vive cui vivere vita est 

Sic tibi, dante Deo, vita perennis erit, 
Sumptibus Hurlaei fabricarunt hoc monmnentum 

Patricius Kerin, Nicholausque Cowley. 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 735 

plain chimney. The interior had been arched, but the arch has fallen. 
The stone steps up the staircase have been taken away. The period of 
this structure was about the fourteenth century. At a short distance to 
the south-west are the ruins of an old church, with a small burial ground. 
The building was a small oblong, 44 feet 9 inches long, by 22 feet 
broad. The eastern wall has fallen. The walls show different periods, 
the more ancient exhibit large blocks without courses, the latter por- 
tion work of the fourteenth or fifteenth century. The door was at the 
north side, but the wall where it had been presents a large breach. 

A VISIT TO KNOCKLONG AND KN OCEAN Y. 

On the summit of the hill, in a field to the south west, there is a lime stone 
dallan about four feet thirteen inches thick. It stands now on the edge of 
a lime-stone precipice, and is in peril. Nothing is known of its history. A 
countryman who accosted me with a " God save you, Sir", pointed out on a 
plain to the north-west where the king, he said, had encamped. He did not 
know who the king was, but he believed he was king of the " Dandonians". 
He said the troops were terribly distressed for water in consequence of a 
great drought, but that a druid relieved them by shooting up a sleagh or 
javelin into the air, and where it fell there flowed out a beautiful spring of 
water, which still flows. This is the well of Curraheen, at the north-east 
foot of the hill. From the foot of the hill also, on to Emly, in the east, whose 
spire was plainly visible to me from where I stood, had been, for a long 
time, one broad lake. Another person told me that where the druid stood 
was on Sliabh Riach, at the south, the dark heathy ridge which bounded 
my view in that direction. Between me and the Galtees he pointed out 
the hill of Dun Tri Liag, as also Clareen, two miles to the west. 

On the plain at some short distance from the foot of the hill, we visited 
a moat, a structure to be scarcely met with in Cork or Kerry. It is a 
variety of the lios, which it nearly altogether supersedes in the midland 
counties. This moat is called Lios Cnoc Luinga, or the Lios of Knock- 
long. It has no rampart, but is surrounded with a deep fosse. The area is 
about fifty -six feet diameter, and the mound itself about twenty feet in 
height, from bottom to fosse. The gap is at the south-east. 

Passing on to the north, we saw on the same townland the remains of a 
square fort : about two- thirds of it was ruined Adjoining the square fort is 
a round moat, to the west. The mound is thirteen feet high, its sides were 
luxuriant with numerous hawthorns. The area twenty paces diameter, or 
fifty-six feet. It has a deep fosse ; a dog was swallowed up in the middle 
area, and never came back (a cave?). Beyond these, we were shown 
another, the moat or lios of Ballycahill, which is planted. The area mea- 
sures thirty-three paces, or ninety feet. 

We were told of Aghadoon, stated to be only a quarter of a mile from 
Knocklong: it is really tw r o miles. Here was a fort live times higher than 
the others. Hither we drove by Elton cross roads and Fair Green. 
Aghadoon is on the lands of Knoctora. It is an earthen dun, or fort, 
about twenty feet in height, planted, and thirty-six paces in diameter ; the 
area forms a hollow, from the rampart, which is only about three feet in 
height. The gap, or entrance, is at the east side. In these dimensions 
there is nothing to justify the statement that it is five times the height of 
the other moats examined. 



736 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

By the ordnance sheet the ruins of Athneasy church, as also Athneasy 
fort (not moat), are placed at a short distance to the west, and about one 
mile west of that, a fort of extraordinary size, having three rings, and 
near it a diminutive moat, are placed on the lands of Ballin Scania. 

From Aghadoon to Knockany, a flat, rich tract of land. Knockany 
hill, a lime-stone ridge, five hundred and thirty-seven feet high, is three 
miles north of Elton. Near its base is the lower part of a square (four- 
teenth century) castle. 

Knockany hill, a long ship-like (keel-inverted) hill, limestone, a scattered, 
small hamlet, a chapel, and a church. In the latter are two old tomb- 
stones, one in the porch with rude raised characters on the margin, to one 
of the O'Gradys, I think. The other, in the church near the communion 
table, on the floor, also raised letters, Latin inscription, and rude figures of 
birds or animals, date 1622. This is the tombstone of a Protestant. 

Tobber Gobbun is near to the south, and beside it a round grave-yard, 
evidently <a Killeen, which we did not visit. 

Kilballyowen (O'Grady) is about a mile to the west. Turned aside to 
Baggotstown castle, a double structure, one of the roses, arched naval 
stairs; and attached to it a Tudor remain. One wall only, with large 
cross-barred mullioned windows, a bartizan at angle. The chimney shafts 
handsome, with open ribbed crown. They are, doubtless, of a far later 
period than the original castle, on whose gables they have been placed. 
Baggotstown is nearly two miles south of Knockany. Bulgaden, a stump 
of a square castle, also a handsome moat of larger extent than those seen 
earlier in the day. It is called Rathbawn, and its height above the level 
of the sea is three hundred and seventy-four feet, on the ordnance sheet. 

NEWCASTLE, 

(anciently Castle Roe and Nua), a prosperous and busy market and post 
town, and anciently a borough town, twenty miles s.w. from Limerick. 

1184. Castle erected here, whence the name and origin of the town, by 
the Knights Templars. A tradition prevails that, owing to the evil 
repute of the Templars, the people rose up, killed many of them, etc., 
Lapsed to the crown, and became the property of the Geraldines. Three 
battles fought near the town. The castle is occupied as the dwelling of 
the agent of the extensive estates of the Earl of Devon, E. Curling, Esq., 
and the " Desmond Hall", and other interesting remains of ancient days, 
are noble memorials of the past. The acorn, the emblem of the Knights 
Templars, may be seen cut in stone on several of the remains within the 
castle enclosure. At Adare Manor museum are some specimens of the 
spinctraB or bath tickets of the ancient Romans of Tiberius's reign, which 
are impressed with abominable figures, and which, according to the Memo- 
rials of Adare, were dug up about sixty years ago in or about the Castle, 
and presented to the late Lord Dunraven by Mr. Locke. 

1591. Granted after the death of the great earl, to Sir Wm. Courtenay, 
with instructions to plant English settlers. 

1638. Property regranted to Sir George Courtenay, after Sir William 
and his son had been dispossessed by the crown. From Sir George they 
have descended to the Earl of Devon, who is justly popular as an excellent 
landlord. 

It contains a small Protestant church, near the Desmond Castle, and a 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 737 

handsome Catholic church, (as there is in every other town in the county, 1 ) 
which the Very Rev. Dean O'Brien, D.D., P.P., V.G., has resolved to 
extend and beautify. It has also a convent and schools of the Sisters of 
Mercy, and schools, to which the Earl of Devon is a liberal contributor, 
presided over by the Christian Brothers. 

Saturday is market day. Population 2,452. A great butter market is 
held here. There are branches of the Provincial Bank of Ireland and 
National Bank here. 

In the Desmond hall a large mantel-piece of black marble is placed,' 
which is said to have been taken from the ruins of one of the great 
houses at Kilmallock. It has the following inscription: — 




This town adjoins the hill of Knockgraine (Hill of the Sun), which is 
remarkable for a mound, upon which was built a castle in olden times. In 
Pallas church was a monument to the MacBriens of Ballytarsney. 

RATHKEALE, 

a market and post-town, fourteen miles s. w. by w. of Limerick, con- 
sisting chiefly of one street, about a mile in length. It is a thriving, 
prosperous town, ranking second in the county, and is finely situated. 
It owes not a little of its prosperity to the Palatines, who settled in 
and near it in 1708, under the auspices of Lord Southwell. 

1289. A priory of Augustinian Canons, of the Order of St. Aroasia, 
founded by Gilbert Harvey. It was further endowed by his descendant, 
Eleanor Purcell, who caused it to be dedicated to the B.V.M. The side 
walls, gable, and towers, are still extant , and some years ago a project was 
entertained of roofing in the ruins of the ancient church for the purposes 
of a Catholic parochial church. 

1580. On the arrival of the Spaniards at Smerewick, the Queen's forces, 
under Grey and Ormonde, assembled here. 

Captain Walter Raleigh, afterwards Sir Walter, presented with the 
freedom of the city by the corporation, for his success in surprising in 
ambush a number of the Irish assembled to plunder the camp when the 
English left it; in return, repaired the castles of Rathkeale (built by 
Desmond) and Matrix. 2 

1654. Fixed as the polling place for electing members for Clare, 
Limerick, and Kerry, in the parliament of Oliver Cromwell, who dis- 
franchised the town because it refused his army provisions. Its privileges 
were never after restored. 

A Protestant church is built in the suburb, beyond the Deel Arch- 
deacon Hassard is the vicar; and at present a beautiful Catholic church is 

1 The number of Catholic Churches in the diocese of Limerick is over 100 : of Catholic 
parishes there are 44. 

2 For other remarkable places in the county of Limerick, I refer to Appendix D. 

53 



738 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

projected, from designs by J. J. M'Carthy, Esq., Dublin, by the Very 
Rev. James O'Shea, parish priest, and the parishioners. The Sister of 
Mercy have an admirable convent and school, and the Christian Brothers 
have extensive schools also here. 

Seats. — Rathkeale Abbey (G. W. Leech, Esq.), Castle Matrix,, 
Beechmount (T. Lloyd, Esq., D.L.), Bally william (D. Maunsell, Esq.), 
and Mount Browne (J. Browne, Esq.) 

There is a branch of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, and of the National 
Bank of Ireland here. 



The History of Limerick closes appropriately with the recognition by 
the government of Lord Palmerston, who has since been numbered with 
the dead, of the justice and expediency of the principle of denominational 
education, so far at least as the intimation that has been given of a liberal 
modification of the Queen's Colleges to meet Catholic requirements is con- 
cerned. We have said "appropriately", because Limerick was the first 
locality in Ireland to agitate in favour of that movement, the author of 
this history having been the first to move in the corporation that a memo- 
rial should be presented to the Lord Lieutenant, in favour of a charter to 
the Catholic University of Ireland, and the first scholarships having been 
endowed by citizens of Limerick. The two other memorable events of 
the year which is now about to close, are the succession of Earl Russell 
to Lord Palmerston, and the suppression of the Fenian conspiracy, the 
chief actor in which has effected so singular an escape from Richmond 
Prison, and the subordinates have been very severely punished — a con- 
spiracy which we sincerely hope may be the last faint echo of that rebel- 
lious spirit which before the tardy and incomplete emancipation effected 
by the Relief Bill, was the not unnatural result of such flagrant iniquities 
as the violated Treaty of Limerick. 



APPENDIX, 



A. 

PRINCIPAL CHARTERS OF LIMERICK. 
Charter granted by John ... dated 18th December, 



Edward L, 

Ditto 
Henry IT. 
Henry V. 
Henry VI. 

Ditto, 
Henry VI., 
Edward VI. 
Elizabeth, 

Ditto, 
James I. 
Ameng the muniments"of the Corporation is an Inspes. of Oliver Cromwell, dated 10th of 
February, 1657 ; and an Inspex. of Charles II. 
LIMERICK GRANTS. AND WHERE TO BE FOUND (NOT ABSTRACTED). 



1197-8 

4th February, 1291 

6th Mav, " 1303 

26th June, 1400 

20th Januarv, 1413 

27:h November, 1423 

18th November, 1429 

26:h July, 1449 

20th February, 1551 

27th October/ 

19th March, 

31 March, 



1575 
15-2 ' 
1609 



31st Edw. I. a 13. Conflrmatio Libert atis. 

3d 4th Edw. II. 134. Murage. 

4th Edw. II. 

6th Edw. II. Writ for repairing the castle. 

13th Edw. n. Writ against levying money 

from the city. 
17th, 18th Edw. II. , Order to repair the town 

walls and bridge. 
1st Sept., 49th Edward III. Grant customs for 

murage. 



8 th Henrv IV. Murage. 

13th Henry IV. 

2d Henrv V. Inspex. Chart. Edward I. 

6th Edw. VI., 20th Feb. Inspex. 

21st Elizabeth. License to tan leather. 

25th Elizabeth, 25th Feb. Second license for 

free scbools and privileges. 
25th Eliza., 29th ^iar. Conf. et Inspex. charter. 
6th James I. 3d March. 
7th James I. 



« Page 100.— Charter of Elizabeth, dated 29th March, twenty-fifth Elizabeth (1-582). This charter is rf very 
great length : is a confirmation and inspeximusof previous charters, and grants to the city of Limerick, 
forth in full, the charter of John Earl of Moreton, and the other charters in succession, by Which the tcv.e;s 
of mayor and hailiffs were enlarged, by -which the mayor was constituted " eseheator. coroner, and inquisitor", 
and by which he is given cocket customs, etc.. eta. and the authority of collecting and receiving all manner 
of fines, amercements, and issues, to tie justices of the peace appertaining, and all other forfeitures, chattels 
of fugitives, and chattels of felons, etc., etc., etc., '-and the profits of a certain fishery which is called Lai 
"Were, with its appurtenances, to the said mayor and commonality, and their success- rs foi ever". Ir stts 
forth a previous charter granted by Elizabeth in the sixteenth ye*r of her reign, by which, " as a token of 
more honourable esteem ". she cave and granted license, " tor us. cur heirs and successors, to ou: •>. 
subjects, the present mayor, bailiffs, and citizens of the said city, ar.d thei:- succ^ssojs. that the mayor of the 
city aforesaid, for the time being, in all places -within the walls of the said city and suburbs thereof, shall and 
may have a sword with fit scabbard, and adorned with our ensign, to he carried before the mayor who now is, 
and before all other mayors for the time being, in all places within the walls or t;.e aforesaid city, and wit in 
the suburbs and the liberties of the same ; and we will that the sword bearer be adorned with a notable hat, 
commonly called a "hat of maintenance*, when and where they shall think fir, tor the reasons afcres .d". 
The charter of U »ut that. '• considering the fidelity and obea ei ce which the tiriz ns of that 

city te us in all things hitherto freely showed, and were reacy to show at the t i « n very great • : 
labours, and charges, especially in the most wicked rebeiihn by Gerald, hail of Desmoid, and his con- 
federates, against u> and our n ya. pc wer, very late y attempted *nd perpetrated", etc . etc " V. e : 
etc., that our ci.y of I imerick shall be and remain for ever hereafter a city in itself, at d that the citizens of 
the said city be and for ever hereafter shall remain one body corporate and politic, in deed, fact, and name, by 
the name or mayor, tailiffs, and citizens of the city of Limerick"', etc. '■ his charter grants to the mayor, 
bailiffs, tc. M all those weirs and pooles in the water of Shannon, within the liberties of the said city, cal.ed 
the Lex Werres. and Fishers Stent, etc., etc, eta, yielding of the wei^s calltd Fishers Ment, 6*. Sd ' 

"Note 1, p. 134, in which we give an abstrac" of the Charter of James I. {I'at Ro'l. vL James I.), cated 
8rd March. I6U9, declares extent of the county of the city ■ — '• that all and siLgular houses, etc.. « at 
courses, soil and bottom, etc , for space of three miles at eve:y sde. to be measured by the Fail of . 
and others, etc., etc., shall be likewise annexed to the aforesaid county of the afoesaid city of Limerick, as 
part and parcel entirely of the aforesaid city, cistinct ui.d separate from our county of Limerick", ef 
*• and tOb'ether with our aforesaid island of Inniscattery. shall be one county of itself; ar. p 
the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens, to have and to hold : nit of record in every week through 

the year (or when aid so often as it shall seem mee: to them . berore the ma;, or, recorder, and aldermen of 
the said city, etc. It conferred extensive power on the Court of Admiralty. In this charter there is no pro- 
hibition as in the ch. rter of Elizabeth, to the effect tl at. " ro person who is by blcid an Irishman, or who 
shall live as an Irishman, etc , eta, eta, shall be preferred t<> any dignity or ice eslastical benefice in the 
cathedral church of Limerick without license, dispensation, or toleration of the dignity", eta In previous 
charter* no '• Irishman." was permitted to be mayor, etc., etc. 



740 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

13th Rich. II. Grants customs to the Bishop 8th James I. 

of Leighlin. 8th James I., Grant Coclcet. 

18th Rich. II. a. 55. Exemption against the 3d 4th James II., 14th March. 

King's collectors. 3d James II., 13th Jan., or 4th James II. 
3rd Henry IV. Grant of the weirs. 

CHARTERS AND GRANTS OF FAIRS, ETC., (IRELAND) INSCRIBED ON 
PATENT ROLLS CHANCERY IN ROLLS OFEluE, DUBLIN. 

February 20th, 1551, is set out. February, 1301. 307 Grant, 31st Edw. I. No. 

March 19th, 1592, „ 13 Burn. 

March 3d, 1609, „ April 24th, 1578, set out 

Sept. 1st, 1375. ' A grant of the Staple (B 7. January 3d, 1611, „ 
49 Kdw. III). July 24th, 1388, „ 

Nov. 16th, 1576. Grant of power to appoint February 3d, 1388, „ 
two citizens to be guagers and se .rchers in June 28th, 1400, „ 
time of war, to traffic with foreigners and January 28th, 1401, „ 
strangers, and the Queen's enemies for the April 27th, 1547 „ 

benefit of the city. October iOth, 1678, „ 

CATHERKENLISH. 
1338 Nov. 9. Grant for stone wall. 

LIMERICK COUNTY. 
1291. July 4. Market and fair, Limerick City. 
1551. July 20. Confirmed. 

Rallaice. Askeatten. 

Castletown. Rathkeleagh 

Owney. Ardagh. 

Bruffe. Gal bally e. 

Ballynyntlea. Shanegowleigh. 

Kilfinan. Ballingary. 

The Hospital. 
Dec. 5, 1612, to Wm. Lacie, gent., a Tuesday market, and a fair on 24th June and the day 
following. Rent, 6s. 8d. Irish. 

Downmoylin. Keilmeedy. 

Kilcolman. Newcastle. 

Lismolayne. 
1624. To Sir Wm. Courtney, Newcastle. Singland. 

Dromcolloher. Tubbermurry. 

Strad bally. Brury. 

Meaghowna. Kilfinny. 

Glanorbery. Ballinoreeny. 

Caherkenlish. Porterushey, alias Montpelier. 

Abmgton. Cahirelly West. 

Nantinan. Tullow. 

Ballygrenan. Anglesborough. 

Murroe. Ballybrood. 

Knockaderry. Portenard. 

Bally scanlan. Court and Curraheen. 

Glenogra. Aimer. 

Dromin. Ballingarrydown. 

Croome. Croagh, Burgess.* 

Instructions by the king to Maister Wm. Lacy, sent unto the lancle of Ireland, relating 
much to Thos. Fitzgerald, Esq., of Kildare, who was to be di-tired to accept of the office of deputy 
lieutenant of Ireland, under Prince Edward, the king's son, whom, etc.f 
CHARTEUS TO KILMALLOCK BURO. 
Feb. 15, 1482, 4th Edward VI. 
April 24, 1594, 36th Elizabeth. 

March 1, 1374, grant Bir. Tur. 49th Edward III., abstract. 
July 15, 1482, 22nd Edward IV., set out. 
April 15, 15-S4, set out. 
January 11, 1584, „ 

ASKEYTON BORO. 
March 30, 1613, set out. 
June 1U, 1610 ,, 

* In addition, there are charters for fairs at Adare, Ardpatrick, Ballybrood, Jlerbertstown, Knocktoran, Kil- 
mallock Kilnioro, KUieely, i'alla.sgieane, Patricks-well, and Turagh. There are three patents lor Newcastle 
gi anted to the ancestors of the Earl of Devon. 

t Letter of King Edward HI. to the Lord liany of Mounsier 29th September. 



APPENDIX. 



741 



REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE CITY OF LIMERICK 
SINCE a.d. 1559. 



1559 


Clements Fanning, Esq. 


Elizabeth. 


Edward Arthur, Esq. 


15*5 


Thomas Arthur, Esq. 


Elizabeth. 


Stephen White, Esq. 


1613 


Counsellor James Galway. 


James I. 


Alderman Nicholas Arthur. 


1639 


Dominick W hite, LL. D. 


Charles I. 


Pierse Creagh FitzAndrew, 




Esq. 


1654 


"William Purefoy, Esq., repre- 


0. Cromweli 


sented Limerick and Kil- 




mallock. 




"Walter Waller, Esq., represen- 




ted Limerick and Kilmal- 




lock. 


1658 


Capt. George Ingoldshy, repre- 


R. Cromwell 


sented Limerick and Kilmal- 




lock. 




Standish Hartstonge, Esq. 


1661 


Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq. 



Chich. House. 

1689 

James II. 

1692 

Wm. & Mary. 

1695 

1703 
An:s t e. 

1713 

1715 

George I. 

1727 

George II. 
1731 

1739 

1741 

1761 

George III. 

1768 



1776 

1783 



Alderman Nicholas Arthur. 
Alderman Thomas Harold. 
Sir Charles Fielding, Knt. 
Joseph Coughlan, Esq. 
Sir J. Williamson, Knt., J. 

Coughlan, Esq 
Robert Blennerhasset, Esq. 
Major-General Richard In- 

goldsby. 
Henry Ingoldshy, Esq. 
George Roche, Esq. 
George Roche, Esq. 
"William Ford, Esq. 
Lieutenant-General Thomas 

Pierse. 
Henry Ingoldshy, Esq. 
Charles Smyth succeeded In 

goldsby. 
William Wilson succeeded 

Pierse. 
Richard MaunsellJ succeeded 

Wilson. 
Edmund Sexten Pery, Esq. 
Charles Smyth, Esq. 
Right Hon. Edmund Sexten 

Pery. 
Charles Smyth, Esq. 
Eight Hon. Edmund Sexten 

Pery. 
Thomas Smyth, Esq. 
Right Hon!! Edmund Sexten 

Pery. 
Thomas Smyth, Esq. 



1785 John Prendergast Smyth, Esq. 

succeeded T. Smith, deed. 

1786 Edmund Henry Pery, Esq., 

succeeded Edmund Sexten 
Pery, created a peer. 
1790 John Prendergast Smyth, Esq. 

Charles Vereker, Esq. 
1797 Charles Vereker, Esq. 

Henry D. Grady, Esq. 

Eight Hon. Charles Vereker.* 

Right Hon. Charles Vereker. 

Right Hon. Charles Vereker. 

Right Hon. Charles Vereker. 

Right Hon. Charles Vereker. 

Hon. J. P. Vereker. 

Hon. J. P. Vereker. 



1802 

1806 

1807 

1810 

1812 

1817 

1818 
Geo. IV., 1820. 

1 820 Thomas Spring Rice. 

1826 T. Spring Rice. 

William IV., 1830. 

1830 T. Spring Rice. 

1831 T. Spring Rice. 

1833f Wm. Roche, David Roche. 
1835 Wm. Roche, David Roche. 

Victoria, 1837. 

1837 Wm. Roche, David Roche. 

1841 Sir David. Roche, Bart., John 

O'Brien. 
1845 Sir David Roche resigned, 

James Kelly returned. 
1847 John O'Brien, John O'Connell, 

(double return of John 
O'Connell sat for Limerick 
city). 
August, 1851 Hon. Henry Granville, Earl 
of Arundel and Surrey, in 
place of John O'Connell 
resigned. 
July, 1852 Robert Potter, Fras. Wm. 
Russell. 
1854 James O'Brien, returned Dec. 

1854, vice R. Potter, deed. 
1857 James O'Brien, Fras. Wm. 

Russell. 
Feb. 1858 Major Geo. Gavin returned, vice 
James O'Brien, appointed 
one of the Justices of Q. B. 
May, 1858 James Spaight, returned, vice 
Major George Gavin, void 
election. 
May, 1859 Francis W. Russell, Major 

George Gavin. 
July, 1865 Major George Gavin, F. W. 
Russell. 



* The Act of Union deprived the city of one representative. First Parliament after the Union. 

t The Keform Bill gave two members to the city. 

t This gentleman was great-grandfather of Henry Maunsell, Esq , J.P., of Fanstown, Kilmallock. Richard 
Maunsell's eldest sou, Thomas, was member for Kilmallock, a.d. 1769; he was King's Counsel, and died 
"While going circuit in Ennis, from a cold caught in Galway. Thomas Maunsell. Esq., ot Plassey, was member 
for the lioiough of Gianard, and then for Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, in the Irish parliament. 



42 



HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK 
SINCE THE YEAR 1585. 



1585 

Elizabeth. 

1613 

Jamks I. 

1639 

Charles I. 

1654 

O. Cromwell. 

1656 

1658 
R. Cromwell. 

1661 
Chich. FIouse. 

1689 
James II. 

1692 
Wm. & Mary. 

1695 



1703 
Anne 
1713 

1715 

George I. 

1717 



1727 

George II. 

1729 

1759 

1761 

George III. 

1768 

1776 



Sir Thos. Norris, Knt. 
Richard Bourke, Esq. 
Rt. Hon. F. Berkley. 
T. Browne Miles, Esq. 
Sir Edw. Fitzharris, Bt. 
Sir Hard. Waller, Knt. 
Sir H. Waller, Knt. 
Col. Henry Ingolsby.* 
Sir Hard. Waller, Knt. 
Col. Henry Ingoldsby. 
Sir H. Ingoldsby, Bt. 
Sir H. Waller, Knt. 
Sir William King, Knt. 
Robert Oliver, Esq. 
Sir John Fitzgerald, Bt. 
Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq. 
Sir William "King, Knt. 
George Evans, Esq.f 
Sir T. Southwell, Bt.J 

Sir Wm. King, Knt. 
Sir T. Southwell, Bart. 
Charles Oliver, Esq. 
George King, Esq. 
George Evans, jun. Esq. 
Sir T. Southwell, Bart. 
Robert Oliver, Esq. 
Eyre Evans, Esq., succeeded 
Sir T. Sonthwell, who was 

created a Baron. 
Eyre Evans, Esq. 
Richd. Southwell, Esq. 
Honourable H. Southwell, vice 

Richard Southwell. 
Hugh Massy, Esq.§ vice Hon. 

Southwell. 
Hon. T. G. Southwell. 
Hugh Massy, Esq. 
Silver Oliver, Esq. 
Hugh Massy, Esq. 
Right. Bon. Silver Oliver. 
Sir H. Hartstonge, Bt. 



1783 


Hon. Hugh Massy. 




Sir H. "Hartstonge, Bt. 


1790 


John Waller, Esq. 




Hon. John Massy. 


1797 


C. Silver Oliver, Esq. 




Lieut.-Col. W. Odell. 


1801 


Charles S Oliver, Esq. 




Lieut-Col. W. Odell. 


1806 


Lieut- Col. W. Odell. 




Hon. Windham Quin. 


1807 


Lieut. -Col. W. Odell. 




Hon Windham Quin. 


1812 


Lieut- Col. W. Odell. 




Hon. Windham Quin. 


1818 


Hon R. H. Fitzgibbon. 




Hon. Windham Quin. 


George IV. 


Hon. H. R. Fitzgibbon. 


1-20 


Capt Standish O'Grady. 


William IV. 


, Fitzgibbon, S. O'Grady. 


1831 


Fitzgibbon, O'Grady. 


1833 


Fitzgibbon, O'Grady. 


1835 


Fitzgibbon, W. S. O'Brien. 


Victoria. 




1837 


Fitzgibbon, W. S. O'Brien. 


1841 


W. S. O'Brien, Caleb Powell. 


1847 


W. S. O'Brien, W. Monsell. 


1849 


Samuel Dickson, in place of 




William S. O'Brien, con- 




victed of High Treason at 




the Special Commission in 




Clonmel, October, 1848.|| 


1851 


Wyndham Goold, in place of 




S. Dickson, deceased. 


1852 


W. Monsell, W. Goold. 


1854 


W. Monsell, Clerk of the Ord- 




nance, reelected. 


1855 


S. Ed. De Vere elected, vice 




W. Goold, deceased. 


Feb , 1857 


W. Monsell, President of Board 




of Health, reelected. 


April, 1857 


W. Monsell, S. E. De Vere. 


1859 


W. Monsell, S. A. Dickson. 


1865 


W. Monsell, E. J. Synan. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE BOROUGH OF 
KILMALLOCK, FROM THE YEAR 1583 TO THE UNION. 

1585 John Verdon, Esq. 1656 Walter Waller represented 

Elizabeth. Thomas Hurley, Esq. 

1613 Henry Verdon, Gent. 1658 

James I. Patrick Kearney, Gent. 
1639 Wm. St. Leger. Esq. 

Charles I. John Power, Esq. 1661 

1654 Wm. Purefoy, Esq., represen- Chich. House. Brook Bridges, Esq. 

O. Cromwell. ted Limerick and Kilmal- Murrough Boyle succeeded 



Limerick and Kilmallock. 

Capt. Geo. Ingoldsby repre- 
sented Limerick and Kil- 
mallock. 

John Bridges, Esq. 



lock. 



John Bridges, deceased. 



• They also represented Kerry and Clare. 

t This gentleman exerted himself so strenuously in behalf of the Hanoverian succession, that King 
George 1. appointed him Governor of the Castle of Limerick m 1714, and JVIay 9, 1715, he was created Baron 
Carbery, of Caibery, in the county of Cork. He was of the Privy Council to George I. and George II., and 
was member in the British parliament for Westbury in Wiltshire. See Almon's Peerage of Ireland, vol" ii. p. 182. 

J Sir Thomas Southwell was condemned at Galway, for his attachment to King William's inteiest, as 
mentioned in a former page ; but after the victory at the Boync he was released. In 1714. he, was appointed 
one of the Privy Council, and one of the Commissioners and Governors of his Majesty 8 revenue in Ireland; 
and in 1717, he was created Baron Southwell, of Castlematress, in the county of L merijk. 

J Created Lord Baron Massy in 1776. 

I Mr. W. S. O'Brien, having spent some years in penal exile in New South Wales, receivrd the royal pardon 
afterwards, and returned home, where he was boloved and esteemed for the possession of every excellent 



APPENDIX. 



743 



1689 

James II. 

1692 

Wm. & Mary. 

1695 

1703 
Anne. 
1713 

1715 

George I. 

1723 

1725 

1727 
George II. 



Sir Wm. Hurley, Bart. 

John Lacy, Esq. 

John Ormsby, Esq. 

Robert Ormsby, Esq. 

Stan. Hartstonge, Esq. 

Chidley Coote, Esq. 

John Ormsby, Esq. • 

Robert Oliver, Esq. 

Sir Philips Coote, Knt. 

Henry Boyle, Esq. 

Kilner Brazier, Esq. 

George King, Esq. 

John Croker, Esq., succeeded 

King. 
Wm. Blakeney succeeded 

Brazier. 
Eobert Oliver, Esq. 
Wm. Blakeney, Esq. 



1747 

1757 

1761 

George III. 

1768 

1776 

1783 

1789 
1790 



1797 



1799 
1800 



Philip Oliver, Esq , succeeded 
Robt. Oliver. 

Silver Oliver, Esq., succeeded 
W. Blakeney. 

Silver Oliver, Esq. 

Edward Villi? rs ; Esq. 

Thomas Maunsell, Esq. 

Wyndham Quin, Esq. 

Wm. Christmas, Fsq. 

John Finlay, Esq 

Rt. Hon. J. Fitzgibbon. 

John Armstrong, Esq. 

Charles W. Bury, Esq. 

Peter Holmes, Esq., succeed- 
ed Armstrong, deceased. 

John Waller, Esq. 

Silver Oliver, jun., Esq. 

Sir Richard Quin, Bart. 

Thomas Casey, Esq. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE BOROUGH OF 
ASKEATON, FROM THE YEAR 1613 TO THE UNION. 



1613 Anthy. Stoughton, Esq. 

James I. Roger Rice, Gent. 

1639 Maur. Williams, Esq. 

Charles I. George Crof'ton, Esq. 
1661 Peter Pett, Esq. 

Chich. House. Rich. Southwell, Esq. 
1689 John Bourke, Esq. 

James II. Edward Rice, Esq. 
1692 Robert Taylor, Esq. 

Wm. & Mary. John Odell, Esq. 



1695 



1703 

Anne. 
1713 



1715 

George 

1723 



George Evans, Esq. 

Robert Taylor, Esq. 

Chicli ester Philips, Esq., suc« 
ceeded Taylor deceased. 

Robert Taylor, Esq. 

Chichester Philips, Esq. 

Robert Taylor, Esq. 

Philip Percival, Esq. 

John Bury, Esq. 

Edward Denny, Esq. 

Berkley Taylor, Esq., suc- 
ceeded Bury. 



1727 

George II. 

1729 

1747 

1753 

1761 

George III. 

1768 

1776 

1783 



1790 



1797 
1799 



Berkley Taylor, Esq. 

Edmon'd Taylor, Esq. 

Wm. Taylor succeeded Berk- 
ley Taylor. 

J. Minchin Walcot succeeded 
Wm. Taylor. 

Edmond Malone succeeded 
Walcot. 

Joseph Hoare, Esq. 

Sir James Cotter, Bart. 

Joseph I'.oare, Esq. 

John Tunnadine, Esq. 

Joseph Hoare, Esq. 

Hon. Hugh Massy. 

Sir Joseph Hoare, Bart. 

Richard Griffith, Esq. 

Sir Joseph Hoare, Bart. 

Henry Alexander, Esq. 

John Seward, Esq. 

Sir Vere Hunt, Bart. 



G. 

HIGH SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK SINCE THE YEAR 1371.* 



1371 William Cadygan, 

1372 James De la Hyde, 
1376 Sir Thomas Clifford, Knt. 

1403 Thos. Fitzmaurice, brother to the Earl 
ofKildare. 

1424 Sir William Fitzthomas, Knt. 

1425 Sir William Fitzwilliam, Knt. 

1453 Maurice Fitzthomas Eitzgerot Fitz- 
maurice Fitzgerald, 
1545 Teige M'Brene, 
1558 Gerald Fitzgerald, of Thomastown, 
1613 George Courtenay, 
1634 James Bourke, 



1661 Symon Eaton, 
1663 Richard Southwell, 
1665 Sir William King, Knt. 

1669 Arthur Ormesby, 

1670 Robert Taylour, 

1671 John Maunsell, 

1672 George Evans, 

1673 John Bury, 

1674 Hugh Massy, Duntryleague, 

1675 Nicholas Monckton, 

1676 Giles Powell,f 

1677 (Jeorge Aylmer, 

1678 John Odell, 



quality and the exercise of the duties of a kind and exemplary landlord. f'e was elected chairman of the 
Newcastle Board of Guardians, the duties of which he admirably fulfilled. L'e died in 1864 ,at Bangor, Korth 
Wales. His remains are interred at the Mausoleum. Cahermoyie. 

* There are several omissions in the early part of this roll, but no more perfect one could be made out, 
| Brother of Robert I'owell, ancestor of Caleb Lowell, M,P, Co. Limerick, in 1841. 



744 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



1679 John Odell, 

1680 Gerald Fitzgerald, Knight of the Glyn, 

1682 John Jephson, 

1683 William Harrison, 

1684 William Harrison, 

1685 Drury Wray, 

1686 .Joseph Stepney, of Ahington,* 

1687 Edward Rice, 

1688 Edward Rice, 

1689 Maurice Fitzgerald, 

1690 Maurice Fitzgerald, 

1692 Charles Oliver, 

1693 George Mansell, 

1694 Michael Searle, 

1695 Ralph Wilson, of Bilboa, 

1 696 George King, of Kilpeacon, 

1697 Thomas Maunsell, 

1698 Thomas Maunsell 

1699 Richard Pope, 

1700 Joseph Stepney, of Abington, 

1701 John Walcot, of Croagh, 

1 702 Henry Widenham, of Court, 

1703 William Pierce, 

1704 Abraham Green, of Ballymacrees, 

1705 Samuel Frend, 

1706 Robert Taylor, of Ballynort,t 

1707 Richard Southwell, of Inniscouch,J 

1708 Kalph Wilson, of Bohir, 

1709 Edward Croker, Rawleighstown, 

1710 Robert Ryves, of Castle Jane, 

1711 Hugh Massy, of Duntryleague,§ 

1712 John Newell, 

1713 John Gabbett, of Rath Jordan, 

1714 Henry Bay lee, of Lough Gur,|| 

1715 Thomas Maunsell, of Mount Sinn, 

1716 Richard Taylor, of Hollypark, 

1717 Samuel Maunsell, of Ballybrood, 

1718 Francis Drew, of Drew's Court, 

1719 William Hairison, of Bully vorneen, 

1720 Nicholas Lysaght, of Brickfield, 

1721 William Wilson, of Cahirconlish,^" 

1722 Thomas Evans, of Miltown,** 



1723 Rice Blennerh asset, of Riddlestown, 

1724 Berkley Taylor, of Ballynort,ft 

1725 John Waller, of Castletown, 

1726 William Bury, of Shannon Grove, 

1727 Edward Taylor, of BalJynort,# 
17*8 Gamaliel Fitzgerald, of Cloghready, 

1 729 Connell Vereker, of Koxborough, 

1730 John Purdon, of Tullagh, 

1731 John Lysaght, of Brickfield, 

1732 George Green, of Abbey, 

1733 Ralph Wilson, of Bohir, 

1734 Henry Green, of Ballymacrees, 

1735 Kd. Croker, of Rawleighstown, 

1736 Joseph Gabbett, of Ballyvorneen, 

1737 Colthurst Langton, of Bruree, 

1738 Anthony Parker, of Dunkip, 

1739 Hugh Massy, of Lisard, §§ 

1 740 Robert Coote, of Ballyclough, 

1741 William Ryves, of Castle Jane, 

1742 John Fitz Maurice, of Springfield, 

1743 Hon. J. Evans, of Hulgadin,||[| 

1744 George Fosbery, of Clorane, 

1745 John Westrop, of Attyflin, 

1746 Stepney Rawson Stepney, of Abington, 

1747 Wyndham Quin, of Adare, ^f^[ 

1 748 John Creed, of Uregare, 

1749 John Bateman, of Calow, 

1750 Hon. Henry Southwell, of Stoneville,*** 

1751 John Odell, of Bealdurogv, 

1752 Hugh Massy, of Cloghonarld, 

1753 Richard Powell, of New Garden, 

1754 William Green, of Ballymacrees, 

1755 John Croker, of Ballyneguard,ttt 

1756 Gerald Blenerhasset, of Riddlestown, 

1757 Edward Warter Wilson, of Bilboa, XXX 

1758 Richard Bourke, of Drumsally,§§§ 

1759 Hon. Thomas Southwell, 

1760 John Brown, of Danesfort, 

1761 Anthony Parker, jun., of Dunkip, 

1762 John Thomas Waller, of Castletown, 

1763 1 homas Royse, of Nantenan, 

1764 Silver Oliver, of Castle 01iver,|||||| 



+ Lord Clarendon, in his diary, says : " He was false to his king, his country, and his neighbours". His 
estate in Limerick now belongs to Lord Cloncurry. 

t Elected member for Askeaton, 1692, 1695, 1703, and 1713. 

X Brother to the first Lord Southwell, and member for the county in 1727. 

§ Father to Lord Baron Massy. 

| Baylee, of Lough Gur, who was related to the Pery family, passed a very jovial career among the 
" flaunting wassailers of high and low degree", possessing a large revenue in determinable interests in lands, 

1T Elected member for the city of Limerick in 1739, 

** Brother to the first Lord Carbery. 

Tt Elected membej for Askeaton in 1723. 

tt Elected member for Askeaton in 1727. 

§§ Created Lord Baron Massy, in 1776. 

lilt Son to the first Lord Carbery. 

ftf Elected member fur Kilmallock in 1768; died in May. 1789. 

*** Second son to the first Lord Southwell, and Mayor of Limerick in 1750. 

ttt Elected Member for Fethard in 1768; died in Newtown Pery, 11th February, 1795, aged 65, being born 
in 1730 ; buried at Cahercarney. 

JJt Edward Warter Wilson, of Bilboa, eldest branch of Sir Ralph Wilson's family, married Frances Anne, 
daughter of the .second Lord Caibery, and had issue an only child, married to Sir John Rouse. The Wilson 
estate being settled on him, he bequeathed it to his son by a second maniage, who sold the greater part In 
the year 1880, to the Honhle. Waller O'Grady, second son oi Chief Baron Viscount Guillamore. The mansion 
house of Bilboa was a large pile, (built of brick imported f nm Holland, about the year 1740.) with an exten- 
sive well timbered demesne, deer park, containing 400 acres, etc. The insurgents attacked Bilboa Court in 
1798, and earned away huge quantities of had and copper from the roof. 

§§§ Created a baronet in 1785 Eldest son of Rich.ird Bourke, of Drumsally, a solicitor, who was great- 
grandfather of the lat Geneial Sir Richard Bourke, of Thpnflelds, and great-* rtat-nrai dfather of Kichard 
Bouike, Esq., of i honfields, one of the Inspectors of Irish Poor Laws, and of Sir Richard Dm nellan De 
Burao, Bart., of Island House, Castle Connell. Richard, the solicitor, is said to have left £K)0,uo0 to his 
children. He died, aged 80, in 1756. 

IIIIH Elected a member for Kilmallock in 1757, in the room of William Blakeney. Esq , and at the general 
election in ?7«1, he was elected to the same borough. In 1768 he was returned o Parliament for the county 



APPENDIX. 745 

1765 Hugh Massy, of Ballynort,* 1799 De Courcy O'Grady, of Kilballyowen, 

1766 George Eose, of Mount Pleasant, 1800 George Evans Bruce, of Hermitage,*** 

1767 Edward Villiers, of Kilpeacon,t 1801 John Hunt, of Ballynort, 

1768 Richard Taylor, of Holly Park, 1802 William Jackson Harte, of Coolruss, 

1769 Standish Grady, of Elton, 1803 Bolton Waller, of Bushy Island, 

1770 Thomas Smyth, of Bohirlode,t 1804 Thomas Gibbon Fitzgibbon, of Bally- 

1771 Hugh Ingoldsby Massy, of New Garden,§ seeda, 

1772 Simon Purdon, of Cloghnedromin, 1 805 Thomas O'Grady, of Belmont, f ft 

1773 Caleb Powell, of Clonshavoy,|| ' 1806 Joseph Gubbins, of Kenmare Castle, 

1774 John Tuthill, of Kilmore, 1807 Stephen Dickson, jun., of Ballynaguile, 

1775 William Gabbett, of Caherline,^ 1808 Brudenell Plummer, of Mount Plum- 

1776 Benjamin Frend, of Boskill, mer, 

1777 Edward Croker, of Eiverstown, 1809 Thomas Alexander Odell, of Odellville, 

1778 William Fitzgerald, of Ballinard,** 1810 Eyre Evans, of Ash-hill, 

1779 William Odell, of Fortwilliam, 181 1 Aubrey De Vere Hunt, of Currah, 

1780 Hugh Llovd, of Kildromin, 1812 Gerald Blennerhassett, of Riddlestown, 

1781 John Grady, of Cahir, 1813 William Gabbett, of Caherline, 

1782 John Fitzgibbon, of Mount Shannon,ft 1814 Richard Smyth, of Smythfield, 

1783 Percival Harte, of Ccolruss, 1815 Wilham Ryves, of Ryves Castle, 

1784 Sir Vere Hunt, of Curraga, Bart., 1816 Thomas Royse, of Nantenan, 

1785 Darby O'Grady, of Mount Prospect,}£ 1817 John Lowe, of Castle Jane, 

1786 James Langton, of Bruree, 1818 Richard Taylor, of Holly Park, 

1787 Michael Furnell, of Ballyclough, 1819 Michael Lloyd Apjohn, of Linfield, 

1788 Sir Christopher Knight, Knight, of 1820 Edward Villiers, of Kilpeacon, 

Limerick,§§ 1821 De Courcy O'Grady, of Kilballyowen, 

1789 Crosbie Morgell, of Rathkeale,|||| 1822 John Thomas Waller, of Castletown, 

1790 Standish O'Grady, of Mount Prospect, 1823 George Tuthill, of Faha, 

1791 C. Silver Oliver, of Castle Oliver, 1824 Joseph Gubbins, of Kilfrush, 

1792 John Waller, of Castletown, ^ 1825 Hon. John Massy, of Limerick, 

1793 Thomas Fitzgibbon, 1826 John Bolton Massy, of Ballywire, 

1794 John T. Westropp, of Ballysteen, 1827 Chidley Coote, of Mount Coote, 

1795 Michael Furnell, of Ballycahane, 1828 Samuel Dickson, Limerick, 

1796 Henry Bevan, of Camas, 1829 William Scanlan, Ballynockane, 

1797 M. Scanlan, jun., of Ballinaha, 1830 Jn. F. Fitzgerald (Knight of Glin), 

1798 John Westropp, of Attyflin, 1831 John Croker, Ballinagarde, 

of Limerick, and at the general election of 1783, his health not permitting him to to undergo the fatigues of 
a senator, he declined to offer himself a candidate for this county. 

•Son of Lord Massy, elected Member for Askeaton in 1761, and for the county of Limerick in 1783. 
Among a collection of portraits at Clonshavo)-, the residence of Caleb Powell, Esq., ex-M.P., is one of the Rev. 
George Massy, Archdeacon of Ardfert, next brother of the first Lord Massy, and known in h.s generation 
by the soubriquet of " Dirty Boots", which originated as follows : About the year a.d. 1750, the public commu- 
nication between Limerick and Dublin was effected by a cumbrous machine, drawn by four horses, consuming 
four days and a-half transporting the passengers, who it may be supposed must hare learned something of 
each other during the journey, and the Rev. George Massy having ascertained that one of his compagnons 
de voyage was a clergyman of considerable political influence (the way to church preferment, in those days 
at least) , about to apply for a benefice then vacant, and in the gift of the government — the very one which 
the Rev. George Massy was about to apply for — he, without delaying to change his travelling attire, repaired 
forthwith from his conveyance to the Castle of Dublin, had an interview with the then Irish Secretary, who 
at once complied with his request, and bestowed upon him the living in question. Very shortly after, his 
competitor, who had gone to a hotel to change his dress, made his appearance in full figure in the Secretary's 
apartment, just as the Rev. George Massy withdrew from it; and having preferred his claim, the Secretary 
exclaimed, " How unlucky you arc, sir ! Dirty Loots, whom you must have met, has just got it". The vener- 
able Archdeacon kept a pack of hounds at Elm Park, was "a mighty hunter before the Lord", extremely 
hospitable, lived jovially till upwards ot 80, and expired suddenly in an apoplectic fit, bequeathing his estate 
to his youngest brother, General Eyre Massy, created Baron Clarina in 1800, and was grandfather of the 
present nobleman bearing that title. 

t Elected Member for Kilmallock in 17C1, and Mayor of Limerick in 1762. 

% Mayor of Limerick in 1764 and 177G. and elected a member for the city in 1776. 

§ Son of Hugh Massy, of Knockevan, Mayor of Limerick, 1792; left a son, Hugh Ingoldsby, who died 
without issue, and left his estate to his cousin, third Lord Massy, who sold it to John Massy, Esq., of 
Limerick. 

II Caleb Powell, Collector of Limerick, grandfather of Caleb Powell, Sheriff in 1S58. 

«j[ Mayor of Limerick in 1775. 

»* Mayor of Limerick in 1786. 

tT Elected Member for Kilmallock in 1783, became afterwards Earl of Clare, and Lord High Chancellor of 
Ireland. 

XI Father of Chief Baron O'Grady, created Viscount Guillamore. 

§§ Mayor of Limerick in 1785. 

I! II An Attorney, of whom Daniel O'Connell used to speak disparagingly. 

^Elected Member for the County in 1720. 

*** Mr. Bruce, who purchased the estate of Hermitage, containing 200 acres, from Mr. Waller, of Castletown, 
for £5,000, in 1789, built the house and made improvements estimated at £L",000, all which he disposed of 
in 1802 to the third Lord Massy, for £20,000. Mr. Bruce was founder of the Limerick Club, and a banker ; his 
bank house was the house No. 6 Rutland Street, now an auction mart. 

ttt Author of the Nosegay. He used to say that his cousin, Standish O'Grady, of Grange, "sent his children 
to church through fear of his wife, and went to Mass himself through fear of the devil". 

54 



746 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



1832 Henry O'Grady, The Grange, 1850 Eyre Lloyd, Prospect, 

1833 Thomas Lloyd, Beechmount, 1851 Henry Maunsell, Fanstown, 

1834 G. M. Maunsell, Bally william, 1852 John Low, Sunvale, 

1835 Wm. Monsell, Tervoe, 1853 Hugh Massy, Riversdale, 

1836 Vere Edmond De Vere, Curragh Chase, 1854 F. C. F. Gascoigne, Castle Oliver, 

1837 Stephen Edward Spring Kice, Mount Tren- 1855 Sir R. D. De Burgo, Island House, Castle 

chard, Connell, 

1838 James Denis Lyons, Croom House, 1856 John White, Belmont, 

1839 General Sir Richard Bourke, Thornfield, 1857 George Gavin, Kilpeacon, 

1840 Richard Harte, Coolruss, 1858 Caleb Powell, Clonshavoy, 

1841 James Kelly, Ballynanty, 1859 Heffernan Considine, Derk House, 

1842 Michael Furnell, Caherilly Castle, 1860 Henry Lyons, Croom House, 

1843 Robert Maxwell, Islandmore, 1861 Helenus White, Mount Sion House, 

1844 Richard Quin Sleeman, Cahara, 1862 Edward Croker, Ballinagarde, 

1845 Edward Crips Villiers, Kilpeacon, 1863 Joseph Gubbins, Kilfrush, 

1846 Wm. H. Barrington, Glenstal Castle, 1864 John Franks, Ballyscaddane, 

1847 Sir David Roche, Carass, 1865 Sir David Vandeleur Roche, Bart., Carass 

1848 Francis W. Goold, Dromadda, Court, 

1849 Samuel Frederick Dickson, of Vermont, 1866 Henry Westropp, Esq. (M.P. for Bridge- 

water), of Greenpark. 

The Right Hon. the Earl of Dunraven is Lord Lieutenant of the county and Custos Rotulo- 
rum. • 



D. 

CAHERIVAHALA. 

Near this locality is " the Rock of the first (or the hundred) fires", Carrig an Ceud tinne, a 
bold and lofty rock ; also remains of ancient fortifications, a large rath, and an old church. 
Near Ballinagarde is the Hill of Knockla, which appears to have been strongly fortified. 

FEDAMORE AND FRIARSTOWN. 

In this neighbourhood is Cloch-na-Monach, or the "Monk's Stone", the remains of some 
ancient buildings ; the fine remains of two ancient abbeys, founders unknown •, also a large 
dun or fort. 

HOSPITAL, 
a town four miles east of Bruff. In the church is the figure of a knight, said to be the founder, 
in the niche in the chancel. It was formerly a locality of the Knights Templars, and passed 
by gift of Queen Elizabeth to Sir Valentine Browne, who erected a fortress called Kenmare. 
The hospital is gone, and the castle very nearly so. The commandery of Knights Templars was 
founded by Geoffrey de Mariscis, about 1215. 

RALEIGHSTOWN 

is near Hospital. In the church of the Kecollects (Paris), was a monument erected to the 
memory of a scion of the house of Raleigh of Raleighstown, with the following inscription . — 

Messire Michel de Raleigh de la famiile de Raleighstown, vivant captain commandant au 
regiment infanterie Irelandise de Berwick, Chevalier de 1' ordre militaire de ^ aint Louis, qui 
eut 1' honneur de servir 42 ans, sous les regnes de Louis XIV. et XV. et mourut 31st Decemr, 
1732, age de76 ans. 

I am informed that Mr. Richard Raleigh, of Patrick Street, Limerick, Mr. Gibbon Raleigh, 
of Castlemahon, and Mr. John Raleigh, of Kyle, in the county of Limerick, are descendants of this 
ancient family. 

SHANAGOLDEN. 

A post town, twenty miles w of Limerick. Here is a curious circular compartmented moat. 
The entmnce was from the east, by which it is said the Irish forts were distinguished from 
those of the Danes. A little to the south is the ruin of Shanid Castle, whence the Desmonds, 
who deprived the MacSheehys of it, derived their war cry of " Shanid-a-boo". Between Shana- 
o-olden and Foynes is Knockpatrick Hill, on the slope of which a church is said to have been 
built by St. Patrick, whose chair and well are shown in the adjoining field. The hill, which 
is 574 fpet high, commands an extensive vi. w of five counties. Seats.— Shanagolden House and 
the Glebe House. 

PALLASKENEY. 

A market and post town, twelve miles w. of Limerick. The Chapel Russell Loan Fund, estab- 
lished in 1823, gave a great stimulus to trade iu this neighbourhood. Flax dressing, spinning, 



APPENDIX. 747 

and linen -weaving are still carried on here, Numerous petrifactions have been found in the 
waters of a stream and pond near the town. The castle, of which the ruins are not far distant, 
was built by the O'Donovans, but subsequently held by the Fitzgeralds. An ancient silver bodkin 
and a golden fibula have been found near the church. — Seats — Castletown (Rev. J. T. Waller). 

GREANE 

was formerly an incorporate town, and had a collegiate church. A.D. 968, at Sulcohid Pass the 
Danes defeated by the Irish, and driven to Limerick. By the old road which passes near Derk, 
the handsome seat of H. Considine, Esq., J.P., King William marched his army to Limerick. 
There is a moat about a mile from the church, eastwards of the old castle of Kilduff. Near 
Lynfield are the remains of Kilcolman church, which was founded in the seventh century, 
and also Knocksifien on the top of Knockgreane, where, in penal times, tradition has it the 
priest used to officiate. Mass Rock, or Carriganfain, is shown to the visitor. The rocks at 
Lynfield are basaltic. 

MEMORIAL STONES. 

Pillars, Steles, or Inscribed Stones, have been found in Limerick. There are two Ogham 
Stones in the Earl of Dunraven's demesne, for which see his Memorials of Adare. 
ROUND TOWERS. 

Dr. Petrie states that the majority of these towers were erected about the ninth and tenth 
centuries, though history gives the foundation of a round tower in the sixth century. To some 
towers, as at Clonmacnoise, he assigns the date of the twelfth century. The generally received 
opinion which he has argued out, is, that they were used for the double purpose of belfries and 
castles. Others think that they were anchorite towers, or penitential houses, or fire temples, or 
built by the Danes, perhaps for watch towers. In Irish they are called generally Cloictheach y 
and in a few districts Clogar or Cuiltkeagh, all meaning ''belfries 1 '. The finest of all is in 
Devenish Island in Lough Erne. 

THE SO-CALLED DANISH FORTS AND TOMBS OF THE EARLY IRISH. 

Sir W. Wilde, in his interesting lecture on "Ireland, Past and Present", remarks that if the 
Danes had erected these curious mounds, the popular belief would not ascribe them to the 
Fairies or "Good People"; more probably they were constructed by the Tuatha de Danaans, 
whose name they preserve. These were " globular-headed, intellectual, and refined specimens 
of humanity", as compared with the "long-headed, thick-skulled Tirbolgs". The latter or 
" early pre-metallic Irish", buried their dead lying at full length in a stone sepulchre, covered 
with a huge monolith, of which there are two specimens in the Phoenix Park — one in the Zoolo- 
gical Gardens, and the other behind the Military School; the Tuatha de Danaans buried their 
dead in the "Kistvaen" or stone chamber, sometimes small and sunk beneath the level of the 
soil, sometimes rising into the great cromlech, miscalled Druid's altars, and consisting of one 
large superincumbent stone supported by four others. These latter have been denuded of their 
tumuli, and rifled of their contents at the beginning of the Christian era. The body must have 
been placed in a doubled up or crouching attitude. Mortuary urns containing fragments of 
burnt bones have been found in some of the latter tombs. Two thousand years at least, accord- 
ing to Sir W. Wilde, have elapsed since the construction of these earthen raths, stone circles, 
great forts, and sepulchral monuments. • The sarcophagi of the Firbolgs and their contem- 
poraries contain flint weapons and shell ornaments, but no metal, and were originally covered 
by mounds of earth. We suppose many of these raths were fortified in the wars of Strongbow 
and Cromwell. 

FOSSH, DEER. 

Several fine specimens of these huge animals are preserved in Adare Manor. Numerous speci- 
mens of these Fossil Deer have been found by William Hinchy of Thomond Gate, in Kilcullane 
Bog, within two miles of Lough Gur, in which a great number of the bones of the Fossil Cow 
have also been found. Hinchy had lately one of these deer measuring twelve feet eight in a 
straight line from the tail to the mouth, and ten feet across the antlers. He had two others of 
somewhat lesser size. He sold two of them to the Dublin Society for the sum of £60. They 
were male and female. Lord Powerscourt gave him fifty guineas for another. 

CROPS AND CLIMATE OF LIMERICK. 

The Registrar General's statistics, published in 1865, state the total extent under crops in 

Limerick at 194,267 acres, which shows an increase of more than 3,000 acres on the year 1864. 

" The county of Limerick", says Fitzgerald, " is so much exposed to the winds from the 

Atlantic ocean, that the air is generally moist. The following is the result of atmospherical 

observations made in two consecutive years: — 

1810. 1811. 
Davs with rain 217 246 

Nights with frost 76 53 

Greatest general height of the thermometer, in shade, in summer, 72 ; greatest depression, 58 : 
in winter these figures are 54 and 28 respectively, yet the natives are remarkable for longevity" 
In Limerick, however, as elsewhere, the climate is somewhat altered since Fitzgerald wrote. 



Il 



748 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

Neither in the fauna, flora, nor sylva of this county is there anything that requires particular 
notice. Wood is scarce, though in this and the county Clare the county is famous for orchards, 
producing the cider called Cacagee. Two of these near Loughmore, have of late years heen cut 
down. The eagles that once frequented Lough Gur are hardly ever seen now, and even the 
singing birds and other small birds have been nearly annihilated by the severity of past winters. 
The wild swans have forsaken the marshes of Cahercorney, Carrickee, and other parts of the 
county, and the flights of wild geese are no longer so numerous as of old. The county must have 
been formerly well wooded, if we are to judge from the oak, fir, beech, and other trees, which 
we find in the bogs, and which, from their bearing the marks of fire, seem to have been cut and 
burned by the natives. A "moving bog", like that which created such a sensation about 
1822 near Clara, in the King's County, occasioned similar excitement at Kilmallock on the 7th 
of July, 1697. Bones and horns of the Irish elk have been found near Lough Gur, at Castle- 
farm, Rathcannon, and at Knockee, one of which, a perfect specimen, Archdeacon Maunsell sent 
to the Royal Dublin Society. Flint instruments, including celts, spear heads, etc., have been 
found at Lough- Gur. 

THE WHITE KNIGHT 
was so called from the first knight being hoary headed. He is now represented by the Earl of 
Kingston. In 1604 the White Knight lived in the abbot's residence and that of several of the 
sovereigns of the borough, previous to its occupation by the White Knight, close to the river 
near Kilmallock. The ruins in the Spitalfield, a mile north of the town, were once a leper 
hospital. 



E. 

GRANTS UNDER THE COMMISSION OF GRACE. 

The following " grants" were made under the " Commission of Grace", printed folio: — 
1684:. To Digby Foulkes, of various lands in Cork and Limerick, p. 5 and 6. 

„ Grant to John Crips, of estates in the county of Limerick, and within the liberties, id. 
p. 6. 

„ Grant of ditto to Thomas Maunsell, in this county, p. 6. 

„ Ditto to George and Simon Purdon, of lands in this county and in Clare county, id. p. 6. 

,, Ditto to Thady Quin, of lands in Clare and Limerick including weirs and fisheries, 
id. p 7. 

„ Ditto to Joseph Ornish} 1- , id. p. 8. 

„ Ditto to Thomas Power, id. p. 9. 

„ Ditto to Edward Rice, of lands in the the barony of Conneloe, id. p. 12. 

„ Ditto to Henry Widdendam, id. p. 17. 

„ Ditto to Brooke Briges, id. p. 18. ■* 

„ Ditto to Patrick Sarsfield, id. p. 18. 

1685. To Laurence Clayton, in Cork county and in Limerick county and city, id. 34. 
,, Ditto in the city of Limerick, to Dr. Jeremy Hall, id. 36. 

,, Ditto to Samuel Burton, id. 36. 

,, Ditto in Cork and Limerick, to Nicholas Lysaght,id. p. 36. 

„ Ditto to ditto, in the liberties of Limerick and Kilmallock, id. 37. 

„ Ditto within the city of Limerick, very extensively, to Archbishop Alibale Ball, id. p. 

37-8. 
„ Ditto to Dame Mabell Tynte and to Henry Tynte, id. p. 41. 

1686. Grant of a small portion of lands in this county, with extensive possessions in Mayo 

and Sligo, to ditto, p. 46-7. 
„ Ditto to Daniel Webb, id. p. 47. 

MSS. BRIT. MUS. 
"An abstract of the expenses of James II. by actual payments in money for three years, 

from Lady Day 1685, to 1688. 

L. D. 1686. 1687. 1688. 

Army, navy, household, official, 
fees, salaries, pensions, boun- 
ties, privy purse, mint, contin- 
gencies, including 93,890 16 6 85,941 13 3 90,072 14 10| 

Secret service, Mr Gray, Sec. of State, 5,000 8,950 4,280 

Sir Stn. Fox, 10,000 9,000 8,600 



Totals of the above £1,451,87 1,822,542 1,782,534 

The losses and income are given. 
(These seem to refer to England rather than united to Ireland.) 



APPENDIX. 



THE WALLS AND GATES OF LIMERICK. 



749 



Portions of the famous old wall are still remaining "between St. Munckin's Churchyard and the 
Shannon, where the wall is flanked "by towers. Also between Island Road and Barrack Street, 
extending from the crossing to Dominick Street to the crossing of the New Road, near St. 
Mary's Chapel, where it forms an angle, and extends along Change Street. From Water-gate to 
the site of the old Linen Hall there is another segment; and from the corner of Lock Quay 
to the Fever Hospital, another and by far the most interesting portion, the ground adjacent to 
and occupied by the latter building having formed the Black Battery, between which and St. 
John's Gate was the breach. The " Ramparts", as the line from this corner to old Clare Street 
was called, even to a late period, which were also breached, and defended by the women of 
Limerick, were a sloping mound of earth, powerfully strengthening the wall interiorly, and 
now, along with the walls, forming the sites of Mr. Cregan's, Mr. Brown's, and a Mrs. Callaghan's 
gardens. In the former, a small swivel gun, quite perfect, about a foot and a-half long, and 
capable of throwing two-ounce balls, was found with three iron tubes of about the same 
length, but larger calibre, and are still mounted on the walls in embrasures lately made to 
receive them. Here the walls are nearly 36 feet thick, and have been lately tunnelled by 
the proprietor, in order to connect the interior and exterior garden; in the latter of which a 
passage like a chimney runs up to the top of that part of the wall which forms Mr. Brown's 
garden, where the wall bas had a passage cut through, with steps, as old as the time of the Siege, 
when it formed a sallyport. The chimney-like passage is traditionally said to have been used 
for obtaining supplies for the garrison. This part of the wall is parallel to John Street, and 
the present occupiers are so very obliging that respectable visitors will find no difficulty in pro- 
curing admission. The entrance is in what is now called Father Quinn's Lane. The Devil's 
Battery was at the angle facing the lane. 

The names of the gates of Limerick sufficiently indicate their position. John's Gate, nearly 
opposite the site of the Black Battery, is the most celebrated. The position of the West Watergate 
was near the bakery still called after it, in a yard belonging to which stations in honour of St. 
Gubbinet are said to have been performed round a well, which is at present shut up. This 
saint, who was very beautiful, is said to have prayed that she might become deformed in 
order to prevent temptation ; when she is traditionally recorded to have been attacked by 
the small pox, traces of which are still marked on her image, of which a small stone bust still 
remains. Some person blackened it lately with tar. In the year 1760 there were 17 gates 
still standing; but in 1787 only the Watergate of King John's Castle remained. The names of 
these we gave in a former chapter. 

THE CROSSING OF THE SHANNON BY THE WILLIAMITES. 

Story's map, in which three islands adjacent to each other are represented nearly opposite 
Penny Well heights, and within some five hundred yards of Islanroan at their most southern 
point, gives the idea that the river, at the first crossing, was passed here at the place still 
called the Islands. The description of the point, as near Annabeg, seems to confirm this idea ; 
but I have followed local tradition in the text, which describes the crossing to have taken 
place within about four hundred yards of St. Thomas's Island. Could Story have meant this 
by " Thomond Isle" ? Some say King's Island was so called originally. Opposite this latter 
Island, on the Clare side, are still the marks of extensive entrenchments. 

THE RUINED HOUSE AT SINGLAND. 

Neither the fathers nor grandfathers of the present generation have been able to learn when 
this house was built. It was evidently standing at the time of the Siege, being exactly 
delineated in Story's map, published two years after the Siege. 

THE ENGLISH LINES. 

A line drawn from St. Patrick's churchyard to a point nearly opposite the present Steamboat 
Quay, will pretty well indicate the English trenches and circumvallations. This line connected 
the old church fort, Ireton's and Cromwell's forts, out of which the Irish had been driven, with 
the batteries on the left. The Irish had a sort of Redan and a fort on the other side of the river, 
opposite the latter, besides the battery at Cromwell's fort on the King's Island. They do not 
appear to have had any other outwoi'ks, except another fort near Penny Well. The Cromwell 
fort, first mentioned, occupies the ground now the site of the Waterworks. Its natural elevation 
was raised with turf taken from the hollow grounds ; and when dug up, several balls, pieces of 
arms, and armour were found. Ireton's fort is a short distance to the right of this, and is still 
discernible. William had a narrow escape while entering this. The English camp lay about 
an English mile south of this line. 

A PLURALIST. 

The Right Hon. George Evans, M.P., father of the first Lord Carbery, was Custos Rotulorum, 
Governor of the County, Colonel of the Militia, Judge of Assize presiding in Limerick, at one 
and same time, in the year 1693-4. 



V 



750 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 

A HERO OF THE SIEGE. 

In the nineteenth chapter of Macaulay's History of England, in speaking of John Bart, 
a.d. 1692, he adds: " About the same time a young adventurer, destined to equal or surpass 
Bart, Du Guay Trouin, was entrusted with command of a small armed vessel. The intrepid 
boy — for he was not yet twenty years old — entered the estuary of the Shannon, sacked a man- 
sion in the county of Clare, and did not reimbark till a detachment from the garrison of 
Limerick marched against him". For this fact Lord Macaulay cites Memoirs de Du Guay 
Trouin. 

PENAL LAWS. 

The principal statutes against the Catholics w r ere passed by James I. and Charles II. King 
James disallowed them to bring actions; not to hold public office or charge ; widows not to claim 
part of husband's estate; no estate by courtesy, nor by way of dower; not to go five miles 
from home without license ; not to come to court ; not to keep arms ; not to go within ten 
miles of London ; forfeit two parts of a jointure or dower; £20 for not receiving sacrament 
yearly; £100 for marriage not according to the Church of England; £100 for omission of 
church baptism ; £20 for unlawful burial. That their houses may be searched for reliques, to 
be burnt, and they fined and committed ; against giving or receiving Popish education; against 
selling or buying Popish books ; against Papists presenting to churches. 

Charles II. — The oaths of supremacy for members of parliament ; to take oath for place at 
court, and offices civil and military. These were extended by William and Mary, and 
George I. 

Charles I. — Against convents and nunneries for education, etc. 

ARTICLES OF LIMERICK. 

The civil articles amounted to 13, the military to 29. The " secret proclamation", as it was 
jocosely called, offered more liberal terms, but was suppressed by the Lords Justices by whom 
it had been prepared, on the intelligence of Ginckle's treaty. Sir Toby Butler had liberalized 
the articles very freely, but was called to order by Sarsfield. — Gordon. 

THE KING'S ISLAND, 

in the southern part of which stands the English town, while the northern is used as a military 
field for reviews and exercises, is about a mile long, and was some years ago occupied by houses 
and gardens, of which latter, part of the enclosiu*es only remain, and might be mistaken for 
some of the numerous military entrenchments thrown up during the olden times. Cromwell's 
fort, in the N. W. part, can be distinctly traced, and may be roughly squared at 100 yards a side. 
It was a star fort. 



F. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

Note pages 473, 474. — Monsell of Tervoe. — Ephraim Monsell had two estates in England, 
one at Frome and the other at Nunny Moadly. He sold the former, and possessed himself, in 
1614, of several large tracts of land in the county Limerick. By his first wife, Miss Samborn, 
he had two sons, Samborn and Thomas. Samborn, who was a friend of Farquhar the poet, died 
unmarried ; Thomas lived near Carrig o' Gunnell. It was this Thomas who, when high sheriff 
of the county, was fined in a large sum for presuming to take one of his tenants down from the 
gallows on the supposition of the man's innocence. His son Samuel, in the year 1688, his 
father having been stripped and plundered during the civil wars, was obliged to pass over to 
England, where, in order to restock his lands, and for other purposes, he mortgaged the estate 
of Nunny Moadly to a Mr. Whitchurch, who left the securities to his daughter, married to a 
Mr. Theobald, a timber merchant in London, which estate, through the neglect of the eldest 
son of Samuel Monsell, Major John Monsell, in paying neither principal nor interest for 
twenty years, was lost to the family. By a rent roll taken at a manor court, held by his father, 
the 30th October, 1696, the estate"produced £406 a year. 

Page 429. — Vereker, Colonel. — The third Viscount Gort was John Prendergast Vci-eker, son 
of second viscount. Born 1790, succeeded 1842, married 1814, daughter of the first viscount. 
M.P. for Limerick 1826-30. Heir, his son Standish Prendergast Vereker. 

1865. — Death of Lord Gort. — We regret to announce the death of Viscount Gort, which 
occurred at East Cowes Castle, his seat in the Isle of Wight, on the 20th inst. He was born 
on the 1st July, 1799, and was educated at Harrow School, where Lord Byron, Sir Robert Peel, 
and the late Viscount Palmerston were amongst his senior schoolfellows. He was for some 
time member for Limerick, the contests which he fought with the present Lord Montcagle 
for the representation of that city having been remarkable for their length and severity. He 
was afterwards one of the representative peers for Ireland, and colonel of the Limerick artiller 



APPENDIX. 751 

militia. In politics lie was ever a warm' supporter of the Conservative party. He was married, 
first to the Hon. Maria O'Grady, daughter of Standish, first Viscount Guillamore ; and, secondly, 
to Elizabeth Mary, daughter and heir of Mr. John Jones ; and by the former has left a family 
to mourn his loss. His lordship's death creates a vacancy in the Irish representative peerage. 

Page 333. — Cornet Pierse's brother saved the crown jewels at the great fire at the Tower 
of London in 1810; and he was held back by force, as represented to the commissioners: 
he was rewarded with — munificent thanks! The Duke of Wellington was his patron. He was 
a native of Newcastle, county Limerick, and nephew of General Maurice De Lacy, " a good 
Catholic". 

Page 211. — Schonberg, Duke of. A strong contest in the English Courts of Equity arose in 
1813, regarding a portrait of Schonberg, bequeathed by will of the Duke of Leeds. The case 
is reported in the Law Journal, under the title of " Duke of Leeds v. Earl Amherst". 

Page 150. — Colleen Bawn. — Mr. Dion Boucicault most successfully dramatised this piece, 
and it had an extraordinary run in London, as well as his " Arrah-na-Pogue". Both were also 
running in full performance in America, Australia, and London, at tbe same time, 1861-5. 

Page 738. — Fenians. — A strongly organized conspiracy, originating in America, and having 
for its object the overthrow of the English rule and the substitution of a republic, was discovered 
and broken up in 1865. Some arrests in the county Limerick were made, but there have been 
no prosecutions in Limerick by the crown lawyers under the " Treason Felony Act" of 1818. 

Page 688. — Note. — The Honourable Mr. Justice Shee is called " Justice Shee". This might 
mean a simple justice of the peace: the judges in England are called '' Mr. Justice 5 '. His 
lordship is the first Roman Catholic made judge in the Queen's Court in England since the 
Reformation. His lordship is a native of Thomastown, county of Kilkenny. 

Tierney, Dr. Sir Matthew. — The first baronet was a native of Bathkeale, where his father kept 
a small shop. He rose to great eminence, as did his brother Edward, the crown lawyer of 
Dublin and the hero of the famous suit of " Earl of Egmont v. Dayrell, baronet", in 1861, to 
recover back the Egmont estates, which the Tierney family enjoyed under an alleged will of 
the late earl. 

St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Mary's Church. — In reference to p. 552, and to Myler Fitz- 
Henry's Inquisition, we see it is in the inquisition of 1201, in the B copy of the Black 
Book, taken by Dr. Todd St. Mar. Rotunda. Cum. per.; and the same in a copy from the origi- 
nal, in the possession of tbe Hon. Robert O'Brien, that is in the inquisition taken before Myler 
FitzHenry. In Dr. Todd's copy of the second inquisition, before William de Burgo, it is 
" Eccliam Sci. Marie Rotunda", in the charter of Lord John FitzJohn King of England, and, 
therefore, antecedent to 1201, Singland is granted to the church of the Blessed Mary of 
Lymerick, and the canons there serving God. These matters have been pointed out to the 
very eminent antiquarian and writer, Dr. Reeves, of Armagh, and he considers St. Mary 
Rotunda, (not Rotundw.? as printed at p. 552), to be St. Mary Magdalene, which we find as- 
signed in the Black Book by Bishop Donough O'Brien, ante, 1207, for the sustentation of the 
canons of the church of St. Mary the Virgin, of Lymeric, thus showing there were two St. 
Mary's churches at that early period, in the city. Kellmurille, near Limerick, is dedicated to 
St. Mary Magdalene ; but we have no reason to state that it is not the same church. In 
the heading of chapter liv. the word "taxation" should be ''inquisition". 

" THE FIFTEEN CORPORATIONS". 
The Congregated Trades, note pp. 361-2. Though "the fifteen corporations" no longer 
exist, as set forth in the above note, yet the congregated trades of Limerick constitute a 
numerous and deserving body of industrious, intelligent artizans, whose news room, library, 
and place of meeting, the Mechanics' Institute, Bank Place, are very well conducted. Some 
of the charters which the corporation granted to certain trades, if not to all of them, in 
other times, are extant, but the great majority of them have perished. The fifteen corpora- 
tions made a conspicuous figure on all public occasions in former days, while it must be added 
that the congregated trades have been at all times foremost in the candid manifestation of 
their sympathy and cooperation in the struggles of Daniel U'Connell fur Catholic Emancipa- 
tion, parliamentary and municipal reform, etc. Lectures have been occasionally given at the 
Mechanics' Institute ; and it is highly creditable to the public spirit of the congregated trades 
that they have been able, even in times of depression and difficulty, to support an institute 
which is calculated to confer many advantages upon its members. The most ancient seal extant 
connected with the trades of Limerick is that of " the barbers chirurgeons '. It has the motto 
under the arms " Christus, Salus Nostra" — and the legend surrounding the arms, "The arms 
of the barbers, chirurgeons, or Guild of St. My. Magdalene". " Granted by Henry VI.". 

THE LIMERICK CEMETERIES. 

The new cemetery of St. Lawrence, which may be called the miniature Pere-la-chaise of 
Limerick, occupies a considerable space of ground at Gortnemana, near the Black Boy, and is very 
neatly laid out with walks, and adorned with a variety of shrubs and flowers. It contains several 
handsome monuments, and was consecrated about thirteen years ago. Four of the other church- 
yards of Limerick are now all but closed as places of burial, and are taken very little care of; 



752 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 

they are : — St. Michael's, still occasionally used ; Ross Brien, near the Foynes Railway ; and 
Killilee, near Patrick's churchyard. There is also a burial ground for the military on the 
King's Island, and one for the Society of Friends at Ballinacurra. They had also a burial place 
near Garry o wen, and another near Peter's Cell, now disused — both neatly kept. Killelia, Kill- 
quane, and the pauper's burial ground at Ballynanty, are outside the borough bounds. 

CASTLE TROY. 

I find that this castle was originally erected in the time of Henry III., by one of the 
O'Briens. 

OCCCPANTS OF HOUSES IN LIMERICK. 

In 1851 there was an average of 9.65 persons to each of 5,548 houses; in 1861 the popula- 
tion, diminished by 9,177 persons, ocrapied 5,689 houses, being an average of 7.85 per house. 

THE RECORDERSHIP OF LIMERICK. 

In 1820, when expected to become vacant, O'Connell applied for this situation, with the view 
of opening it to civic election, but did not press his suit when the time of appointment came — 
{Dublin Mag., p. 52, 1865). The Recordership was abolished by the Reformed Corporation, 
the duties of Recorder being performed by the chairman of the county of the city. 

LIMERICK ATHENiEUM 

is in Upper Cecil Street. The Right Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P., has been elected President. 
Literary lectures are occasionally given ; it possesses a news room, library, and other advan- 
tages. 

THE ENVIRONS OF LIMERICK. 

Although the great want of a public promenade near the city has been frequently complained 
of, the walks on the north circular road, on which several of the gentry and traders of Limerick 
have their country seats, in a great measure meet the public requirements in this respect. But 
the desideratum can hardly be said to be supplied by this or the Island Bank, another pleasant 
walk, until the completion of the People's Park, which is expected to take the place of one of 
the unsightly corkases near the city. 

" MONSTER HOUSES". 

There are three great drapery and tailoring establishments in Limerick, which employ alto- 
gether some hundreds of intelligent assistants, male and female. These are the houses of 
Messrs. Todd and Co., William Street; of Messrs. Revington and Co., George's Street; and of 
Messrs. Cannock, Tait, and Co., George's Street. Their trade is enormous, absorbing as it does 
nearly all the drapery and much of the tailoring business of the city, and supplying many of 
the country traders in the smaller towns of the county, and of the counties of Clare, Tippe- 
rary, Kerry, etc., with cottons, linens, silks, ribbons, woollens, etc., etc. They are con- 
ducted in a spirited business manner. 

NEWSPAPERS. 
Note pages 360-61, shows that in newspapers Limerick took an early lead in the last cen- 
tury. In the present century there have been several newspapers projected and launched, 
many of which were destined to meet with almost immediate shipwreck ; some of which, how- 
ever, flourish. Among the journals that existed in the earlier portion of the century, were 
the Limerick Evening' Post and Clare, Sentinel, of which Daniel Geary, Esq., was the proprie- 
tor ; the Limerick Star, of which his son, William D. Geary, Esq., and Joseph Hayden, Esq., 
were the proprietors ; the Limerick Times, of which the above Joseph Hayden, author of the 
Dictionary of Dates, was the proprietor; the Limerick Herald, of which William R. Yielding, 
Esq., was the proprietor; the Limerick Guardian, which was published for a short time in 
1833, and the Munster Journal in 1832 ; the Limerick Standard^ in 1840-1, of which G. W. 
Dartnell, Esq., was the proprietor; the Limerick and Clare Examiner in 1845, of which Messrs. 
Lynch and Co., were proprietors, and afterwards Messrs. McCarthy and Mr. J. R. Browne ; the 
limerick Observer, in 1856, of which Patrick Lynch, Esq., solicitor, was the proprietor ; the 
Limerick Herald, by Messrs. Purdon, of Dublin, in 1^53. Mr. William Glover started the 
Munster Telegraph in 1819, but it did not survive long. Mr. Alexander M'Donnell pub- 
lished the Limerick Advertiser in Rutland Street. There are at present in the city the Limerick 
Chronicle, established in 1766, of which William Hosford, Esq., and Mrs. Sarah Bassett, are 
the proprietors. The Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator, the first named established 
on the 12th of July, 1839; the latter in Nenagh on the 21st January, 1844; both incorporated 
on the 1st of January, 1850, of which Maurice Lenihan, Esq., the author of this History, is 
the proprietor. The' Munster News, established in 1852, of which F. Counihan, Esq., is the 
proprietor; and the Limerick Southern Chronicle^ established in 1863, of which G. W. Bassett, 
Esq., is the proprietor. 



APPENDIX, 753 



SARSFIELD TESTIMONIAL. 

Referring to p. 505, the movement ,ha$> been revived since 1845. Nearly £1,000 have been 
subscribed towards a testimonial to Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, by the admirers of hig 
patriotism and bravery. The secretary to the Sarsfield Testimonial Committee is Tbomas 
Baker Jones, Esq., who has been indefatigably zealous, and it is to be hoped that the project 
may soon be fully realized. 

CLOCK TOWER. 

A handsome Clock Tower to be erected by public subscription, at Baker Place, nearly 
opposite the Dominican Church, was commenced in 1865, as a testimonial to Alderman Tait, 
Mayor of Limerick for 1866, for his enterprise as an employer and manufacturer. The design 
is by W. E. Corbett, Esq., architect. 

THE FIRST MAYOR OF LIMERICK. 

An old tradition has it that the citizens not agreeing about the choice of a mayor, they 
resolved to choose the first man that presented himself after crossing the Shannon, who hap- 
pened to be John Sarvent, or " Shawn na Scoob", that is " John of the Brooms", which article 
it appears this first of the mayors sold. But then, what about Adam JSarvent, who figures 
first upon all the lists ? Non hcec cohcerent. 



G. 

THE LIMERICK CITY REGIMENT OF MILITIA. 

The Limerick city regiment of militia was raised early in the year 1793, John Prendergast 
Smyth, Esq., then member of parliament for the city of Limerick, and afterwards Viscount 
Gort, being appointed (14th April, 1793), by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, colonel of the 
regiment. The law provided for its being raised by ballot, but the officers and leading citizens 
subscribed liberally to a fund for the payment of bounties, and the corps was fully completed 
by voluntary enlistments alone. In the following month the colonel appointed the Honourable 
Edmond Henry Pery (afterwards first Earl of Limerick) to be lieutenant colonel, Charles 
Vereker, late of the 1st Royals (afterwards second Viscount Gort), to be major, and George 
Gough, Esq., to be one of the captains thereof — the Lord Lieutenant approving. The other 
earliest appointed officers were: — 

Captain-Lieutenant — Samuel Tomkins (afterwards major), 25th May, 1793. 

Adjutant — Henry Horsfall, lieutenant 39th foot, 15th May, 1793. 

Lieutenant — John Waller, (afterwards adjutant), 16th May, 1793. 

Ensign — Hugh Gough (now Field Marshal Viscount Gough), 16th May, 1793. 

Ensign — David Nash (afterwards captain), 16th May, 1 793. 

Ensign — Exham Morony (afterwards lieutenant), 16th May, 1793. 

Shortly after being raised, the regiment was embodied, and made its first march to Birr, 19th 
July, 1793, receiving in charge the ammunition for the King's County militia, which they were 
to meet on the march from that town. Lieutenant Colonel the Honourable Henry Pery 
having previously resigned, Major Vereker became lieutenant colonel, and Charles. Smyth be- 
came major (15th July, 1793). Captain and Adjutant Horsfall having resigned, Major 
Smyth took the adjutantcy (29th October, '93), Captain George Gough became major, Captain- 
Lieutenant Tomkins was made captain, Lieutenant John Waller was promoted to be captain- 
lieutenant, and Ensign Hugh Gough became lieutenant. The latter distinguished soldier was 
appointed to the line as ensign in October following. 

On the receipt of Lieutenant- General Massy' s report of the forward state of the regiment, on 
the day of inspection, the colonel, by order from the adjutant-general (24th October, 1793), 
was at liberty to grant leave of absence to the officers whenever he may think the service would 
not suffer by it. In the month of March following, the regiment, whilst on the march from 
Birr en route to Cork, was ordered to halt at Fermoy, and divide itself between that, Rath- 
cormack, and Castle Lyons — the whole county Cork being then in commotion.* 

The establishment of the regiment at this time, as per letter of 18th March, 1788, from 
Messrs. Armit, Borough, and Co., was fixed at : — 

1 Lieutenant -Colonel 1 Adjutant. 

1 Major. 1 Chaplain. 

4 Captains. 1 Sergeant-Major. 
1 Captain- Lieutenant. 1 Drum-Major. 

6 Lieutenants. 17 Sergeants. 

5 Ensigns. 18 Corporals. 
1 Quartermaster. 255 Privates. 

1 Surgeon. 13 Drummers. 

Passing now over the intervening years, without following the several marches, consequent 
on change of quarters by the regiment, the succession of its officers, and other matters which 

* Major-General Stuart's letter, Cork,- March 9, 1794, 

55 



754 HISTOBY Off LIMBBICK. 

have, for the most part, reference mainly to the interior arrangements of the corps, we come 
down to that eventful period in the history of our country, a period fruitful in events which 
since that time all along to our own time, is, and must he during all time, ever memorable 
in the historic association of the brilliant achievements of the city Limerick regiment of 
militia — the year 1798. 

The regiment, then 420 strong, was stationed in the province of Leinster, and was employed 
in quelling the disturbances in that province. On the invasion of Ireland by the French under 
General Humbert, in that year, it was ordered to Sligo ; and when the French, after the 
victory at Castlebar, attempted to invade the province of Ulster, the Limerick City Militia, 
under Colonel Vereker, and supported by some dragoons and fencibles, met them at Coloony, 
and checked their advance with so much gallantry, that they gave up their intention of enter- 
ing Ulster, and, marching to the south, came in for the large army under Lord Cornwallis, to 
whom they were compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. Lieutenant Rumley was 
killed, Colonel Vereker and four officers wounded. The official records of the killed and 
wounded amongst the non-commissioned officers and men being unfortunately lost or incau- 
tiously destroyed. 

Of this action, for his gallantry in which Colonel Vereker was granted by his late Majesty 
George III. the privilege of bearing supporters and other honourable augmentations to his 
arms, with the motto " Coloony", the Corporation of Limerick marked their opinion by the 
following resolution, dated 8th October, 1798 : 

" Resolved*— That the steady, loyal, and gallant conduct of our fellow citizens of the Lime- 
rick City Regiment of Militia on the 5th September last, under the command of Colonel Vereker, 
so intrepidly engaged and successfully opposed the progress of the whole French and rebel 
army at Coloony, merits our sincerest thanks and warmest applause ; a conduct which has not 
only covered them as a regiment with eternal honour, but has also cast an additional lustre on 
this their native city, already so eminently distinguished for its loyalty and zeal for our happy 
constitution". 

" Resolved — That the sum of fifty guineas be paid by our chamberlain towards raising a 
fund to purchase a piece of plate for the officers' mess, and proper medals for such of the non- 
commissioned officers and privates of the regiment as were engaged in the action of that day". 

Relative to the disposal of the French prisoners in the hands of the regiment after the battle, 
J. Taylor, then A.D.C to Major-General French, writes on the 30th November, saying: 

" The general desires that the French prisoners may be transmitted to Dublin under a suffi- 
cient escort. It will be necessary to appoint some careful person to act as provost martial to 
accompany and subsist them on the road, unless the agent for French prisoners has already 
appointed some person to act in that capacity". 

On the 5th December following, the corporation of Limerick, in addition to the fifty guineas 
referred to in the resolution of the 8th October, also ordered the purchase of a sword of honour 
to be presented to the colonel of that regiment by the mayor, and caused his description of the 
"battle to be inserted in their minutes. 

In noticing this engagement, Plowden, in his History of Ireland, remarks that Humbert said 
that Colonel Vereker was the only general he met in Ireland. 

Colonel Adair, in his papers on The National Defences and the Militia, referring to the field 
services of the militia, remarks: — " Then, again, at the pass of Coloony, where Colonel Vereker 
and the city of Limerick regiment defeated a force of French and others, four times greater than 
his own, the French general experienced the steady skill of the commander, and the vigour of a 
national regiment combating on their own soil". 

In Brennan's History of Ireland, published some few years ago, the gallant Colonel Vereker 
and the regiment under his command on that occasion, is touched on in passing. In a word, it 
may be asked with pride by our city regiment, in speaking of their valour, Quo regis in terris 
non plena fortitudinisl for we find that on the 12th July previous to their victory at Coloony, 
a party consisting of sixty five men, were taken to attack a fortified camp some miles from Eden- 
derry, which, after a severe struggle, they took with the loss only of two men, and brought 
hack with them to Edenderry the greater part of what was in it. The prize money falling to 
each man for his share in this affair amounting to £5 13s. l^d. 

In August, 1801, the regiment offered to extend its services to any part of the United King- 
dom. In May, 1802, the probability of a lasting peace, the regiment was disembodied. 

On the 25th March, 1803, the regiment was again embodied. In the month of October, 1803, 
the newly embodied regiment was inspected by Brigadier General Affleck, who reported very 
favourably of the corps. 

In 1804, the regiment was stationed at Ballinrobe; in July, 1805, at Boyle; and in August, 
1805, the head quarters were at Enniskillen. 

In January, 1806, the regiment was augmented to 100 men per company. 

In the beginning of 1807 the head quarters were at Ballyshannon. 

In August, 1808, they were at Cavan, and in June, 1809, were removed to Naas, where they 
continued until the spring of 1811, when they were in Dublin. 

In July, 1811, tho regiment was thanked by H.R.H. the Duke of York, for "the zealou* 

offer of their citeuded services") made by aU the officers and nearly 400 m«u. 



APPENDIX. 755 

Major John Vereker having resigned his commission as major, was Succeeded by Lieutenant 
John Prendergast Vereker, coramission dated 1811. 

The regiment again marched to Cavan in the month of June, 1812. 

In the month of May, 1813, the regiment proceeded to Cork, and remained there until the 
disembodiment of the militia in consequence of the peace of Fontainhleau, and h marched to 
Limerick for disembodiment in July, 1814. 

In the month of July, 1815, the regiment was again embodied. Only one major being allowed 
on the new establishment, Major Tomkins was selected to serve. The head quarters, etc., pro- 
ceeded to Kinsale and Charlesfort in August and September of that year, and remained there 
until again disembodied, on the 22nd March, 1816, in Limerick, when the privates numbered 
393, and the full establishment of officers was present. 

On the decease of Lieutenant-Colonel Gough, in 1837, the Honourable Charles Smyth Vere- 
ker succeeded him as lieutenant-colonel, and the Honourable Standish Prendergast Vereker 
succeeded Major Tomkins in the majority in 1842. On the 7th December of the latter year, 
John Prendergast, third Viscount Gort, who had served in the regiment as major during its 
second embodiment, succeeded his father as colonel. 

In the year 1854, in consequence of the war breaking out with Russia, and in compliance 
with the provisions of the new militia act, the city of Limerick regiment was made an artillery 
eorps of three companies and 234 rank and file. 

On the 3rd February, 1855, the regiment was embodied, and on the 28th September following, 
marched from Limerick to Kinsale, (forty years having then elapsed since the regiment were 
stationed therein 1815). 

Some months after, whilst the regiment was stationed at Youghal, a disastrous fire was 
observed before the early dawn of morn to have broken out in the main street, and which bid 
fair to destroy the whole town, but through the indefatigable exertion of the officers and men, 
the fire was kept under, thereby saving much property, and, in all human probability, many 
lives, that must otherwise have been inevitably destroyed by the flames. 

The town council of Youghal at their next meeting passed a warm vote of thanks to the 
officers and men of the regiment for their praiseworthy conduct on that occasion. And on a 
more recent occasion, in our own city, on the morning of the great fire in William Street, in 
1860, the conduct of the Limerick artillery was the theme of general admiration. 

While these pages were passing through the press, the regiment has lost its esteemed 
colonel, Viscount Gort. He had held a commission in the corps for fifty-nine years, for fifty- 
four of which he served as a field officer. He was a good officer, and much attached to this 
regiment, with which his family has ever been intimately connected. Since it was first raised, 
seventy-two years ago, it has been commanded, without intermission, by the first, second, and 
third Viscounts Gort ; and the present and fourth possessor of the title has been as major for 
twenty three years, and commandant since 1854. 

COUNTY OF LIMERICK REGIMENT OF MILITIA. 

As regards the county regiment, Robert, first Lord Muskerry, was the colonel appointed in 
1793. The corps was considered a very efficient one, and was given the title of Royal by King 
George III., in its first embodiment, prior to 1800. Lord Muskerry continued colonel until his 
death in 1818, when he was succeeded by the Hon. Richard Hobart FitzGibbon, afterwards 
third Lord Clare, who, on his death was succeeded by the Right Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P., the 
present colonel, J. Dickson, of Clounshire, was lieutenant colonel for many years, and on his 
death was succeeded by the present Lieutenant-colonel S. A. Dickson, late M.P. for the 
County of Limerick. 

VOLUNTEER CORPS OF THE COUNTY. 

The following is a list of the Volunteer Corps of the county, as they stood when war broke 
out again between England and France, at the close of 1804: 

CORPS. COMMANDANT. 

Adare, Captain Lord Adare. 

Bruff Infantry, „ James O'Grady. 

Royal Clanwilliam Cavalry, „ Hon. John Massy. 

Upper Connelloe Cavalry, „ Michael Scanlan. 

Lower Connelloe Cavalry, „ John Massy. 

Coonagh Cavalry, „ Richard Lloyd. 

Costlea Cavalry, „ Hugh Massey. 

Glynn Cavalry, „ Gerald Blennerhasset. 

Kenry Cavalry, „ John Waller. 

Kilfinane Cavalry, „ Charles S. Oliver. 

Kilfinane Infantry, „ Richard Oliver. 

Limerick County Cavalry, „ Christopher Tuthill. 

First Limerick Cavalry, „ Hon. George Massy. 

Limerick City Cavalry, „ J. G. Fitzgibbon.^. 

Limerick Garrison Battalion Infantry, „ Roger Finch. 

Limerick Merchants' Infantry, „ Thomas Maunsell* 



756 



HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 



Limerick Revenue Infantry, 

Loyal Limerick Infantry, 

Loyal Limerick Rangers' Infantry , 

Manister Rangers' Infantry, 

Newcastle Cavalry, 

Palatine Infantry, 

Small County Cavalry, 



COMMANDANT. 

Captain George Maunsell. 

„ Ralph Westropp. 

„ William Taylor. 

„ Michael Farrell. 

„ W. F. Leake.* 

„ Viscount Southwell. 

„ De Courcy O'Grady. 



H. 

THE ANCIENT ARMS OF LIMERICK. 
Pages 151-2, 690, 708.— While these sheets have heen going through the press a controversy 
has arisen on the subject of the ancient arms of Limerick, in which an endeavour has heen made 
by a writer in one of the Limerick newspapers, to show that the City Seal does not represent 
the ancient arms. In sustainment of this allegation, the writer refers to the figure of the 
castles on the stone described at pp. 151-2, which he states represents the ancient arms, and 
to the figure cut on the Mayoralty House stone (1720), and now placed in front of Newtown 
Pery Mills, Henry Street, and also to the figures on the stone at the city Brewery, Newgate 
Lane (1739), none of which have the cross, neither have they the flag or ensign. The engraver 
of the put at page 152 is in some particulars not exact, and I here reproduce the inscription and 
figure just as they are : 



IH3 




The above figure bears no resemblance whatever to any representation of the City Arms that 
has ever been recognised as such; it appears rather to be a representation of the New Tower and 
gate built in 1643, viz., Mungret Gate tower— the stone in question having been fixed in the 
walls of that tower, as we are assured on the authority of White's MSS. (p. 151-2), and it lav, 
after the destruction of Mungret Gate, among rubbish, until placed at Plassy Mills, by Mr. 
Maunsell.^ Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, article Limerick, gives the City 
Seal (but in a reduced shape), as we have given it, fac simile, at page 690. That seal having 
been cut in the reign of the first George, who ascended the throne in 1714, and died in 1730, 
and very probably cut in the early part of that reign, before the Mayoralty House stone was cut, 
and certainly many years anterior to the stone at the city brewery ; we may conclude that it is 
an exact copy of a more ancient seal, and that by prescription and right, it contains a true 
representation of the ancient accredited arms of Limerick. Limerick was one of the Irish cities 
designated " Royal", and holding a charter directly from the crown of England before the close 
of the thirteenth century. Dublin, Cork, and Waterford were the other Royal Irish cities. Galway 
did not enjoy the designation or privilege, and though strongly fortified, and protected by the 
chief of the great Anglo-Norman Sept, of which the Marquis" of Clanricarde is the present repre- 
sentative, was obliged to pay an annual tribute of twelve tuns of wine, as already stated at page 
56, in 1277, to Dermot More O'Brien of Tromora, for the protection of its harbour and commerce. 
Lewis gives a representation of the seals of Dublin, Cork, and Waterford, as well as of 

* Thin gentleman, I am informed, filled the office of lieutenant-colonel of the county Limerick regiment 
for lome time; he was father of George Leake, Esq , who built the house at Rathkeale abbey, where the 
family had its residence for a very long period of time, and was grandfather of George D'Alton Leake, 
Esq., for several years master of the county Limerick fox hounds, and remarkable as a keen sportsman. At 
D'Alton Leake's funeral the members of the county hunt all attended in hunting costume; and at the 
express desire of the decea-ed, the huntsman and' hounds followed his remains to the family vault in 
Rathkeale churchyard. D'Alton Leake was the brother of the late William Leake, Esq., who filled the 
office of county sub-sheriff with popularity and respect. George D'Alton Leake died unmarried; his brother 
William married Anna Maria, sister of E. F. G. Ryan, Esq., li. M„ Midleton. and M. K. Ryan, Esq., J.P., Tem- 
plemungret, leaving one child, Maiia Alice, the last survivor in the direct line of the Leake family. 



APPENDIX. 



w 



Limerick, and to none of them has exception been taken, or a question been raised. Tnc 
mayor's seal of Dublin and Waterford was similar to that of Limerick, viz., three lions passan^ 
on a shield ; but the Limerick seal does not appear to have existed since the mayoralty of T>r\ 
John Barrett in 1768, when it bore the legend, " Sigillum civitatis Limer", as printed in Ferrar's 
History of Limerick, p. 229, instead of " ma j oris Limer". Some of the borough boundary marks 
give both cross and ensign. 

In Dineley's Tour through Ireland, in the reign of Charles II., which is being published in the 
Journal of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, by E. P. Shirley, Esq., M.A.,M.P., we are also 
informed that Mungret Gate bore the above inscription, and that a similar inscription was on 
" Key- Gate" (Quay-Gate), but with the year MDCXLII. 

Limerick gives the title cf earl and viscount to the family of Sexton Pery. 



I. 

EMINENT NATIVES OF LIMERICK. 

The pages of this work teem with proofs of the existence in every age of eminent natives of 
Limerick, which has given prelates to the Church, statesmen to the cabinet, warriors to the 
field, writers in several branches of literature, including philosophy, divinity, history, romance, 
etc., etc. ; chemists, naturalists, poets, and painters. The index shows where their names ap- 
pear throughout the preceding pages, and it is not necessary that they should be recapitulated 
here. Suffice it to say, that in arts and arms, in literature and science, in music and in song, 
Limerick has had no superior amongst the provincial cities of Ireland ; and that it continues to 
uphold the well won fame for which it has been through so many generations preeminently 
distinguished. As to Gerald Griffin, we have already referred with honour to his splendid fame. 
Amongst the most eminent of Limerick men, mention should be made of the late Major General 
Sir Richard Bourke, K.C.B., of Thornfields, whose administration as governor of New South 
Wales, to which he was appointed in 1831, forms, according to the work of R. Terry, Esq., late 
one of the judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, " the brightest page in the annals" 
of that colony, and whose name has been held in merited honour there. In his early mili- 
tary career, he was severely wounded in action in Spain and Flanders. The late Sir Aubrey 
de Vere, Bart., of Curraghchase, was an exquisite poet, the author of Mary Tudor, a Lamen- 
tation of Ireland, Julian the Apostate, and other poems and dramas. His son Aubrey De 
Vere, Esq., is also an elegant poet, whose publications abound in the most patriotic and 
truly Catholic sentiments. In song, and as an actress, the late Madame Catherine Hayes, who 
was born in the house, No. 4 Patrick Street, Limerick, was one of the most eminent of her time, 
her fame having extended all over the world. She -was Prima Donna at the Royal Opera 
House of San Carlo, Milan. She sang and acted not only in the principal capitals of Europe, but in 
those of America, California, Australia, etc. In London and Dublin she was a deserved favourite, 
whilst in the city of her birth her popularity was unbounded. She was called " the Swan of 
Erin" ; and having realised a large fortune by her wonderful voice, she lived respected and 
esteemed, and died in London* on the 11th of August, 1861, having bequeathed her riches to 
George John Power, Esq., of the county of Waterford. George Osborne, son of an organist of the 
Protestant Cathedral, of same name, went early in life to Paris and studied under the first masters, 
and distinguished himself as a public performer and composer. He had to leave with all the 
English residents in Paris after the Revolution of 1818. Mr. Osborne materially assisted in for- 
warding Catherine Hayes as an artist when she first visited Paris in 1844. Of remarkable 
persons to whom no reference has been already made the following names occur: — 

LITERATURE, ETC. 

Kennedy, Matthew, Judge of the Admiralty, 1705. 

Keogh, John, born at Rivers, — Mathematical and Oriental Scholar, 1650. An inscription 
over one of the halls at Oxford testifies to his having solved a mathematical problem in which 
all others had failed. 

Nihill, John, F.R.S., " Observations on the pulse". 

Fitzgibbon, John, born at Ballysheeda, 1708, " Cases determined at Westminster", " Es 
on Commerce". 

Martin, John, M.D., 1770— "On the Castle Connell Spa". 

Webb, Daniel, born at Maidstone — " Correspondence of Music and Poetry". 

Woulfe, Peter, Tircullane, 1730. Reputed the first chymist in Europe. 

Duhigg, Bartholomew, 1752 — "Law Reports". 

Hayes, Sir John M'Namara, Physician to the Prince of Wales, and Inspector Genera 
Ordnance Hospitals, 1797. Of unbounded generossty to his countrymen. 

Jackson, Walter, Musician. 

Ouseley, Ralph, M.R.I. A., — Antiquarian, whose tomb is in St. Mary's churchyard. 

* This truly gifted and accomplished lady had teen married to Mr. Bushnell, an American gentle 
died some short time before her. 





758 BISTORTf OF LIMERICK. 

* Tierney, Sir Matthew, educated at Athlacca, physician to George III., noted for great 
friendship to his countrymen; dying in 1845, he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his brother 
Edward, who was one of the Crown Solicitors for Ireland. 

Ouseley, Sir Gore, Ambassador in Persia, and afterwards at St. Petersburg. 

Long, St. John, died 1834, medical practitioner ; acquired notoriety in London by his specifics 
for consumption and other diseases generally considered incurable ; not being educated for the 
profession, he was twice put on his trial for the death of his patients, and on one of these 
occasions no less than sixty-three persons of the higher classes appeared in his favour. — 
" Discourses on the Art of Healing". 

Fitzgerald, Rev. Patrick, Vicar of Cahircorney, educated at Bruff. " History of Limerick". 

NAVAL AND MILITARY HEROES. 

Wolfe, Captain George, grandfather of General James Wolfe, one of our brightest heroes, 
whom the elder Pitt, discerning his genius, and disregarding the conventional claims of 
seniority, entrusted with the conquest of French America. 

Blakeney, Lieutenant General Lord, 1720, signalized by his famous defence of Port Mahon 
in Minorca, against the French ; his monument is in Kilmallock Cathedral. 

Coote, Sir Eyre, born at Ash Hill, Kilmallock; the Conqueror of Hyder Ali. 

Nagle, Admiral Sir Edmund, born near BrufF, and 

Seymour, Admiral Sir Michael; both full often "rocked in the cradle of the deep", and 
distinguished for gallant and successful actions. 

Croker, Major William, of Bally n agar d, received the particular thanks of the commander- 
in-chief, for his conduct in the Indian war against Holkar. 

O'Grady, Col. Neale, of the Kilballyowen stock, commander of an infantry regiment at the 
battle of Aspern, fought between the Austrians and Napoleon in 1809, and was amongst the 
officers who received public thanks from the Archduke. 

To these might be added the names of many who in the recent war in the Crimea have 
proved worthy of honourable mention ; Massys, Westropps, and Mr. Martin Gubbins, whose 
14 noble conduct" is mentioned by the late General Havelock; etc., etc. 

Pages 80, 579, 580. — In reference to Bishop John Coyn, or Quin (the brother of the ancestor 
of the Earl of Dunraven), we have given the fullest details to show that the venerable prelate 
ever clung with unabated attachment to the Catholic faith, notwithstanding the assertion mad* 
in the state papers of Henry VIII. (quoted at page 80), that he had taken the oath, with the 
mayor and other citizens of Limerick. Dr. Moran, to whom ecclesiastical historical literature 
is so much indebted, has contributed a paper to the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, No. XIII.,* 
to prove that Dr. Quin had always remained steadfast to his principles, and furthermore that 
Hugh de Lacy's name is enrolled in the precious list of those " qui nunquam ab unitate 
sanctae matris Ecelesise deviaverunt", and that he is described as " vir in fide Catholica con- 
stans, qui dum vocabatur a reginae Anglise commissariis, rogatus ut morigerum se in omnibus 
prasberet ipsi reginae, hoc responsi dedit : Unum agnosco in terris Ecclesice summum caput, 
eique et non alter obedientiam dare pollicitus sum, itaque nun quam a proposito desistam".* 
Bruodin states that Hugh de Lacy was confined in Cork jail, and thence escaped to France 
during the reign of Edward VI. So great was the confidence of the Holy See in the prudence 
and devotedness of the zealous bishop, that Dr. Moran adds, " Episcopal faculties were ex- 
pedited for him from Rome in 1575, and these faculties were given to him for the whole pro- 
vince of Cashel". 

Page 554. — In reference to the Liber Niger, or Black Book of Limerick, another copy of 
this valuable record has been made and has been presented to the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, 
Catholic Bishop of Limerick, by the Very Rev. Dr. Russell, President of Maynooth College. 
This copy is admirably executed, and is bound in black morocco leather. 

Pages 756-7. — William Tennison Pery, second Earl of Limerick, Viscount Limerick, and Baron 
Glentworth in the Irish peerage, and Baron Foxford in that of the United Kingdom, died on 
Friday, the 5th of January, 1866, suddenly, of bronchitis, in London. He was the second son 
of Henry Hartstonge, Lord Glentworth, eldest son of Edmund Henry, first Earl of Limerick, 
and Alice Mary, the only daughter and heir of Henry Ormsby, of Cloghan, county of Mayo, 
by Annabella Tennison, second daughter of Mr. Tennison Edwards, of Old Court, county 
Wicklow. The deceased earl was born 9th October, 1812, and married, first 16th April, 
1838, Susanna, daughter of Mr. Wm. Sheaffe, and niece of the late Sir Roger Hall Sheaffe, 
Bart., which lady died 21st August, 1841. His lordship married, secondly, 6th April, 1842, 
Margaret Jane, only daughter of Captain Nicholas Horslcy. By his first marriage he had 
surviving issue an only son, William Hale John Charles Lord Glentworth, born 17th Jan., 
1840. By his second marriage, which was dissolved in 1862, the late earl leaves a family of 
six sons and one daughter. He succeeded to the family honours on the death of his grand- 
father in Dec, 1844. Lord Glentworth, before mentioned, succeeds his father as third earl. 
He married in 1862, his cousin, Miss Gray, daughter of the Rev. Henry Gray, vicar of 
Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, and Lady Emily Caroline Gray. The present earl was formerly 

* Fowler, Dublin. t Ex Archiv. Vatic, in appendix to Archbishops of Dublin, p. 240. 



APPENDIX. 759 

in the Rifle Brigade, but retired from the army in 1862. The remains of the late Earl were 
interred on Friday, January 12, in the Pery Chapel, St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. 

Page J 87, etc.— Lord Inchiquin — Lucius O'Brien, fifth baronet, is the thirteenth baron of 
Inchiquin; he is brother of the late "William Smith O'Brien, Esq., and of the Hon. Edward, 
Eobert, and Henry O'Brien. He is one of the representative peers of Ireland ; and his pedigree 
proves his descent from Brian Boroimhe, Monarch of Ireland in a.d. 1002. 
NATIVE BARDS. 

Of bards who wrote in Irish, natives of the county of Limerick, there have been several, viz., 
David O'Bruadair (Broderick), who was living in 1692 ; Patrick Kelly, who died in 1741 ; John 
Roberts lived in 1778 ; Patrick Fennell, a schoolmaster at Ballingarry in 1771; John Lloyd, 
whose contributions in Irish fill some pages of the collection of the Poets of Mwister, and who 
wrote a short history of the county of Clare, was a native of the county of Limerick. He 
resided principally hi the west of Clare, and taught in private families there. His death was 
attended by melancholy circumstances at Moyarta, about the year 1790. John Tuomy, some 
of whose poems also appear among the collections above referred to, died in 1775, in Limerick; 
Maurice Griffin, who lived at Slevereigh, near Ballingarry, in 1778 ; James Daly, of Lough- 
more, who was living in 1770, and who composed several exquisite elegies; Thomas 
Gleeson, of Adare, an expert Latin and Irish scholar ; David O'Clery, of Newcastle ; James 
Kennedy, of Kilmallock ; Andrew M'Mahon, who kept a tanyard, at Limerick, and who wrote 
several satires ; Nicholas O'Donnell, a native also, who was " high sheriff of the Appolonian 
court, Cork". These are among the Irish writing bards. In the present century Patrick O'Kelly, 
author of Killarney, and other English poems, and mentioned in Lockhart's life of Scott, 
resided here for many years. He was, we believe, a Roscommon man by birth. Edward 
Moran, in 1823, wrote and published several meritorious verses which he dedicated to Thomas 
Moore ; Mr. Moran afterwards became attached to the Globe and Traveller newspaper in 
London, of which he was sub-editor for some years. J. "Walsh also wrote some good verses, 
as has the latest of our local bards Michael Hogan, the "Bard of Thomond", who has published 
several pleasing ballads, and whose poems have appeared in a collected form. 
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL. 

The restorations and improvements in this cathedral, of which we have given the history, etc., 
in previous chapters, have not concluded with the year 1865. More recently, additional carved 
oak stalls have been placed in the aisle; and the spirit which urges these improvements is likely 
to add further to the beauty, etc., of this ancient and historic church. Through the generous 
exertions of the Hon. Robert O'Brien (Old Church), in conjunction with Richard Bourke, Esq., 
(Thornfields), and aided by the Dean and Chapter, the prebendal stalls in the western end of the 
choir have recently been backed with oak frame work, filled with plate glass ; and it is hoped that 
ere long the adjoining arch on either side shall be furnished with similar fittings, the effect of 
which, both in the way of ornament and comfort, was most desirable. The heating of the 
cathedral by hot air is also projected, and other improvements are in posse. But much, very 
much as has been already accomplished by munificence, energy, and good taste, there remains a 
large supplement lacking,' before perfect restoration shall be achieved. 
LIMERICK CIVIC HOSPITALITIES. 

Alderman Tait, the proprietor of the great Army Clothing Factory, and Mayor of Limerick 
for 1866, inaugurated his mayoralty by a very sumptuous banquet, followed by one of 
the most numerously attended balls ever given in Limerick. The banquet, which took place 
at New Hall, Prospect Hill, on Thursday night, the 18th of January, 1866, was attended by 
nearly four hundred persons, comprising the members of the Corporation, the Catholic bishop 
of the diocese, the head of the Presbyterian congregration in Limerick, the county and city 
members, a large number of the gentry, professional and mercantile classes of county and city, 
the officers of her Majesty's Engineers, of the 73rd Highland Regiment, of her Majesty's iron 
clad ship Prince Consort, of the Artillery, etc., etc. The hall was a scene of dazzling splendour ; 
the decorations were in excellent taste. On the following night the ball given by the Mayor 
and Mrs. Tait, took place, and was attended by about 1,300 of the nobility, gentry, citizens, etc. 
CLARE AND LIMERICK COPPER COINS AND TOKENS. 

Page 200. The numerical references in the plate of the Clare and Limerick copper coins, do 
not belong to Dr. Smith's list given at page 200. The author could not obtain copies of No. 
6, 7, and 15 in Dr. Smith's catalogue for the engraver, by whom the figures have been placed 
at his own discretion. 

Pages 235-6. — " Thomcore Castle", so called in the Arthur MSS. Dineley in his Tour 
Through Ireland, etc., reign of Charles II., calls it Droumore, and gives a sort of derivation of 
its meaning, but inconsistent with the authentic particulars given by Dr. Arthur; White 
(MSS.) also calls it Thomcore ; and is followed by Ferrar as quoted. 

NOTE ON GEOFFREY ARTHUR'S EPITAPH, 

Page 578. — Reading " qui\ the more accurate version is, " do thou, who passing gkall %%j 
a fater mi Ave be qu thy guard", But perhaps we should read " auoa n ^ 



m 



HISTORY Off LIMERICK. 



DEATH OF LORD MONTEAGLE. 

Pages 444, 446, 448, 458, 487. — Whilst these sheets have heen passing through the press, 
death has summoned another distinguished Limerick man, in the person of the Right Hon. 
Thomas Spring Rice, first Baron Monteagle (United Kingdom, 1839), P. C. England and 
Ireland. His lordship was born on the 8th of February, 1790, at No. 21 Mungret Street (not 
No. 1, as in page 444), and was just 76 years at the period of his death, which took place 
at five o'clock, a.m., on Wednesday, the 7th of February, 1866. He was M.P. for Limerick 
1820-32; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1835-39. Married Lady Theodosia Pery (died 1839)' 
second daughter first Earl of Limerick ; 2nd, 13th April, 1841, Mary Anne, daughter of the' 
late John Marshall, Esq., M.P. for Yorkshire. He represented Cambridge 1^32-39. He was 
a nobleman of high intellectual attainments, a F.R.S., M.A., member of the University of 
London, and- of the Queen's University, Dublin. He was Under Secretary of State for the 
Home Department, 1827; Secretary of the Treasury, 1830-34; Colonial Secretary of State, 
1834. His lordship is succeeded in the title and estates by his grandson, Thomas Spring 
Rice, who was born in the year 1849. The deceased nobleman was interred on Tuesday the 
13th of February, 1866, at Shanagolden. 

THE MARBLE QUARRIES AND ANCIENT HOUSES OF LIMERICK. 

At Ballysimon, within a few miles of Limerick, is a famous marble quarry, which has sup- 
plied the materials of the cathedral of Newfoundland and other foreign buildings, and was 
spoken of in connection with the new houses of parliament, though not employed for that pur- 
pose. The black marble quarries of Garryowen, though not so celebrated in later years, are 
said to have supplied materials for the castle, citadel, walls, monuments, bridges, houses, and 
other buildings of Limerick, before the arrival of William and his followers, who introduced 
brick. Dineley states that even the streets were paved with it, and describes the houses as tall, 
built of black and polished marble, with partitions some five feet thick, with battlements on the 
top, " the best cellars for so many, in any city of England or Ireland". . Tradition states that 
the house described at page 127, was the first which was faced with brick in Limerick. Though 
the " Stone Houses" were many at the time, the " cage built", or wicker houses were more 
numerous. Limerick, in the sixteenth century, was called a City of Castles. 
WHITAMORE'S CASTLE. 

This ruin, which is concealed by the houses, is nearly in the centre of Mary Street, opposite 
the old city jail. Perhaps it was so called from Francis Whitamore, proprietor of the Globe 
Tavern, which Dineley, in his tour through Ireland, in the time of Charles II., who visited 
Limerick about the time that Whitamore was mayor, in 1681, says it was famous for its excel- 
lent draughts of claret, described by him as "better, but not so great as in most taverns of 
London". The second best inn was then kept by one William Allen. The wine was so plenti- 
ful and superior in quality at this time in Limerick, that Dublin merchants used to send thither 
for their Canary. Sarsfield is said to have resided for a time in Whitamore's Castle, which i3 
sometimes called Sarsfield's Castle, and the Castle of Limerick. 

NOTE ON BISHOP JOHN O'MOLONY II. 

Pages 612, 617 — A question having arisen, we may state that the Stuart Papers, in the 
Bodleian Library, Oxford, which make mention of Dr. O'Molony, were written by the Nairnes, 
secretaries to King James II., and his son the Chevalier. The original letter book is now in Ox- 
ford. At one time it was in the Scots College, Paris, and was thought to have perished with other 
valuable papers at the time of the Revolution, whereas Carte and Mackintosh (the translator of 
Ossian) and compiler of some papers on the reign of Charles II., James II., and William III., had 
previously got them by some stratagem. Unquestionably Dr. O'Molony was appointed Bishop of 
Limerick and administrator of Killaloe, his old see, at the instance of James II.; and by refer- 
ring to (y Renehar! s Collections, pp. 296-7, we see him paid very bad compliments in a statement 
of the king's on the authority of one of the Stuart Papers. There is some mistake in the list 
given in C 'lienehan, p. 295, as to the bishops stopping at St. Gerniains, 31st December, 1691 (on 
tli6 authority of the Theineir MSS.), for our bishop is called James instead of John. Unfor- 
tunately, the important letter of Dr. O'Molony to Bishop Tyrrell of Clogher, dated 8th March, 
1689, in King's State of the Protestants of Ireland, bears no subscription. 

LONGEVITY. 

Instances of longevity in the city and county arc given at pages 416, 417, 431, 434, and 436. 
Mr. James Blackwell, who was governor of the city jail in 1798, and who was the first man who 
ever gave a fee to Daniel O'Connell to defend a prisoner, died in 1865, at the age of 100 year*. 
Mr. Charles Holmes, a respectable landholder, died on the 31st of December, 1862, at Ath- 
lunkard, aged 104 years. Peter Daly, who had been for 76 years a professed lay brother of the 
Qrder of Preachers, died in Limerick on the 12th of January, 1861, aged 0"ver 100 years. 



THE END. 



NOTE. 

The following was accidentally omitted: — 

The Catholic Successor of Bishop Hugh Lacy. — The question 1 who was Bishop Lacy's 
successor, after having been frequently canvassed by ecclesiastical historians, has at last been 
set to rest by a state paper in the public Record Office, London, in which that successor is 
expressly styled " Coruelius O'Neill Hybernus, Episcopus Limericensis". 2 He was appointed to 
the see in 1581, was in Spain in 1583 and 1584, and, as appears from the state paper referred 
to, again in 1591. This paper was drawn up on the 22nd of July, 1597, being the Interroga* 
tory of Bernard O'Donnell, who was arrested at Lisle, on his return from Spain in that year. 

One of the questions, which are given in Latin, is as follows : 

Q. " What business had you in Spain? 

A. " Chiefly to visit a certain Bishop who was known to me, and also another, an Arch- 
bishop. The Archbishop was an Irishman, and was styled Aimandus Magauran, Archbishop of 
Armagh. The Bishop was called Cornelius O'Neill, an Irishman, Bishop of Limerick". 

The only written particulars concerning his episcopate that the author of the article referred 
to in a preceding note was able to obtain, were two letters addressed by him to Rome, where 
they are preserved in the Vatican archives, during the Desmond War, at which period the 
Bishop of Limerick appears to have been busily engaged in the Spanish court, soliciting aid for 
the Irish chieftains. Both are dated Madrid, 16th November, 158L In the first, he recom- 
mends to his correspondent William Nugent, Baron of Scryne, then at Rome after many suf- 
ferings for his religion, for which he had abandoned all, " the better to obey the word of the 
Gospel". In the second, written at the request of Maurice Fitzgerald, " the last remaining 
leader of the army of the Geraldines", and nephew of the celebrated Earl of Desmond, the 
writer corroborates his testimonials, and begs his correspondent, whom he addresses as " Your 
Holiness", to aid his cause, and to write to the King of Spain in his favour, in order to remove 
by his assistance " the yoke of the English off the necks of the Irish". 

(1) See an interesting article headed " The See of Limerick", published in the Irish Ecclesiastical Record for 
October, 18G5, written by the Rev. Dr. Moran, of the Irish College, Rome, and already referred to. 

(2) We have mentioned before, that there was another Cornelius O'Neill, the martyred Trinitarian, and 
Coadjutor of Bishop Quin, who is also styled " Episcopus Limericensis" in the Spanish records. 



INDEX 



[Minor events will be found under the head of " Annals", or " Occurrences", or { < Events".] 



Abbeys seized by Henry VIII.. S3; suppressed, and 
abbots put to death, 88. 

Abbey lands granted to Butler, and Earl Ossory in 
1535, 159 ; Abbey of Franciscans, remains of, 658. 

Abbey of Mungret, churchyard of, early history 
of, 5S7, 541 ; ecclesiastics of, 540 ; tablet in, 542 ; 
monuments in, 543. 

Abbey of St. Francis, 472 ; Owny, 720. 

Abbeyfeale, 715. 

Abbots at Ratisbon 3end messengers to Ireland, 26. 

Abington: monastery burned by O'Carroll, 93; his- 
torical account of, 715. 

Absenteeism prohibited in 1341, 62. 

Accounts of fees and goods by Dr. Arthur, 185. 

Act of settlement, the, 198. 

Acts of Parliament for Improvements (see Improve- 
ments and Statute*), 469. 

Adams, Bishop, account of, 585. 

Adare, soldiers from, ravage Kerry, 108 ; defeated at 
Ballycalhane, 108 ; camp at, in 1600, 124 : destroyed 
by Pierce Lacy, 124 ; manor of, 295 ; convent at, 
494 ; deanery of, in thirteenth century, 561 ; 
churches attached to, 561 ; historical account of, 
715, 718. 

Adjuration, oath of (see Oath), 820. 

Adventurers, their advances, etc., 183; statute for, 
190. 

Affane, battle of, 96. 

Agricultural and Commercial Bank, 483. 

Agriculture, state of, in 1750, 342. 

Aid from the Duke of Lorraine, 172. 

Albavilla, Marquis of, 702. 

Ale, price of, in 1493, 69. 

Allemande, 4. 

Allen, Dr., famous Jesuit in 1578, 102. 

Altamira, quarry at, 419. 

Amailgaid, King, converted, 4. 

American gold mines, temp. Henry VIII., 93. 

American war in 1812, 419. 

American " Squaw" (vessel) arrives, 436. 

Amnesty by William III., 235. 

Anagrams, 146. 

Anglo-Normans and Anglo-Saxons in eleventh cen- 
tury, and descendants, 17. 

Anglo-Norman Conquests (see English), 46. 

Anglo-Irish Lords, homage to King Richard 11,64; 
created by Henry VIII., 74. 

Annals of Clonmacnoise, 5. 

Annals of Four Masters, 3. 

Annals of Innisfallen, 5. 

Annals of Leinster (se« Events), 455 to 465, 487, 690 
to 704. 

Annals of Ulster, 5. 

Ancient Irish families (see Irish Families), 59, 60. 

Antrim, Marquis of (1643), 155 ; Marchioness of, 155. 

Archbishops at Kells Synod in 1152, 28. 

Archbishop of Leinster martyred in England in 1180, 
44. 

Archbishops, bishops, etc., treatment of, by Queen 
Elizabeth (see Bishops), 119 to 121, 613. 

Archbishop Plunket, 305 ; Creagn (see Creagh), 305, 
613. 

Architecture of Ireland, 546, 548. 

Ardagh, Bishop of, 223. 

Ardpatrick, account of, 720 

Armagh, primate of, taken prisoner, 5. 



Armagh, bishops of. successors of St. Patrick, 12 ; 
primate of (in 1584), memoir of, 116; conduct of. 
141 ; letter to, in 1640, 147; primate of, noticed, 675. 

Army establishment in Ireland, 191; list of King 
James's, in 1690, 215; killed and wounded at siege 
of 1690, 246, 248; reduced in 1693, 295; reviews, 
lists of officers, etc., 383 to 386. 

Armorica, war into, 3. 

Arra-cliach, 4. 

Arthur MSS. (passim), 80, 118, 366. 

Arthur, Dr. Thomas, account of (James I.), 142 ; his 
reflections on Cromwellian war, 169; his pasquin- 
ade, 169; rewarded by Ormonde (1650), 169; fur- 
ther accounts by him, 182, 1S3. 

Arthur, Dominican and author, account of, 207. 

Arthur, Patrick, builds quay, 366; family of, 386; 
monument to, 680. 

Arthur, Mr. Francis, account of (179S), 86 ; his trial 
(in 1798), 382, 396, 405 ; persecutions by Earl Clare, 
392 ; innocence proved, 396 ; his liberation, 406 ; his 
death, 464. 

Arthur, Mr. Nicholas, his present to King Henry, 530. 

Arthur, Bishop, notice of, 587. 

Arthur, Thomas, monument to, 598. 

Arthur, Father, in 1600, noticed, 665. 

Arthur's Quay, 366 ; embanked, 505 

Arthur Galfridus, his monument, 57S. 

Arundel and Surrey, Earl of, M.P. for Limerick, 510. 

Ashtown, Lord, ancestor of, 254. 

Askeaton castle destroyed (in 1579), 106, 107; Lord 
Justice visits (in 1579), 107 ; historical account of, 
721. 

Assembly Mall In 1768, 358. 

Assessed taxes, 436. 

Assizes at Cork, pretended (in 1601), 12S ; at Ennis 
(in 1601), 129; alteration in, 438; trials at (in 
1822), 455, 456. 

Astrea, wreck of, 488, 

Asylum Episcopal Chapel, noticed, 500. 

Athenaeum, 751. 

Athassell Monastery noticed, 552. 

Athboy (Yellowford), battle of, 18. 

Athlone summoned to surrender, 2i5, 2.j5; battle, 
and defeat of William, 216; summoned by, 255; 
magazine blown up in 1697, 295. 

Athlunkard bridge, in 1825, 457; act, 469; projected, 
472 ; built, 474 ; street formed (in 1824), 472. 

Athy, expedition to (Henry VII 1.), 78. 

Attainder of Desmond, fifteenth Earl (see Confisca- 
tion), 114. 

Attaints, by Parliament, of James II., 272 ; in 1691. 
290. 

Attainders list of, 1696, etc. (see Forfeited Estates'*. 
296; further account of, 298. 

Attyftin, account of, 307. 

Aughrim, battle of, 1691, 255. 

Augustine, St., order of, 4 ; monastery of Canons 
Regulars, 4; Nunnery of Canonesses, 4; Convent, 
notice as to painting, 344; friars' chapel, 1778, 872. 

Augustinians, the, 642, 643 ; hermits and monks (see 
St. Augustine), — ; upheld by the Pope, 644 ; canon- 
esses of, 646 ; nunnery founded, 646; priors of, 665: 
in 1753, 671. 

Augustinian Eremites, remains of chapel, 660. 

Austrian estimate of Irishmen, 275. 

Aylmer, Gerald, Chief Justiciary, arrives, 89. 

56 



762 



INDEX. 



Bacoh, ancient history of, 39. 

Baggot, family of, 51. 

BagnalL defeated at Yellowford, 122. 

Bagod, family of, 51. 

Bailiffs of city, 690. 

Balbeyn, Thos. or Cor. (gift by), 2S5. 

Bald Bridge, (see Ball), 47o, 476. 

Ball's Bridge, bill to widen in 1757, 346 ; state of, in 
1775, 305 : in 1759, 469 ; rebuilding, 46!). 

Ball, fancy, in 1777. 365. 

Ballad : by Wharton, " Lillebulero", 217, 218. 

Ballads (see Songs), notice of, 4±8; by Farrell, 448. 

Ballingarry destroyed in 1691, 261 ; deanery of, in 
thirteenth century, 562. 

Balloon ascent, 509. 

Ballycarr demolished, 97. 

Ballygarry Castle held by Stack in 1601, 129. 

Ballymote, Book of, 2. 

Ballyneety : Sarsfield, success at, 234. 

Ballysadare, battle of, 13. 

Banks, state of, 433 ; failure of, 445 ; run on, 445 ; Na- 
tional, established, 48S; Agricultural and Com- 
mercial, 488 ; Provincial, 4SS. 

Banks, Mrs., liberality of, 429. 

Baptisms in eleventh century, 21. 

Bard-well, Mr., his improvements in Cathedral, COO. 

Barracks, completed 1S07, 418; new, described, 465. 

Barrington, Daniel, monument to, 600. 

Barrington, Sir Jonah, noticed, 386. 

Barrington's Hospital, act for, 469 ; established, 47S. 

Barrington, Sir Mathew, notice of, 477; memorial to 
him and his wife, 603. 

Barrington, Sir Joseph, notice of, 478. 

Barrington, Samuel, monument to, in 1693, 596. 

Barron" Geoffrey, deaths in 1651, IS I, 1S2 ; execution 
of, 593. 

Barry of Lemlara (see^Kelly), family of, 399. 

Base coin (temp. Henry V11I.), 93. 

Bath stone, imported in 1811, 416. 

Battles of (see each place) Limerick Cathedral, 5 ; of 
Dysart O'Dea, in 1318, 61 ; of Monaster, in 1579, 
102 ; of Benburb, 157 ; Danganhill in 1646, 160 ; 
Cahir, 161 ; of Mayor's Stone, 329. 

Baylee, Henry, sheriff, 744. 

Baylee of Lough Gur, 744. 

Bede, and Psalter of Cashel, 3. 

Bells in Cathedral, 20S; tolled by Franciscans in 
1809, 420: erected by Catholics in St. John's, 482; 
in St. Mary's in 1814, 434 ; at St. Michael's, 315, 636 ; 
to Franciscan convent, 658. 

Benburb, battle of, 157 ; victory celebrated, 592. 

Benburb and the Jesuits, 666. 

Benedict, St. [see Saints] order of, 4. 

Benevolent Annuity Society, 17 6S, 379. 

Berwick, Duke of, his marriage to Burke, 133, 250. 

Berwick, Duchess of, account of, 210. 

Bianconi, Charles, Esq., D.L., notice of, 441, 477; 
his establishments, 442 to 441 ; cars established, 
478. 

Birr Castle besieged by Sarsfield, 250. 

Bishoprics, boundaries of, 544. 

Bishops, succession of, from St. Patrick, 5, 546. 

Bishops, Danish, consecrated at Canterbury, eleventh 
century, 17,21; Irish, consecrated at Rome or in 
Ireland, eleventh century, 17. 

Bishops at Kells, in 1152, 28; appointment of, 
reserved to Synod, in 1200, 48 ; ecclesiastics of 
Limerick, temp. King John, 51; prohibition as to, 51. 

Bishop, body of, in Dublin, 1545, 92. 

Bishops, etc., punished and executed in 1578, 102 «, in 
Ireland, in 1579, 105 ; income sequestered for 
schools, etc., 115 ; under Queen Elizabeth, conse- 
crated by Cieagh, 117. 

Bishops, Catholic, council of, 163; excommunication 
by, 163 ; division among, 163 ; account of, 587 ; 
list of, 5S9. 

Bishops send deputation to Ormonde, 164; conference 
of, 165 ; declaration^, in favour of Ormonde, 165 ; 

g. distrust Ormonde, 166, meet at Jamestown, 168; 
excommunicate Ormonde, 168 ; at Loughrea, 168, 
170; appointment of, 422 ; synod in Dublin (180S), 
422 ; public meeting respecting, 423 ; address of, 
as to tithes, 437 ; in House of Lords, motion to 
expel, 491 ; account of, 552 to 567 ; election of, in 
1272, 553 ; declaration on, 553 ; nomination of, 
556 ; Pope's authority, 556. 

Bishops, Protestant, account of, 585 ; Protestant (see 
each name), list of, 607 to 610, 



Bishops, Catholic (see each name), list of, 611. 

Bishops, persecution of, 612 ; pensions by King James, 
612 ; meeting of, as to rescript of Quarantotti, 635. 

Bishop, Protestant, his house granted in 1667, 193 ; 
palace (1784), 370 ; described, 684. 

Bishop of Ardagh, 223. 

Bishop Arthur, death of, 160. 

Bishop Bernard, anecdote of, 440. 

Bishop of Derry, killed in 1604, 131. 

Bishop Digby describes siege of 1690, 230. 

Bishop of Emly (see O'Brien), encourages resistance 
to Ireton, 171 ; noble conduct of, 177 ; his life, etc., 
179; hanged at Limerick by Ireton, 180; his 
family, account of, 180. 

Bishop O'Brian, of Killaloe, 45, 127; of Killaloe an 
Englishman, 45, 127. 

Bishop Lacy of Limerick ("see Delacy), 120. 

Bishop of Limerick, first, St. Munchin, 4. 

Bishop of Limerick, grant to, in 1215. 54 ; arrears to 
be paid him, 54 ; grant of market to, at Mungrett, in 
first Henry III., 55 ; grant for fishery in 1318, 61 ; 
opposes subsidy in 1340, 62 ; protests against treaty 
of 1691, 295 ; early notices of (see Bishops), 540. 

Bishop Magrath, 125. 

Bishop of Mayo (Hely) martyred in 1579,103; be- 
trayed by Countess of Desmond, 104. 

Bishop Molony, 220, 322. 

Bishop Nihill of Kilfenora, 335. 

Bishop O'Brien in 1474 (see O'Brien), 64. 

Bishop O'Dwyer to Rome, 156. 

Bishop O'Keeffe, 322. 

Bishop Ryan, death of, 525. 

Bishop Smyth, his troubles, 309; statements as to 
riots, 311 ; troubles as to corporation, 317. 

Bishop Young's letter in 1798, 388; opposes French 
invasion, 390. 

Bourk, Theobald Mont., 727. 

Bourke, General Sir R., 744, 757. 

Bourke, R., of Drumsally, sheriff, 744. 

Black Book of Limerick, 422 ; notice of, 553; extracts 
from, 554. 

Black rents, 96. 

Blessington, Countess, notice of, 357. 

Blind Asylum, 684. 

Blood at the executions, 100. 

Bloody Togher (1690), 216. 

Blue School, Reilly's gift to, 369 ; notice of, 514; no- 
ticed, 548. 

Boat from Dublin by canal in 1814, 432. 

Bog of Allen taken in 1649, 164. 

Bog of Newtown reclaimed, 364. 

Bohermore, battle of, between Desmond and Orniond, 
prevented, 97. 

Boney Clabber, 145. 

Book of Lecan, 2. 

Book of Rights, 2. 

Book to be burned, 304. 

Book of the Friars Preachers, 371. 

Bouchier, Sir George, governor of Munster, 45S. 

Boucicault, Dion, his Colleen Bawn, 402, and Appen- 
dix. 

Boundaries, etc., perambulated, 1609, 135 ; of bishop- 
rics, 544. 

Bourke, John, out against the English, 111; shot and 
hanged in 1583, 113. 

Bourk, Lord of Coshure, account of, 139 

Bourke, family of, 222. 

Bourke, Lord of Brittas, account of (see Burke), 333. 

Bourne, W, H., Esq., notice of, 492. 

Bowden, Captain, his book on Ireland, 3S0. 

Bovce family, notice of, 359. 

Boyle, Bishop of Cork. 306. 

Boyle, Earl of Cork (1664), 203; grants to him, etc., 
203. 

Boyne, battle of, 1st July, 1690, 214. 

Brady, Lord Chancellor, 59. 

Braosa, Wm., grant to, in 1200, 48. 

Braosa, Philip De, grant to, of Limerick, 49. 

Brass money coined, Queen Mary, 95 ; James II., 286'. 

Brazier, Col., his letter, 320. 

Brehon Laws, continued by English (published In 
1S65), 37. 

Brewery of Walker and Co., 436. 

Brian Borhoime, his achievements, 10; wars with 
Danes, 10; besieges Limerick, 10; his pedigree, 
11 ; death, in 1014 or 941, 12; crowned at Tara, 13; 
invades Ulster, 13 ; defeated at Ballysadare, 13 ; 
defeats Kinel Connel, 13; aids Malachi against 



INDEX. 



763 



Danes again, 14 ; battle of Clontarf, and death, In 
1013, 13, 14; buried at Armagh, and his son, 16; his 
successors, eleventh century, 17 ; relics of, 19 ; his 
two sons, their quarrels, 1 S ; last of the race of, dies 
in 1539, 80. 

Brian Duff, ancestor of O'Briens of Carrigogunnel, 65. 

Brien of Arra (see O'Brien), 96 ; confirmed in posses- 
sions, 1570, 99. 

Brien of Arra died in 1601, 127: his son, Bishop of 
Killaloe, dies, 127. 

Brictius, Bishop, notices of, 541, 546. 

Bridge built by Kin? John, 50 ; inscription on new 
Thomond bridge, 50; charter for building, 1340, 
62; bridge built, sixteenth century, 98 ; bridges, 
repairs of, 208 ; " new bridge", scenes at, 394 ; at 
Newtown, 1813, 430; bridge abandoned, 434; 
" Wellesley", grant for, 1S24, 458, 469 ; act tor 
461 ; by Mr. Kennedy, 472; chain bridge, estimate 
for, 472; Park, 473, 475; new or Mathew, 346, 476, 
508 ; Balls, 469, 476 ; Bald, 475. 

Bridges, new and old, 409 ; Athlunkard, 1825, 457, 469, 
472, 474; Thomond, 455, 469. 

Bridge at Athlone built, 98. 

Britain, king of Ireland carries war into, 3. 

Brittas, Baron (see Burke), memoir of, 133; made 
lord in 1618 (see Burke), 134 ; attainted and fled in 
1641, 134. 

Broguemakers, charter of, 704. 

Browne, Archbishop, first Protestant Archbishop 
(Henry VIII), 90. 

Brown family, grant to of forfeited estates, 115. 

Brown families, account of, 202. 

Browne of Hospital, family of, 147, 306. 

Browns of Camas, notice of, 333. 

Brown family, account of (see Lacy), 334. 

Brown, Marshal, noticed, 673. 

Bro.vne, Count, noticed, 67-3. 

Browne, Marchioness of Clanricarde, 34S. 

Bruce, Edward, invades Ireland in 1315, 61 : besieges 
Limerick in 1316, 62; defeated by chief of Thomond, 
61. 

Bruce, of Hermitage, 745. 

Bruff, 722. 

Brunswick clubs established, 4S3. 

Bruree destroyed in 1691, 261, 726. 

Bulls from Rome not to be purchased, 68. 

Bull of Pope, consecrating Creagh in 15G4, 118. 

Bunratty castle, by De Clare, 57 ; mentioned, 59 ; 
attack on, 1638, 78; given up in 1643, 155; taken 
and retaken, 157 ; account of, 157. 

Buonaparte, remark on, 423 ; banished in 1814, 432 ; 
notice of, 433. 

Burgage, meaning of, 48. 

Burgh or Burke, Dean of Emly, 222; Bishop of 
Ardagh (see Brittas), 224. 

Burgh of Dromkeen, family of (see DeBurgh), 222. 

Burke, Ulick, account of, 66. 

Burke, Sir William, created Baron Castleconnell by 
Elizabeth, 106. 

Bnrke (see Castleconnell), deserts confederates, etc., 
122. 

Burkes engaged in plunder on Fergus, 127 ; kinsmen 
are executed, 127. 

Burke, Lord Brittas, performance of divine service, 
133 ; refuses to conform, 134 ; trial of, and sentence, 
134; execution in 1607, 134; his daughter a nun, 
134; his execution in 1610, 133; offer to proselyte 
rejected, 133 ; granddaughter married to Sarstield, 
133 ; memoir of him, 133. 

Burke, Eleanor, daughter of Lord Brittas in 1G4S, 
134. 

Burke of Drumkeen family, account of, 223. 

Burke of Ballinagarde (see Bourke), 335. 

Burgho, Sir R. D., of Castleconnell, 744. 

Butlers, to Ireland in 1462, 67. 

Butler's, and Ormond's.and O'Brien's wars of 1498,69. 

Butler, Pierce, joins O'Briens in 1516, 72. 

Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, governor of Tipperary, 
93; death, 93 ; notice of, 622. 

Butler, Bishop, notice of, 641 ; his brother noticed, 
641. 

Butler, Hon. Father John, S. J., notice of, 627 ; declines 
bishopric, 627. 

Butler created Viscount Thurles, 1535, 159; his 
pledges to revisit Rome, 159; rewarded ffith abbey 
lands, etc., 159. 

Butler, Lord Cahir, 673. 



Butler, Augustine, Esq., notice of, 629. 

butter, shower of, in 1695, 295. 

Butter weigh house, 438. 

Butts, established, 697. 

Byron, Lord, his poem Avatar , 449. 

Caeltjisge, convention of, 46. 

Cahan's tower began, 695. 

Caherivahalla, notice of, 748. 

Cahir, Baron of, created, 74. 

Cahir Castle surprised (1600), 124. 

Cahir, taken by Inchiquin, 160. 

Camas, Barons of (Brownes), notice of, 333, 334. 

Canal, construction of (1755), 346 ; locks on (1771), 
364 ; opened, 364. 

Canons Regulars of St. Augustine, 4. 

Canons, grant to, by Henry III., 553. 

Canterbury, Archbishop of, present irom Bishop of 
Limerick, 23. 

" Captain Rock" at Newcastle, 450, 455. 

Capuchin Church, Irishtown (16SS), 211. 

Carew, Sir George, president of Munster, SS; en- 
counters Irish and Spanish forces (1601), 129. 

Carr, Mr., his gardens (1809), 426. 

Carrig a Clouragh, 229, 230. 

Carrigaholt taken by Ludlow, 4S4. 

Carrigaholt castle, 303. 

Carrigogunnel castle account of, 76 ; in 1535, 77. 

Carrig-o'-gunnel noticed, 101, 537, 538; destroyed by 
Ginkel, 257. 

Carroll, John and Williams, 414. 

Carroll, Sir William, notice of, 427. 

Carroll, Dr., his gift to convent, 493 ; his epitaph, 

Carthen, Prince, converted by St. Patrick, 4. 

Casey, Bishop, descendants of, 94 ; his flight, 94. 

Cashel, Archbishop of, opposes subsidy in 1320, 62; 
synod in Limerick (1524), 80; made Governor of 
Tipperary, 93 ; dies, 1551, 9i! ; notice of Archbishop, 
648 ; and Bishop Creagh, 654. 

Cash-1, kings of, 2. 

Cashel, Psalter of, 2, 3. 

Cashel visited by St. Patrick, 3; petitions King 
William, 222; general assembly in 1101, 23; grant 
of, to the religious, 23 ; synod of, in 1172, 28, 37 ; 
cathedral, founded (1172), 29; desecrated by Mur- 
rogh O'Brien, 161; inhabitants baked to death, 
161 ; notice of, 550. 

Cashin, Rev. R., notice of, 76 ; his school, 76. 

Castle, built by King John, 50; built in 1205, 33; 
reserved out of charter (1609), 136; constables of, 
51, 52. 

Castle of Mungret, 542. 

Castle Beagh noticed, 366. 

Castle Connell [see De Burgo) granted to De Burgo, 
49; described, 7; attack upon (1690), 234; demo- 
lished by Ginkel, 256. 

Castleconnell, Lord John, his murder (1591), 121 ; 
attainted and fled (1641), 134. 

Castlehaven, Spanish land at (1601), 128 ; sail from, 
129; Earl of, in confederacy, 169; commands con- 
federate forces (1644), 156; commander-in-chief, 
171 ; letteis to, by Ormonde, 172. 

Castlephin described (1600), 124. 

Cathedral, Limerick, founded 1194, 30; St. Mary's 
in 1691, 260, 436, 546, 547, 553, 679, history of 
(see Chapter), 584, 595 ; monuments and improve- 
ments, 595 to 609; churchyard noticed, 599 ; notice 
of, 680, 751. 

Cathedral church (see Bishops, etc.) ; dignitaries of, 
564 ; grants to, 566 ; property of, 566. 

Catholic bishops, consecration of, temp. Queen Eliza- 
beth, 117; appointment of, 422; synod in Dublin 
(1808), 422; public meeting, respecting, 423; list 
of, 611 ; meetings of, 624, 625. 

Catholic ecclesiastics, punishments of, in 1578, 102. 

Catholic clergy expelled (1617), 141; proclamation 
against (1624), 143; ridiculed and evaded, 143; 
ordered out of Ireland (1652), 184; to be put to 
death, etc., 1S4 ; persecution of, 184 ; priest seized 
at altar, 20S; banished, etc. (1698;, 293; worship 
forbidden, 294. 

Catholic priests, to be registered (1704), 305 ; put to 
death for marrying Protestant, 324 ; preachers at 
cathedral, 588 ; establishments and clergy in 1737. 
619. 

Catholic Religion, proposal to tolerate, 143 ; opposed 



764 



INDEX. 



by Protestant Bishops, 143 ; state of, in Limerick, 
162, 163. 

Catholic Churches erected (1814), St. Patrick's and 
Dominicans, 436 ; Catholic establishments in Lime- 
rick in 1737, 619. 

Catholics, persecution of, temp. Henry VIII. , 89, 91 : 
institutions destroyed by Henry VIII., 92; and 
Queen Mary, 95 ; lords gubmit to lord deputy 
(1579), 107 ; repent and recall it, 107 ; are defeated, 
108 ; party defeated (1579), 108 ; prisoners in 
Tower of London (1560— 1580),! 117, 119; clergy 
executed, 119, 120; treatment of, 121; confederacy 
(1598), 122; their measures, 123; joy at accession 
of James, 130; outbreak thereon, 130; treatment 
of, by James, 131 ; proclamations against Catholics, 
131; more executions of, 133, 136; contests for 
mayoralty, etc., 136, 137, 141; fined for absenting 
from Protestant service, 137; plunder and per- 
secution of (1616), 141 ; make terms with Charles I., 
141 ; betrayed, 142; coalition (1641), 149, 274; prin- 
cipal men named, 149 ; Catholic army, 149 ; causes 
for rebellion (1661), 274 ; thanksgiving for victories, 
157; state of Catholic cause (see Confederates and 
Catholics), 163 ; resist Cromwell and Ireton (1649), 
165; continue loyal to king after defection of 
Ormonde, 170; help by Duke Lorraine, 172; pro- 
clamations against (1678), 208 ; persecution of, 208; 
fly to continent and America, 208; treatment by 
Charles II., 209, 211 ; further details of situation 
of, 212, 213, 274, 275, 276, 277, 290, 292, 293, 294, 
304, 310, 319, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327, 328 ; efforts of 
(eighteenth century), 389 ; further persecutions of 
(1756), 347; Catholic merchants (1768), 362; pro- 
gress of Catholics (eighteenth century), 372 ; Catho- 
lics turned Conformists (eighteenth century), 373 ; 
join Limerick Independents (1782), 385 ; oppose 
French invasion of 1790, 391 ; appeals to king, etc., 
etc., 392 ; meeting thereon, 392. 

Catholic Association, new, 464, 527. 

Catholics and bell tolling (1809), 420, 432, 434. 

Catholics and Protestants, progress of, 144, 2S8, 421. 

Catholic cause, state of. 422 ; ditto, in 1814, 432. 

Catholic Belief Bill, 1813 ; notice of, etc., etc., 429, 434, 
464; in 1829. 484. 

Catholics and freemen, 437. 

Catholic Emancipation (bill lost. 1816), 437 ; meeting 
(1824), 464 ; emancipation and O'Connell, 481, 482 ; 
rent (1824), 466; institutions, progress of, 519; 
University, movement for, 523. 

Cemeteries, 751. 

Chairmanship of county, 527. 

Chairmen in 1770, 364. 

Chamber of Commerce, 414, 418, 4G2, 463. 

Chapels built in eighteenth century, 339 ; episcopal, 
684; in Newgate lane, 658; in Fish lane, 651; in 
Creagh lane, 644 ; in George's street, 644. 

Chapter of Cathedral in 1272 (see Cathedral), declara- 
tion by, 553. 

Charities, Villiers, 452 ; Westropp,452 ; Honan, 453 ; 
further, 457. 

Charlemont, Earl of (1798), 388. 

Charter (see Inquisition). 

Charters and grants, 47, 53, 57, 64, 68, 94, 101, 134, 
272, 305, 463, 501, 690 ; application for city char- 
ters, 1671, etc., 206 ; list of, Appendix, 739, 740, 

Cherry, Andrew, his talents, 361. 

Christian Brothers introduced, 636; schools estab- 
lished, 444, 514, 524, 636, 639, 737. 

Church (see Catholic and Cathedral) disputes with 
crown, fourteenth century, 567; and Henry VIII., 
his proclamations, 92; property', plunder con- 
tinued, 92; Protestant, revenues, 688. 

Churches founded, etc., 537, 551, 552, 557, 568 ; in 
Limerick, history of, 678; of Catholics, 678; of 
Protestants, etc., 684 : of Dominicans, 646, 651 ; 
of Redemptorists, 675 ; Round Church, 4S8. 

Cistercian monks at Nenay in 114S, 26 ; Abbey of 
Holy Cross (see Churches), 647. 

Citadel (see Castle), St. John's Gate, 210, 439. 

City seal, 690. 

Civil War in 1641, 148. 

Claims by adventurers, 189, 190. 

Clainfearta Breainirn, 5. 

Clamicarde, 70, 74, 98, 109, 127, 170. 

CUre Abbey, 30. 

Clare Castle, 184. 

Clare election in 1828, 482; in 1830, 484. 

Clare street built, 3C1, 



Clare, Basilica De, 43, 61. 

Clare, Lord, slain (1348), 61. 

Clare, Viscount, his estates in 1698, 303 ; his Irish 

Brigade, 303 ; earl of, 341. ; speech of in 1782, 382, 

386 to 390 ; family of, 391. 
Clarendon, Lord Lieutenant, 210. 
Clayton, grant to (1666), 192. 
Clergy (see Bishops and Catholics) put to death 

(Elizabeth), 103. 
Clonmel Corporation and the Pretender, 339. 
Clontarf, battle of (1014), 11, 14, 15. 
Clonroad Monastery bestowed (1540), 92, 647. 
Cloth in 1428, 530. 
Cloth, etc., duty on (1698), 296. 
Clothiers, corporation of (1761), 350. 
Cluan Combarda, 5. 

Cluin Claidech 6 ; founded sixth century, 4. 
Coaches, notices of, 429, 431, 441, 465. 
Cobbett visits Limerick, 488. 
Cobha, battle of, in 1103, 24. 
Cocket duties (see Customs) disputes, 323, 354. 
Coffee houses in 1768, 360 ; Royal, expels Mr. Arthur 

(1798), 406. 
Cogan, Milo de, 66. 
Coign and livery, 96. 
Coinage, 93, 286, 458, 697. 
Colgan, 4. 
Colleen Bawn, Boucicault's, 362, 402, 450; Appendix, 

750. 
College of Dublin, 121. 

Colleges, Peter's cell, 422, 633 ; Park, 422, 503, 633. 
Colloony, battle of, in 1798, 390, 411, 413. 
Collopy, Timothy, his paintings, etc., 344. 
Colman na-Claisagh, 5. 
Combermere, Lord, arrival of, 465. 
Comerford, Bishop, 617. 
Commin, Bishop, 537. 
Commerce, 72, 78, 380. 
1 Commercial Buildings, 414, 502, 505. 
Commission (see Confiscation) to confirm estates 

(1606), 131. 
Common Council (see Corporation and Mayor) y 272, 

326, 380. 
Company of Undertakers in 1768, 363. 
Comptrollers of Customs, 4S2. 
Confederacy of Ministers, Irish (1598), 122, 123. 
Confederate Catholics, 159, 160, 161, 165, 182, 184. 
Confederacy of Bishops (see Bishops) at Limerick, 

165. 
Confirmation (see Confiscations) of estates (1606), 131. 
Confiscations, etc., 92, 113, 114, 115, 131, 184, 187, 191. 
Conformists and Recusants, etc., 136, 141, 308, 373. 
Conformists and converts (eighteenth century) 373. 
Congregated trades (1837), 490; appendix, 752. 
Connaught, king of, 4, 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 36, 116 ; 

state of (1652), " to Hell or Connaught", 487. 
Connell, Johnny (Garryowen), 482. 
Connoloe, barony of, 4. 
Conquest of Ireland by English, 35 to 40. 
Conspiracy (see Confederacy and Insurrection) ; of 

Military and Papists, 203. 
Constables of Limerick castle, 51, 52; of corporation 

authorised, 697. 
Convents founded, 30, 31 ; introduced, 166, 492, 493, 

494, 638, 639, 658, 683, 678. 
Convictions in 1798, 401 to 410. 
Conway, Bishop, notice of, 625, 627, 629, 630. 
Coonagh, barony of, 3, 4. 
Coote, Chidley : lawsuit, 332. 
Copley, J. S., family of, 344. 
Cor or Balbeyn, his gift, 235. 
Corhally described, 473, 475. 
Corbally castle, grant of, 651. 
Corcomroe (see Curcumroe). 
Cork surrendered to English, 36, 100, 251, 502. 
Cork, Earl of (see Boyle). 
Cormac, king of Munster, 3, C ; his Psalter of Cashel, 

6; death, 7. 
Corn, ale, and oats, 69, 296. 
Corn statistics, 464; markets, 505, 511, 512. 
Cornwallis, Lord, in Ireland, 412, 
Coroner, election of (1340), 62. 

Corporation Book, in British Museum, 200, 201 ; ex- 
tracts from, 202, 206, 207, 208, 209. 
Corporation, proceedings of, 1670, etc., etc., 205, 206, 

207, 208, 209, 211, 272, 326, 351, 355, 380; Catholic, 

211 ; members in, 272; dispute with Sexten, 656; 

spoliation, inquisition (James I.), 138 ; charter, as 



INDEX. 



765 



to, by James II., 272: address to the French (1848), 
609 ; leases by, 325, 339, 340, 447, 461, 497 ; complaint 
of military (.1710), 313; troubles of, as to Bishop 
Smyth, 317, 318; address to Geo. I., 318; to Geo. 
III., 413 ; to Prince Kegent, etc., 447 ; New Laws in 
(1762), 353; further notices, of, 406, 40S, 415, 420, 
430, 431, 4o2, 461, 462 ; mayor's election in 1732, 
332 ; plunder by tolls (1741), 336 ; tolls, 461, 462, 
463, 555, 507 ; documents as to tolls, 337 ; proceed- 
ings of, 307, 430, 437, 438, 444, 446, 447, 454, 457, 
465 466. 4S6, 4S7, 505, 507 ; municipal reform (1841), 
486; further notices of, 487, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 
501; letter from O'Connell, 504; resolutions on 
death of O'Connell, etc., 507; corporation act, 417, 
511, 512 ; further notices of, 707. 

Councils in Ireland (list of), 34. 

County court house erected 1732, 341. 

County jail began (ISIS;, 447 ; erected in 1821, 450. 

County Hospital in 1811, 415. 

Courthouse erected (1764), 333. 

Courtney, George, 150. 

Courtenay, estates, 136, 449. 

Coyn or Quinn (see Qui7i) Bishop (Henry VIII.)-, 80. 

Casey, first Protestant bishop, 564. 

Craven charity established, 364; Mrs. Alice, schools, 
514. 

Creagh family, account of, 139, 227. 

Creagh, primate of Armagh (15S4), memoir of, 116, 
117 ; bishop, notice of, 553. 

Creagh or Curragh, bishop, notice of. 568. 

Creagh, Pierce, Dr., archbishop of Dublin, 305 ; arrival 
of, in 1735, 332 ; notice of, 616, 619, 663. 

Creagh, Piers, Father, 667. 

Creagh, Pierce, mayor (1642), 151, 152. 

Creagh, Pierce, poem on Croker, 342. 

Creagh, John, account of tomb of (1640), 357, 358. 

Creagh, Nicholas, will of, 369. 

Creagh, conformity of, his tombstone (1763), 379. 

Creagh, Mr., subscription to Independents, 461. 

Creagh, Andrew, dean, monument to family, etc., 543 

Creagh, colonel, memorial to, 604. 

Creagh, Dean, notice of, 623. 

Cripps, family of, 224. 

Croker, Edward, poem on, 342. 

Cromwell, Secretary, in Minister (1535), 76 ; aotice 
of, 166, 170, 176, 702. 

Cromwell, Oliver, overtures to Limerick citizens, 166; 
notices of, 170, 176, 195, 196, 257, 593, 594. 

Cromwell's fort, 477. 

Cruise's hotel and O'Connell, 483. 

Crozier and mitre of church, 151. 

Cumin Fodha, St., 5. 

Curraghmore in 1575, 100. 

Curriers and tanners incorporated, 323. 

Cusack, John, his treachery to M'Grath ; inscription 
on tomb, 308. 

Cussen, Dean, notice of, 639, 723. 

Customs (see Corporation), amount of, temp. Edward 
I., 56 ; in 1572, 99 ; of city, etc., 206, 208 ; amount, 
323 ; in 1824, 460; in 1836, 489 ; in 1S65, 527, 529. 

Custom-house burnt (1741), 336 ; built, 356 ; revenue 
of, 356 ; duties of in 1S65, 527. 

Dalca8sian troops, defeat of (1009), 22; wars with 

(1178), 44 ; notices of, 58, 102, 
Dalgais refuse tribute (1577), 101. 
Danes, occupation of Limerick, 1 ; further notices of, 

3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 ; of Dublin, 3 ; defeated by Brian 

Boroihme at Limerick, 10, 12 ; further notices of, 

13, 14, 17, 35, 36, 213. 
Dangan hill, battle of (1646), 160. 
Deaneries in thirteenth century, 558 ; Hemp. Bishop 

O'Dea, 558. 
De Burgo, William, grant to, 49 ; family of, 127 ; 

Bishop, account of, and burial, 647. 
De Burgo of Castleconnell, account of, 2S4. 
De Burgo, Sir Richard, 700. 
De Clare, war with Thomond, thirteenth century, 57, 

58. 
De Clare (see Clare) family, 66. 
De Lacy, Hugh, conqueror of Ireland, 38; further 

notices of, 44, 53 j Walter, 55 ; John De Lacy and 

Magna Chaita, 550. 
De Lacy, General Maurice (see Brotrn), 832; Ms 

family, 333.; his campaigns under Suvaroff, 334; 

letter from'Napoleon I., 334. 
De Lacy, Rey. John, notice of, 623, 624, and see Lacy. 



Del Acquila, commander of Spanish troops in 1601, 
127 ; further notices of, 128, 129. 

De Salis, family of, 365. 

De Vere, Sir Aubrey, his sonnet, 4; appendix, 757. 

Declaration by Chapter (1272), 553. 

Defenders, notice of, 388 ; whipped by Fitzgerald, 
391. 

Dermot, king of Leinster, 19, 20. 

Dervoghal, wife of O'Ruarc, introduces English, 28. 

Desmonians invade Thomond, 18. 

Desmond, 25; further accounts of, 36, 37, 61, 63, 66, 
67; Earl John, founder of monastery, etc., 648; 
beheaded by Earl Worcester, 68 ; Desmond's son 
surrenders royalty to Henry VIII, 76 ; pretended 
earl of, 79 ; Desmond's letter to Henry VIIL, S3 ; 
another letter, S4; Countess of, treachery to Bishop 
Healy and Father O'Eorke (1579), 104; rebels with 
Desmond in 1584, 585 ; Desmond and Thomond re- 
conciled, 93; state of Desmond on accession of 
Elizabeth, 95, 96 ; further notices of, 97, 98, 99, 
101 ; Sir John Desmond's battle with Malby (1579), 
102 ; Earl of Desmond at ditto, 102 ; further notices 
of, 103, 108 ; last Earl of, his fate, 109 ; John Des- 
mond's struggles, 109 ; his betrayal and death, 110; 
and his two sons, 110 ; fifteenth Earl of Desmond 
excluded from amnesty, etc., 110; taken prisoner 
by the Moriartys and Kelly s, ibid. ; his son con- 
fined in Tower of London, 111 ; Earl's estates 
divided amongst English and Ormonde, 112, 113; 
extent of his estates, 113; forfeitures, 114 ; Des- 
mond county in charge to Clancare and others, 115; 
further notices of the Desmonds and their des- 
cendants, 123, 124, 125, 139, 333, 719; Earl of 
Desmond defeated and deserted (1600), 125. 

Desmond memorial, Newcastle, 736. 

Desmond, Earl of, 731. 

D'Esterre, duel Avith O'Connell, 431. 

Devon, Earl of, his estates at Newcastle, 449 ; out- 
rages on, 449, 455. 

Diarmid defeats Donogh O'Brien (1056), 19. 

Digby, Bishop (letter from), 2S0. 

Dignitaries of cathedral church (see Bishops, etc.), 564. 

DDlon, Lord, epitaph on, 590. 

Diocesan schools (see Schools), 513. 

Diocese of Limerick (see Cathedrals, etc.), 6S7. 

Disturbances, etc., in 1814, 434, 435 ; in 1821, 448. 

Docks, 470; Acts, return of trade, 533. 

Doctors and wiiters, ancient, 32. 

Dr. Hall's schools, 516. 

Dominicans, Friars, 371; church erected, 436; dispute 
with Augustinians, 619; complaint by both, 644; 
account of Dominicans, 646 ; noted members of the 
order, 649 ; Dominicans in 1753, 671 ; monaster}', 
etc., members of, described, 65u ; priors of convent, 
651; remains of convent, 661; remains of chapel, 
660. 

Donat, Bishop (see O'Brien Donat), 551. 

Donogh, son of Brian Borhoime, 18, 19. 

J >own survey made (1652), 191 ; particulars of, 196. 

Dowdail, Archbishop, died (1558), 117; family of 
Dowdalls, 175, 223; Lady Dowdall's exploits, 517, 176. 

Dowley, Bishop, account of, 611. 

Downes, Lord, his family, 223. 

Downpatrick, battle of, 47. 

D'Oyer Hundred, court of, 326. 

Drogheda parliament in 155S, 68, 195 ; battle of, 
(1690), 213. 

Drought in 1667, 205; in 1864, 206. 

Dublin Steam Ship Company, 468. 

Duel in 1798 between Rodger and Leringston, 607; 
O'Connell and D'Esterre (1814), 431; SinithO'Brien 
aDd Steele, 484, 

Dunboy Castie, defence (1601), 129. 

Dunboyne, Lord, grant to, 67. 

Dundonald, Bishop, notice of, 567. 

Duuraven, Earl of, 295, 6S3, 712; his work, 714, 719. 

Dutch farmers (1816), 438. 

Dysert O'Dea battle (1318), 61. 

Earl of Desmond : (see Desmond) progress through 
Munster, 125 ; goes to Protestant church, 126 ; 
forsaken by the Irish, 125. 

Ecclesiastical history begins, 537 ; ecclesiastical divi- 
sions (see Catholic), 687. 

Ecclesiastics (see Archbishops, Bishops, Saints, etc.) 

Edict: Catholic clergy to quit (1652), 184; for their 
execution, 184. 



766 



INDEX, 



Education (see Convents), state of (Henry VIII), 92 ; 
for poor (1812), 416; movement for, 524; progress 
of, 527. 

Edward VI., 94. 

Eel and Salmon (see Fisheries and Weir) in 1215, 54. 

Election for Parliament, 350, 359, 382, 392, 394, 413, 
482, 491 ; election intrigues, 359 ; riots, 392 ; O'Con- 
nell's speech, 492 ; further particulars of, 510, 519, 
521 ; riot and deaths, 521 ; list of members, ap- 
pendix. 

Election of Catholic Bishops (see Bishops'), 600 to 623. 

Elizabeth, queen, her accession, 95 ; confiscates 
Desmond's property, 66 ; her letter to Sydney, lord 
deputy, 97 ; and the Pope's ambassador, 662 ; her 
death, 130. 

Emancipation, agitation for (see Catholic), 458. 

Embarkation of Irish (1691), 289. 

Emigration, 190, 289 ; to America, 526 ; to South Ame- 
rica, 665. 

Emly, notice of, Hurley's monument, etc., 734. 

Emly, Bishops of, 553 ; noble conduct of Bishop, in 
siege, 177 ; exempted by Ireton from amnesty, 177 ; 
his execution, 593. 

Emly, Dean of, with king William, 222. 

Emmett ; attempts to capture Limerick (1803), 413 ; 
state trials, 414. 

Enchantments, 147. 

English invasion of Ireland (1169), 35, 38, 39; English 
families at conquest in Limerick, 41, 51, 66, 585; 
English governing Limerick, 47 ; further notices of, 
47, 54, 60, 63, ,71 ; English pay black rent to king of 
Thomond, 63; defeated by Irish at Monabraher, 
71 ; parliament (Henry VIII.), 76 ; gifts to O'Brien 
to pacify him, 97 ; further notices of, 99, 100, 123, 
128, 131. 

English adventurers (see Confiscations, Escheats, and 
Forfeitures), grants to, 1656 to 1668, 145, 152, 191, 
193, 197, 131 ; manufactures in 1698, 296. 

English town, nunnery in 1 172, 29. 

Ennis, abbey of, 31, 647 ; further notices of, 101, 116. 

Eochaidh Moighmeodhin, king, 3. 

Episcopal court, notice of, 500. 

Epitaphs, copies of, 286 to 6U0. 

Escheated lands, 131, 145, 152, 191, 193. 

Estates, confirmation of (see Escheats), in 1606, 131; 
saved by conformists, 379. 

Eugene, Don, particulars of, 163. 

Eugenians join the O'Neills (1016), 18. 

Evans, General De Lacy (see Lacy), his family, 128; 
estates from the Browns by conformity, 335 ; pre- 
sides at O'Connell banquet, 494. 

Evans, Lord Carbery, 747. 

Events of Limerick (see Annals and each subject;, 
465, 487 ; local, 520 to 524, 706 to 709. 

Exchange, purticulars respecting, 210, 365; rooms 
established (1846), 505. 

Excommunication issued by bishops, 163; of Ormonde, 
by bishops, 168. 

Execution of O'Brien, account of, 99 ; of Cromwall, 
for the murder of Bochfort, 113; by Ireton, 180; 
for murder, (1816), 438 ; several, 439, 449, 455 ; of 
Bridgeman (1824), 458. 

Exile of the Irish, 287, 526, 665; in 1653, 190. 

Explosion of gunpowder (1837), 490. 

Exports (see Customs and Statistics) in 1808 to 1848, 
531. 

Factoeies in Limerick, 527. 

Fairs: of Knockany (oldest), 147; of Pilltown, 147 ; 

grant of fairs and markets to Earl Cork, 203 (see 

Appendix, 740.) 
Faithful Companions, schools by, 524 ; convent of, 639. 
Famine in 1497 and 1498, 69; in 1603, 130; in 1S14, 

706 ; on potato failure in 1822, 453 ; collections for 

453 ; in 1845, 505, 
Fane, family of, 365, 427. 
Fanning at Limerick siege, 179, 183; mayor, be- 

trayed, 657 ; further noticed, 594. 
Fashions and customs in 1636, 146. 
Fedamore, 748. 

Fenians, noticed, 738; see Appendix, 751. 
Fennell betrays pass at Killaloe ; further noticed, 

178, 181. 
Fermoy, Lord (see Kelly), family of, 399. 
Ferrar, author of " History of Limerick", 3S6 (see 

Newspapers) ; William, his monument, 599. 
Ferry at Limerick weir (1675), 202 ; ferry boat in 

1811, 415 ; ferry boat to Parteen, 152. 



Fever Hospital founded (1780), 370"; statistics of, 871. 

Fiachna, Bishop, 5. 

Field, Father, S.J., notice of, 664. 

Field sports (1753), 342 ; poem on, 342. 

Fisheries, ancient, note of, 555; temp. Edward I. 
and John, 53; inquiry in 1225, 53; salmon and 
eel in 1215, 54 (see Salmon); on Shannon, 56; in 
1331, 61; grants to bishop and provosts, 61; 
various grants (1328 to 1343), 62 ; charter of 1609, 
134; statute of, 1643, 152; particulars of grants, 
200, 201 ; dispute with Preston, 209 ; disputes as to, 
426 ; trial in 1807, 41S ; in 1809, 426 ; details as to, 
495 ; Scotch herrings imported, 495 ; inquiry (I860), 
585 ; at St. ThoinaVs Island, 650. 

Fire engines, 365, 420, 433. 

Fitzgeralds (see Desmonds), family of, 613'; account 
of, 729, 731, 713, 732. 

Fitzgibbon, John, born (1749), 341 ; earl of Clare's 
speech (17S2), 382; his promotions, etc., 386 to 390; 
family of, 391 ; Viscount, statue to, 513. 

Fitzmaurice, account of, 42, 732. 

Fitzwalter (see Butler and Ormond), ancestor of 
Ormond family, 49. 

Flax company proposed, 526. 

Fleet on Shannon in 10S4, 1089, 22 ; English, anchors 
in Shannon (1529), 107 ; in Shannon with supplies 
(1600), 124. 

Fleetwood, Lord Deputy, 190. 

Fogarty, Mr., built Theatre Royal, 498. 

Fontenoy, battle of, in 1745, 327. 

Foord, monument of, 685. 

Foranan, Primate of Armagh in 1043, 5. 

Foreign Colleges for Irish, 633. 

Forfeited estates (see Confiscated Estates and Under- 
takers), 113, 114 ; particulars of, 115 ; first survey 
(1603), 130; in 1652, 187; permission to purchase, 
190; grants of, 191; in 1696, etc., 296; further 
account of, 297 ; grants made, 297 ; in 1088, 298 ; in 
1700, 301; sales of (by Queen Anne), 301. 

Fountains erected (1855), 513 ; in Pery square, 685. 

Fox hunting (1752), 342 ; poem on, 342. 

Fox, Johannes, tomb of, 56. 

Foynes described, 731 

Franciscans, 211, 647,648, 653, 654, 658, 659,660, 671, 
678, 713, 714, 722. 

Freedom voted, 417, 41S, 420, 428. 

Freemen of Limerick, notices and particulars of, 206, 
208, 209, 349, 352, 354, 430, 431, 432, 437, 441, 444, 
447. 

Freemasonry established (1768), 631. 

French treaty with Desmond, 76; land in Ireland 
(1579), 105 ; French and Dutch invasion threatened, 
203, 204; succour to James (1690), 213, 252; gar- 
rison Limerick, 213; leave Limerick, 267; suc- 
cours arrive (1691;, 252; invasion threatened 
(1790), 390; Catholics oppose it, 390; at Castlebar 
(1798), 406; engagement with Limerick regiment, 
407; landing in 17 l J8, 409. 

Friars Preachers (see Dominicans). 

FriarstoAvn, 748. 

Friendly knot, notice of (1777), 366. 

Friezes in 1698, 296. 

Frost in 1683, 209; on Shannon (1694), 295; tho 
great (1739), 332. 

Fuller, Bishop, account of, 607. 

Gabaxly, or Galbally monastery, 31, 653. 

Gabbctt, family of, 500. 

Galiwav, John of, and arms, 127. 

Galway. Sir Geoffrey, mayor of Limerick, etc, 126, 127. 

Gaol delivery at Limerick, 126. 

Gaol erected (1750), 341; in Mary Street, 428; new 

one (1811), 428; city gaol finished (1813), 430; 

county gaol erected (1821), 450. 
Gardens in Limerick, 365. 
Garryowen, song of, with translations by Mr. T. S. 

Tracy, 402, 407, 409. 
Gas Company, contract with (1824), 458. 
Gates of city, account of, etc., 34S ; appendix, 749. 
Gates and walls, 746. 
Gavelkind, etc.. abolished (1605), 131. 
Gavin, Major, M.P., family of, 307, 672. 
Gcraldines (see Fitzgeralds and Desmonds), 66, 88, 92, 

102, 105, 107, 110, 122, 123. 
Geraldine, son of Earl Desmond (Henry VL), 369. 
Geary, Dr. W. J., notice of, 370. 
General election (se© farliament), 328 j objection 

to a Papist, 328. 



INDEX. 



767 



Geoffry le Mareschall, Archdeacon, notice of, 555. 

George's Street in 1810, 425. 

Gille, or Gilbert, Bishop, noticed, 544. 

Ginkle, Major-General, with King William, etc., 226, 
250, 255, 275, 277. 

Gleeson, family of, 224. 

Glentworth, Lord, contest for M.P., 429; ovation to 
(1812), 429 ; monnment to, 596, 597. 

Glen of Aherlow in 1577, 101. 

Glin described, 731 ; castle beseiged (1600), 124, 125. 

Glove trade in 1698, 296. 

Going, W., murder of (1323), 458 ; axecution of mur- 
derers, 460. 

Goode, John, priest, account of, 98. 

Gorman, brothers, account of, 400. 

Gort, Lord Viscount, family of, 225, 307, 40S, 447; 
Appendix, 753-4 

Gough. Bishop, account of, 586. 

Gougta. Colonel, his letters as to rebels (1798), 403; 
Sir Hugh, freedom to, 42S ; rote to, 500 ; F. M. Ge- 
neral Viscount, his achievements, 42S, 509; his 
family, 510. 

Graces, county Kilkenny, 43. 

Grace, Colonel, 215, 216." 

Grady, family of (1816), 438. 

Grady, Standigh (1776), 381, 438; Henry Dean, 438 
Thomas, ibid. ; Thomas, notice of, 445 ; his works, 
445, 440. 

Granard, Earl of, summoned to surrender (1691), 255. 

Grant (see Charters and Records), 463; Appendix. 740; 
by Henry III. to Canons, 553 ; to Cathedral Church 
and others, 566; to Kilmaliock and Ardagh, 566; 
by crown (Edward I.), 53; of weirs, etc. (see 
Fishery), thirteenth centurv, 56; to Earl Desmond 
by Henry VIII., 69; to Edward Sexten (1538), 82 ; 
made in 1613-15, 133 : inquiry as to (James I.). 138 ; 
by Cromwell, etc. (1666-7), 192, 19"? ; Charles II., 
198 ; of forfeited estates in 1691-S (see Forfeitures), 
293 to 301 ; of public money, 846. 

Giant in 1762, 354. 

Grattan's resolution (17S2), 382. 

*• Graves of the Leinster men", 45. 

Grey, Lord Leonard, 79, 83. 

Gray, Lord, Baron Wilton, appointed Lord Justice, 
107 ; his rigour and recall, 110. 

Great Crimthaun, King of Ireland. 

Grene, Francis, family of, 399. 

Griffin, Gerald, notice of, 487 ; Appendix, 754. 

Groans of Ireland, by OXeale, 285. 

Gubbins, John, portrait painter, 344, 360. 

Guilds incorporated in 1495, 697 ; M.P. to be member 
of, 328 ; disputes as to, 347 ; masters, etc., etc., in 
1769, 361. 

Guillamore, Viscount (see O'Grady), notice of, 415. 

Guns first used at Askeaton, 107. 

Gun money (1689), 287. 

Gunpowder explosion (1837), 490. 

Gurtenshegore castle, attack on, 173. 

Hall, Dr. Jeremy, his charity founded, 272; his 

schools, 516. 
Hamilton, family of, 210. 

Harbour, improvement of, dam and quays. 471. 
Harbour ana bridge commissioners, liabilities of. 521. 
Hare, Major, family of, 399; ill treatment of, 400. 
Harold, family of, 141-2. 
Harold's life of Wadding, 653. 
Hartegan, Father, his letters, 668. 
Hartstonge, Standish, account of, 209 ; monument to, 

598; Sir Henry, notice of (1768), 360; lady, notice 

of, 370. 
Hartstonge Street, Leamy free schools. 516. 
Hayes, Dl, account of (1761;, 351; monument In St. 

Mary's, ibid. ; his letter to O'Donnell [1762J, ibid. ; 

Father, and the veto, 659. 
Hayes, Sir John, notice of, 425. 
Hayes. Catherine, vocalist and actress, 757. 
Head ford, Marchioness of, 381. 
Heber, 3. 

Hely, Bishop (see Desmond.) 
Henry, King of England, visits Ireland [1172], 36; 

successes in Ireland, 37. 
Henry V., charter to citizens, 64. 
Henry VIII.. King (1508J. 71; defender of faith, 74; 

ends kingdom of Thomond, ibid ; grants to Sexten 

(1538, etc.), S2 ; letter to O'Brien of Desmond, 63 ; 

proclamations agaiust Rome, etc., 92; death of, 

in 1547, 92. 



Henry Street schools, 515. 
Herbert, Morris, Archdeacon of Limerick, 91. 
Herbert, family, grant of forfeited estates, 113. 
Herberts, Earls of Pembroke, family of, 335. 
Herberts of Rathkeale, account of, 335; General, 

Baron, account of, 335. 
Hermits (see Augusiinians.) 
Herring boats tax (1684), 209. 
Hibernia Dominicana, 625. 
Hill of Grian, 3 ; Appendix, 737. 
Hippo, Bishop of, 4. 

Hoare, Dean, notice of, 363 ; memorial to, 605. 
Hogan, galloping his exertions, 265 ; takes amnesty, 

but murdered, 285. 
Hogan, Pvev. P., account of, 355 ; monument to, 679 ; 

gift to convent, 492 ; Denis, O.S.F., portrait of, 420. 
Hogan and O'Coi nell, 420. 
Holme, John, letter to Armagh, 147. 
Holy Cross noticed, 647. 
Holy Cross Abbey, charter in 1169, 20 ; notice of, 729; 

Richard confirms charter, 64 ; convent of, 643. 
Holy Well at Singland, 4. 
Honan, Mr., corn exportation, 3S0 ; his letter (1786), 

ibid. ; Honan's quay, ibid. ; Martin, election of, 497 ; 

laudable conduct of, 500 ; Honan's bequests, 453. 
Honours conferred by Charles II., 197. 
Hoskins, agent to Lord Courtenay, 449; his son shot 

at Newcastle. 455. 
Hospital (see Brown) noticed, 748. 
Hospitals for pilgrims and strangers, 34 ; county, 415; 

lying-in, 416, 429 ; for incurables, 416; founded by 

Pery, 35S ; Vandeleur's, 358. 
Hotels in 1770, 364. 
Houses, etc., in the city, 464, 751. 
House of Industry founded (1774), 365. 
Howard, Lord George, permission to, 291. 
Howley (Sir John), at Limerick, 423 ; meeting in 

1812, 433. 
Hubert, Bishop, account of, 553. 
Hue-and-Cry, 2Sth Henry VIIL, 74. 
Humbert, General, 409, 410. 
Hunt, Sir Vere, raises regiment in 1798, 405. 
Hurley, Maurice, tomb of, 734. 
Hy Conaill invaded, twelfth century, 25. 
Hy Cuanach (Coonagh) , 4. 

Hy Xialls.subjugated by Brian JBorhoime (see Ulster). 
Hy Niall raee noticed (see O'Mall), 17. 
Hy Nialls coalesce against O'Brien (10S6), 22 ; palace 

destroyed by king of Munster, 23. 

Ibricaxe, Baron, created, 74. 

Ibrien of Arra (see O'Brien), 96. 

Improvements, etc., 382 : act (1854), 512. 

Inchiquin, castle of (Henry VIIL), 92; camp at, 96; lord, 
created, 74 ; commands Munster against Catholics, 
150; memorial against the truce, 156; appointed 
president of Munster, 156 ; marches to Cahir and 
Cashel, 160; his atrocities, 161; reduces Munster, 
161; correspondence with Ormond, 166; absconds 
to France with Ormond, 170; in France in 1651; 
adventures there, 187; returns to Ireland, 187; 
death in 1674, ibid. ; present Lord, 758. 

Independents, subscription to, 461 : chapel, 6S9. 

Independent clubs established (1828), 483. 

Ingoldsby, grants to, and family of (1666), 191, 192. 

Inland navigation, 706. 

Inis Cathay, Bishops and Abbots of, 46. 

Inislaunog Abbey founded (1172), 29. 

Inis Lua church, 538. 

Inniscatha, notice of, thirteenth century, 564. 

Inniscathy Island, monastery, 4. 

Inquisition as to weir (see Fisheries and Charters), 55; 
at Limerick (temp. Henry VIIL), 89, 650; as to 
grants made (James I.), 138; on land titles, 144. 

Inshegananagh Abbey founded, 30. 

Insurrections, of Geraldines, 105, 123; of 1640, 148, 
149; Cashel burnt, 161; Sligo,164; of 1640, 148; 
of 1815, 1S17, 1822, 449 ; put down in 1323, 450. 

Insurrection Act, trials under, 438 to 444; act of 
1821. 449 to 456 ; act of 3823, 460 (see Invasion). 

Inundation at Limerick (1667), 205. 

Invasion of Ireland by Pope and Spain, threatened 
in 1579, 105; by French with the Geraldines 
(1579), 106; by Spanish and Italians (1579), 107; 
defeated, 108 ; by Spanish (1601), 128; by Dutch 
and French threatened (1665), 203; defences pro- 
posed, 204; by French, threatened (1790), 390; 
Catholics oppose it (see Insurrection), 390. 



768 



INDEX. 



Ireland, state of, in tenth century, 11; divided 
between Murtogh and MacLoughlin (1090), 23 ; des- 
cription of, temp. Henry .VIII., 85; state of, temp. 
Lord Cork, 204 ; relinquished to the Pope, 550. 

Ireton, to Ireland (1649), 165; progress in Ireland, 
170; his campaign, 171; siege of Limerick, 171, 
428; before Limerick (1651), 174; Ireton's fort, 
174 ; kept at bay at Limerick, 176 ; captures Lime- 
rick, 129 ; his executions at Limerick (1651), 180. 

Ireton and Bishop O'Dwyer, 592. 

Irish, ancient, habits of, 712. 

Irishman, exceptions to, in charter of 1414, 65. 

Irish and English in 1535 described, 77. 

Irish disputes, .temp. Henry VIII., 78, 79. 
Irish at war, temp. Henry VIII. (1536), 80 ; extirpa- 
tion of (temp. Henry VIII.), 85; persecuted by 
Mary's ministers, 95 ; submissions to Lord Deputy 
(1575-6), 100, 101; miserable state of, 110; chiefs 
surrender lands and take re-grant (1585), 116; 
Munster confederacy (1590), 122; their succeesss, 
123; towns submit to Mountj oy, 130 ; title to es- 
tates and commission to inquire, 131, 132. 

Irish of the Pale and the old Irish. 182. 

Irish to South America, 665; to Spain, 665; at St. 
Kitts, 668; sold as slaves, 668; emigrate (1653). 
190 ; in rebellion again (1666), 204, 205 ; sent away 
by James II., 213; in England in 1689, 279; goto 
France in 1691, 275; Austria's opinion -of, 275; 
in English service, 276; emigration to France from 
Ireland, 289; seeking employ in English army, 291. 

Irish Brigades, account of, 287; names of officers, 
etc., 282; in French service, snfferings of, 285; 
Clare's brigade, 303 ; recruiting for, 327 ; tragedy 
in, 336 ; for Itaiy, 522 ; notice of, 613. 

Irish Catholics (see Catholics), under treaty of 1691. 
288, treatment of,;289. 

Irish books and MSS., 675. 

Irish College, Paris, noticed, 617. 

Irish families at Conquest, 41. 

Irish language prohibited, 63. 

Irish laws not interfered with, 37. 

" Irish Rebels" in 1539 ; punishment for, 80. 

Irish septs, 60. 

Irish soldiers, sufferings of, 289. 

Irish volunteers (1782), 382, 386, 392. 

Island, oratory at, 658 ; convent at, 659. 

Ita, Saint, founded nunnery, 4. 

Italians land, destroyed by the English (1579), 108. 

Italian Brigade, 522. 

James, his accession, 130; proclaimed king, 130; 
Catholic outbreak, 130. 

James II. proclaimed king (1684), 210; his feeble 
government, 212 ; lands at Kinsale,1689. 212; contest 
with William III., 212; receives foreign aid, 213; 
sends away Irish, 213; defeated at Boyne (1690), 
214; distiusted by Catholics; arrives in Dublin, 
and speech, 214 ; runs away to Kinsale and France, 
215 ; his reasons for running away, 216 ; his letter 
to Tyrconnell, 216 ; creates Earl of Limerick, 271 ; 
Charter as to Corporation (see Charter), 272; par- 
liament of, 272; attaints by ditto, 272; his loss of 
Ireland, 274 ; death in 1701, 287. 

James and the Church, 612 to 615. 

James III., his pretences, 309 ; defeated in Scotland, 
310. 

Jebb, Bishop, notice of, 637 ; monument to, 599. 

Jerusalem Whaley, 386. 

Jesuits first introduced, 674; conduct of, 157; in 
sixteenth century, 662 to 664; in 1600, 605-6; in 
1753, 671 ; sufferings of, 670; colleges in 1640, 666; 
at Galway, 667; and the victory at Benburb, 666. 

Jesuit Fathers, settlement of. 661, 662 ; Father Wolf, 
662; Father O'Donnell, 664; Father Field, 664. 

Jesuit Fathers' school, 524. 

John (king), visits Ireland in 1185/44; his conquests, 
44. 

John's Gate built, 695, 696. 

Johnson, Charles (writer), notice of, 76. 

Jury panel in 1769, 363. 

Jubilee in 1750, 622 ; by Pope, in 1759, 348 ; in 1777, 
365. 

Jubilee charitable fund (1810), 425. 

Jubilee loan, 457, 406. 

Justices, appointment of (1841), 498. 

Kklly, Bishop, notice of, 567. 

Kelly betrays O'Brien's Bridge to Ireton, 172, 



Kelly, John, family of, 341. 

Kelly, Thomas, Esq., stores, and family of, 399. 

Kerry, palatinate of Queen Elizabeth, 115. 

Kilballyowen, 736. 
ildare, Earl of, appointed custos pacis (1400), 64; 
further notices of, 71, 75, 79, 88, 102; countess of, 
noticed, 368. 

Kileedy nunnery founded, 4. 

Kilfenora, Bishops of, burial places, 647. 

Kilkee, notice of, 536. 

Kilkenny, parliament at (1340), 62; statutes, 62, 63; 
confederation (1641), 149; parliament of, bishops 
dispute with, 568. 

Killalee Cross, stone at, 329. 

Killaloe, Bishops of, burial places, 647; death of 
Bishop J. Brian, 127. 

Kilmallock monastery, seventh century, 4, 99, 653; 
plundered and destroyed (1572), 99 ; deanery of, 
thirteenth century, 560 ; churches attached to, 560 ; 
town, notices of, 555, 732 ; titles, 734. 

Kilmoney Abbey founded (1194), 30. 

Kilmore or Killmurry church, 320. 

Kill-ratha monastery, foretold by Saint Patrick, 4. 

Kill-teidhill, church of, foretold, 4. 

Kilpeacon, church of, 306 ; court, 306. 

Kilquane churchyard, 261, 543 ; tombs in, 261. 

Kincora, Brian's fortress, 1-3. 

Kingdom divided amongst English, 195, 197. 

Kings of Cashel, 2. 

Kings of Ireland, 3; ancient (see Names), 3; dine 
with King Richard, 64. 

Kings of Limerick, 2; tribute to Cashel, 2. 

Kings of Thomond (eleventh century), 17. 

King John, his impressions of Limerick, 2 ; confirms 
charter of Holy Cross, 29; Cashel in 1215, 29; 
Magna Charta, 550. 

King Charles's title to lands, 144 ; further notice of, 
149, 161, 169, 337. 

King James, notices of, 606 to 616. 

King's visit, and Lord Byron, 449. 

King's Island, attack on, 174, 175 ; gate and town re- 
built, 210, 748; inscription, 210; patronage on, 
500; claim to, 501; progress for, 502. 505; posses- 
sion of in 1848, 508. 

King's mile, 138. 

King's mills, 140. 

King, Mrs., her benefaction, 493. 

King, Sir William, account of, 306. 

Kinsale, battle of (1601), 129 ; further notices of, 251. 

Kirk, General, his ferocities, 247 ; relieves Birr, 250. 

Kirwan, Bishop of Killaloe, 674. 

Knights fee explained, 48, 

Knight of Glyn, family of, G6, 731 ; knight adheres to 
Desmond [1600]. 125. 

Knight of Kerry, family of, 69, 731. 

Knight, White, 731. 

Knights of St. John, establishment of, 646. 

Knights Templars, establishment of, 646 ; remains 
of, 661, 736. 

Knockadown described, 724. 

Knockany fair, account of, 147, 734. 

Knock Furchaill, battle of, 96. 

Knocklong, 735. 

Knock Patrick mountain, 4, 731, 748. 

Knocklow, battle of (1504,) 70, 74, 75. 

Lacy (see Be Lacy), Pierce, of Bruff, 59, 722 ; Sir 
Peter, of Bruff, 122, 123 ; Pierce, his feud with 
Plunkett (1599), 123 ; Fierce, Oge, adheres to Des- 
mond (1600), 125; Pierce, escapes his execution 
(1617), 333; Colonel Pierce, opposed to truce, 178; 
further particulars of, 182 ; executed bv Ireton 
(1651), 183 ; Colonel Pierce, of 1676, 333, 427, 
671 ; Alderman Pierce, in 16S7, 272. 

Lacy (m 1691), 262, 263. 

Lucy, De Maurice, account of, 332, 621 ; family of 
(see Be Lacy). 333 ; Marshal, King's letter to, 334. 

Lacys become conformists, 374; Edmond (ancestor of 
General Maurice and Colonel Evans), 374, 375; 
Henry, brother of General Maurice, 376; John, 
M.P. 743; John of 1809, 427; Peter, Dominican, 
650; William, king's instructions to, 740. 

Lacy, two bishops noticed, 620; bishop Hugh, temp. 
Queen Mary, 94; his death, 109, 120, 333 ; rebels 
in 1584, 5S5, 587; Dr. Robert, Catholic bishop, 
account of, 339, 504, 618 ^elected bishop, 619 ; his 
family. 621; his death and character (1759), 622 j 
monument to, 623, 



INDEX. 



769 



Lascy (see Lacy), 128. 

Lacy of Austria, 128, 332 ; of Bruff. 722 ; of Bruree. 
726; of Croom, 729; of Spain, 334; o; Russia (see 
Merse), 333 

Lagenians (see Leinster). 

Lamps introduced (1696), 295 

Lansdowne tam ly, 42 ; bequest, 524. 

Lands surrendered by Irish, and regranted (1585), 
116. 

Lands seized and granted to Corporation, 139; titles 
to 144; cheap rates (seventeenth century), 145 ; 
leased by Corporation to Lord Gort, 447 

Land, state in 1629, 143 ; Yalue of, 321 ; price in 1739, 
332 ; state in 1741, 337 ; produce of, 341, 342 ; pro- 
cession as to, 342 ; state of in 1762. 354. 

Lanigan, Dr., opinion of, 541. 

Lascy (see Lacy and De Lacy) named in charter, 43. 

Lasun, French commander, arrives, 213; departs, 
217, 286. 

Lasun encounters English abroad, 286. 

Laws passed after treaty of 1691, 292. 

Law suits, 273, 308, 321, 437, 440, 

Lawless or Lellies, bishop, notice of 568. 

Lax weir (see Fisheries and Weir) notice of, 466, 643. 

Leahy, Patrick, survey, 196 ; Most Rev. Dr. Patrick, 
Archbishop of Cashel, Preface, viii. 

Leahy, J., Esq., appointed to cuainrunship, 527. 

Leamy schools, 516. 

Learning in Ireland, state of, 34. 

Leary, bishop, dies in banishment, 101. 

Leases granted by Corporation, etc (see Gort,) 325. 
399, 490, 500. 

L'Eau, Robert de, bishop, notice of, 567. 

Lecan, book of, 2. 

Legal decisions on tithes (sue Law), 144, 145. 

Leinster, King Dermot, 19, 20; further notice of, etc., 
21, 22, 25, 27, 36. 

Lemenagh Castle visited by Ludlov, 184. 

Letters of Henry Vlil., Jjesmond, and Sexten, 83 
to 87. 

Letters patent as to titles annulled ^see Land), 146. 

Levellers and Whiteboys, 626. 

Limerick city, foundation of, 1; description of, 1; 
ancient history of, 2, 6; built by Yvorus. 2; Lui- 
meneoch-Leatiianglas, proper name of Limerick, 
3; Christianity introduced in 434. 3; cathedral 
(see Cathedral) founded;, by St. Munchin, 5 ; battle 
between Callachan and the Danes (945), 8 ; besieged 
by O'Brien (tenth century), 10; King Donald, his life 
and endowments, 29 ; founds cathedral (1194), 30 ; 
surrendered by O'Brien, king of Thomond to Henry 
king of England, 37; wrested from the English 
(1174), and set on fire by O'Brien, 43 ; invaded by 
Raymond le Gros, 43; under the English, 47; 
charter by English (1197,) 47; set on tire temp, 
John, 49 ; English families in, etc., 51 ; disputes as 
to possession (1205), 54; besieged by Bruce (1316), 
61; Lord Grey attacks, 81 ; court held there, 93; 
citizens aid the arrest of Earl of Desmond (see 
Desmond), 97 ; mayor and citizens assist Lord Jus- 
tice Pelham, 1579, 102 ; visited by Sir John Perrot, 
114 ; boundaries in 1609, 135 ; Papists to be cleared 
out of 203 ; garrisoned by Erencli (1690), 213 ; for- 
tifications of, 218 defence of (1691), 251; (see 
Events.) 

Limerick, sieges of, captured (1641), 150; resists 
Ormonde's peace of 1646, 159 ; resists the Parlia- 
mentarians (1647), 162; besieged by Ireton, 171; 
siege by Ireton and Ludlow (1651), state and nego- 
tiations, 174: betrayed by Fennell (1651>, 178; 
surrenders to Ireton, 179 ; treaty with Ireton, 1«0 ; 
siege of 1690, 226 ; buildings in, 226 ; state of, 226 ; 
description of in 1690, 227, 228 ; attack on, by W il- 
liam (1690), 228 ; pass betrayed, 229 ; last siege of 
1691, 251. 

Limerick, state of ancient, 6 ; devastated in 1086, 22 ; 
under the English, 47; burned (war of Thomond 
princes 1131), 63; in 1400. 367; under the Tudurs, 
69; in 1535, 76; state under Henry VIII , 84; and 
Munster in 1575, 100; city in 1579. 104; county 
devastated (1579), 106; state in 1613-15, 138; in 
1643, 153 ; state of during siege, 176 ; keeps Ireton 
at bay, 176; state o: in 1653, 189; temp, Lord Cork, 
203 ; size at siege (1690), 227, 236 ; state of in 1748, 
341; state in 1760 (see Streets, etc.) 348; progress 
of city, 359 ; society in city, 360 ; state in 1783 to 
1793, 392; Jesuits arrive, 666 ; historical and topo- 
grapmcal, 710, 



Limerick, writers on, 1, 2, 
Limerick Athenaeum 752. 
Limerick city boundaries (1609), 135 ; environs, 752 ; 

monster houses, 752. 
Limerick, Earl of see Pery), account of family, 209; 
271; his residence, 684; Viscount, in 1756, 345; 
Earl visits Limerick, 420 ; death of 758. 
Limerick Independents [1782], 385. 
Limerick Institution (1809:, 366. 
Limerick Regulation Act, 461. 
Limerick mayor of (see Mayors) in 1326, 51. 
Limerick Newspapers, 60, 414, 481, 494, 752. 
Limerick Falace, ancient construction, 23, 
Limerick, Parliament at, in 1542, 85 ; in 1557, 95. 
Limerick Union Corps formed (1776), 365, 366. 
Liberal Clubs established (1828), 483. 
Liberator (see CConnell). 

Liber Niger, notice of, 473, 554; extracts from, 554, 758 
Lidwell, George, notice of, 433. 
Lights, public (1741), 338. 

Linen manufacture introduced (1667), 205; in 1741, 338. 
Lismore, book of, 9 ; meeting or congress at, 37. 
Little Kilrush church noticed, 543. 
Lloyd, Colonel, monument to, 435. 
Loans litigated, 500. 
Locan entertains St. Patrick, 4. 
Loch Erne, convention of, 46. 
Lock mills, 467. 
Locke, Rev., notice of, 736. 
Locks on canal, act for (1771), 364. 
London City records, 690. 
Longevity, cases of, 416, 417, 43^ 434, 436, 760. 
Looms in 1693, 296. 
Lord Mayors of London, 690. 
Lorraine, Duke of, sends assistance to Catholics, 172 ; 

mortgage to him of Limerick, 172. 
Lough Gur, 124 ; notice of, 124, 365, 723. , 
Loughmore waters, particulars respecting, 384. 
I ,oyal Limerick Volunteers (see Volunteers) in 1778, 

366. 
Lucan, Earl of (see Sarsfield), 133, 271 ; genealogy, 

279. 
Ludlow, his progress in Clare and Limerick, 184; 

notice of, 596. 
Luimneaugh (Limerick), 2. 
Lunatic Asylum, 4-38; erected in 1821, 450, 455; 

stone laid (1824), 459. 
Luttrell, Henry, his treachery, rewards, and death, 

238, 240, 262, 263. 
Luttrell, Simon, the faithful, 238. 
Luttrelstown, account of, 263. 
Lying-in-Hospital (1812), 416, 429, 6S3. 
Lynch, Father, of Brazil, 664. 

MacAdam, Colonel, at Bunratty, 156, 157 ; tradition 

as to Philip, 229 ; account of, 230 ; family of, 230. 
McCarthy, Bishop, seizure of his papers, 648. 
MacDonnells, notices of, 303. 
McEnery, notice of, 728. 
MacMahons, ancestor of, 24 ; family of, 129, 303, 4S2 ; 

Duke of Magenta, 129; monument of, 543. 
MacMahon betrays Irish plan to English, 129. 
McMahon, Mr. Bryan, notice of, 447. 
McMahon, Bishop of Killaloe, 627, 632. 
Macilorrough, King of Leinster, 25, 93; death of 

(1171), 36. 
Macnamaras, ancestor of, 25 ; family of, 399, 473 ; 

Charles, monument to, 680. 
MacSheehys, account of, 66, 88, 124, 126, 748. 
Macaulay, his opinion of 1691, 220. 
Macrali, Bishop, noticed, 687. 
Magna Charta, Church to be free, etc., 62, 568 ; to 

Ireland, 650. 
Magdalen Asylum, 683. 

Magrath, Catholic Bishop, disguises himself, 125. 
Maguire, Lord, tiied and executed, 187. 
Mahony, Mr. J., account of, 347; alderman, D. F., 

memorial to, 605; Pierse, his family, 621. 
Mahunagh church, massacre in (1581), 107. 
Mail coaches (see Coaches), 402, 406, 429, 431, 436, 

457; to Dublin (1837) accelerated, 489,491, 492; 

departures of, 491. 
Malachy the Great, 12, 14, 15, 18. 
Malcolmsons of Portlaw, 466. 
Manchin, Saint, or Munchin, Saint, first Bishop of 

Limerick, 4. 
Manister or Monaster, battle of (1679), 102 ; abbey of, 

729 ; church, 548 ; monks of, 307. 



57 



770 



INDEX , 



Manufactures in Munster in 1661, 199 ; of woollen and 
linen (1667), 205; state of in 1698, 296; in 1741, 
338; in 1824, 466; in 1853, 512; in 1865 (tee 
Markets), 530. 

Mar dyke built. 32 1 . 

Market (see Matnifaciures) established fh>t, Henry 
III., at Jlungrett. 55 ; f< r corn, etc.. 186 ; grant of, 
to Earl of Cork, 203 ; on site of Thorn Cor castle, 
295 ; potato, 501 ; return of produce, etc., 533. 

Mark's buildings built, 369. 

Marriage ceremonies in 1566, 98; of Catholics and 
Protestants, 324, 328. 

Mass publicly attended by Mayor, etc. (1626), 143 ; 
publicly said (James II.), 210 ; before Lord Deputy, 

211. ; 

Massy family, notice of, 745. 

Mathew, Rev. Father (see his life by J. F. Maguire, 
M.P.), 639 ; arrives in 1S39, 495. 

Maume, traitor in 1798, 399. 402. 

Maunsell, family of, 473, 741 ; the banker, proposed 
as M.P., 393; Archdeacon, memorial pulpit by 
family, 603 ; Colonel, memorial of, 604. 

Maurice (see Fitzmaurice), 42. 

Mayo, Lord, tried and executed, 187. 

Mayor of Limerick in 1230, 57; in 1326, 51 ; Sexten, 
temp. Henry VIII., 78, 79 ; Sexten accused of trea- 
son, 81; insignia of office, etc., 100, 708; fined and 
expelled by president, 126 ; in 1604, 131 ; treatment, 
of officials by King James, 131 ; appointments to, 
in 1609-12, 134, 136, 141; contests for mayoralty, 
136, 137 ; conduct of at rebellion, 153 ; deputy for ; 
328 ; election " by rotation", 517 ; disputes thereon, 
518 ; cradle to, 521 ; testimonial to, 523 ; great 
banquet and ball given by, 759. 

Mayors, list of, 690. 

Meath, King of, etc., 20, 23. 

Mechanics' Institute, 359. 

" Meer Irish", 215. 

Melachlin, King, submits to Turlogh O'Brien, 21. 

Members of Parliament in 1689, 23S ; list of, 741. 

Merchants and merchandize (see Commerce), 78; 
temp. Henry VIII., 87 ; of the staple (1824), 463. 

Methodism and Wesleyans in Limerick, 336,688. 

Mile-end of the Shannon explained, 197. 

Military lines of English, 747. 

Militia, account of (sixteenth century), 11 3 ; of King's 
County Regiment (1793), 386 : city embodied, 392 ; 
engagements in 1798, 403, 405, 406, 407, 409, 410 ; 
thanks to, 407; encounters with French, 409 to 
412 ; disembodied (1814), 433; re-embodied (1815), 
436 ; mutiny in, 434 ; embodied, 512; details of, 752. 

Mills, grant of, to Fullerton (1609), 136 : on canal 
(1765), 335 ; in 1786, 380, 436 ; of Rnssell and Sons 
(1865), 380, 467 ; at Abington and Bruff, 418 ; jail 
flax mills, 466 ; Garryowen, 468 ; spinning, at North 
Strand, 512. 

Mill stones to England, 419. 

Milner, Right Rev. Dr., on Limerick, 424: tour in 
1808, 633. 

Ministers' money, law suit in 1811, 427. 

Mint established in 1217, 52 ; set up, 286. 

Molony, Dr., Bishop of Limerick, 220 ; tomb of, 220. 

Monabraher, battle of, 70 ; lease of, 340. 

Monamuckey, account of, 341. 

Monaster Nenagh (see Manister), battle of in 1131, 63. 

Monasteries founded by Donald, King of Limerick, 
29, 30 ; by Donough Carbrac, 31 ; by Irish saints, 
33; by Irish abroad, 33; in thirteenth century, 
564 ; of St. Edmund, 552. 

Money, account of and Corporation rules, 200. 

Monks (see Monasteries), 32. 

Monsell of Tervoe (see Maunsell) account of, 473, 750; 
William," candidate (1847), 356; mention of (1768), 
360 ; his gift, 680, 750. 

Monteagle, Lord (see Rice, portrait and memoir in 
Frazer's Magazine) , 487 ; eldest son died 1865, vide 
Times; his own death, 760. 

Mont de Piete established, 480. 

Monuments in St. Mary's Cathedral, 584 to COO. 

Morony's sermons, 671. 

Mountjoy, his proceedings, 128, 130. 

Mount Shannon purchased by Fitzgibbon, 383. 

Mulgrave, Earl of, Viceroy, visits Limerick, 489. 

Mullaghmast, massacre of in 1577, 101. 

Mullog, Bishop, notice of, 629. 

Munchin, Saint Csee Manchin, Sainf), 4. 

Mungret Abbey (see Abbey of) ; castle, notice of, 542 ; 
gate, 151 ; inscription on, 152 ; opened, 702. 



Municipal Reform Bill (see Corporation and Mayor). 

Munster, notices of the early state of, and proceedings 
in, etc., 6, 19, 26. 27. 71, 78, 79, 97, 107, 110, 111 ; 
"pacified" in 1603, 130; survey of, 196; inhabitants 
of. 5S5; pre s dent of, his powers, 142. 

Munster Fair established (1853), 512. 

Murc ! er, execution for (1810), 425; of Mrs. Arm- 
strong, and trial for, 491. 

Murtagh's successors, 24. 

Muscrighe Bieogain, 3. 

Muskerry, Lord, raises troops. 176; is defeated by 
Broghill, 176; review by (1781), 384. 

Muskerry, Lady, notice of, 439. 

Muslin from Kdinbro' (169S), 296. 

Nachten, Bishop, 5S7. 

Nail •* the Nail", 402. 

Naish, Will, de, grant to by King John, 48. 

Nash, historical memoirs by, 334, 374 ; records, 690. 

Naishes of Ballycullen, 722. 

Names of persons in Limerick (temp. Henry V1IL), 

Nan ten an, ancient notes of, 555. 

Napier, General memorial to, 606. 

National party in Munster (1601), 128. 

Natural history, 749. 

Negotiations as to Cromwellians, 166 ; between 

Charles II. and Ormond, etc. (1652), 172. 
Nenagh Castle built, 50; taken by English, 250; 

attack on (Henry VIII ), 78; destroyed by O'Car- 

roll, 93; battle and defeat of Cromwell's Guards 

at, 594. 
Nenay or Nenagh (see Monaster Nenay). 
Nessan patronized by St. Patrick, 4. 
Netterville family, notice of, 667. 
Newcastle race coarse, 535. 
Newcastle West attacked by Ormond (1579), 103; 

garrison reviewed (179S), 3S8; monastery at, 564; 

description of, 736. 
Newport family, account of, 290. 
Newspapers in Limerick, 360, 414, 481, 487, 494, 752. 
Newtown Pery, 392, 398. 
Newtown commenced (1770), 625; progress of, 414, 

417,425,469; bill as to, 415; commissioners con- 
stituted, 417. 
Niell, Countess Antrim (1643), 155. 
Nihill, Bishop P. (1762), 355, 672, 674; his writings, 

673; Colonel, 673. 
" Ninety-Eight" Rebellion of, 387 ; events in 1798, 387 ; 

progress of, 3S8, 390, 393 ; prosecutions in, 401 to 

410. 
"No Popery" laws, 379. 
Nuncio performs religious service in cathedral, 15S ; 

endeavours to sustain the confederate cause, 162 ; 

his retreat, escape, declared a rebel, etc., 163. 
Nunneries, inspection of, petition against (1854), 512; 

for poor Clares, 658, 659. 

Oaths of supremacy, abjuration, etc., 206, 288, 292, 
308. 

Oats, price in 1497, 69 ; in 1739, 332. 

O'Brien, King of Limerick, 144 ; grant to Bishop of 
Limerick, 540; Donald, King of Cashel, founds 
nunnery, 646; notice of, 647; Donald Carbrac 
founds monastery at Galbally, 653 ; King founds 
Croom abbey, 729. 

O'Briens of Munster (see Brien), 4; Murrogh, son of 
Brian Borhoime, 15, 16 ; Mortogh, King of Thomond 
and Ireland, 22 ; Turlogh defeated by King Roderick, 
27; of Thomond, war against Roderick O'Connor, 
36 ; married, 39 ; notices of, wars of, disputes of, 
conventions of, etc., etc., 43, 44, 46, 61, 63, 69, 70, 
71, 72, 75, 77, 83, 94, 96 ; of Thomond, successors 
(1399), 64; kingdom of Thomond ended, 74; des- 
cribed by Parry in 1535, 77 ; Morrogh, the first Earl 
(1543), 69, 96; dies in 1551, 93; succession disputed 
(1552), 94, 96 ; revolt of O'Briens (temp. Mary), 95 ; 
fealty of Connor O'Brien, ibid. ; Teige, prisoner to 
Limerick, etc., 97 ; uncle of Earl Thomond hanged 
at Galway, 109 ; Teige, death of in 1582, 109; founder 
of Ballycorrick family, 109; Donogh, joined De 
Burgn in rebellion, 109; his fate, ibid. ; ancestor of 
Lord Inchiquin, ibid. ; Brian Duv, of Carigogunel, 
surrenders estate, 114 ; re-grant (1584), 1 15 ; Donogh 
Beg delivered up to English, and his fate (1584), 
114; surrender of lands and re-grants, 116 ; Teige, 
his plunders in Clare, and fate, 127 ; Donat, Lord 
of Thomond (1611), 136; his death in 1624, 142; 



INDEX. 



771 



sixth Earl Thomond, account of, 157 ; Murrogh, in- 
famous conduct of at Cashel Cathedral, 161 ; Alt, 
Terence (see Emly, Bishop of), 171, 177, 179; 
hanged by Ireton (1651), 180 ; account of his family, 
180, 649 ; Lady Honora at Lemenagh castle, 184 ; 
Manus, disclosures to William IIL, 231, 241. 

O'Brien, Donat, Bishop, notice of, 65, 171, 546 ; palace 
of, 546 ; tomb of, 595. 

O'Brien, Viscount Clare (see Clare), 169S. 

O'Brien, Dean, appointed, 639. 

O'Brien, Denis, of Newcastle, first Catholic juror, 
460; Dr. Mat., conformity (daughter married Dr. 
M'Carthy), 374, 376. 

O'Brien, John, M.P., death of (1855), 515. 

O'Brien, Lucius, his speech (1762), 354. 

O'Brien, Robt., Esq., residence at Kilrush noticed, 543. 

O'Brien, Stafford (see Stafford), 601. 

O'Brien, Mr. Smith, manifesto (1829), 484; duel with 
Steele, 484; feud with O'Connell, 491 ; his address, 
495 ; joins Repeal movement, 502 ; resolution 
as to him (1845), 505; his confinement by House of 
Commons, 505 ; demonstration for, 505 ; candidate 
in 1847, 356; family of, 509; political outbreak 
(1848), 509 ; state trial of, 509; released in 1854, 512; 
death in 1864, 525 ; public monument to, 526, 742. 

O'Brien genealogies, further account of O'Briens, 57, 
65, 96, 613; O'Briens of Thomond successors 
(1399), 64, 157; grants of land by, 144, 145, 540; 
O'Briens and O'Gradys, account of, 59; O'Briens of 
Ara, 58, 68, 139; of Ballycorrick, 109; of Carrig 
Connel, 65, 76, 114 ; Duv O'Brien, Lord of Carrig-o'- 
Gunel, 91, 307 ; O'Brien of Dough, 153, 155; O'Briens 
of Water ford, grants to (fourteenth century), 63 ; 
Lord Inchiquin's family, 69, 109. 

O'Brien's Bridge, notices of (1534), 80, 84, 86, 172. 

O'Bryans of Clare aid Government against insurrec- 
tion of 1666, 205. 

Observantines, the, noticed, 654. 

O'Cairoll, notices of, 93, 98, 216. 

Occupiers of houses, 751. 

O'Connell, family of, 37. 

O'Connell, Daniel, and Colonel Vereker, 413; favourite 
in 1809, 427 ; portrait oy Gubbirs, ibid. ; meeting in 
1812, 433 ; on emancipation, 458, 481; his progress 
in Limerick (1821 to 1S28), 481, 482 ; Clare election, 
ibid.; his motion (1834), 4S7 ; feud with Smith 
O'Brien, 491 ; election speech in 1837, 492 ; speech in 
London (1838), 494; on Repeal of Union in 1844; his 
arrest and trial, 502 ; banquet in Cork, ibid. ; dinner 
to him by mayor (1845), 503; resolution thereon, 504; 
his letter to Corporation (1845). 504; his death in 
1847, 506; resolutions of Corporation, etc., 507; 
testimonial to him, ibid. ; his statue, 508 ; his 
likeness by Haverty, 508; monument meeting in 
1852, 511 ; monument inaugurated (185 7 ), 517, 527 ; 
and Dr. Ryan, 640. 

O'Connell, John, M.P., death of, 519. 

O'Connell, Maurice, notice of, 668. 

O'Connell, John (Johnny Connell), of Garryowen, 
402, 529. 

O'Connors, notices of, 46, 290. 

O'Connor of Ballinagare, 290. 

Octennial Act and excitement, 359. 

•O'Curry, Professor, translation of legend for this 
history, 2. 

O'Deas, family of, 60; Bishop of Limerick, 151 ; grant 
by, 564; his mitre and crozier and seal, 633. 

O'Dells, family of, 261. 

Odhba, battle of, 20. 

O'Donnell family, account of, 258; Con, 68, 69; Hugh 
Roe's advance into Munster, 69 ; war with O'Neills 
in 1522, 72, 122; his incursions, 123, 127; lied Hugh 
and O'Neill march into Oimond (1601), 128; 
further notices of, 129, 131; his death, 131; Rory 
created Earl Tyrconnell, 131 ; further notices of, 
and death, 132; Baldearg arrives from Spain (1690), 
234 ; his treachery, 258 ; refuted in 18C4, ibid. ; 
further particulars, 263. 

O'Donnell, Father (Jesuit), notice of, 664; John, 
Esq., of Liberty Hall, papers of, 336; efforts for 
freedom of citizens, 340 ; toasts at dinners, ibid. ; 
General Sir Charles, family of, t,97. 

O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, 1644, to Rome, 156; 
notice of, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593. 

O'Dwyer of the Glen, Colonel (1653), 190. 

Offally, Lord Justice, ravages, 92. 

Officials of city (see Mayor), 136, 141 ; of Corporation 
(see Corporation) ; election of, 498. 



O'Gorman, descendant of Chamberlaine, 276 ; account 
of, 400. 

O'Gradies, account of, 59. 

O'Grady family, 59, 60, 433, 473; abbot of Tuam, 68; 
Archbishop of Cashel, 648; notice of family, 745 ; 
Darby, notice of (1781), 381 ; Chief Baron, account 
of (1767), 362 ; (1S03), 414 ; poem by him, 485 ; 
Colonel, Clare election, memoir of, 484 ; mentioned 
by Duke of Wellington, 424. 

O'Halloran, historian, death of (1807), 448 ; Father, 
notice of, 672. i 

O'Heyne, Father, history and family, 649. 

O'Kearnies, 59. 

O'Kearney, Bishop, notice of, 624 ; Father, notice of, 
666. 

O'Keeffe, Bishop, account of, 322, 617; foundation 
Irish College, 617. 

Oldid opposes St. Patrick, 4; is converted, 4. 

Oldtown, state of (1800), 399, 401. 

Olioll ullum, 3. 

Oliver Cromwell, notices of, 164, 165. 

Oliver, Silver, notice of, 744. 

O'Lochlain of Burren, 47. 

O'Loghlin of Burren, execution of, 114 ; Sir Michael, 
notice of, 491. 

O'Mayle, lands of, 552. 

O'Molony (see Molony), 220 ; Bishops of Killaloe, 612, 
617, 760 ; raises army, is defeated and taken 
prisoner, 168 ; his money discovered, pasquinade 
thereon, 169. 

O'Moore, Rorv, chieftain of Leix, encounters Morris, 
122. 

O'Niell (see Hynial, O'Brien, and O'Donnell), 17; 
complaint against Earl O'Niell (1540), 85 ; en- 
counters English in North (1601), 128; further 
notice of, and death, 129, 132. 

O'Niell, Governor of Limerick, 171'; Sir Phelim, tried 
at Dublin and executed, 187 ; Bishop, notice of, 553 ; 
Major- General Hugh, notice of, 593. 

Ophally, Lord, 731, 732. 

O'Queely, Archbishop, noticed, 591 

O'Quin (see Quin), 60; Bishop, a Dominican, 649. 

Orangemen in 1698, 296 ; colours on St. Blaise's, 296; 
riots in 1710, 310; depositions, 311; letter on, 
312; reply of military, 314; dismissal of Major 
Chaytor. 315. 

Orange institution formed (1796), 393. 

Order of Liberators (1828), 483. 

O'Keiliy, monument of, 544 ; Archbishop, his pastoral. 
622. 

Ormonde, Duke of, his ancestry, 222 ; further notices 
of, 592, 716 ; Earl of, " Black Thomas", noticed, 665, 

Ormonde, Earl of, in 1462, 67 ; wars of in 1564, 96 ; 
in 1579, 102, 108, 110 ; shares Desmond's estates, 
112 ; further notices of, 150 ; created Lord Lieuten- 
ant, 156; peace in 1646, 158 ; resisted at Limerick, 
159 ; opposition to Catholics explained, 160 ; 
viceroy of Charles II., 168 ; further notices 
of, 162, 164; sincerity doubted by Rinuccini, 156; 
at Limerick (1649), 165; resists Cromwellians, 
165; confeience with bishops, 165; distrust be- 
tween them, 166; King's letters to, 169; be- 
trayal of Catholics, 170 ; his letter to Lord Orrery, 
170; absconds to Bretagne, 170; exempted from 
life and estate, 184; grants to, 198; made viceroy, 
198; his letter to Southwell, 199; reappointed Lord 
Lieutenant, 203; conspiiacy discovered, 203; visits 
Limerick, 203 ; visits Limerick (1703), 294 ; and in 
1712, 315. 

O'Roui ke, Father, martyrdom of (1579), 103 ; betrayed 
by Countess Desmond, 104. 

O'Korke, Archdeacon, appointed, 639. 

Orpen, trial of (1798), 406. 

Orphanage, established (1844), 493 ; new, established 
(1850), 494 ; of Mount St. Vincent, 683. 

Orrery, Earl of (see Cork and Boyle), 203. 

Ossory, Prince of, 39. 

Ossory, Earl of, made Governor, etc. (1535), 159 ; pro- 
mise to resist Home, etc., 159 ; rewarded with abbey 
lands, etc., 159. 
Ossory, Bishop of, consecrated, 305. 

O'Toole, family of, 44 ; Laurence, martyredin England 
in 1180,44. 

O'Tracies, account of (see Tracy), 38. 
Outbreak on James's accession, 130. 
Outrages in Munster (see Newcastle) in 1762, 626 ; ia 

1807 and 1812, 418, 419; in county (1808), 423, 
Overtures for peace (1691), 264, 



772 



INDEX. 



Oxenford, Viscounts, notice of, 356. 
Oyster clubs in 1768, 360 ; grant of, 700. 
Oyster shells discovered, 720. 

Packet Station, efforts for, 520. 

Paintings in Limerick churches, 633. 

Palatines people in 1780, 383, 710 ; Rathkeale, 710, 737. 

Pallasgrene, 3, 737 ; school, 514. 

Pallaskenry, 74S. 

Palmer, parson (1768), notice of, 379. 

Papal envoy, 152, 153; aggression, 1851, 510. 

Papists (see Catholic), persecution of, 290. 

Paper mill (Sextons) in 1764, 358. 

Parishes in 1291, 556 ; temp. Bishop O'Dea, 558. 

Park, 473 ; inhabitants of, ibid. ; William's passage 
through, ibid. 

Park Bridge (see Bridges). 

Parliament at Limerick (1542), 85; further notices 
of, 94; acts proclaimed in Limerick (1569), 99; 
further notices of, 114, 161 ; members of in 1689, 
238 ; further proceedings and acts of, 252, 272, 304, 
328, 352, S82, 383, 384, 389, 428, 462, 454, 506 ; com- 
mittee as to Corporation (1822), 454; proceedings 
in 1824, 462. 

Parliamentarians in England, 161. 

Parry's account of Limerick in 1535, 76. 

Parsons, Sir William, in Ireland, 148; Sir Laurence 
(1793), 886. 

Pass of Shannon betrayed to William, 229 ; Pass by 
Ginklein 1691,276,277,290. 

Patrick (see Saint Patrick), Bishop, notice of, 544. 
546; Father, 667. 

Parochial Catholic Churches. 678 ; institutions, 678. 

Peace, overtures for (1691), 264; tresty of, 265 

Pearce, General Thomas, Governor of Limerick, 324; 
account of, 325 ; hangs a priest, 618, 704 ; Sir Edward 
L., letter as to theatres, 331. 

Peel's letter to a priest, 449. 

Penal code, notices of, 319, 322, 337. 345, 372, 392, 750. 

Penn, Sir William, memorial of, 157. 

Perambulation deed in 1609, 1 35 ; of city (" beating 
bounds"), 1671, 206; in 1765, 355. 

Perkin Warbeck, 68. 

Persecution of Catholics (1697), 304. 

Peruke makers in 1770, 364. 

Pery, account of, 207, 209, 211 ; Viscount, account of, 
322; Mr., 358, 360, 365; speaker of House of Com- 
mons, 365; Bishop of Limerick (1784), 381, 398; 
Edward S , notice of, 625; Chapel noticed, 596. 

Peter's cell (1768), 363, 422, 661, 646. 

" Peter's Pence" granted, 551. 

Petrie's Round Towers, 3. 

Petty (see Fitzmaurice), 42; Sir William and the 
Down survey, 191; grants to (1666), 191, 192; 
" State of Ireland" (extracts), 221. 

Philosophical Society, notice of, 508, 509. 

Phipps, Mr., candidate for Parliament, etc., 316. 

Pierce -Fi'.z in 1599 (see Fitzmaurice), 585. 

Pierce, Bishop of Watn-ford, 607. 

Pierse, Captain Edward, obtains grant, 187 ; become 
conformists, 375; Lieutenant-General, 704; Cornet 
De Lacy, account of, 333 ; memoirs of, by Mrs. 
Nash, 334; William, saves Crown jewels, 750. 

Pirates in 1428, 366; in Shannon (1505). 70. 

Plantations of Munster by Elizabeth, 115 ; abandoned 
by English, 123. 

Plunket, Archbishop, execution of (Charles II.), 210, 
305; family in 1816, 449; Hon. and Rev. William 
Matthew, Redernptorist, 520. 

Poems on Ireland and James, 218 ; on Sarsfield's de- 
fence of Limerick (1690), 249; on Sarsfield, 279 ; on 
battle of Mayor's stone, 329 ; on Croker, 342 ; on 
Garryowen, 402; in Portugal, atributedto the son 
of John Meade Thomas, 409 ; on Carr's garden, 426 ; 
on Clare election, 484. 

Police, state of in 1825, 457 ; cost of, 466. 

Poor, state of (1835), 489. 

Poor Law inquiry, 489. 

Poor Law Union (1838), see Union, 494, 499; amend- 
ment of, 501. 

Poor Clares and nunnery, 493, 658, 659, 678. 

Pope (see Rome and Catholic) : legate at synod of 
Kells in 1157, 28 ; further notice of, 29, 35, 40 ; in- 
fluence in appointing Bishops, 556; taxes Irish 
sees, 556; succour to confederates (1644, l->6; 
Rinuccini to Ireland, 156; plot, in 1676, «71 ; his 
picture dragged in Shannon and burned (1679), 209; 
laws as to, 292 ; disavows rescript, (>36. 



Popish plot in Ireland, 265, 671. 

Population of Ireland, 327 ; census of 1802, 401 ; in 
1821, 457 ; in 1824, 459 ; returns of, 463. 

Port, trade of, 527; see Customs, 528; for 1825 to 
1864, 533. 

Port-Crush Bridge built (1506), 70. 

Potato failure in 1822, 453 ; blight in 1845, 505 ; failure 
in 1846, 505; market established (1843), 501. 

Powell, family of, 356, 395 ; Caleb, memoir of, 356, 381, 
743. 

Power of Clonmel, notice of, 357; Thomas, monu- 
ment, 685. 

Poynings' Act, 68, 69. 

Prendergast, account of, 38, 40, 693. 

Presbyterian Meeting House, 688. 

Presentation Order (see Convents). 

Preston, patent to, by Charles II., 200; litigated, 201 ; 
petitions common council as to ferry, 202 ; settle- 
ment of dispute, 209. 

Preston, Dean, notice of, 600 ; memorial to, 607. 

Pretender, the (1709), 309, 310, 327, 339. 

Priest seized at altar (1678), 208. 

Prie3t catcher, 308 ; statute as to, 308. 

Primitive Wesle.'an Methodist Meeting House, 689. 

Princes of Thomond (see Thomond), 18. 

Princes who were saints, 32. 

Procession as to agriculture (1752), 342. 

Proclamation fcrjainsfc clergy (1624), 143; against 
Catholics (1:78), 208; by Ginkel, 260; against 
Catholic Board (1814), 433 ; by Lord Lieutenant of 
Corporation Reform, 498. 

Produce at market (1853 to 1864), 532. 

Promenade fashionable (1798), 341. 

Protestant Bishops oppose Catholicity (1626), 143 ; 
Protestant Bishop of Limerick seized, 151. 

Protestant Bishops (see Bishops), 437 ; (see Names), 
Casey, the first, 564; list of, 607 to 610. 

Protestant schools (eighteenth century), 327; paro- 
chial schools (1815), 439. 

Protestantism reintroduced by James, 131 ; declara- 
tion by Ormonde, 164. 

Protestants and Catholics, state of (James II.), 288. 

Protestant settlers admitted by Corporation (1671), 
206; in Ireland (eighteenth century), 373. 

Protestant traders defeated (1759), 348; appe il to 
Parliament, 351; and Whiteboys (1762), 354; trials 
as to, 354 ; form military corps (1776), 365 ; liberal 
feelings of (1824), 464; statistics of, 465; clergy, 
lands lie.d by, 465. 

Provincial Banking Company formed (1824), 465. 

Provincial Bank, 488. 

Provost of Limerick in 1230, 57 ; list of, 691. 

Psalter of Cashel, 3 ; desc ribed, 7 n ; quoted, 538. 

Purcell family, from the Knight, 10S ; defeated at 
Ballycalhane, 109; General, at Bunratty Castle, 
157 ; General Patrick, put to death (1651), 180, 182 ; 
Baron Loughmoe, account of, 283. 

Puritans elect aldermen (1656), 191. 

Ptolemy describes Limerick, 2. 

Quakers, persecution of, by Cromwell (1656), 195; 

settled in Limerick in 1654, 196; Meeting House, 

688. 
Quarantotti, his rescript, meeting of Bishops thereon, 

634. 
Quarries of marble, etc., 760. 
Quay finished in 1765, 33; constructed, 471, 599; 

embankment of Arthur's, 505. 
Queen Anne's prison, 290. 

Quins, Earls of Dunraven (see Adare), 60, 680, 714, 
Quin (Clare) abbey completed, 64. 

381. 
Quin, Bishop (see Coyn), 564. 
Quin, John, his gift to Church of St. Alphonsus, 564. 

Railroads, to Carrick (1826), 469; account of, 477; 

Dublin and Cashel, Great Southern and Western, 

502 ; between Limerick and Dublin opened, 508 ; 

Foynes Railway projected, 512. 
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 96, 737. 
Raleighs of Raleighstown, 748. 
Rapparee, meaning of (1690), 213, 234 ; (statute in 

186.)). 
Rates on Limerick (1598), 121 ; on St. Munchin's,401. 
Rathkeule, deanery in tiiirteenth century, 563 ; notice 

of, 710, 737. 
Raths, notice of, 711. 
Reoellion (see Desmond, Thomond, O'Brien, and th? 



INDEX. 



773 



various names) ; of 1641, causes of, 274 ; the great, 
ended by surrender of Limerick and Gal way, 187; 
Earl Desmond's followers, 585; by Irish under 
Reilly (1666), 205 ; opposed by O'Bryan of Clare, 
205 ; proceedings in 1762, 627. 

Rebellion of 1798, events in year (see Events), pro- 
gress of described, 387 to 41 2 ; cost of, 394. 

Rebellion of 1848, trials for, 509. 

Recorders, election of Mr. D'Esterre, 430 ; notice of, 
752. 

Redemptorist Fathers, 639, 675 ; at Bank Place and 
Circular Road, 519; inauguration of, 520; at Saint 
John's, 675 ; at Saint Michael's, 675 ; Church, con- 
vent of, 678. 

Reformation (see Catholic) ; fruits of, 88. 

Reform measures in Parliament (see Corporation), 
491 ; mayors and sheriffs, 707 ; Act of 1832, effect 
of, 496. 

Regia of Ptolemy, 2. 

Religious houses in Limerick, 5, 712 ; seized by En- 
glish (1629), 143 ; remains of, 660. 

Religious establishments, 30 to 34; institutions re- 
established (1837), 492; account of, 493. 

Religious Orders in Limerick, 642 ; thrown overboard 
(1602), 129 ; laws as to, 131 ; persecution continued, 
133; executed (1611), 136. 

Report of Parliament on Corporations, 462. 

Repeal, trades meeting for, 496 ; petition for, 501 ; in 
1844, arrest and trial of O'Connell (1844) ; Corpo- 
ration proceedings thereon ; Smith O'Brien joins, 
502 ; differences as to (1S45), 503, 504, 505; the 
"Young Ireland" party (1846), 505; banquet to 
Smith O'Brien (see O'Connell), 505. 

Revenues of Church, 6S8 ; of post-office and post, 356; 
of ports (1823), 460. 

Reviews at Loughgur (1779), lists of regiments, etc., 
by Lord Muskerry (1781), 383; at Loughmore 
(1783), 385 

Rice family, 115, 238 ; monuments to, 590, 597 ; Colo- 
nel, goes over to the English, opposed by the 
O'Bryens, obtains act for debentures, 273. 

Rice, Sir Stephen, notire of, 115 ; Mr. Edmund, es- 
tablishes Christian schools (1S16), 444 ; lawsuit, 308. 

Rice, Spring, Mr. (see Monteagle and portrait and 
memoir in Frazer's Magazine) ; and Corporation, 
notice of, 444, 446 ; unpopular, 487 ; portraits of, 
448, 457, 458; death of his son in 1865, vide Times. 

Richmond, Duke of, visits Limerick (1807), 417, 418. 

Rightboys and Whiteboys, 630. 

Rinuccini sent to Ireland (1644), 156 ; Papal Nuncio 
at Bunratty, etc.. 158; opposed to Ormond's peace 
(1646), 158; reports to the Pope, 159; charges 
against him, 160 ; notice of, 588, 590, 660. 

Riots in Limerick, 167 ; Orange, in 1710, 310 to 314 ; 
in 1748, 341 ; in 1771, 365. 

Rivers of Limerick, 710. 

Roads, new ones made (1757), 347. 

Robbers in Cork (1801), 401. 

Robert of Dundonald, Bishop, notice of, 567. 

Roche, constable of castle (1216), 51 ; family of, 146, 
323, 346, 348, 399 ; Sir Boyle and recruits (1775), 
365 ; Colonel, notice of, 427 ; Lady, notice of, 439 ; 
votes in Parliament, 488. 

Roche's Bank (1815), 445, 488; gardens, 365; John, 
stores (1787), 398. 

Roman Catholic Relief (see Catholic), 433. 

Rome (see Pope), intercourse with, in seventh cen- 
tury, 5; and Henry VIII . 92; resistance to, pledged 
by Earl of Ossory in 1535, 159. 

Roscommon Castle taken, 157 ; Earl of, 668. 

Ross, Bishop of, 105, 106. 

Rotatory election of mayor, 517, 518. 

Round Church, 488. 

Round Towers (711-749) ; Nenagh, 93. 

Ruins of religious buildings, 660. 

Rupe Fort or Kochfort, Bishop of, 567. 

Russell, Maurice, appointment of (1547), 92. 

Russell and Co., mill weirs, 201 ; mills, 380. 

Russell family, account of, 466, 467, 468; Mr. and 
Mr. Taylor dispute, 437 ; Richard, rebuilds Plassy, 
465 ; J. N. and Sons, 466. 

Russia, war with, 512. 

Ryan, Rev.Timothy, put to death for marrying Protes- 
tant, 324, 618. 

Ryan, Dr., elected Bishop, 637 ; death and funeral, 
640. 

Ryan, Mr. Edward, his firm subscribe to *' Indepen- 
dents' ', 461 ; -notice 01, 462, 



Ryan and Sons^libeiality of (1823), 462; Michael, 
family of, 490 ; explosion at, 490 ; Mr. E. F. G., 
elected Mayor (1846), 505 

Ryan, Wm., monument to, 719. 

Ryan, Puck, trial of, 509. 

Sachevereix, Dr., his trial, 309; riots regarding, 
310. 

Sailors' Home established, 517. 

Saints (see the various names), 4; list of, being kings 
of Ireland, 32 ; ditto, princes, 32 ; ditto, writers, 32 ; 
who preached the Gospel, 33; and abroad, 34; 
numbers of, 34; of same names, 34 

Saint Alphonsus (see Redemptorists) ; St. Augustine 
(see Augustine, etc ) ; St. Columba, note of, 537 ; St. 
Colum Kille, apostle of the Picts, 11 ; St. Cumin 
Fodha died at Limerick, 5; St. Dominick (see 
Dominicans) ; St. Dominick's well described, 650 ; 
St. Eden, 4 ; St. Francis (see Franciscans), 1647, 
162 ; St. Ignatius (see Jesuits) ; St. Ita, 4 ; St. John's 
Chapel (built 1753), 343, 680; Cathedral (1862), . 
paintings in, 344, 680 ; new Church and Cathedral 
projected, 514; foundation laid, 515, 685; Gate 
noticed, 514, 697 ; Hospital (1690), 239 ; St. Laurence, 
presentation to, 499; sale of, 500; gift of, 500; 
Church, 684; St. Manchin (see Munchin), 5; St. 
Mary's, Chapel in, 17, 341, 671 ; St. Mary's (see 
Cathedral) ; St. Mary's Church, 369 ; grant to, in 
1250, 553, 679; St. Michael's parish, 332; Church, 
679, 684; Parochial Chapel (1781), 372; Church, 
organ, 436; St. Michael's, suit as to minister's 
money (1811),427; church, outside walls, 427; notices 
428; parish, bill to improve, 415; commissioners of 
constituted, dissolved (1853), 417; act, 420; com- 
missioners act, 420; St. Munchin, notice of, 542, 
543 ; Church, 678 ; Protestant Church, 684 ; Chapel 
for parish, 339 ; St. Nessan, festival, 537 ; notice of, 
539 ; St. Nicholas Church, 684 ; St. Patrick intro- 
duces Christianity, notices of, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 2 3, 83, 
91, 541, 720, 731, 748 ; St. Pat.' ick and St. Senan, 45 ; 
St. Patrick's purgatory dug up (1629), 143 ; Church 
erected, 438, 679; Parish Chapel erected (1750), 
341 ; St. Saviour's Monastery (see Dominicans), 
founded (1227), 31 ; St. Senan (or Sinan, of Inis 
Cathay), 4, 45, 87 ; St. Swithm's Day, 439 ; St. Teresa 
nuns of, 678; St. Thomas's Island, 650; remains of, 
661 ; St. Vincent de Paul mission first introduced, 
592. 

St. Germans, Earl of, Lord Lieutenant, 512. 

St. John, Sir Oliver, superseded by Lord Falkland, 
141. 

St. Ledger, Lord Justice in 1579, 106 ; his proceed- 
ings with Ormond, 106. 

St. Ruth to command Irish, 252 ; at Aughrim (1691), 
255. 

Salaries, temp. Henry VIII, 93 ; and expenses Cor- 
poration, 696. 

?ales of forfeited estates 1701 (2nd Anne), 301. 

Salis, Count de (of Hillingdon, England), 724. 

Salmon and eel fisheries (see Fisheries) in 1215, 54. 

Salmon fishery noticed, 366 ; grant of, to council and 
freemen, 209; voted to Mayor (1803), 413; weir 
trial (1807), 418; and the lax weir (1824), 466; 
weir, grant of, 700. 

Sanigel or Singland 4. 

Sarsfield, his wife, Honora Burke, 133; his defences 
of Limerick, 216 to 285 ; at Banagher (1690), 216; 
at Limerick (1690), 226; marches against battering 
train, 231 ; success at Ballyneety, 232, 234 ; returns 
to Limerick, 233; devotion during siege, 238, 239; 
overtures for peace (1691), 264; made Eail Luean 
in 1691,271; addresses the Irish emigrants, 275; 
family and genealogy, 278 ; dies at Landen, 286 ; 
statue to, projected (1845), 505. 

Sargent, family of, 500. 

Saunders, Dr., Pope's legate, dies, 109. 

Savings Banks, 457. 

Scanlan murder (1819), trial for, and depositions, 450 
(see Collten Bawn). 

Scarampi sent ever by the Pope (1643;, 152; letters 
as to, 153. 

Scattery Island, notice of, in the thirteenth century, 
564 ; grant to, 567 ; leased to Marrett, 460 ; annexed 
to Clare (1854;, 512. 

Schomberg, Duke of, 212, 213, 214, ; his portrait, 751. 

Schools, free, established by Elizabeth, 115; Catho- 
lic and Protestant, 327 ; reports upon, 444 ; at con- 
vents (1837) ; in 1848 and 1864, 493 ; particulars of, 



774 



INDEX. 



514, 515, 516; Protestant, 439, 513; by Father 
O'Gorman, 326; Catholic and Protestant, 327; 
house opened (1814), 430; Protestant parochial 
(1815), 439; diocesan, 51.3 ; Hartstonge Street, 516; 
by Jesuit Fathers, 524, 675 ; by Christian Brothers, 
443, 524, 636; by Nuns of Faithful Companions, 
524 ; model, 525 ; of art, 527; and Catholic Univer- 
sity, 525 ; St. Philomena's, 527 ; Sexton Street and 
Clare Street, 636 ; by Franciscans, 658, 659. 
School endowments, inquiry as to, 513. 
.Scholarships in Catholic University, 527. 
-Schoolmaster, salary in 1748, 322. 
Seal of City, etc. (see Corporation), 690. 
Sedan chairs, 486. 

Sewers made in Irishtown and Newton, 527. 
See of Limerick described, 610. 
Serge trade in 1698, 29S. 
Sessions or gaol delivery held, 126. 
Sexten or Sexton, Edmund, notice of, 80, 81 ; (his 
book and Arthur's seem to be similar in some 
respects); grant to (1538), 82; his actions, 86: 
letters to King Henry VIII., 87 ; grant of friary, 
654; his disputes, petitions, etc., 655; grants con- 
firmed, 657. 
Shanagolden, notice of, 748. 
Shannon, Alderman Pierce, notice of, 473, 503. 
Shannon, ancient verses on, 5 ; name substituted for 

" Liumenach" in 861, 6. 
Shannon fisheries (see Fisheries), 55, 56 ; in 1430, 366 ; 
state of residences on (Henry VIII.), 87; Queen's 
.fleet anchors (1579), 107; charter of 1609, 134; 
crossing, 747 ; bed, high in 1811, 415 ; low water 
in, 432. 
Sheehys (see Mac Sheehy), 66, 126. 
Sheehy, Keating, family of, 357; Colonel, 357; Rev. 
Nicholas of Clogheen, 357 ; family of, ibid.; Buck, 
i'id. (see House of Lords Reports, Sheehy v. Mus- 
kerry). 
Shee, Mr Justice, 688, 750. 
Sheriffs, election of (charter of 1609), 134, 137; list of, 

692. 
Sldel, R. L., death of (1851), 510. 
Ships of war (see Fleet), on coast in 179S, 407; 

launched in 1817 ; account of (1847), 533. 
Sibthorpe, Bishop, notice of, 490. 
Sickness raging (1740 and 1741), 336. 
Siege of Limerick by Braosa, 49 ; by Ireton noticed, 
593 ;1690 (see Sars field), 76, 226 to 250; defeated 
by Sarsfield, 233, 245 ; raised by order of William, 
247; writers on, 237; siege in 1691, 251; progress 
of (1691), 256 ; writers on, 258; Parker's account of 
259. 
Silver mines mentioned, 256, 257. 
Sinan, Saint, founds monastery, fifth century, 4. 
Singland, house at, 749 ; holy well at, 4. 
Singleton, Miss, family of, 344. 
Sir Harry's Mall, 369. 

Sisters of Mercy (see Convents and Schools), 1848, 
423; admitted to workhouse, 494 ; convent of, 646. 
Sligo, battle at, 164 ; papers found there, ibid. 
Skyddy, Catherine, of Cork, 368. 
Small duties, 323. 
Smyth, Bobert, Mayor, city improvements [1685], 

210. 
Smucaille, sons of, their meeting, 2. 
Smyth, family of, 223; family vault, 543; Bishop (see 
Bishops); address to (1715), 317; Charles, elected 
for Limerick, 328 to 331 ; letter to, 337 ; papers of, 
337. 
Society (see State) in 1722 and 1822, 455. 
Sois angel (see Singland), 4. 
Soldiers quartering on inhabitants, 353 ; soldiers 

fired at, 1812, 448. 
Southwell, Sir Thomas, and other Protestants taken 

prisoners (1689), 211; family of, 335, 742, 744. 
Southwell Papers, extracts of, 290. 
Spas, notice of, 712 ; at Park, 534 ; at Castleconnell 

728. 
Spaniards, notices of, 105, 107, 128, 129, 162; expected 

in 1601, 128. 
Spain, Irish enter service of (1653), 190. 
Special Commission (1762) for Whiteboys, 354; in 

1814, 435; in 1848, 509. 
Special Sessions (1815), 439. 
Spirits, return of, 495. 

Stafford O'Brien (see O'Brien), memorial to, 601. 
Stamp Duty in operation (1774), 365. 
Staple incorporated (1609), 134. 



State papers quoted, 693, 695. 

State trials of 1848 (.see O'Brien, Smith), 509. 

State of Ireland, flourishing account of, 34 ; in 33rd 

Henry VIII., 89; after the Rebellion, 187; of 

Limerick, 126 ; of county, 423 to 425 ; of country 

(1814), 434 ; of society, 455 ; of Limerick in 1865, 527. 

Statistics of population, House of Commons, 463, 464, 
711 ; of Union, 499 ; of liberties for taxation, 499 ; 
of customs, 527 ; tabular, 528. 

Statutes (see Parliament and Corporation), 62, 63, 73, 
85, 95, 152, 190 ; as to Earl Kildare, 295 ; as to 
Catholics and Religion, 292, 293, 304, 308; as to 
forfeited estates, 300, 301 ; agaiiut Popery, 304 ; as 
to priests (1709), 308; as to Corporation (1823), 
457 ; as to markets and produce, 51L 

Steam mills (Newtown), 467. 

Steam Ship Company, 468 ; steamers, 468. 

Steele, Tom, duel with Smith O'Brien (1829), 484; 
died in London, 1351. 

Stepney family, 744, 

Stoddart, Major, killed (1814), 432. 

Stones (memorial) , 747. 

" Stoney Thursday" explained, 159. 

Stores in Limerick, 398. 

Story's account of siege (1690), 238; Dean, the 
writer, account of, 283 ; his promotion, 285. 

Storms on Shannon (1698), 296 ; in 1749, 341 ; in 1814, 
433, 435 ; in 1816, 436 ; in 1851, 510. 

Strafford, Lord, in Ireland, 148. 

Streets, state of, 337 ; of Limerick, 369 ; names of, 370 
paved (1816), 438 

Stntch or Stretch, Bishop, notice of, 607. 

Stritche, family of, account of, 139. 

Strich, Dr., of Rathkeale, 316, 615. 

Stretch, Mr. A. C, notice of, 447. 

Strongbow, his arrival in Ireland in 1169, 35 ; pro- 
claimed King of Leinster, 36; defeated at Thurles, 
43 ; monument in Dublin, 42. 

Submissions, to the English, 41 ; of Catholics to 
Cromwellians, 179, 187. 

Sugan, Earl, in prison (1600), and rescue, 124; his 
defeats, 125. 

Suiry Abbey founded (1172), 29. 

Surnames established by Brian Borhoime, 13. 

Survey of forfeited lands (1603), 130; proposed by 
Lord Broughill, 194. 

Swift, Dean, (see his life, 1865), 309. 

Swinburne, Mr., banquet by (1807), 448. 

Sydney, Sir Henry, Lord Deputy, 97 ; second visit to 
Lime) ick, etc., 99. 

Synge, Bishop, account of, 607. 

Synod at Killaloe (1050), 19; tf Wisneach, 24; of 
Cashel (1172;, 28, 37 ; of Kells (1152), 28; at Lime- 
rick (1524), 80; of Jamestown, 16S ; excommuni- 
cate Ormond, etc. (see Bishops), 168; of Rath- 
breasil, 544; in 1529, 698. 

Tait, Peter, his enterprise, 428. 

Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnell (1812), see Tyrconnell. 

Talmash, General, sent over by William III., 253. 

Tanist in 1411, 65. 

Tanistry, etc., abolished (1605), 131. 

Tanners and Curriers incorporated, 323. 

Taxation of Irish Sees by Pope in 1291, 556 ; another, 

temp. Bishop O'Dea, 557. 
Taylor, William, law suit for Corporation, 438. 
Tea in eighteenth century, 331, 
Telegraph arrangements completed (1855), 513, 515. 
Temperance movement (1839), 495. 
Tempests in 14S7, 14SS, and 1498, 68, 69. 
Teinple-a-Glantan monastery, 564 ; Lacy burial place, 

564, 751. 
Tervoe, notice of (see Monsetl), 473. 
Thackeray, ballad by, 5u9. 

Theatres in eighteenth century, 331, 361, 364; ac- 
count of, 645; in 1777, 305; erected (1810), 425; 

opened; (1814), 433; in 1815,442; sold in 1822,425; 

converted Into chapel, 645; opened in 1824,465; 

Kean appeared, 465; Sheridan Knowles in Limerick, 

487 ; Royal built, 498. 
Theudum, a fief, 48. 
"The Nail" expression, 210. 
Thorn Corr Castle (1401), 235; market on, 295. 
Thomond and Clare mentioned, 210. 
Thomond Bridge, great attack on (1691), 262 ; sortie 

by Lacy, 263 ; castle on, 348 ; bridge improved 

(1822), 455; bridge noticed, 469; memorial stone 

on Island Bank, near, 508. 



INDEX. 



775 



Thomond Gate, 697. 

Thomond inhabitants, journey to see St. Patrick, 4. 

Thomond in eleventh century, lungs of, 17; and 
princes, 18 ; and country, IS ; invaded by Desmo- 
nians, 18 ; invaded in eleventh century, 19 ; wars 
of succession to King Dermot (1106), 22; again 
invaded by O'Connor, Connaught, 24; annals in 
twelfth century; 25 ; invaded by Cormac, 25; Lord 
of Thomond and Ovmond gives hostages to King 
of Leinster, 25 ; King defeated (1151), 27; King of, 
invades C<£inaught (1171), 36 ; invaded by English 
in 1192, 45f; granted by Edward I. to De Clare in 
1275, 56; chiefs at war with De Clare (thirteenth 
century), 57; King, account of, 57; battle tor 
sovereignty (1309), 60; chiefs defeat Bruce, 61; 
annals of, 63, 64, 66, 67 ; princes, disputes, and wars 
in twelfth century, 63 ; Lord of, in 1399, 64 ; further 
account of actions and family, 66, 67 ; annals 
(1460 to 1464), 67 ; Prince of, in wars of Butlers and 
Desmond >, 68 ; kingdom of, ceded by Henry VIII., 
74 ; Sussex ravages, 95 ; state in 1575, 99 ; settled, 
re-grant of lands to Irish (1585), 116; Prince of, 
dies (1539), 80 ; Conor O'Brien, Prince of, letter to 
Henry VIII., 84; Earl of, created, 74. 

Thomond and Desmond reconciled, 93 ; Earl of, dies 
(1551), 93 ; further notices of, 94, 95, 96, 97, 101 ; 
country separated from Connaught and joined to 
Munster (1576), 101 ; Earl enterrains Lord Presi- 
dent (1600J, 124 ; Earl pursued followers of Sugan 
Earl, 127 ; Karl departs for England (1601), 128; 
returns to assist Mountjoy at Kinsale, 128; Lord of 
made President of all Munster (1611), 136; his 
powers, 142 ; his death, 142 ; grant of land by, 144, 
145 ; his influence, 155; purchase of his estates, 304 ; 
Earl of, monument to (1624), 594; notice oi, 698. 

Thurles, battle of, in 1174, 43 ; two defeats there of 
the English, 45. 

Tides high, destruction by in 1775, 365. 

Tighe, Robert, Esq., resigns chairmanship, 527. 

Tierney, Sir Mathew, notice of, 751, 758 (see Gill v. 
Tierney, Law Reports Chancery). 

Tipperary held by force, 49. 

Tiptop at brogheda, 68. 

Tir Gias, Terry Glass, 4. 

Tithes introduced in Ireland (1152), 28; not enforced 
until English invasion in 1172, 28; bill as to [1816] 
address of Bishops, 437 ; affray at Newcastle [1834], 
488 ; debate and act, 488. 

Tokens (see Mint) of traders, seventeenth century, 
200; of James II., 287. 

Tolls for city wall (1237J, 53 ; in 1741, 336, 337 ; op- 
pression of, 353; and customs rented by city, 420; 
on grain, etc. (1815), 441 ; on bridges, 470, 471 ; of 
Athlunkard bridge, 475 ; action of Robinson v. 
Hough, 508 ; loss of tolls, 508. 

Tholsel began, 696. 

Tombs (see each name) stone of Cusack, 308; of Dl. 
Hayes in St. Mary's, 351 ; in St. John's [see Cathe- 
dral], 627. 

Tone, Wolfe, notice of, 357. 

Topography, etc., 710. 

Tories, protection to, 93; and robbers in 1704, 301; 
three executed, 301 ; [statute as to in 1865J. 

Tory Hill, 729, 731. 

Tower of Limerick blown up [1693], 295. 

Tower of Na Clona, 623 ; of Cogan, 696. 

Tower of London fire, crown jewels saved [and see 
Keed v. O'Brien, 7 Beavan], 751. 

Town, Irish house [1767] inscription on, 362. 

Town Hall [1843], 414, 502, 505. 

Tracey's, T. S., poem on Sarsfield, 249 ; his " Garry- 
owen", 402. 

Traceys, Viscounts Rathcoole, and baronets of the 
county Limerick, 734. 

Trade [see Commerce], of city, 54, 55, 78 ; in 1405, 
366 ; by freemen and non-freemen [1680], 209 ; in 
1698, 296 ; restrictions on, 296; with France [1728], 
287 ; of Limerick in 1823, 459, 460 ; statistics of 
1865, 528 ; of exports, 530 ; of markets, 532. 

Trades and tradesmen, 347. 

Trades flourishing in 1768, 361 ; analysis of, 362; per- 
sons employed in, 503 ; Corporations of, 751 ; meet- 
ing for repeal [1840], 496. 

Traitors in Limerick during siege, 177 ; amongst the 
Irish [1690], 229, 230, 231 ; Ualldearg O'Donnell. 258 ; 
Richards, W., 258; refuted, 258; Brigadier Clifford, 
259; Captain Taaff, 260; O'Donnell and Wilson 
join English army, 277 ; Maume in 1798, 402. 



Travelling in 1758, 347; in Ireland, 477; [see Coaches, 
Mails, Railroads, Bianconi]. 

Treachery of President to Irish party [1601], 128. 

Treaty of peace between Gal way and Limerick [15241 
73; of Limerick with lreton [1651], 174, 179; for 
Irish going to fcy.ain [1653], 190; of peace in 1691, 
266; articles of, 747; bleach of, 274, 286, 289; 
status under it, 288; how observed, 288, 289: pro- 
test by Bishop in 1697 against, 295. 

Treaty stone and table ol 1691, 271, 525, 526, 678. 

Treason in 1539, punishment for, 80. 

Treasurer, F. J. O'Neill elected [1841], 498.; 

Trench, family of [1691], 254. 

Trials, remarkable, Cuff v. Hewson [1769], 363; 
"Colleen Bawn", Scanlan, 450; at Cork [1824], 
405. 

Tribute by merchants to Irish, 57. 

Troops for William's army [1691], 253; for James's 
army, 253 ; ordered to meet French in 1798, 409; in 
Limerick in 1727, 324. 

Trouin, daring act of, 750. 

Truce between Ormonde and Muskerry, 156. 

Tuath Mhumba [North Munster], 2. 

Tuam, Archbishop of, killed at Sligo, 164; secret 
papers on him, 164. 

Tudors' reign, 69. 

Tulla, residence of Carroll at, 256. 

Tumuli, notice of, 711. 

Tuohy, Bishop, notice of, 634 ; protest against 
rescript, 634 ; anecdotes of, 636. 

Turf, price of [1739], 332. 

Turnpikes in 1741, 335. 

Tuthill of " The Island", 306 ; John, law suit with 
Corporation, 438 ; notice of, 446 ; joins the other 
side, 447. 

Tyrconnell, Earl, created [Queen Elizabeth], 131 ; 
Lord Deputy [1686], 211; to Mas* publicly, 211; 
his wife to t ranee, 220. 

Tyrconnell [O'Donnell], arrival of [1690], 234; arrives 
from France [1691], 252; death of, during siege 
[1691], 256 ; Earl of [see Talbot], in Russia [1812], 
428. 

Tyrone and O'Donnell accompany Mountjoy to Eng- 
land, 131. 

Tyrrell, Bishop, notice of, 615. 

Tythe [&ee Tithe] mentioned [1742], 338. 

Uisnkach, synod of, 24. 

Ulster, Murtogh, invades Innis-Owen, and destroys 
palace of Hy Nials, 23 ; men settle in Clare, 127 ; 
skirmishes between English and Irish, national 
party in Ulster [1601], 128; "pacified" [1603], 
130. 

Undertakers, English [see Confiscations and Adven- 
turers], in 1585 in Munster, 114; names and grants 
of estates to, 115 ; to navigate Shannon [1768], 
363. 

Uniforms of officials [1815], 442. 

Union, the [voted 1800], 3«, 389, 396 ; protest against, 
and names, 397 ; discussion on, 439 ; vote on, 439. 

Union, Poor Law, established [1838], 494. 

Union, opening of [1841], 499 ; statistics, 499. 

Universities iounded in Ireland, 34. 

Usher, Bishop of Meath, conduct of, 141, 143; Arch- 
bishop, his family, 223. 

Vallancet, General [1812], 419. 

Vandeleur, purchaser of the estates of Thomond, 
304. 

Van Homrigh, account of [1691], 263. 

Vaughan family, notice of, 364, 427. 

Vereker family, notices of, 224, 408, 466, 750 ; vault 
of, 543. 

Vereker, Miss Julia, her letter [1768], 360. 

Vereker, Colonel, atColloony [179S], 390 ; and militia 
in 1798, 407, 409 ; freedom of city to, 408; family 
of, 408 ; encounters the French, 410, 411 ; Parlia- 
ment thanks, 413 ; rewards to, 413 ; disputes with 
O'Connell, 413; mentioned by Duke of Wellington, 
424: contest for M.P., 429 ; supported Union, 438; 
notice of, 446; petition against, 447; Captain, 
notice of, 485 ; vote to, 488, 753, 754, 755. 

Vereker, Mr., action by Miss Cluston, 431. 

Vereker, Alderman, funeral of, 496. 

Vessels at port [see Mips], 527. 

Veto condemned [see Bishops], 432; writings re- 
specting, 635 ; end of, 659. 

Victoria, Queen, proclaimed [1837], 491 k 



776 



INDEX. 



Victuallers, company of, S28. 

Views from Limerick described, 535. 

Villiers, Cripps, family of, 306; Mrs., her will estab- 
lished [1815]. 442; her charities, 452 ; '; Villiers" 
alms houses, 152; " Villieis'' tnciov merits. 515. 

Volunteers [see Limerick], 37t-2, etc, 382 to 386; 
enrolled, 392 ; ordered to face French in 1798, 409; 
list of Volunteer Corps, 755. 

Voters, names of in 1760, 350. 

Wadding, Luke, notice of, 152, 591 ; quotation from, 

653. 
"Wages, 321. 

Walls of city in King John's time, 48;'toll for, in 
1237, 53 ; destroyed [1760], 348 ; noticed, 427, 428, 

746; demolished, 625. 
Waller, Sir Hardress, family of, 175 ; made Governor 

of Limerick, 181 ; further notices of, 1S7, 190. 
Waller, George, notice of, 356. 
Wallop, Sir Henry, a Lord Justice, 110. 
Walshe, Sir Edmund, monument, 717. 
Wandesford, account of, 148. 
Warde, William, Mr., evidence by, 398. 
Wars in Ireland [ancient], 2, 3 ; battle, a.d. 221, 3 ; 

further notices of, 6, 148, 158, 160, 168; supplies 

for in 1691, 261. 
Warter, estate of, etc., 283. 
Watercourses, grant of [1609], 136. 
Water, supply of [1825], 469, 476 ; act for, 469, 477. 
Water bailiff abolished, 471. 
Water Works Company, 477. 
Waterford surrendered to King Henry, 36 ; siege of, 

by Perkin Warbeck, 68. 
Waters, Bishop, notice of, 567. 
Watson, Alderman Andrew, 360; Henry, Mayor in 

1812, 437; Major, 512. 
Wauchop, General, in siege, 274, 285* 
Weather in 1816, etc., 433 to 438. 
Weavers in Ireland [1698] starving, 296. ' 
Weavers, depression of trade, 489; operatives sent to 

England, 489. 
Wei>b, Bishop, seized, 151 ; notice of, 590. 
Wedding present in 1636, 144, 145. 
Weirs in fourteenth century, grant, 61, 62 ; grants of, 

134, 138 ; and fishery, grant to Preston [Charles 

II.], 200, 201 ; settlement of dispute. 209 : in 1691, 

siege, 261; company for [1803], 413; trial about 

[1807], 418 ; salmon [1809], 426 ; trial as to, 426 ; lax 

in 1809, 426 ; let in 1824, 466 ; grant of weir, 700 ; 

at St, Thomas's Island, 650 ; inquiry [1865], 535. 
Well Abbey in 1768, 363. 
Wellesley Bridge Act [1823], 469 ; opened [1835], 

489. 
Wellesley, Lord (see Wellington), freedom to, 417; 

letter of [1S08], 423 ; Marquess, address to [1822], 

459. 
Wellington, Duke of [see Wellesley], 417 ; letter from 

[1808], 423. 
Wentworth, his progress in Connaught [1635], 144, 

145 ; visits Limerick, 146. 
Westropp of Attyflin, 306, 307; charities of Mr., 452; 

memorial of, 603. 



Wexford, English arrive at [1169], 35. 

Whig and Tory disputes, 317. 

Whipping liberalh supplied, 320, 391. 

"Whitamore's castle. 760. 

Whneboys, 341 ; v 1762. 355; Protestants the insti- 
giitois, ibid.; trials and execution of, ibid. ; special 
con mission, ibid.; threats of, 357. 
White, family of, account of, 139; Miss, liberality of, 
429, 434, 683 ; Dr. Dominick, 153; account of Lime- 
rick (1643), 153; Lord Annally, account of, 263; 
Jasper, Rev., notice of, 557. 
White's comments on persecution, 2'V* ; MSS. no- 
ticed, 557. 
^ hite Knight, family of, 66, 693, 732, 733, 750. 
Whitfield arrives in Limerick, 336. 
Widow Virgin charity established, 364. 
Widows' Asylum established [1861], founded by Very 

Rev. W. A. O'Meara, O.S.F., 494. 
Wig makers (1770), 364. 
Wigorne Philip de, grant to, 49. 
William III. lands at Carrickfergus (1690), 213 ; his 

progress, 213 ; progress to Limerick, 222 ; his defeat 

and retreat, siege of Limerick, 240 to 251 ; returns 

to England, 251 ; siege of Limerick in 1698, 251 to 

26S ; proceedings in Parliament, 252. 
William IV., King, died [1837], 491. 
Willmot, Sir Charles, Governor, 133. 
Wills, one of D>61, 62. 

Wilson, grant to [1606], 192 ; family notice, 744. 
Winckworthe, grant to [1666], 192. 
Windmill burnt down [17S6], 386; demolished (1811). 

415. 
Windsor, treaty of, 42. 
Wine, grant otto O'Brien, 56 ; prisage of [1467], 67; 

importations of [Henry VIIL], 220 ; in 16S1, 760 ; 

in eighteenth century, 331. 
Wodeford, Dean, notice of, 553. 
Wolfe, Father,'' put to death by Ireton [1651], 180; 

account of, 649, 602 ; Pope's letter in his favour 

663. 
Wolves, proclamation respecting [16531 188. 
W T oodstock, expedition to [Henry VIIL], 78. 
Wool, price of [1739], 332. 
Woollens introduced into Carrick and Kilkenny, 199 ; 

manufacture introduced [1667], 205. 
Woulfe, Father [see Wolfe], 180. 
Writers deemed saints, 32 ; on O'Donnell family, 258. 

Yellow Foed, battle of [1016], 18, 122. 

Yeomanry Corps embodied [1790], 393 ; relieved of 

duty [1798], 407 ; Clare ditto, 408 ; corps of 1S23, 

460. 
Yorke, Alderman, monument to, 596. 
Young. Bishop, letter to Maunsell [1798], 388 ; notice 

of, 422, 423 ; death and tomb, 431, 630, 631, 
Young's College founded, 033 ; Father John, 616. 
" Young Ireland" party (secede 1846), 505; notice of, 

509. 
Young Men's Societies established, 512. 
Yvorus fortifies city against native Irish, 4. 

Zoology of Ireland, 68. 



LIST OF STJBSCEIBBES. 



Ashtown, Lord, Woocllawn. 

Alexander. Samuel, Limerick. 

Artlmr, Rev. Francis, P.P. KL.varra. 

Aithnr, Thomas. M.D., York. 

Alton, S. Bindon, Limerick. 

Arnott, Sir John, Knight, J.P., Cork. 

Arthur, Augustus. J.P., Glenomera, county Clare. 

Avery, Thomas, Collector of Customs, Limerick. 

Butler, Bight Rev Dr. George, Bishop of Limerick, 

2 copies. 
Bianconi, Charles. D L., LongfieldPark. 2 copies. 
Barrington, Sir William Hartigan, Bart., Glenstal 

Castle. 2 copies. 
Blackall, Jonas, solicitor. Limerick. 
Barry, John, T.C., Limerick. 
Bowerman, John, Limerick. 
Bourke, Rev. Jolm. P.p. Pallaskenry. 
Burke, Rer. Michael. P.P. Newport. 
Barry. James, solicitor, Limerick. 
Barry, C. R., Serjeant, Q.C., Dublin. 
Bouike, Mvies Y., M.D.. Limerick. 
Bugler, Re'v. M.. P.P. Miltown Malbay. 
Barrington, William, L.E.. Ballywilliam. 
Browne, Rev. T.. P.P. Limerick. 
Bunton, Rev. John, P.P. Glinn, 
Brophv, N. A., Limerick. 
Boyse, T., J.P., Spring Fort. 
Berry, A. L., Lisduane. 
Burke, John, Limerick. 
Bradshaw, R.. solicitor, Tipperary. 
Barry, John, Limerick. 
Blake, Rev. Thomas, P.P. Fedamore. 
Barker, W. Ponsonby. D.L., Kilcooly Abbey. 
Byrne, James, Limerick. 
Birmingham, David, Ballysimon. 
Biackall, Nicholas, B.L., Limerick. 
Bennis, W. Geary, (late), Paris. 
Butler, Augustine, D.L.. Baliyline, county Clare. 
Boland, William, Killaneave. 
Bunton, Timothy, solicitor, Ennis. 
Black, James, Tramore. 
Bourke, Richard, J. I'., P.L.I., Thornfields. 
Burke, .Martin iionan, C.E., Dublin. 
Brodie, Michael, M.D., Limerick. 

Carberv, Very Rev. F., O.P.. Limsrick, 2 copies. 

Cregan, T. M'M., C.E., Limerick. 

Coghian, Rev. Dr., P.P. Abbeyfeale. 

Cus'sen, Yerv Rev. Dean (late), P.P., V.G., Bruff. 

Cullen, D., f.C. (late), Limerick. 

Coleman, Patrick, Limerick, 

Cruise, Edward, Limerick. 

Casey, Rev. M., P.P. Loughmore. 

Carroll, Martin, Limerick. 

Cronin, John, T.C.. Limerick. 

Caswell, Samuel, J.P , Black water. 

Cross, George, Limerick. 

Cleary, Rev M., P.P.. Nenagb. 

Corbett, E. J., Limerick. 

Connell, David. Kil iuff. 

Cooney, Eugene, Limerick. 

Coffee, John, Glin. 

Clanchy, D., D.L., Charleville. 

Coffee, Rev. Dr., Carlow College, 2 copies. 

Corbett, Patrick, Limerick. 

Carlow College (Lay), Carlow, 2 copies. 

Carlow College (Eccl.), Carlow, 2 copies. 

Carroll, J. W., I>romkeen. 

Carroll John, Kiknavarra. 

Cahill, Rev. \Y, P.P., Cappawhite, 

Curt s, Stephen P., B. L.. Dublin. 

Carroll, William, Limerick. 

Chamber of Commerce, Limerick, 



Congregated Trades, Limerick. 

Costello, James, I.N P.. Rathmines. 

CooKe, J. W.. J.P., Borrisoleigh. 

Clanchy. William, Watergate^ Limerick. 

Corbett, W. E., Limerick. 

Caruiody, Mr.. Limerick. 

Coonerty. J., Killballyowen. 

Creagh, Paul R., Cast'leconnell. 

Cantwell, Thomas, Clonmel. 

Carroll, Martin J., Baggotstown. 

Carey, Thomas, M.D ."Limerick, 

Connollv, John, Carev's Road, Limerick. 

Cantweil, Very Rev. Dean, P.P., Y.G., Fethard. 

Cantwell, Thomas, Clonmel. 

Christian Brothers, Limerick, 2 copies. 

Clancy, Patrick, Nenagb. 

Conway, Very Rev. Patrick, O.P., Cork. 

Cunningham* John S., Nelson St-eet, Tipperary. 

Callinan, Kev. James, C.C , BaPyoricken. 

Cox, Aldetman Pierce, Waterford. 

Connolly, John, jun , Limerick. 

Cullinan, Miss (late), Magowna. 

Corbett, William. Castle^Connell. 

Clanchy, John, Limerick. 

Corbett, Rev. James F., St. Kilda, Victoria. 

Casev, Michael, M O.. Brnff. 

Cahill, Rev. R., P.P. KnockavaPa. 

Connolly, John. J.P„ Templemore. 

Creagh, John, Limerick. 

Cleary, F. J, solicitor. Limerick. 

Cusack, Michael, Limerick. 

Chueffer, Chevalier, London. 

Considine. Heffeman, J.P , Derk House. 

Carev, Patrick, Limerick. 

Costelloe, E. Rev. P.P. StonehalL 

Collins, E. J., R.M., Limerick. 

Christian Bi others, Adare. 

Christian Brothers, Bruff. 

Christian Brothers, Rathkeale 

Cleary, Rev. Denis, C.C, Killaloe. 

Condon, Rev. John, C.C, Uppercivurch. 

Dixnn, Most Rev. Dr., Primate, Armagh, 2 copies. 

Dunraven, Earl of, Adare, 2 copies. 

Devon, Earl of, rowdcrham Castle, Essex, two 

copies. 
D'Alton, John, M R.T.A.. Dublin. 
Dinan, Rev. M., P-P . Ballinacally. 
Dundon, Very Rev J., O.S.A., Limerick. 
Dore, Very Rev, R , O.S.A., Liinei ick. 
Dunne, Very Rev. Dr., P.P., Kildare, 2 copies. 
Davis, Arthur, Limerick. 
Downes, Very Rev. Dr., P.P., Kilmallock 
Delaney, James, Limerick. 
Dwyer, John S., J. P., Castleconnell. 
Dowling, Jeremiah. Limerick. 
Duhv, Mathew, Murroe. 
Delmege, John C, J.P.. Castlepark. 
De Salis, Count, D.L., landers 
De Yere, Stephen £., J.P , Foynes. 
Dalton. Edward, Count, D.L., Grenanstown. 
Devltt, J. T., J P., Limerick. 
De Courcey, John, Shannonville. 
Dwyer, John, Kilnefinch. 
Denn, Laurence J.. Urlinpford. 
Dawson, Michael, Limerick. 
Daniel, Robert, LL.B., Lublin. 
Dawson, Charles, Dublin. 
Donovan, John, first class S.LC, Newmarket on- 

Fergus. 
Dillon, Michael, Limerick. 
De Yere, Aubrey, Curragh Chase. 
Dwyer, William, Corelish. 
De "Salis, J. W, John, Hillingdon Place, Uxbridge. 



m 



LIST OS* SUBSCRIBERS. 



EUard, John, Town Clerk, Limerick. 

Eaton, J. R., J.P., Kilduff House. 

Egan, Michael, Limerick. 

Ebrill, William, Limerick. 

Evans, T., Ballintemple, coxxnty Cork. 

Ellis, Henry, Limerick. 

Ellard, William, Dublin. 

Fogarty, Very Rev.'Dr., P.P., V.G., Lismore, 3 copies. 

Fitzgerald, John. Grange Cottage. 

Fitzgerald, William, Newport. 

Frewen, William, Garden Hill. 

Fitt, Thomas, Limerick. 

Fitt, Edward, Limerick. 

Fitzpatrick, Right Rev. Dr., Ahhot, Mount Melleray, 

2 copies. 
Fitzgerald, Rev. Dl., C.C., St. Mary's, Limerick. 
Fitzgerald, John, Limerick. 
Fahy, Rev. J., P.P., Kyle. 

Fitzgerald, M. , Rev. Dr., P.P., St. John's, Limerick. 
Finch, Daniel, (late) Limerick. 
Fallon, Right Rev. Dr., Bishop of Kilfenora, etc. 
Fitzgerald, Thomas, Ballinagrana. 
Frost, James, J.P., Ballymorris. 
Frost, Thomas, New York. 
Fitzgerald, Edward, Ardcloney. 
Fitzpatrick, William, Maryboro'. 
Franklin, William, M.P.B., Limerick. 
Foley, James, Limerick. 
Forrest, James, Limerick. 
Fitzgerald, Rev. Thomas, CC, Kilmallock. 
Frost, James, Meelick. 
Fitzgerald, Gerald, solicitor, Limerick. 
Fisher, Henry, M.D., Limerick. 
Fitzgerald, Edmond, Shannon Grove. 
Fogarty, Richard, Limerick. 
Fowler, Thomas, Birmingham. 
Frost, John, Castlebank. 
Foster, Michael, Smithfield, Birmingham. 
Fitzgerald, W. F. Vesey, J.P., Crossbeg, co. Clare. 
Ferguson, R., B.L., Dublin. 
Folan, Very Rev. S. T. M., O.P. Galway. 
Furnell, Michael, D.L., Caherilly Castie. 

Gort, Right Hon. Lord (late), Colonel of City of Lime- 
rick Militia, 2 copies. 
Gavin, Major George, MP., Kilpeacon, 2 copies. 
Gabbett, Edmond, J. P., (late) Limerick. 
Geary, W. J., M.D., Limerick. 
Guerin, John, Limerick. 
Gelston, Robert R., M.D., Limerick. 
Grene, Rev. J., S. J., Clongowes College. 
Greene, Thomas, Ennis. 
Gloster, George, Parteen House. 
Gorman, E. A., East Birgholt. 
Gleeson, John, city coroner, Limerick. 
Grene, Francis, J.P.. Dublin. 
Gavin, Michael, Captain, J. P.. Limerick. 
Gabbett, Rev. Robert, The Rectory, Foynes. 
Garnett, Mrs. Wihiam, Danover House, co. Meath. 
Gelston, Thomas, M.D.. Limerick. 
Gabbett, Rev. Joseph, Rector, Bruff. 
Gamble, Richard, T.C., Limerick. 

Howley, Sir John, Q.C., Dublin. 2 copies, 
Howley, William, D.L., Rich Hill. 
Hastings, Stephen, T.C., Limerick. 
Hall, Ambrose, T.C., Limerick. 
Hanrahan, Rev. L., P.P. Castlemahon. 
Hosford, William, Limerick. 
Harris, James, T.C., Limerick. 
Hayes, Rev. Dr. John, CC, Shanagolden. 
Harold, Daniel, Limerick. 
Harold. Edward, Limerick. 
Hunt, Robert, J.P., Limerick. 
Hennessy, Rev. P., P.P. Castleconnell. 
Hanna, John W., co. Down. 
Hanrahan, Rev. J.. O.S.A., Galway. 
Hogan, John, Limerick, 
Humphries, William, Limerick. 
Hayes, D. Enniskerry. 
Heron, Denis C, Q.C., Duhlin. 
Holmes, John, Athlunkard. 
Holmes, Robert, Athlunkard. 
Horan, Rev. P. CC, Toomavarra. 
HeffernaD, W. R , Boher. 
Hayes, John, Limerick. 
Haipin, Joseph, Dublin, 



Hartigan, Cornelius, Glenormera, ce. Limerick. 
Hartney, W. F., Kilkee. 
Hartigan, Daniel. Askeaton. 
Hamilton, Augustus, Dublin. 
Hannan, Henry, Fox Hall. 
Hinchey, William, Thomond Gate, Limerick. 
Hogan, Patrick, Alderman, Limerick. 
Hayes, Patrick, St. Kilda. Victoria. 
Hartigan, Michael, Repository, Limerick. 
Hartnett, William Fuller, Newcastle Wtbt. 
11 Hand, Captain W. Lumly, City of Limerick Regi- 
ment of Militia. 
Howard, J. M., C.E., Limerick. 
Hanrahan, James Jerome. M.D., Limerick. 
Hickie, James. T. C, Limerick. 
Harte, John, Grange Hill. 
Hayes, Michael Angelo, R.H.A., Dublin. 

Iiichiquin, Lord, etc., Dromoland. 

Jones, T. Baker, Limerick. 
Joynt, Wm. Lane, Alderman, Dublin. 
Jacob, Henry, Limerick. 
Johnston, William, J. P., Limerick. 

Keane, Right Rev. Dr., Bishop of Cloyne, Fermoy. 

Kelly, Michael, T.C., Limerick. 

Kenny, Matthew, solicitor, Ennis. 

Kenny, Very Rev. Dean, P.P., V.G., Ennis. 

Kennedy, Josh. B., Limerick. 

Kennedy, Daniel, Limerick. 

Keogh, James, Limerick. 

Kenny, Mrs. H., Corbally. 

Kennedy, Very Rev. P., P.P., V.G., Roscrea. 

Keyes, Robert, Limerick. 

Kelly, Very Rev. E., S.J., Limerick, 2 copies. 

Knox, Right Rev. Dr., Hollywood. 

Keane, Thomas, M.D., J.P., Limerick. 

Kelly, Thomas, Shannon View. 

Kelly, Laurence, T.C, Limerick. 

Keyes, Humphrey, O.S., Limerick. 

Kavanagh, Very Rev. Dr., President Carlow College, 

2 copies. 
Kenny, Joseph, J.P., Clonmel. 
Kirwan, Rev. W., P.P. Boherlahan, 2 copies. 
Kelly, John, D.L., Limerick. 
Kirwan, James, M.D., City Coroner, Dublin. 
Kelly, James, D.L., Cahercon. 
Kelly, John, Limerick. 
Kearney, Jonn, Limerick. 
KeJly, Lewis, Leeds. 
Kavenagh, Bernard, M.D., Limerick. 
Kearney, Fiancis, solicitor, Limerick. 
Keane, Rev Timothy, CC, Templebredin. 
Krr.Jl, Stuart, Crosslets in the Grove, Blackheath, 

London, S.E. 
Kennedy, Rev. Daniel, P.P. Thomond Gate. 

Leahy, Most Rev. Dr., Archbishop, of Cashel, Thurles, 
2 copies. 

Lalor, E. J. De La Poer, D.L., Captain, Longorchard. 

Lynch, J., Coi slabnlary, Adare. 

Littleton. James, Limerick. 

Lacey, Thomas, Wexiord. 

Lanigan, Jonn, J. P., ex M.P., Templemore. 

Lynch, Patrick, solicitor, Limerick. 

Lloyd, William, Limerick. 

Lenihan, William, Waterford 

Lenihan, Daniel, Lake Isle, county Clare. 

Long, John, C.E., Limerick. 

Lea ivy, John, Q.C., Dublin. 

Laffan, John, Lismore. 

Leahy, Michael, solicitor, Newcastle West, 

Laffan, Richard, Cloverfield. 

Luke, Alexander, Limerick. 

Laffan, William, Eyon House. 

Lloyd, Edward, Manager, N.B. Tipperary. 

Langly, Arthur, Limerick. 

Loner'gan, Rev. Thomas A., Warwick, Queensland, 

Australia. 
Leahy, Rev. Maurice, CC St. Mary's. 

Monsell, Right Hon. Col. W., M.P., Tervoe, 3 copies. 
MacSheehy, J. T., J.P., City Treasurer, Shannon 

Lawn. 
Murray, P J., Director of Prisons, Dublin, 2 copiei. 
Murphv, Joseph, solicitor, Limerick. 
M'Mahon, Rev Ml., P.P. WatervUle. 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



779 



Meehan. Her. M.. P.P. Carrigaholf. 

Morris, Rev. W., P. v. Borrisoleigh. 

Moh.nv, Key. ML, P.P. Rathdrmn. 

Malier, Rev. Thomas, P.P. Ballybricken. 

Maher, Rev. Thomas (late), Loughmore. 

Merrick, Joseph. Limerick. 

Malone, Yen' Ker. M., U.S.F., Limerick. 

Murphy, Thomas, Alderman, Waterford. 

Murray, John, Limerick. 

Malone, Rev. Ml. C.C. St. Michael's, Limerick. 

Meehan, Rev. Dr. M., P.P. St. Patrick's. 

Murray, Archd. jun., Limerick. 

M'Donogh. Ml., Limerick. 

Meehan, John, Ennis. 

Murray and Goodwin, Limerick. 

M'Donnell, John, J.P., Fairy HilL 

Miller, Richard, Limerick. 

MacNamara, Patrick, Limerick. 

McCarthy, Rev. D , C.C. St. Patrick's. 

Mackey, Thomas, Pallasgrean. 

Mulqueen, Rev. J., C.C. St. Michael's, Limerick. 

M'Sweeny, Peter P., Alderman, J.P., ex-Lord Mayor, 

Dublin. 
Mulcahy, Michael, Limerick. 
Maher, Rev. James, P.P. Carlow. 
M'Grath, William, solicitor, Dublin. 
Molony, ML Limerick. 
MacDonald, Neill J.P., Steyle Park. 
Maclnerney, Michael, Limerick. 
MacDonnell, Major W. E. A., D.L., New Hall, county 

Clare. 
McCarthy, C. E., solicitor, Newcastle West. 
MacNamara, Robert. Ballycummin Castle. 
Morrissey, James, Kilrush. 
M'Carthy, Randal Fineen, Kenmare. 
Mulrennan. Mrs. Mary, Limerick. 
Magrath, Wm. Henry, Solicitor, Dublin. 
MacSheehy, Edward Louis, M.D., 5th Dragoon 

Guards 
MacSheehy, Thomas, M.D., 7th Royal Fusiliers, 

Ee.rozpoor, India. 
Meredyth, Rev. Francis, M. A, (Oxon), Limerick. 

Malcomson, William. Portlaw, 2 copies. 

M'Mahon, J., Constabulary, Capparue. 

Murphy, Edward, ex-High Sheriff, Limerick. 

M'Carthy, John, Limerick. 

Macnamara, Josh.. Rutland Street, Limerick. 

Mangan, Rev. J. LL.B., Limerick. 

MacAdam, Major Thomas Stannard, Blackwater, 2 

copies. 
Mahony, John W., Aldcman, J.P., Limerick. 
Mason, John W., Castlecormell. 
Meehan, John, William Street, Limerick. 
Mauuire, J. F., M.P.. Cork. 
Maunsell, Henry, Esq., J.P., ex-High Sheriff City and 

County of Limerick. 
Mahony, Wm. Augustus, Enniscorthy. 
Macauley, John. Antrim. 
MacNamara, Denis, T.C., Corbally, Limerick. 
MacMahon, Thomas, Limerick. 
Murphy, Very Rev. T., D.D.. V.G., p or t Elizabeth, 

Cape of Good Hope, 2 copies. * 
Malone, Rev. Sylvester, Kilkee. 
Meeiian, Rev. C. P., St Michael's and St. John's, 

Dublin. 
Maclnerney, Patrick John, Limerick. 
MacSheiry, Michael, Limerick. 
MacDonough. Denis, Castletown, county Limerick. 
Manahan. William, Limerick. 
Murphy, P. W., M.D., county Limerick Regiment of 

Militia. 
Mooney, Rev. Maurice, P.P. Cahir, county Tipperary, 

2 copies. 
M'Grath, Edmond, J. P., Kilbarron, county Clare. 
Mahon, John Joseph, St. Mary's, Cape Town. 
McNamara, Patrick, Post Master, Limerick. 
Moore, Rev. James. Keilor, Victoria. 
Moloney, Rev. Michael, P.P. Donoghmore. 
McCarthy, J.J., Archt., Dublin. 
Moore, Charles, M.P., Moorstort, Tipperary, 4 copies. 
Magrath, Rev. Joseph, J. P., Silvermines. 
MacNie, John, Engineer, Gas Works. 
M'Donnell, Rev. Brother, Cabra, Dublin, 2 copies. 

Nolan, Very Rev. J., S.J., Tullabeg College. 
Naan, Thomas, Limerick. 
Nash, James, Limerick, 



Nolan, Rev. J., President, Knoekbeg, Carlow College 
Nash, Richard, Doonass. 
Na'sh, Henry, Limerick. 
Nelson, William, Limerick. 

O'Brien, Wm. Smith (late), Caheimoyle, 2 copies. 
O'Brien, Very Rev. Dean, P.P., V.G., Newcastle 

West. 
O'Donnell, Lieutenant-General Sir Charles R,, Trough 

House. 
O'Conror, Rev. Daniel, D.D., P.P. Ardagh. 
O'Brien, Hon. Robert, J.P., Oldchurch. 
O'Shaughnessy, C, KUfiuane. 
O'Donnell, John, T.C., solicitor, Limerick. 
O'Callaqhan, Eugene, J.P., High Sheriff, Limerick. 
O'Brien, Right Rev. Dr., Waterford, 2 copies. 
0'Brie:i, Sub- Con., Dromore. 
O'Brien, John, Limerick. 
O'Rovke, Verv Eev. and Venerable James, Archd., 

P.P., V.G., Patrick's Well. 
O'Carroll, Eev. T., P.P. (late) Clonoulty. 
O'Neill, Rev. M., C.C. Newport. 
O'Riggin, Rev. R. J., O.S.F., Limerick. 
U'Callaghan, Andrew, ex-S.T.C.D., Limerick. 
O'Brien, Mr. Justice, Dublin. 
O'Connor, Very Rev. Dr., PP., V.G., Tempi emore. 
O'Donnell, Rev. Edmond, P.P. Passage East. 
O'Donnell, Rev. W., P.P. Banogue. 
O'Brien, John, Mary Street, Limerick. 
O'Connor, Rev. Matthew, P.P. (late) Limerick. 
O'Keeffe, Laurence, Limerick. 
O'Farrell, Thomas A., Limerick. 
O'Donoghue. W. Power, M.B. Oxon., Adare.J 
O'Meara, Michael, Waterford. 
O'Gorman, Michael, Limerick. 
O'Hagan, Right Hon. Thomas, Justice. 
O'Loghlen . Sir Cohnan M., M.P., Drumconora, 2 copies. 
O'Harrigan, M., Limerick. 
O'Connell. Coleman, Limerick. 
o v Farrell, Rev. ft, P.P. Cratloe. 
O'Sullivan, Patrick, Tralee. 
Owens, Patrick, Archers i own. 
O'Shea, Very Rev. J., V.G., P.P., Eathkeale. 
O'Connell, D., Abbeyfeale. 
0'>haughnessy, James, M.D., J.P., Limerick. 
O'Connell, Maurice, J. P., Kilgorey. 
O'Brien, Thomas, Patrick Street, Limerick. 
Otway, Captain R. J., D.L., Castle Otway, 2 copies. 
O'Connell. J P., Hummani Drop, Cape oi Good Hope, 

2 copies. 
O'Brien, Timothy, Limerick. 
O'Flaherty, Edward, Adjutant City of Limerick 

Militia. 
O'Gorman, Thomas, Rathgorman, county Dublin. 
O'Carroll, Rev. James, C.C. Clonoulty, Cashel. 
O'Hanlon, David, M.D., J.P., Rathkeale. 
O'Brien, William, Limerick. 
O'Connor Kerry, The, Listowel. 
O'Brien, George, J P., Birehfield. . 
O'Connor James, Limerick. 
O'Grariy, John, solicitor, Bruff. 
O'Meara, Body, Ncragh. 
Leary, John E., Lieutenant, county of Limerick 

Resiment of Militia. 
O'Brien, Donatus, Limerick. 
O'Brien, Timothy, J.P., Limerick. 
O'Shauuhnessy, Rd. S., T.C.D., Limerick. 
O'FarrelJ, John, Limerick. 
Ouscley, Colonel, London. 
O'Hanlon, Rev. John, C.C, St. Michael's and St. 

John's, Dublin. 
O'Sullivan, John, Constabulary, Donoughmore. 
O'Clery, Rev. Marcus, P.P. Bulgaden. 
O'Donnell, Willium, Limerick. 
O'HalJoran, Matthew, Constabulary. 

Power, Right Rev. Dr. Nicholas, Bishop, etc., Eillaloe, 

2 copies. 
Powell, Caleb, J.P., ex-M.P„ Clonshavoy, 2 copiei. 
Power, Richard P., P-illinakill. 
Purcell, James, Limerick. 

Power, O'Neill Nicholas, J.P., Snow Hill, 2 copies. 
Powell. William, Midleton. 
Plunkett, Hyacinth C , Dublin. 
Power, Edmund, J.P., Eastlands, county Waterford. 
Peppard, John, M.D., Bushy Park. 
Piei ce and Nash, Adelphi Chambers, Lo- ' 

copies. 



780 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



Partrige, Mrs. P., Portlaw. 

Powell, John, Limerick. 

Pigot, Right Hon. David Richard, Lord Chief Baron, 

Power, Richard P., Ballynakill, Adare. 

Phelan, William, Shievree. 

Power, Edinond, Limerick. 

Quinlan, Rev. J., P.P., Croom. 

Quaid, Rev. P., P.P. Callaghan's Mills. 

Quin, John, T.C., Limerick. 

Quin, Rev. J., C.C. Glin. 

Quinlan, Jeremiah, Limerick. 

Quinn, Rev. Thomas, Limerick.' 

Quinlivan, Laurence, Alderman, J.P., Limerick. 

Quinlan, Matthew, Thurles, 4 copies. 

Pussell, F. W., M.P., London. 

Ryan, Rev. P., P.P. Cappamore. 

Ryan, George, D.L„ Inch House, 

Raleigh, Richard, Limerick. 

Ryan, E. F. G., R.M., Midleton. 

Ray, T. M ., Dublin. 

Russell, Richard, J. P., Plassey House. 

Russell, Arthur, Limerick. 

Ryan, Michael Robert, J.P., Temple Mungret. 

Raleigh, Very Rev. J., P.P. (late) Rathkeale. 

Ryan, Rev. J., P.P. New Inn. 

Ryan, Rev. P., P.P. Drommiu. 

Ryan, James, Limerick. 

Ryan y Edward, Limerick. 

Ryan, Thomas, Limerick. 

Ryan, Matthew, Limerick. 

Ryan, Timothy, Tower Hill. 

Roberts, William, London. 

Reilly, Edward, Foynes. 

Redemptorist Fathers, Limerick, 2 copies, 

Redmond, Cornelius, T.C., Waterford. 

Ryan, Denis, Limerick. 

Ryan, Rev. James, P.P. Templebredin. 

Roche, Wm., Crown Solicitor, Dublin. 

Russell, Francis Philip (late), Thomas's Island. 

Russell, Very Rev. Barth,, O.P., Cork. 

Riordan, P., Limerick. 

Riordan, Thomas T., M.D., Limerick. 

Ryan, W., Christian Brothers, Dublin. 

Ryan, Rev. M., P.P. Coleman's Well. 

Russell, Hampden Wm., Limerick, 2 copies. 

Ryan, Rev. John, P,P. Athea. 

Ryan, John, Ballyadam. 

Ryan, John, M.D., Pallasgrene. 

Robinson, C. W., Corbaliy House, two copies. 

Ryan, Michael, J. P., Bruree. 

Ryan, Rev. Patrick, C.C. Hospital. 

Roger, Robert, J. P., Limerick. 

Riedy, Michael, Limerick. 

Sexton, James, J,P., Coonagh, 

Synan, E. J., MP., Ashbourne House. 

Shaw, Wm. J., Limerick. 

Scanlan, John, Limerick. 

Scott, Rev. 1-iichard, P.P. St. Mary's. 

Scanlan, Patrick, Limerick. 

Synan, Very Rev, Dr., P.P., V.G., Shanagolden. 

Slattery, Rev. Michael, C.C, St. Munchin's. 

Sheehy, Garrett, Limerick. 



St. Lawrence, William, Limerick. 

St. Lawrence, Thomas, Gal way. 

Slattery, Rev. P. J., O.S.F., Clonmel. 

Sexton, T. F. G., J.P., Coonagh. 

Sellors, Michael, solicitor, Limerick. 

Slattery, Very Rev. T., P.P., V.G., Hospital 

St. Lawrence, John, Limerick,' 

Scully, Vincent, Q.C., ex-M.P., Dublin, 2 copies. 

Slattery, Malachy, Limerick. 

Sheehan, Very Kev. Dr., P.P., V.G., Ennistymon. 

Stackpoole, Captain, M.P., Ballyalia. 

Stamer, Mrs., Carnelly, Clare Castle. 

Shine, H. R., Comas Park, Cashel. 

Sheehy, Bryan Keatinge, J.P., Garbally. 

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, M.P., Lough Fea, Carrick- 

macross. 
Shine, Mrs. Mathew, Ballymacreese. 
Switzer, Lorenzo B., Limerick. 
Sibthorpe, W. G]. Limerick. 
Spain, Thomas, M.D., Nenagh. 
Stritch, Arthur, Doonas. 
Scanlan, Stephen, Limerick 
Spillane, Mrs , Limerick. 

Taifc, Peter, Alderman, Mayor of Limerick, 2 copies. 

Tracey, Dr., Daniel, Limerick. 

Tinsly, John, Alderman, J.P., Ex-Mayor. 

Todd and Co., Limerick. 

Tomkins, Samuel, O'Brien's Bridge. 

Tighe, Robert, B.L., Fitzwilliam- square, Dublin. 

Toomy, M., New York. 

Theakson, S. W., Scarborough. 

Upton, John, Limerick. 

Vandeleur, Colonel, M.P., Kilrush. 
Vandeleur, George, Captain, Ballynamona. 
Vereker, Hon. Major, J. P. (present Lord Gort), Li- 
merick Artillery, 2 copies. 
Vereker, Hon. J. P., ex-Lord Mayor of Dublin, 2 copies. 
Verlin, P. R., Limerick. 
Vokes, Wm. Wilson Limerick. 
Vowell, Richard, solicitor, Clonmel. 

Waldron, Laurence, D.L., ex-JLP., Ridge House, 

Ballybrack, 2 copies. 
Wilson, C. Monk, J.P., Caherconlish. 
Weir, W. M. W. A., Limerick. 
White, Helenus, J. P., Limeriek. 
White, John Davis, solicitor, Cashel. 
Ward, Francis, T.C., Limerick. 
Whelan, Right Rev. Dr., Dublin. 
Woodlock, Very Rev. Monsignore, Dublin. 
Wailinger, Lieutenant, Limerick. 
Walsh, Right Rev. Dr. James, Bishop of Kildare and 

Leighlin, 2 copies. 
Wilkinson, Thomas, Surgeon, R.C.L.M., Limerick. 
Wotzell, C A., Limerick. 
Wallis, Patrick, Bruff. 
Walsh, Rev. John, P.P. Templeglantin. 
Wilkinson, W. D., Limerick. 
Walsh, Thomas, Limerick. 
Wall, Rev. W., P.P. Clonoulty, Cashel. 
Waller, William, J. P., Prior Park. 
Watson, Andrew James, Castleconnell. 



John F. Fowler, Printer, 3 Crow Street, Dame Street, Dublin., 



* 7 J^. 



COEEIGENDA ET ADDENDA, 

Page 55, line 6, for " tenth century" read * seventeenth". 

Page 141, note 2, for " Pemywell" read " Pennywell",— for " forrnitas" read u firmatis' — for 
" Raekterant" read " Rockforest". 

Page 215, note 1, for " Lord Pophin" read " Lord Bophin", 

Page 282, note 2, line 7, dele " and last". 

Page 303, line 42, for " Earl of" read " Viscount". 

Page 344, note, line 15, for u the above" read " another" 

Page 394, for " 1897" read "1797". 

Page 494, for "Majoram" read "Majorem". 

Page 557, note 2, for " 1665" read " 1635". 

Page 567, for li Brundusian" read " Burgundian". 

Page 600, inscription, for " Samuel" read " Daniel". 

Pages 627-8. — The sentence commencing line 32, should read thus : " Accordingly, on the 9th 
of March, 1778, Dr. Butler, his relative, signified to the Hon. and Rev. Father John Butler, 
S.J., that all the prelates of Munster (except one, and Dr. Carpenter, who desired that Dr, 
Kihell should be promoted to the mitre), and many other prelates", etc. 

Page 657, for « Great Sea Weir" read " Great Lax Weir". 

Page C98, Bailiffs, 1535, for " Oennepherous" read " Oneisipherous", 

Page 736, line 9, for " Knockany" read " Knocklong". 

Page 766 Index, word Fisheries, for page " 555" read " 535". 

Page 769 Index, word "Longevity", dele, 760. 

Pages 423-443, Sir John Howley. This excellent native of Limerick died on the 13th of 
February, 1866, in Dublin. He was Queen's First Serjeant in Ireland, and was the second 
son of John Howley, Esq. , of Rich Hill, in the county of Limerick, by his wife, Amy, daughter 
of William Bourke, Esq., of Pallas, in the county of Tipperary. He was born in 1789, and was 
educated at Oscott, and at Trinity College, Dublin, and was called to the Irish Bar in 1815. 
He became a King's Counsel in 1835, and was made third Serjeant in 1843, and eventually 
rose to the first serjeantcy. After being for some time Assistant Barrister or (as it is now 
styled) Chairman of Quarter Sessions for the King's County, he was, in 1835, appointed 
Chairman of Quarter Sessions for the county of Tipperary, a post he held with the highest 
credit for thirty years ; and on his retirement, in 1865, he, in recognition of his services, was 
knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and received a magnificent testimonial from the 
county he had so long and so ably served. Sir John Howley had also shown considerable 
judicial ability when, on several occasions, he sat as a Judge of Assize. Sir John married, in 
1828, Sarah, daughter of Stephen Roche, Esq., of Lota Park, Cork; and by that lady, who 
died in 1857, he leaves three daughters, of whom the eldest, Maria, is married to Alexander 
John Mansfield, Esq., Barrister-at-Law ; and the second, Amy, to Anthony John ClifFe, Esq., 
jun., of Bellevue, in the county of Wexford. 

Page 709.— M. H. De Courcey, Esq., City Treasurer, died on the 26th of December, 1865 ; 
and the Corporation, on the 4th of January, 1866, unanimously conferred the office on John 
Thomas Mac Sheehy, Esq., J.P., of Shannon Lawn, ex-Mayor and ex-High Sheriff of Limerick. 
Pages 738-751, the Fenian Conspiracy occasioned the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to call 
for additional powers for its suppression, when the royal assent was given on Sunday, the 18th 
of February, 1866, to a Bill for the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. Several persons were 
arrested in Limerick, on Tuesday, the 20th of February, 1866, and lodged in jail in con- 
sequence, and many were afterwards arrested throughout the county. 

Clerk of the Crown and Clerk of the Peace for the city of Limerick — Thos. Fegan, Esq., solicitor. 
Clerk of the Crown for the county of Limerick — Alderman William Lane Joynt, solicitor. 
Clerk of the Peace for the county of Limerick — William John Frend, Esq. 
On the 1st of March, 1866, Colonel the Right Hon. W. Monsell, having been appointed Vice- 
President of th« Board of Trade, was reelected M.P. for the county of Limerick without oppo- 
sition. 



Intimately connected as Clare is with the History of Limerick, I subjoin a list of persons 
who represented that County and Borough of Ennis, in Parliament, from a.d. 1613 to 
a.d. 1866 : 



COUNTY MEMBERS. 

1613 Sir Daniel O'Brian, Knight. 

Ber. Clanchye, Esq.* 
1639 Dermitius O'Brien, Esq. 

Donat O'Brien, Esq. 
1661 Baron Ibrickane. 

Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart. 
1692 Joseph Williamson, Esq. 

Sir Donat O'Brien, Bart. 
1695 Sir D. O'Brien, Bart. 

Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart. 
1703 Sir D. O'Brien, Bart. 

Lucius O'Brien, Esq. 
1713 Sir D. O'Brien, Bart. 

Lucius O'Brien, Esq. 
1715 Francis Gore, Esq. 

John Ivers, Esq. 
1731 Erancis Burton, Esq. 

Sir.E. O'Brien, Bart. 
1738 Right Hon. E. Burton. 

Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 
1746 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 

Robert Hickman, Esq. 
1758 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 

Morough O'Brien, Esq. 
1762 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 

F. P. Burton, Esq. 

1767 F. P. Burton, Esq. 
Charles M'Donnell, Esq. 

1768 Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart. 
Francis P. Burton, Esq. 

1777 Edward Fitzgerald, Esq. 

Hugh Dillon Massy, Esq. 
1779 Edward Fitzgerald, Esq. 

Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart. 
1784 Sir Hugh D. Massy, Bart. 

Edward Fitzgerald, Esq. 
1790 Francis M'Namara, Esq. 

Hon. F. N. Burton. 
1796 Francis M'Namara, Esq. 

Hon. F. N. Burton. 
1798 Hon. F. N. Burton. 

Sir Hugh D. Massy, Bart. 
1800 Hon. F. N. Burton. 

Sir Hugh D. Massy, Bart. 

1802 Hon. F. N. Burton. 

Sir Hugh D. Massj>, Bart. 

1803 Hon. F. N. Burton. 
Sir Edward O'Brien. 

1807 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 
Aug. Fitzgerald, Esq. 

1812 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. | 
Aug. Fitzgerald, Esq. 

1813 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 
Aug. Fitzgerald, Esq. 

1818 Right Hon. W. V. Fitzgerald. 

Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 
1820 Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. 

Right Hon. Vesey Fitzgerald. 
1826 Right Hon. W. V. Fitzgerald. 

Lucius O'Brien, Esq, 



MEMBERS FOR ENNIS. 

Jonathan Thornton, Esq. 
Edmond Blood, Esq. 
Ralph Leventhorpe, Esq. 
Simon Thorowgood, Esq. 
William Purefoy, Esq. 
Isaac Granier, Esq. 
John Gore, Esq. 
Francis Burton, Esq. 
Francis Gore, Esq. 
Francis Burton, Esq. 
Francis Burton, Esq. 
Simon Purdon, Esq. 
Francis Burton, Esq. 
Francis Gore, Esq. 
David Bindon, Esq. 
Samuel Bindon, Esq. 
Samuel Bindon, Esq. 
David Bindon, Esq. 
Samuel Bindon, Esq. 
David Bindon, Esq. 
Samuel Bindon, Esq. 
David Bindon, Esq. 
Samuel Bindon, Esq. 
David Bindon, Esq. 
Thomas Burton, Esq* 
Lucius O'Brien, Esq. 
Thomas Burton, Esq. 
Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bt. 
Charles M'Donnell, Esq. 
Crofton Vandeleur, Esq. 
Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bt. 
William Burton, Esq.; 
Right Hon. W. Burton. 
Francis Bernard, Esq. 
Steuart Weldon, Esq. 
John Thomas Foster, Esq. 
Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bt. 
Right Hon. W. Conyngham. 
Sir E. O'Brien, Bt. 

Sir E. O'Brien, Bt. 
Nathaniel Sneyd, Esq. 
Sir E. O'Brien, Bt. 
Right Hon. J. O. Vandeleur. 

Right Hon. J. 0. Vandeleur. 

Right Hon, James Fitzgerald. 

William Fitzgerald, Esq. 

Right Hon. James Fitzgerald. 

Right Hon. W. V. Fitzgerald. 

Spencer Perceval, Esq. 
Sir Ross Mahon, Bart. 

Thomas F. Lewis, Esq. 



* Ancestor of Daniel CIadcIij Esq., D.I., of Charleville..; 



1828 DiNtEL O'Connsli,* Esq., in place of 
Bight Hon. W. V. Fitzgerald. 

1830 W. N. Macnamara, Esq. 

J. P. O'Gorraan Mahon, Esq. 

1831 W. N. MacNamara, Esq. 
Maurice O'Connell, Esq. 

1833 W. N. MacNamara, Esq. 

Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. 
1835 W. N. MacNamara, Esq. 

Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. 
1837 W. N. MacNamara, Esq. 

Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. 
1841 W. N. MacNamara, Esq. 

Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. 
1S47 Major W. N. MacNamara. 

Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart. 
1852 Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. 

General Sir J. F. Fitzgerald. . 
1857 Lord F. Conyngham. 

F. MacN. Calcutt, Esq. 

1859 Colonel C. M. Vandeleur. 
Colonel Luke White. 

1860 F. M'N. Calcutt. 

1863 Sir Coleman M. O'Loughlen, Bart., in 
place of F. M'N. Calcutt, deceased. 

1865 Col. C. M. Vandeleur. 

Sir Coleman M. O'Loughlen, Bart. 



William S. O'Brien, Esq. 
William S. O'Brien, Esq. 
Eight] Hon. W. V. Vesey Fitzgerald. 
Francis Mac Namara, Esq, 
Hewett Bridgeman, Esq. 
Hewett Bridgeman, Esq. 
Hewett Bridgeman, Esq. 
The O'Gormau Mahon. 
J. D. Fitzgerald, Esq., Q.C. 
J. D. Fitzgerald, Esq., Q.C, 
J.D. Fitzgerald, Esq., Q.C. 
Captain W. Stackpoole. 

Captain W. Stackpoole. 



* The Liberator, the first Catholic Member of Parliament since the reign of James 1L 



PIEESE AND NASHE'S COMPILATIONS. 



(in press). 



THE DE LAGYS; 

historical antr ffienealogicai Notes 

(compiling). 



Railway and Land Taxation and Law. Three Editions. (Reviewed in " The 

Times" leader, 1st November, 1844). 
Railway Carrying and Carriers' Law. Two Editions. 
Railway Robberies, 1845, Prosecutions, Disclosures, etc. 
Scotland and the Scotch. — Edited. 

The Russian War in Turkey, in 1829, in letters of Cornet Pierse. 
Railway Audits, 1850, Reports on — by a special Auditor of G. N. R. 
Railways and Shareholders : Powers, Accounts, Audits, etc. 
Reports on an Irish Railway Bubble — from Parliamentary Papers, 1850. 
Wellington — Historical and Genealogical Notes, Chart, Letters, etc. 
Chancery Tables. 

The Pentateuch, Poems of the Sacred Books of Moses. 
Bradshaw's Railway Companies' Manual for 1854 (re-edited). 
Marriage and Divorce Laws, 1858. 
Merchant Seamen's Law, and Board of Trade, 1858. 
Public Companies' Manual and Reporter. (Monthly). 
Historical and Genealogical Researches. 

DE LACY AND NASHE, STRAND, LONDON. 



: Researches made at the British Museum Library, the Record and State 
Paper Offices, etc., etc. 



X 



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